A Dangerous Woman by J.M. Jeffries

Author:J.M. Jeffries
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-58571-533-6
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2012-08-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Odessa watched the eastern horizon lighten. Standing on the cold, wet lawn, she saw the last of the fire trucks leave. The cops and the arson investigator had just left. Most of the neighbors who had come out to watch the fire had returned to their homes to get ready for the coming day.

Despite her exhaustion, Odessa faced her mother as she shoved her cell phone back in her pocket. “I called the airlines and made a reservation. Your flight leaves in two hours.”

They stood on the lawn staring at the wreckage of the living room. Odessa could hardly bear to see the defeated look on her mother’s face. Her long hair, which had escaped from the neat French twist she usually wore, hung down about a face lined with exhaustion and something Odessa couldn’t quite name.

Celeste had wrapped a warm blanket around her shoulders. “I am not leaving my home.”

For a brief moment, Odessa glanced pleadingly at Whitaker and he mouthed the words, What do you want me to do? The expression of confusion on his face should have told her he wasn’t going to help. “You’re a cop, tell her she has to leave.”

He ran both hands through his blonde hair. “There is no you-have-to-leave-after-someone-tries-to-burn-down-your-house law. I think she should go someplace safer than here, but I can’t make her go if she doesn’t want to.”

Odessa let out an exasperated breath. Why did she have to have such a difficult mother? Why couldn’t she understand that by staying she was jeopardizing her life? Her brother got it. “Thank you for all the help.”

“Don’t be angry at Wyatt.” Celeste tugged the blanket tighter about her shoulders.

Putting her hands on her hips, Odessa wanted to yell at the heavens. “I’m way beyond angry. Somebody tried to burn your house down and you want to stay. Do you want to give them a second chance?”

Celeste turned away from her. “I can hire someone to protect me. A security firm.”

Like there was anyone in this city she was going to trust with her mother’s safety. Maybe she should call Derek and have him come down. She bit her bottom lip, deciding not to. She already had enough people who knew her business to contend with. “If you get on a plane and go to D.C. you won’t have to hire a security firm.”

Her mother stared at the house. “I’m not going. I have lived in this house for twenty-one years. Everything…” A tremor in her voice stopped her. Celeste took a deep breath. “Everything that belongs to your father is in that house and I’m not running away.”

Odessa put her hand on her mother’s shoulder. She was about five seconds from falling on her knees and begging. “You’re not running away. You’re going someplace safe so that I can do what needs to be done and not worry about you.” God, why did her mother have to be so obstinate now of all times?

Her mother turned to face her, tears running down her cheeks.

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