“You should stop drinking.”

Gabby hadn’t taken a sip, and they both knew it. “I have a list of names. Men who have died under suspicious circumstances.”

Jessa stepped back and ran right into one of the many men in navy suits walking around the room. They both apologized before Jessa turned her anger back on Gabby. “Maybe you need a hobby.”

Unraveling. Gabby saw it and heard it. With anyone else, she might have used more care, but she knew this was a temporary opening. Jessa’s defenses would rise again, and she would rally. Gabby had a limited amount of time to get through.

Loretta and her husband watched from across the room, so Gabby sped up. “Baines made mistakes—some big ones—but he wasn’t a pedophile or a rapist. He didn’t attack women, which makes me think making him a target was a mistake.”

“You’re talking in circles.”

Jessa seemed to be staring at Loretta, so Gabby moved, blocking Jessa’s view of the room, and forcing eye contact. “Imagine thinking you have the right to decide who lives and who dies. That you’re entitled to hold that much power. Now imagine what happens when it all blows up.”

Energy wound up inside Gabby. She was on the right track. Rob hadn’t been wrong. He’d predicted Jessa was a new member. The ties to Retta, the sudden law partnership, and the uncharacteristic lack of crowing about the accomplishment made Gabby believe.

Jessa looked at the floor. “I’m going to mingle.”

“You can’t control this or lie your way out of it, but you can help me get to the truth.”

Jessa’s head snapped up. “We’re not friends.”

The air changed in a flash. The charge running between them and around them vanished. Gabby didn’t know how she’d lost it. She made one last try to reach Jessa. “For your sake, I hope you realize when it comes to this group you need an ally. Let me be that for you.”

“I’ll pass.” Jessa shoved her empty glass into Gabby’s free hand and walked away.

Chapter Fifty-Six
Jessa

Trouble. She was in deep trouble. Jessa knew the second she saw Earl Swain headed her way. He cut through the crowd, barely acknowledging those who wanted to touch him or talk to him. Retta mingled and smiled across the room, acting every inch the perfect hostess. She didn’t even glance in Jessa’s direction, no matter how much Jessa willed her to do so.

Earl nodded toward the empty table to Jessa’s left. She took that as an order to sit down.

He’d always been protective and decent with her, but people spoke with almost a sense of awe about his ruthlessness. He was known to take a position and refuse to bend during intricate business negotiations. He viewed compromise as a synonym for getting his way.