Page 64 of Bitter Truth
“But you suspected.” When I nod, he asks, “How?”
“While you were in the store, I found the file on Don Farris in the glove box.”
“When you first went missing, I called Marla,” he explains. “We had no idea what had happened to you, but she told me about the information that you had asked her to try and find out about him. That’s when I asked my PI to do a deep dive into his background, in case you’d discovered something that led to your disappearance.”
I nod. “I wanted to know everything I could about him. Specifically, how he got hired for his hits. If he had a handler who arranged things, or if there was a message board or website that he used, anything that might help me to stay ahead of another attack.”
Trying to ignore how pale Jake looks, I focus on the salt and pepper shakers, spinning them in my hands.
“According to the file, the authorities had attempted to bring charges against him on two separate occasions,” I say. “Both times, they were offering reduced sentences to some of his known associates in exchange for testifying against him. But they could never make the charges stick because they had no actual proof.”
“I saw that,” he confirms. “But I still don’t understand how that let you know my mom’s account would be empty.”
“Like I said, I didn’t know. But when I read that they had no proof because Farris refused to discuss any jobs other than in person, that even though they knew what he was doing, they couldn’t prosecute him for it because it was just one criminal’s word against another, it clicked.”
Jake closes his eyes, drawing a deep breath as he makes the connection as well. “If he only made deals in person, that means he either went to the jail to speak with my mom, or that she has someone on the outside who didit for her.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I was hoping I was wrong.”
He tents his hands over his nose, eyes squeezed shut.
“Jake, we’ll figure something else out.”
“I already have.”
“What?”
“I wasn’t lying when I said I’d take care of her, even if I have to do it with my own hands.”
“Don’t talk like that.”
“It’s true.”
“It’s not. You’re just venting.”
“I don’t think that I am, Cassie. If I have to choose between keeping you safe—”
“You’re upset. I get that.” Reaching across the table, I cover his hand with mine. “But the man I love wouldn’t actually do something like that.”
Only, the man sitting across from me right now looks like he just might. I need to put a stop to this, no matter what it takes. I can’t let Jake throw his life away just because I became a part of it. Seeing him like this, knowing it’s because of me, is almost enough to make me regret coming back home.
“The man you love doesn’t deserve you,” he mumbles.
“Are you kidding me?” I laugh, but he won’t meet my eyes. “How can you even say that? You’ve always been there for me when I’ve needed you.”
“I wasn’t there for you when you decided to go into the woods on your own.”
“It was my decision to do that. Obviously, it was a bad one. I knew it was stupid. And to be honest, it was more because I was mad at Sheriff Kingston than you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sure the part I played didn’t help any.”
“We had an argument, Jake, and as I recall, I wasn’t entirely blameless for it.”
“Yeah, but you’re the one who kept calling and trying to apologize. I chose to ignore you.”
