Mississippi Blues Read Online Free PDF Page A

behind barbed wire and brick walls with no way out but in the back of a coroner’s wagon.
    â€œThe Chief does care.” Trey looked as sick as she felt. “He’s also worried Jace may do something stupid. If you think that might happen … ”
    â€œIt won’t.” She cut him off. “I’m going inside.”
    â€œJust a minute,” Jody insisted. “We assume Jace is headed here. Be on the alert.”
    Summer’s head swam. She couldn’t focus. All she could take in was her brother somehow broke out of Angola and might show up here. And Trey was home. The combination was too much to process.
    â€œSummer,” Trey warned, “just be careful.”
    She stared at him through narrowed eyes and tight lips. “Stay out of my family’s problems. We’re none of your business.”
    â€œI just wanted you and your mama to know about Jace so you weren’t frightened if he shows up.” He reached for her again and she dodged his hand.
    â€œI said don’t.”
Mama.
What this news might do to her was unthinkable. “If I see Jace, I’ll welcome him with open arms.” She wiped the rain off her face with shaking hands and reached for the doorknob. “Please just go.”
    Jody stepped off the stoop. “Fair enough. I’ll be in touch. Remember one thing, though. Aiding and abetting is a crime.”
    As Trey turned to follow Jody, he paused. “If I can help–”
    Summer laughed, if the noise coming out of her throat could be called laughter. It was more like a strangled gasp. The sound grated on her ears. “Help me? Or Jace? Like you helped us last time? No, thanks. I don’t think we need your kind of assistance.” She dared him to argue.
    â€œYour brother killed a man in cold blood. I saw the evidence dripping off his hands with my own eyes. What did you want me to do?” His lips turned down and his voice went icy. “Lie?”
    Yes. No. Why couldn’t you just keep your mouth shut?
She wanted to rail at him, but instead she fixed a stone-cold glare on him. “All the help you can give me is to leave me and my brother alone.”
    â€œI can’t do that.” Rain ran down his face in rivulets, but he seemed unaware of it. “I’m going to prove once and for all your brother killed Soloman. Then you’ll have to face the fact Jace is where he belongs no matter how much we both hate it.” He turned and walked away, joining Jody in the car.
    Once they were gone, she collapsed on the step in the soaking rain. Her body shook with shock.
    Jace free.
    Trey back.
    She didn’t know which one was more upsetting. One was almost as crazy as the other. Jace escaped from behind the fences of the most notorious prison in Louisiana, the country. After five long years of silence, Trey showed up on her doorstep as if it were yesterday. Offering his help, even. The nerve. Why did her traitorous heart beat just a little faster at the thought of him back in Juliet?
    Mama opened the door. “Why are you out in the rain? It’s almost nine and our TV program is about to start.”
    Remorse gripped Summer as she looked up into her mother’s scarred face. Even though she had done nothing wrong, she felt terrible every time she made her mother worry or become nervous. The weight wore heavy on her shoulders at times. She stood. “I’m sorry, Mama. I lost track of time.”
    She hated lying to her mother, but she hated the consequences of telling her the truth even more. She stood, stepped inside and closed the door.
    Mama instantly locked it. “I don’t like you out in the rain.” Her gaze darted around the familiar room. “I’m afraid of what could happen.”
    â€œNothing’s wrong. I promise. Let’s get a drink of water so you can take your medicine.” With a firm, gentle grasp, Summer herded Mama through the spotless front room, into the