BloodLine

"All right, Jessica," Suzanne began seriously. "I want the truth, and I want all of it. Now. Whether it''s your fault or not, just spit it out." Suzanne stood with a steady stance, giving the appearance of one totally in control and bestowed with an inner strength that would draw the truth from a habitual liar. Which is exactly what she was capable of doing, and her sister knew it. Jessica watched as Michael tossed the baby carrier loaded with the diaper bag in the cab and climbed into his pickup with the baby on one arm. After a moment, the engine started. Dust trailed behind the truck as it trekked toward the elder Alexander''s home. Feeling a strong feminine hand on her arm, Jessica pivoted toward the pull of Suzanne''s strength. "Now, Jessica." "I wrote a story. Because of its subject matter and the people involved, Larry told me not to publish it without getting a legal written release, so I did." Jessica couldn''t meet Suzanne''s inquiring gaze. Her eyes darted everywhere except to look into her sister''s. "I put in a lot of time and research on the story. It was a good article, Suzanne." Her sister stood silently. "After I got the release," Jessica continued. "I stumbled upon more information on the people, so I included it in the article. Larry read the release and realized some of the material in the article wasn''t included in the release. He pulled the article. I overrode his decision and printed it." Jessica walked away from Suzanne and sat down on the bed. "He got mad and quit the magazine . . . and me." Suzanne crossed her arms and waited. Jessica looked up at the knowing, yet questioning expression on Suzanne''s face. "Oh, all right!" She twisted with her palms splayed on the spread at her sides. "I added the information to the release after it was signed." "Stupid move, Jess." Suzanne kept waiting. Her body language was speaking louder than her quiet, calm words. "Oh, all right! I''m being sued." Her hands rose and slammed back down on the bed. Jessica watched her sister''s calm waiting. "And I''ve been arrested for breaking and entering and theft of property while getting the information. I''m out on bail," she added with disgust. "I had to check in with the Dallas police before coming here. That''s why I didn''t want you to pick me up at the airport. James Whitlow arranged it so I could come see you. I have to report to the police each day I''m here and advise them when I''m returning to Phoenix." Suzanne took a visible deep breath, her expression revealing her disgust and waiting for more. "Why do you do this to me?" Jessica screamed. "I can''t keep a darn thing from you." She stood to her feet and stormed from the room. Suzanne followed her down the stairs and watched as Jessica paced the living room floor. "If you want my help, which you obviously do by coming, then you can''t afford to keep anything from me. I want to know everything." Jessica pushed both hands back from her temples through her shoulder-length brown hair. "It''s Mother! My own mother is suing me. She had me charged with breaking and entering her house. She sent me there to get some things for her. Now she''s calling it theft!" Suzanne tucked her hands into her hip pockets and continued to wait. Jessica could drag out a story forever simply because she wanted to manipulate the truth and cover her blunders. It never worked with Suzanne . . . or Larry. "I found some old letters. You know, love letters."