Josie was released. Tanner drove her back to the Big Spur in one of the ranch trucks.
“Thanks for the ride, and the accommodations,” she told him as they bumped down the dusty ranch road. She hated the idea of being labeled as a criminal, especially around John, who would probably set off fireworks. But she knew it was necessary to keep up appearances. “But this is putting your whole family right on the firing line,” she murmured worriedly, thinking aloud.
“It’s already there,” he said solemnly.
“Oh, right, I’m sorry. I forgot about Phillip James.”
“He never gives up,” he said. “He’s hell-bent on revenge for the information I’ve already given to the authorities. I have to have every single member of my family under guard, especially the women. I worry most about Odalie, but she lives near Tony’s apartment, and he’d never let them hurt her.”
“Are they... involved?” she asked delicately. She’d become fond of Odalie after Thanksgiving.
“Who knows?” he sighed. “She won’t talk about him, even to Stasia. One day they’re getting along, the next it’s guns at ten paces.” He laughed. “If you want to know what I think, I think they’re crazy about each other but too stubborn to admit it. Theywere supposed to come down here together, with Tony’s bodyguard, for Thanksgiving, but that didn’t work out. I mean, Odalie came, but without Tony. I guess my sister’s too involved with her Met audition right now anyway.”
“She’s going to sing at the Met?” she said with a warm smile. “That has to be the fulfillment of a dream, at least, according to your mother. And you’re all going up for it, right?”
“Well, we were,” he corrected on a sigh. “Odalie begged us not to. She said she was so nervous already that she’d go nuts if we were in the audience watching, in addition to the judge or judges. So we’re staying home.” He shook his head. “You know, she won’t admit it to the others, but she has an absolute terror of singing in front of audiences every night. She’s tried therapy, meditation... nothing works.” He glanced at her. “This may not work out at all. I don’t want her to risk her health, even for a major career like starring at the Met one day.”
“I had stage fright just doing public speaking in college. The professor had to counsel me every single time. I never got over it, and I had serious headaches after every one!”
He nodded. “It’s a real thing.”
“I’ll bet you never had stage fright in your whole life,” she said on a sigh, glancing out the window, recalling what he used to do for a living.
He chuckled. “Couldn’t afford it, in my line of work.”
“No kidding.”
“This is just an audition, or Odalie would be running for the hills, even though it’s a very important one. But if she actually gets past it, they’ll likely put her in some sort of role for the holiday specials. A little bird told me that somebody’s pulling strings for her,” he added on a chuckle. He glanced at her. “And you didn’t hear that.”
“Scout’s honor,” she promised, crossing her chest.
“So if it pans out, the family will go to New York for it. Not you,” he added firmly. “You and JJ will be right here with bodyguards.”
She made a face. “It’s been two years since I sawTurandotat the Met,” she moaned.
“You’ll have other opportunities. Right now, we need you here to help shut down a pipeline. Raines is bound to be in touch with you soon.”
“I’ll find out all that I can,” she promised.
“It may come down to some playacting on your part to dig information out of him.” He glanced at her. “That won’t win you any points with John.”
“Why should that bother me?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. “He doesn’t like me at all. And I can’t stand him!”
“He’s really a pretty nice guy.” He smiled. “Even if he is my brother.”
“I’d need affidavits,” she muttered.
He just laughed.
They pulled up at the front door of the ranch house and Heather came running out to meet them, with JJ a step behind.
She hugged Josie. “Now, don’t you worry about a thing,” she told Josie. “We have great lawyers. They’ll represent you. It will all work out!”
“Thanks,” Josie said huskily, overcome. “I won’t be any trouble. Thanks... for letting me come.” She almost choked on the words. She hated deceiving this really wonderful woman.
“We’ll take care of you,” JJ added, and he hugged her, too.
She hugged him back, eyes closed, smiling.
