Chapter 8 #3
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.
They were 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 saw Turandot at 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.
“So now we’re a halfway house, are we?” came a drawling, sarcastic voice from behind her.
She let go of JJ and turned. “So there you are,” she said in a mild voice. “I thought maybe you were out looking for another venomous pet to go with Precious. I hear they have Gila monsters somewhere close by . . . ?” She smiled vacantly.
He lifted a blond eyebrow. “Speaking of reptiles . . .”
Heather took him by the arm and shook him. “You stop that,” she said firmly.
He grimaced. “Okay.”
“You’re not too big to hit!” she threatened, looking up, way up, into his face under the broad brim of his cream Stetson.
He picked her up by the waist and lifted her up to his eyes. “And when have you ever hit me?” he teased softly, smiling.
“I took your Super Mario game away from you for two whole weeks,” she reminded him.
“Vicious little mama,” he teased, and kissed her nose.
She laughed. “Okay. Put me down. You’re undermining my authority.”
He put her back on her feet. Josie smiled at the interaction. They were a happy family, a sad reminder of how cold her own
had been. Watching them, she wondered what it would have been like to be part of a loving household, especially with the holidays
coming up. She’d be here for them, hopefully. Despite John’s vicious presence, she was looking forward to the experience.
She truly was.