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“She also told me about how Eve, your sister, kindly offered to help her hide his body in that cave.”

The urge to scrub at her forehead, where her brain was vibrating ... or to lick her dry lips ... or shift around in her chair was a building, pulsating need. But Vera held perfectly still. She stared directly at the other woman and manufactured a surprised expression. “Wow, that’s some story.”

“Don’t worry,” Russ said, bracing her forearms on the table and leaning closer. “I’m not telling you this because I’m planning to go to the police or somehow use this information to my advantage or the advantage of my business.”

Intrigued now, Vera imitated her move, leaning closer, her arms braced on the table. “Then why are you telling me this story?”

“Because I want you to understand that I get it. Norton Gates was a piece of shit who got exactly what he deserved. Sadly”—she shook her head—“not as soon as he should have. In my opinion, Suri is a hero who did what needed to be done.”

Okay. Vera was on the same page so far.

“The problem is,” Russ said, “Nolan Baker.”

Of course it was Nolan Fucking Baker. Vera inwardly cringed. “You talked to him?”

“No.” Russ shot a look heavenward. “And I will not. As soon as I did some digging around, I realized he was likely not going after this story for the women Norton Gates victimized but for himself. The problem you and I have is, sadly, he’s not going to stop.”

Tell me something I don’t know.

“Yeah, that’s Nolan.” Vera suspected he already knew way too much about the Boyett sisters.

“I’m sure you realize,” Russ went on, “the best way to see that this ends the right way is to get ahead of it and direct the narrative.”

Vera stilled again. She knew exactly where this was going, and as right as Russ was, this was bad for Eve. “You’re suggesting a confession.”

Russ nodded, her face somber. “Suri is a victim. What she did was self-defense. If she goes to the police, I’m guessing—since I know the DAs in both Madison County, Alabama, and in Lincoln County, Tennessee—that she will likely not be charged with anything. No one wants to try a case like this and risk losing support in the court of public opinion. This,” she reiterated, “will protect Suri and anyone else involved from the likes of Nolan Baker.”

Except Suri didn’t kill Gates.

“It’s a risk for her,” Vera argued.

“There’s always risk in a situation like this,” Russ agreed. “But it’s the best scenario if she wants to be able to move on with her life without that cloud hanging over her head.”

“Maybe.” Vera wasn’t saying anything that could be used to prompt Suri to do one thing or the other.

“It’s out of our hands anyway.” Russ leaned back in her chair. “Suri made a decision to confess today.”

Son of a ...

“She told you this,” Vera demanded.

Russ nodded. “Just before you arrived, she sent me a text and said she was at the sheriff’s office. If I were you, I would leave right now and be there for her.”

A knowing look passed between them.

“Thank you for the update.” Vera stood. “Nice seeing you again.”

Vera forced herself to walk out the door and climb into her SUV. She waited until she was driving away from the coffee shop before calling Eve. The call went straight to voicemail.

“Damn it.”

At the next traffic light, Vera googled the number for Barrett’s and put through the call. She had to talk to her sister before she did something based on emotion.

As soon as the call was answered, Vera plowed right over the greeting. “I need to speak with Eve Boyett. It’s an emergency.”

A beat of silence, then, “Vera?”

“Yes, this is her sister. Please, can you get the phone to her? I know she doesn’t like to be disturbed, but this is an emergency.”