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“I told him to go to hell.I didn’t want them to get out and ruin my chances with Marty, but I also resented being at the mercy of this man.”
Trish looked away.“Then he told me that because I was with Thomas at the same time he was murdered, I’d be a prime suspect.All they had to do was send the pictures to the New Orleans Police Department, and they’d come looking for me.I’d be arrested and thrown in jail.Since I couldn’t afford bail, I’d be there until the trial.They’d plant the knife used in the murder in my house.I’d be convicted and spend the rest of my life being someone’s bitch.”
“So, you paid the thousand dollars.”
“I was scared.Who was going to believe me?The pictures were damning.”Trish snorted.“He gave them to me.I immediately burned them.I thought it was over and got on with my life.Marty proposed, he left you and we planned our wedding.Everything was great until I got the text to meet him at the Crawdad Hole.He had something for me.”
“I was there, but I missed him.Then he turned up dead.It was a relief for me.He wouldn’t harass me to make payments.I was happy and ready to throw myself into wedding preparations until last night.Two men showed up at my house, demanding I pay to keep images of me and Thomas Crabtree from getting into the hands of the detectives working the case.They wanted ten thousand dollars.I told them I didn’t have that much money.I’d have to sell everything, and I’d still be short.”
“Is that when you decided leaving would be your only option?”
“No.”She lifted her chin and met Felina’s gaze.“It was when they promised to hurt everyone I cared about, starting with Marty.And that is why I have to leave.Before morning.”
Felina stood.“You’re not going anywhere but straight to the police department.”
Trish’s eyes widened.“No.I can’t.They said that if I go to the police, they’ll target Marty.They know where he lives.I can’t do that to him.This was my mess.I have to leave to keep him safe.They’re watching me.”
Felina frowned.“At the very least, we have to let Shelby know.They’re already looking for the people who nabbed Gaither.They could be the ones who are now blackmailing you.”
“I can’t go to the police,” Trish said.
Felina thought for a moment.If they were watching Trish’s place, they’d know who was coming or going.If Trish left, they’d follow her straight to the sheriff’s office.Unless...
Felina went to Trish’s closet, pulled out jeans and a nice blouse, and handed them to Trish.“Here.Change into these.”
“I told you, I can’t go to the sheriff or any other law enforcement agency.”
“Just do it,” Felina commanded.“And fix your hair and makeup.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I get it.We’re not going to the sheriff’s office.We’re going to the Crawdad Hole for a girls’ night out with friends.”
“I don’t feel like going out.I have to leave by morning.”
Felina gripped Trish’s arms and leaned close.“If we can’t go to the police or sheriff’s department, they can come to us.We’re going for a girls’ night out with friends.If one of our friends happens to be a sheriff’s deputy, no big deal.”
Trish’s eyes widened.“They’ll be watching me.”
“Then all they’ll see is you hanging out with your girlfriends.”
“Marty doesn’t know about any of this.If they suspect I’ve gone to the law, they’ll hurt Marty.”
“Lucas has friends.They can protect you and Marty until we figure this thing out.”
Trish stepped out of her shorts and pulled on the jeans.“Do you think it’ll work?”She pulled the oversized T-shirt over her head, then dragged the blouse up over her arms and buttoned the front.“I’m scared.”
“Yeah.Well, so am I.”When she pulled her cell phone from her purse, her fingers brushed against the knife Lucas had insisted on her carrying.It didn’t give her the slightest bit of assurance that she could use it to protect herself.Maybe from the woman who’d killed Thomas.But she doubted it would be enough to go up against the guys who’d killed Gaither.
Chapter12
When Lucas gotthe call from Felina to come pick her up, he hadn’t expected Trish to climb into the back seat of the truck.
Felina grinned as she stepped up on the running board.“We decided tonight would be a good night to go to the Crawdad Hole for a girls’ night out.Do you mind taking us?”She was speaking louder than usual, and the smile on her face appeared strained.
Lucas wasn’t sure what was going on, but he went along with it.“I don’t mind at all.”
Felina slid onto the passenger seat and closed the door.
