Justine nodded. “This was a great idea.” She motioned to the twenty or so people gathered in the room. “We all needed a tension breaker, and this was the perfect solution.”
Violet would have agreed until a few minutes ago. She gave Cathy the evil eye. “More for some than others,” Violet muttered.
“I’m surprised Emily isn’t here.” Justine scrutinized the guests as if looking for her.
“After her death-defying rescue of Clint Austin last night,” Violet suggested, “she may have been too embarrassed.”
The very idea that Emily had dashed into a burning house to rescue Clint Austin. She should have let the bastard burn and then this whole thing would finally be over.
“I heard about that.” Justine sipped her wine, then said, “This whole situation is escalating. I’m afraid to think what might happen next.”
Violet kept one eye on Cathy. She wasn’t sure where Keith had gotten off to, but as long as she knew where Cathy was she didn’t have to worry. If he was tempted, he might just stray. She felt sure he had from time to time, just as his father had done. A rich, powerful man like that had needs. But she needed Keith to be discreet as his father had been. It was the least he could do for his wife and children. Maybe he wasn’t cheating on her, but there were moments lately when she saw something in his eyes or noticed that his lovemaking was off. Nothing as blatant as those times in the early years.
Why was she even thinking about that? “I agree,” she said to Justine. Everything seemed to be revolving around Clint Austin these days. “I wish Ray would do something.” He was here somewhere. Both he and Sarah.
“I’m sure he’s doing all he can. But the uproar surrounding Austin’s return is getting completely out of hand,” Justine went on, her concern evident. “We need to make people like Troy see what a mistake they’re making.”
Violet couldn’t agree more. She was all too aware of how far over the edge the situation had pushed Troy. “Someone could get hurt.”
“Not to mention,” Justine pointed out, tilting her head toward Violet as if she didn’t want anyone else to hear, “that all this drama is going to do nothing but keep Austin’s face in the media. The next thingyou know, he’ll be using the moment as a platform for promoting his cause. All we need is for some greedy publisher to decide his story would make a top-selling book.”
Violet frowned but caught herself and corrected the outward display. She wasn’t quite sure about the first part of what Justine said. “Really? I’m not sure I follow.”
“He had a reason for coming back here,” Justine said before taking a leisurely swallow of wine. “He wants to make us pay. He wants to do that by trying to make the world believe he was innocent and that we’re all guilty of railroading him. Did you see the papers this morning? TheTimesis already jumping on that bandwagon.”
Violet made a sound of disbelief. “Why, that’s preposterous. People know that reporters will make a story out of anything.” Justine was surely making too much out of this. She couldn’t know what Clint Austin was up to unless someone like Ray Hale had told her. Ray knew Austin better than anyone. Justine and Ray were friends.
Justine’s gaze lingered on her glass a moment but then rested heavily on Violet’s. “All he has to do is dig around until he finds a single shred of real doubt to pounce on. He might not be able to change the fact that he was convicted in the first place, but he can try all of us in the media, maybe even crucify someone. All he needs is one loose end to pick at.”
Uneasiness crept along the length of Violet’s spine beneath the expensive silk of her dress. “I’m sure you’re giving Austin far too much credit, Justine.”
Justine sighed. “Maybe so, but he must think he can convince somebody, since he demanded to see the case files on Heather’s murder investigation.” Justine sent Violet a knowing look. “He wants to see if the police made any mistakes besides the ones brought out at his appeals trial. If I were you,” she pressed quietly, “I would make sure Keith stayed away from Troy. He’s teetering on an edge that could destroy him, and anyone standing too close could go down with him.”
Justine was right. Violet should find Keith. “Excuse me.” Before Violet could get away, the French doors on the far side of the roomopened and Marvin Cook stalked in carrying a can of beer. God, Violet could just die. How tacky. Why couldn’t he drink her bottled beer? The man had absolutely no class. He cut through the crowd and headed her way as if she’d drawn him there. Perfect.
“Hey, Marv,” Justine said.
He glanced at her. “Justine.”
Violet was surprised at the indifference in his tone when he said the other woman’s name. Most of the men in town loved having Justine’s attention even for a fleeting instant. Then Marv’s gaze shifted to Violet. She hoped he hadn’t brought his wife. Violet had disliked Jean Cook since she showed up at one of her Christmas parties and bragged about her new tattoo. She might be the most popular hairstylist in town, but Violet couldn’t tolerate her trashy ways when the woman got a little alcohol in her.
“Violet, we have a situation.”
Oh, God. “What do you mean?”
“Troy came out back mouthing off and got everybody riled up. The whole bunch is pretty drunk—”
“Get to the point, Marv,” she snapped. If a single one of her rosebushes was damaged, she would have someone’s hide.
“Anyway, Troy, Larry, and Perry just took off. Said they were going to finish this business with Clint Austin.”
Marv’s announcement combined with Justine’s recent warning sent fear surging through Violet. “Where’s Keith?”
“Well, that’s the other thing,” Marv explained, “Keith went to try to stop ’em before somebody gets hurt.”
“Find Ray,” Justine ordered.
Thank God. Violet was inordinately happy for Ray’s attendance and for Justine’s quick thinking.
