Page 51 of Tough Justice
“I don’t know details, but yeah,” Duke said. “And none of that stuff could be bought here.”
“What about in your hometown? Could she find it there, or know someone who could?”
“Maybe, but it’s hard to say for sure. I can put in another call to the sheriff’s department. See if there have been any crimes involving this type of thing. Any people they’ve dealt with who’d have this knowledge. Could at least give us a name of someone to talk to.”
“Mom might have some ideas,” Heather said. “Call and ask her.”
“We can both ask her when she gets here,” Duke said.
“Excuse me?”
“Riley called earlier. Mom jumped on a plane first chance she got and is on her way here now. She didn’t want you to be alone.”
The side of Heather’s mouth inched up. I’m not surprised. She’s not one to sit around and wait on things. Suzy, you’re going to love her.”
Suzy’s stomach tied itself in knots. If she thought facing down a woman who wanted to torment her was scary, meeting Duke’s mom was down tight terrifying.
18
Duke laid a card on the growing pile on the narrow table that swung over Heather’s lap. “Uno! I’m finally going to win a hand.”
Heather rolled her eyes. “I don’t have any green or a seven. How’s that possible? I swear I’m holding half the deck.”
Suzy grimaced, but the humor in her eyes told him what she was about to do. “Draw four, and I pick red. Oh, and Uno.” She wiggled the last card she held.
He growled but picked up four cards. “I know you’re cheating, just like with Mario Party. I don’t know how you’re doing it, but I promise I’ll figure it out.”
Her grimace morphed into a grin. “Such a sore loser.”
“He’s always been like that.” Heather placed a card on the pile.
Suzy threw down her last card and shrugged. “I can’t help it. I’ve been blessed by the game gods. I must have done something very good in my life to deserve to be a winner all the time.”
Chuckling, Duke gathered the deck and put it back in the case. “I’ve had enough losing for one day. How are you feeling Heather? Is your head okay?”
She sighed and rested back against her pillow. “Still hurts but not as bad as before. I’m restless. Ready to get out of this bed. I wish they’d give me another CT this evening and let me out instead of waiting until the morning.”
“Maybe a visit from your mama will make you feel better.”
The sound of his mother’s voice shot Duke to his feet. The sight of her standing in the doorway with her suitcase beside her lifted a weight he didn’t know existed from his shoulders. He crossed the room in three strides and engulfed her in his arms.
She squeezed him tight. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
“And you’re prettier than ever.” He kissed her cheek then took a step back. “Did you cut your hair?”
She smoothed her hand over the gray-colored bob, the wrinkles around her pale eyes multiplying when she smiled. “You noticed.”
“Of course I did.”
“Would you stop hogging all her attention,” Heather said. “She’s here to see me, right Mama?”
His mother laughed and shook her head. “Some things never change. I hope you two haven’t squabbled the whole time you’ve seen each other.”
She flashed Suzy a smile before making a beeline to Heather’s bedside. She brushed her hair from her face. “My poor girl. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ll die of boredom before they let me out of this place.”
“You’ve always had a flair for the dramatic. You’re here because the doctors need to keep an eye on you so let them do their jobs. You’ll be released soon enough.”
