Nora Roberts Land(107)
Jill curled up next to her and grabbed her hand. “What happened?”
Meredith rested her head against her sister’s shoulder, sniffing and dabbing her running nose with a tissue. “Oh, God, Jillie.”
Jill caressed her hair. Her eyes burned. She swiped at them, coming away with mascara.
“I don’t know…how it happened. Tanner’s…working for Richard…and he was supposed to make me fall in love with him so I couldn’t write the article about Nora Roberts Land.”
Jill took her by the shoulders. “What?”
“Someone told Richard about the article. Probably an inside source. That’s how he knew to deliver the flowers here. And Tanner wanted to get a job with him…so he agreed to sabotage me by making me fall in love with him.” She started crying again. “Oh, God, why am I so stupid?”
“Wait, I’m not following. Why would Richard want Tanner to make you fall in love with him?”
The weight in her chest could have crushed stone. “Richard doesn’t want me to write the article. He’s afraid I’ll use what I have on him to ruin his political chances.”
“You have something juicy? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was embarrassed. Plus, it’s my only leverage.” She sniffed. “I told him I’d use it if he didn’t leave me alone.”
“Shit, like he’d be good with that. I’m surprised he didn’t break into your apartment all Trickie-Dickie style.”
She let out a shaky laugh. “He knows I’m not that stupid. But I am. I’m the stupidest girl in the world.”
“That’s enough. What do you have?”
“Photos of him with a high-priced call girl when he went to a journalism convention in Vegas. I had him followed. They’re…grisly. He was careful, but—”
“You’re a journalist.”
She slapped her forehead. “Still stupid though.”
“Stop talking like that.”
“No, you should have seen Tanner. I even told him I loved him. He told me to get out. Oh, Jillie, he said horrible things. I…can’t breathe.”
Jill pushed her back into the couch and raised her arms above her head. “Meredith, you are not having a panic attack. People who are sobbing can’t breathe.” She said it so matter-of-factly Meredith nodded.
She concentrated on the rise and fall of her chest. Soon, she lowered her tingling arms, the needle-like sensation pricking her skin. “Better.”
Jill’s eyes gleamed with unshed tears as she reached for Meredith’s hand. “Okay, so keep talking. Tanner is working for Richard.”
“I still can’t believe he did this.”
Her sister’s hand tightened around hers. “It might have started out that way, but he loves you, Meredith. I know he does.”
“He said he talked women onto their backs all the time. I don’t know who he is.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I don’t believe it, Mere. Tanner wouldn’t have brought his sister and nephew here to spend Thanksgiving with us unless he loved you.”
She sank back into the couch, remembering their snowball fight and how happy they’d looked in the picture at the table. Could Jill be right?
“No.” A fresh batch of tears washed down her face. “Peggy was only here to get the drugs and the paint sample.” She started crying again, sinking forward.
“What are you talking about? What drugs?” Jill asked, nudging her shoulder so she’d meet her eyes.
“For the case.” Her stomach hurt so bad. “Oh, God, it’s true. He didn’t love me. He wanted the job with Richard. He only used the case as an excuse to bring me closer, to make me fall for him.”
Jill grabbed her shoulders. “What in the world are you talking about?”
“I can’t think straight!” Meredith sobbed out, rubbing her throbbing temples.
“What’s this about drugs and paint samples?”
The pounding in her head increased. “It’s…an article we’re working on. That’s it.” Please, Jill, leave this alone, she almost begged.
Jill put her hands on her hips. “No, it’s not.”
She rubbed the back of her neck. Abba drilled into her skull, which felt like it was on the verge of exploding.
“Why would Tanner have his cop sister take drugs…” Her whole face crumbled. “This is about Jemma, isn’t it? At first I thought about Grandpa asking me about drugs and parties, but when they said she had a heart murmur…” Tears filled her eyes.
“Jill.”
“Oh, God!” she said, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “Grandpa was right all along. Something was wrong with the drugs.”