Page 134 of Family Jewels

“No. Listen to me,” he said, sounding calmer. “I have an idea. You and I both know how important appearances are in this game. Buck called you, so you call him back and tell him that if he wants the necklace, he’ll meet you at nine at Putnam Industrial Park. Space 239. Tell him to bring Wagner and two additional men of their choosing. No more, or the deal’s off and he won’t get the necklace. Tell him we’re invoking the rules of parley.”

“Parley? Isn’t that for pirates?”

“We have a damn code too,” he grumped.

“Okay.” Touchy.

“But don’t call him until eight on the nose,” Jed continued. “We need to buy some time, and it will give you the upper hand to flout their own rule.”

“You do know that he’s gonna think James had it all along. He’s already pretty sure of it.”

“Good. Let him. I’ll swing by the office to pick up Neely Kate, and we’ll get the necklace. Go home to change into something befitting the Lady in Black. Skeeter will pick you up at the farm at eight. Can you be ready?”

“I’m at the office, but I think I can make it.”

“We’ll meet you at the industrial park.”

“Jed, there’s one more thing . . . Homer Dyer’s taped up in our office.”

“What’s he doin’ in your office again?”

“He held us hostage lookin’ for the necklace. Neely Kate sent him on a wild goose chase. Long story short, when he came back, we got the upper hand and he’s now tied up in the back. We found out he was the one who killed Rayna.”

“Did he hurt either of you?”

My cheek was still sore, but his open hand was better than a fist. “I’ll let Neely Kate fill you in. Are you gonna have someone deal with Homer?”

“We’ll leave him tied up in your office and deal with him after the meeting. He deserves a fittin’ punishment.”

“No. He murdered Rayna. When this is all done, we’ll call Joe and have him arrest Homer.”

“Fine, if that’s the way you want to play it. Now get moving.”

Jed hung up, and I filled Neely Kate in on the plan.

“Go,” she said, giving me a small shove. “You need to get goin’. I’ll be fine until Jed gets here. I’d love for Homer Dyer to give me a reason to shoot him.”

I gave her a stern look. “Do not shoot Homer Dyer.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m just blowin’ smoke. I’d be stuck cleaning up his mess. Again.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, but I pulled her into a quick hug. “Be careful and good luck.”

“You too.”

I was pretty sure we were gonna need all the luck we could get.

Chapter 29

James was waitingon my front porch when I pulled up. He didn’t seem all that surprised to see me in Jonah’s car; but then, I was sure they’d figured it out by now.

“Lady,” he said in a low tone as I walked up the steps. The tension in his voice clued me in on his mood.

“I know you’re probably ticked at me right now, but—”

He stood and moved closer. “This is a fool’s errand, and it’s puttin’ you in even more danger than before.”

“But if I can stop a war—”