Page 128 of Family Jewels

“We believe you. But we have no idea what to do. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Me?” he screeched. “How would I know?”

“You don’t have any idea who might have it?” I asked.

“If I did, I’d have already given the info to Kip and Buck. They’re countin’ on the money to . . .” His voice trailed off. “You say you don’t work for Malcolm, but I know you’re helpin’ him. You’re finding the necklace for him.”

I leaned my head back and stifled a groan. “Believe it or not, Hugh, all I want to do is give it back to Buck. This county can’t handle another war.”

Hugh was silent long enough that I looked down at my phone in Neely Kate’s hand to see if he’d ended the call. But maybe his silence confirmed what I’d sensed in my vision. “Hugh, I think you can help stop this.”

“Me?”

“Do you know Buck Reynolds at all? Is he a fair man? Will he listen to reason?”

“Buck Reynolds is nothing but trouble,” he said in a sneer. “Kip has always skirted the line, but he was never this ambitious before he became friends with Buck this past winter.”

“So are Buck and Kip equals?”

“They say they are, but I think Buck’s planning to take charge. Right now Kip’s providing the funds for their takeover, but once Buck gets that necklace, he’ll have more capital . . . and more say.”

Potential power grab within a power grab. That was good to know.

Neely Kate leaned closer to the phone. “Maybe Kip has the necklace. Surely he’s not gonna just sit back and let Buck take over.”

“Buck’s got him hoodwinked good. When I tried to warn Kip, he told me I was too stupid to understand syndicate politics.” Hugh’s voice was tight. “The damn fool thinks Buck’s loyal and they’re equals. But he’s wrong. There’s something in Buck’s eyes. He’s gonna pull a fast one on my brother. All he needs is the necklace to do it.”

“Areyouhiding the necklace?” Neely Kate asked softly.

He paused. “I swear on my momma’s grave that I’ve never laid eyes on it.” He paused again. “But I sure wouldn’t give it to you either. If Malcolm gets that necklace . . .”

I ignored his intimation that James wanted the necklace. “So the whole takeover is hinged on getting that necklace back?”

“Hell, no,” he said in disgust. “They’re goin’ through with it no matter what. They’ll do away with Malcolm and his top men. Then Kip and Buck will have their own takeover war between themselves. Things are only gonna get uglier.”

I suspected he was right. “Do you know what they’re planning with Skeeter Malcolm?”

He was silent for several beats. “I think I’ve said too much already.”

“Hugh, please,” I pleaded. “I know you don’t want Kip to get hurt, but if they follow through with this takeover, you know people are gonna die. Kip might be one of them.”

“I don’t know what they’re doin’. Kip won’t tell me. I was pretty sure they had something planned for next week, but I think they might have moved it to tonight.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Are you sure it’s tonight?”

“Yeah. Positive. I heard Kip talking to Buck earlier today about some plan to get it from Malcolm. He said they’d have just cause to force a takeover either way.”

I shot a worried glance to Neely Kate. We were part of that plan. Even if we showed up with the necklace, they’d assume we’d gotten it from James. We were damned either way.

I decided to take a chance. “I’m trying to figure out a way to make sure everyone’s happy and no one dies,” I said. “Buck seems unlikely to negotiate, but what about Kip? What does he ultimately want?”

Hugh didn’t answer.

“What does he see in Buck?” Neely Kate asked. “Why did Kip get in cahoots with him?”

“Because he’s ruthless. Buck’s willing to burn it all down to get what he wants.” He paused. “But I think what Kip likes best is that he’s getting respect from people with power. He was always a minor player. Now he’s aiming to be king.”

And it all hinged on killing James.