She blew out a breath. "Fine. I appreciate it. Let's give it a whirl."
When we walked back into that room and explained what I was going to do, the truth became as clear as that flawless diamond in Katie's pocket.
Because Katie said she was fine with it.
Bubba said he had no problem.
And Skeeter hurled himself across the table and tried to escape the room.
So, we pinned it on him first.
The broochandthe murder.
Jack held him, and I fastened the pin on Skeeter's shirt.
"Did you kill Cletus McKee?" Susan demanded.
"No, I did not," I said honestly. "But I didn't like him. He was smarmy."
Jack put an arm around me and pulled me close. "Honey, she was talking to Skeeter."
"Okay. I love you. Remember, on Atlantis, that day in the garden, when you?—"
Jack put a hand over my mouth so fast I didn’t see him move.
"Maybe we'll talk about that at home," he said, his beautiful green eyes sparkling with laughter.
I nodded.
Susan shook her head and tried again. "Skeeter Hatfield, did you kill Cletus McKee?"
"Yes!" he shouted. "Yes, and I'd do it again! That scum stole my fireworks contract! Just like his dad stole my money with those phony investments before he skipped town all those yearsago. I got a gun, and I threatened him with it. Told him to get out of town, or else. And he laughed at me. Helaughed!"
"I bet that made you angry," Susan said gently.
"Dang right it did! Still, I didn't really want to kill him. I just wanted to scare him. But the fool jumped at me when he saw the gun, and it just went off."
I pushed Jack's hand away from my face. "If that's what happened, why didn't you call for help?"
"I thought about it," he said mournfully. "But I'd been running my mouth off about him all week. Plus, that fight at Beau's … Who was going to believe I didn't do it on purpose?"
Susan sighed. "Oddly enough, I believe you. Because this magical piece of jewelry is pulling the truth right out of you, isn't it? Okay. Let's wrap this up. Katherine, Bubba, you're free to go. Skeeter, you're under arrest."
"You have the right to remain silent," I told Skeeter earnestly. "I'm sorry I bamboozled you with that brooch, but you shouldn't shoot people."
Susan's lips quirked. "Jack and Tess, why don't you head home and stay there until the boomerang effect of this thing wears off."
"I like boomerangs. Maybe we should go to Australia, Jack. Did you ever see Crocodile Dundee? Aren't kangaroos cute? Why are you pulling me down the hall? Aren't we going to see justice done? Why do they say 'see justice done'? I mean, can you actually see justice?" I couldn't talk fast enough to keep up with the thoughts buzzing around in my brain. "Jack. Jack! Slow down. You like slow, remember? Remember, on our honeymoon?—"
Jack picked me up and slung me over his shoulder in a fireman's carry, which made me laugh and laugh. "Home for you, my truth-telling friend."
Iwill always be happy I don't remember a whole lot of the things I said the rest of that day.
But Jack brought me breakfast in bed on Sunday, so it must not have been too awful.
EPILOGUE
Tess
