“I…I…”
“No excuses, Nina. Make the right choice.” Jessie patted her arm and stood.
“Will you be here tomorrow?” Nina asked.
“I’m not sure, but Wilma and Opal will be.” Jessie had no idea what her life would be like tomorrow.
“I can’t lose my children. They’re all I have.”
“It’s up to you, Nina.” Jessie walked down the hall to Fran’s office.
“How did it go?” Fran asked.
Jessie took the seat across from her, balanced Nina’s file on her lap and began to scribble notes. “She’s still making excuses for him.”
“Even after you told her she might lose her kids?”
“No. That was the stimulus that finally cleared her brain. Do you know anything about her aunt Lois?”
Fran shrugged. “When Nina first came here, she didn’t want her parents notified if anything happened to her. She listed an aunt on the form.” She turned toward her computer. “I’ll check.” After a few clicks, Fran added, “Yep. Lois Winslow from Amarillo. She may be Nina’s only hope.”
“If she calls her.” Jessie placed the file on Fran’s desk.
Fran shrugged again. “If she doesn’t, it’s out of our hands.”
“Yeah.” Jessie stood. “Sorry, I don’t have much time today.”
“That’s okay, Jessie, we appreciate your help.”
At the door, Jessie paused. She wanted Nina to have every opportunity. “Fran, I’ll pay for their airline tickets to Amarillo and new clothes and whatever it takes to make her feel good about herself. Anonymously, of course.”
“Jessie, you’ve donated so much to this shelter and it’s more than welcomed, but CPS and the police will have a lot to say in this.”
“Please let me know the outcome.”
Fran nodded.
Now they waited for Nina to make all the right choices.
Jessie sped home to wait for Cadde and tried to leave the sadness behind her. The truth was, though, her whole life was an album of sadness. Maybe, along with Cadde, a little happiness was waiting for her, too.
CADDE PACED IN HIS OFFICE. It was barely four o’clock and he couldn’t concentrate. Nothing sidetracked his interest from the oil business. But Jessie. They had to talk and get their arrangement clear without either of them losing their temper. Maybe she’d changed her mind. Maybe that’s why she was hesitant. Maybe they could come to an agreement about Shilah.
Maybe, maybe, maybe wasn’t easing his frustration or giving him any concrete answers. And that’s what he needed—answers. He grabbed his hat and headed for the door.
In his secretary’s office, he said, “If you need me, you can reach me on my cell.”
“You’re leaving?” Barbara asked in a shocked tone. “It’s just four o’clock.”
He stopped to stare at her and he didn’t have to say a word.
“Oh, oh, I’m sorry.”
“If Kid or Chance is looking for me, tell them I’ll see them in the morning. Early.”
“Yes, sir.”
The August heat was suffocating. Sweat peppered his skin and he turned up the air-conditioning full blast. The Houston traffic was crazy this time of day and it took all of his concentration to navigate through it. Finally he hit U.S. 290 and sped toward home.
He should have called Jessie, but he was sure she was there. What else did she have to do?
When he reached the entrance, he had a funny feeling in his stomach. He couldn’t explain it. It was just an uneasiness.
At the garages, he slammed on the brakes. Mirry shot out of the open doors and Rosa ran after her, shouting something. It was too late, though. The Dobermans were on Mirry.
Shit! Cadde reached for his Smith & Wesson pistol in the console. He never used the gun, but Roscoe had insisted he carry one. Jumping out, he jammed the clip in place. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a movement. Jessie was flying toward the dogs. One Doberman’s teeth latched around Mirry’s neck in a death grip. The other one leaped into the air, trying to snatch Mirry from him. Felix lumbered behind Jessie, firing a rifle. The loud blast didn’t faze them. The dogs never let go of their prey and Jessie never paused in her flight to save Mirry.
“No, Jessie, no,” he screamed.
The Dobermans had tasted blood. They’d kill her.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“JESSIE!” AS CADDE SCREAMED her name, a growling Doberman leaped for her, knocking her down, his teeth digging into her neck. Jessie struggled to get away, her arms flailing at the dog.
Cadde bolted forward, blood pounding in his ears. He had to fire without hitting Jessie. Seconds ticked by like minutes. The dog flung his head, snarling, trying to lock his powerful jaws into her skin, but was unable to because Jessie was fighting with everything in her. When he got a clear shot, he pulled the trigger at pointblank range. The Doberman writhed and lay limp. He swung to the other one and fired again. The dog jerked and then dropped backward. Dead. Mirry fell to the ground, unmoving, covered in blood.