Chapter 28
Violet Manning-Turner was a legendary hostess. Her parties were the subject of discussions for months after the events. No one was as good at developing guest lists or creating spectacular food and drink presentations whether for a cookout in the backyard or a black-tie sit-down dinner.
This time, however, she had made a strategic error. One she hadn’t anticipated. Very unusual.
Violet surveyed the crowd gathered in her great room.
Every well-dressed guest had praised Violet’s grand home and the delicious hors d’oeuvres she’d made herself.
The wine was the best that had ever rolled across the tongues of these people, whether they said so or not.
The idea that more beer bottles than stemware floated around the room made her want to scream.
But then that was to be expected in Pine Bluff; this was Alabama after all.
But it was the tension between her husband and his friends that concerned her.
Troy had openly avoided Keith all evening.
As had Larry and even Perry. She scanned the crowd and her gaze settled on her dear husband.
This was so unfair to him. Clint Austin’s return had put Keith’s life in a tailspin.
There didn’t appear to be anything she could do to help.
Damn Heather Baker.
Violet’s lips tightened as did her fingers around the bowl of her glass.
Heather had everything. She and Emily were to have been the captains of the squad senior year.
Violet should have been captain from the outset.
She worked harder than both of them put together, but popularity had made the decision.
Justine had insisted that she had made the decision, but Violet knew.
Heather had been blessed with the honor of captain, and she’d latched on to the man Violet loved. He and Heather had broken up three times junior year. Keith had turned to Violet two of those times. Why hadn’t Heather just let him go? Selfish bitch.
Relax. Violet took a deep breath. This was her party. She had to be a good hostess. Besides, Heather had gotten herself murdered and Violet had ended up captain anyway. And she’d gotten the man as well.
She had deserved both. She’d earned every single thing she’d attained in life.
And no one, her gaze landed on Cathy Caruthers, was going to take any of it away from Violet.
If Cathy’s damned husband didn’t work so many extra shifts, he might notice that his wife had turned unfaithful in recent years.
Putting the thought out of her mind, Violet merged into the crowd.
Played the good hostess, ensuring everyone’s drink was fresh and their bellies satisfied.
She popped into the kitchen to check that there was still plenty of beer in the refrigerator and to remind the kitchen help to stay on top of keeping the hors d’oeuvre trays filled.
The waiter was just about to make another round with the selection of wines. Excellent.
She checked her makeup in the hall mirror before returning to the great room.
Her French twist looked exquisite, as did the black dress.
She’d tried on a dozen dresses before selecting this one.
A trip to Birmingham had been necessary to find one no one else would be wearing.
At nearly one thousand dollars, no one else could have afforded it.
A muffled thumping from the hall powder room drew Violet closer to the door.
Surely no one had gotten that drunk already.
A chorus of “oh yeah”s and “give me all you’ve got”s had Violet backing away from the door.
Fury streaked through her. She was going to kill Cathy.
That slut was having sex in her powder room!
If she made a mess in there . . .
What were obviously simultaneous climaxes rattled the painting on the wall next to where Violet stood, her jaw hanging slack in horror. She righted the picture, her lips compressed in fury, and stamped away.
How dare Cathy do this at one of her parties!
Three or four minutes later, Cathy, all smiles and with a fresh beer in her hand, joined the other guests. Violet’s jaw dropped again when Troy Baker, still shoving his shirt into his trousers, swaggered in behind Cathy.
Another burst of outrage crashed over Violet.
That no-good little shit. He’d claimed the baby was sick and Patricia hadn’t been able to come.
Violet knew better. The two were having serious trouble.
Mostly because Troy wouldn’t get over the fact that the man accused of murdering his sister was out of prison now.
He was just like Emily Wallace. Both of them were obsessed with the whole Clint Austin issue.
Emily hadn’t even bothered to call with her regrets.
The world was full of total fools, and Troy and Emily fit unerringly into that category.
Violet still cringed when she allowed herself to recall the fact that she’d dated Troy once, or maybe it was twice.
She’d felt sorry for him and she’d needed Keith to take her a little more seriously. Her strategy had worked like a charm.
A hand waved in front of her face. Violet started, almost sloshed her wine.
Justine Mallory looked at Violet as if she had smeared her lipstick or smudged her mascara. “Are you all right, Vi?”
Violet ordered a smile into place. “Of course. I was just thinking how glad I am that so many were able to attend on such short notice.”
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 thing you 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? The Times is 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 room opened 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.
Marv shook his head. “He had to take Sarah home. Left about a half hour ago.”
“Call him or Mike,” Violet ordered, then grabbed Justine’s arm. “We have to go over there.”
Justine set her glass aside. “I’ll drive.”