Blackmail by Robin Caroll Page B

rude to you.”
    Tears burned the backs of her eyes. “It’s okay. We’re adjusting.”
    â€œNo, I’ve been really rude to you and you don’t deserve that.”
    â€œOkay.” She chewed the inside of her lip, not sure what else to offer. She didn’t want to close the door on the conversation, but didn’t know how to proceed, either.
    â€œI thought you’d taken me in because you had to.” He lifted his gaze from the floor, meeting her eyes.
    â€œNo, I wa—” Well, she hadn’t exactly wanted to take him in. “I couldn’t let you become a ward of the state.” She let out a sigh. “After Mom died, I had to live in a foster home for a couple of months. It was awful.” She shuddered, blinking to ban the memories. “You’re my brother, Caleb, even though we really don’t know each other very well.”
    â€œWell, thanks. I do appreciate it.” He shoved to his feet. “And I don’t know anything about that letter you got, but I’ll find out what’s going on.”
    She stood, as well. “No, Caleb. Let me handle it.” She gestured to the paper on the chair. “I’m working through possible suspects. I’ll figure out who has the biggest beef against Vermilion Oil.”
    Caleb snorted. “What’re you gonna do then? Take the name to the police?” His hands fisted at his sides. “I won’t go back to juvie and that’s just what they’ll do first thing.”
    Sadie took a step back. The force of her brother’s words stung, as well as the logic behind them. “I won’t go to the police. But, Caleb, I have to do something.”
    â€œI told you, I’ll find out what’s going on.”
    â€œNo, it’s dangerous and you should stay out of it.” Maybe it hadn’t been such a wise decision to show him the stupid letter.
    He scowled. “I’ll be eighteen in a few months. I think I can handle this. They’re using me to blackmail you.” He headed for the foyer. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I need to think.” He opened the door.
    â€œCaleb, wait!”
    â€œDon’t worry. I’ll be back by ten.” The door clicked shut behind him.
    He shouldn’t be out alone, but it wasn’t as if he was under house arrest. She couldn’t treat him like a child, but he was her responsibility. Sadie paced the worn rug in the living room, visions of multiple horrors streaming through her head. What if the blackmailers were watching them? What if they followed Caleb, hurt him? Should she go after him?
    Lord, how do I take care of him, keep him safe? I don’t want him to think I consider him a child, but someone threatened him.
    Sadie marched into the kitchen, searching for her purse. She couldn’t let Caleb go out alone. Not like this. Not knowing who the blackmailers were or what they wanted.
    Brrringgg! Brrringgg! Brrringgg!
    She jumped at the sound, then grabbed the cordless phone from the counter. “Hello?”
    â€œSadie, another facility’s been sabotaged. And this time, it’s bad. Barrels of oil and saltwater have gone into the bayou.” Deacon’s voice trembled with emotion. “I need you at the office now.”
    Oh, no! The situation couldn’t be any worse. She should’ve gone over that list of laid-off workers closer. What was she supposed to do now? Work or Caleb? Both were her responsibilities, but she couldn’t be in two places at once. “I ca—”
    â€œSadie, I really need you here. The Coast Guard’s been called in and the press is already at the front door.”
    Lord, what do I do?
    She didn’t have a choice—she had a job to do and right now, that had to take precedence. If she failed, she could lose her job and then how would she support Caleb? “I’m on my way.”
    She hung up the phone and raced to her bedroom.