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Gerard’s jaw tightened, the only indication that it bothered him as much as it bothered Bernie to see the man walking around free and clear. “I do.”
“I guess the sheriff’s plan didn’t work,” Bernie said. “How can we get him to confess to his part in sabotaging my place?”
“I don’t know,” Gerard said. “Something’s got to give.”
Customers converged on the produce truck, and Bernie lost track of Burns. When she looked for him again, there was no sign of the man.
So much for feeling safe. What was to keep him from hiring someone else to do his dirty work? Hell, if he shot Billie Joe and got away with it, what was to keep him from shooting her? That would solve his problems.
With Bernie out of the way, she didn’t have anyone who’d inherit the place. What would happen to it?
She hadn’t really thought about what would happen upon her death. She hadn’t planned on dying anytime soon. Making a mental note to speak to a lawyer on Monday, she continued to smile and sell corn, peas and okra to the generous members of her community.
By two o’clock, many of her bins were empty, and the extra bushels of corn had been sold. She was about to call it a day when her cell phone rang.
Bernie glanced at the caller ID, and her heart immediately started racing.
“This is Bernie,” she answered.
Sheriff Bergeron’s deep voice filled her ear. “Bernie, we got him.”
Bernie’s knees buckled, and she would have dropped to the ground if Gerard hadn’t chosen that moment to stand beside her.
He slipped an arm around her waist and held her upright.
“Thank God,” she breathed into the phone. “We didn’t think your plan was working when we saw him here at the farmer’s market. I have Gerard with me. Can you tell us what happened?” Bernie punched the speaker button on her phone so Gerard could hear the sheriff.
“He must’ve made a showing at the market to throw people off. He arrived just after one o’clock when the nurses take turns going to lunch. Our undercover nurse saw him slip into Billie Joe’s room. Thankfully, Billie Joe refused painkillers so that he would be coherent when Burns showed up. We got audio evidence of him blaming Billie Joe for botching the job and not finishing it by burning down the barn.”
“He said all that?”
“He did,” the sheriff said. “When we had enough to book him, our undercover guy moved in just in time to catch Burns holding a pillow over Billie Joe’s face.”
“Oh my God,” Bernie exclaimed. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine and glad they led Burns away in handcuffs. He finally got his pain meds and is resting. The judge should be lenient on him after he helped us get Burns’ confession.”
Bernie sighed. “Thank you, sheriff. I’ll sleep better tonight, knowing he’s locked up.”
“Oh, and Billie Joe had the deputy drop by the room he was renting from Mrs. Crabtree to get his dog. He said you promised to look out for him until he’s released.”
“I did. The deputy can drop him off at my place in an hour. I’m wrapping up here at the farmer’s market and will head that way.” Bernie drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Thank you, sheriff.”
“No, Bernie,” Sheriff Bergeron said, “thank you and that man of yours. If you hadn’t been there to catch Billie Joe in the act, Burns would’ve gotten away with it. Now, he’s behind bars for the destruction of property, arson and attempted murder.”
As Bernie ended the call, she smiled at Gerard. “My man, huh?” She shook her head. “Thank you for being there to keep me safe and stop Burns from destroying Bellamy Acres.” She looked around at the empty bins and baskets. “What do you say we pack it in and head back to the farm?”
“I’m all for it,” Gerard said. “Seems like a good night to eat in.” His lips tilted in a teasing smile. “I’ll cook.”
“As long as you’re naked,” she whispered.
“I can arrange that,” he said with a grin.
Happiness bubbled up inside Bernie. She’d just folded one of the chairs when LaShawnda Jones hurried across the gravel in her signature three-inch heels, wearing an eye-popping teal skirt suit and waving her matching acrylic nails. The color complimented her glistening dark skin to perfection.
Bernie envied the woman’s ability to always appear dressed like a runway model.
“Bernie, darling,” she said as she came to a stop in front of the produce truck. “I’m glad I caught you.”
