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want you to be Mama's bodyguard."
    He glanced down at the hand on his arm, noting the long, slender fingers—elegant Morgan fingers. "I'm sure your Nana knows that I've already turned down the job. Maxine Carson did inform you after Dane called her, didn't she, Mother?"
    "Yes, I'm aware that you're reluctant to take the assignment because of the family connection, but I …
    that is, Anne Marie and I think you're the only man for the job."
    The girl squeezed his arm and gazed beseechingly into his eyes. "Please, Morgan. Please. Nana and I know that you're the best, that you'd take care of Mama better than anyone else. And you're so smart and brave and—"
    "What the hell have you been telling this child about me?" Morgan glowered at his mother.
    Ida Mae cleared her throat. "Your mother's pretty well convinced her that you're some sort of white knight."
    Squeezing his arm again, Anne Marie frowned, crinkling her nose in the exact same wayBethanyused to do whenever she became upset. "Mama didn't kill Jimmy Farraday, but the police don't believe her.
    We've got to have some help finding the real killer. And now that one of Jimmy's fans sent that bomb to Mama—"
    Morgan grabbed Anne Marie's wrist. "Someone sent Beth a bomb? What happened? Is she all right?"
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    "She's fine," Anne Marie said. "Mama didn't open the package. Lisa did, and it blew up. She's in the hospital in critical condition."
    "Who is—" Morgan asked.
    "Lisa Songer is the manager of one ofBethany's boutiques," Claudia said. "The package was delivered to the Galleria boutique, and Lisa took it over toBethany's house. It was addressed to her, not the shop."
    "Who would want to harmBethany?" Morgan's heartbeat roared in his ears. Why should he care? Why did the very thought of someone harmingBethanyhit him so hard? She didn't mean anything to him. Not after all this time.
    Suddenly realizing that he was still manacling Anne Marie's wrist, Morgan released her.
    "I told you, we think it was one of Jimmy's fans," Anne Marie said. "They've been calling the house and sending letters, making threats ever since the police arrested Mama four days ago."
    "It might have been one of Farraday's outraged lunatic fans," Morgan said. "But I think y'all have overlooked another possibility?"
    "And what is that?" Claudia asked.
    "Whoever killed Farraday might wantBethanydead and the case closed so that there's no further investigation into the murder."
    "See," Anne Marie cried. "You're already figuring the different angles, considering all the possibilities.
    You know all kinds of ways to track down a criminal." She breathed in deeply, then exhaled. "I wouldn't trust anyone else to take care of my mother. To make sure no one hurts her. She's the most wonderful mother in the world. You remember what a special person she is, don't you?"
    Just the mention ofBethany's name stirred up deep emotions inside him. Feelings he thought long dead.
    Beth—his Beth—had been special. He just hadn't had sense enough to realize how special until it was too late. "Yeah, I remember."
    "Then you will take the assignment, won't you, Morgan?" Anne Marie smiled weakly, a look of pleading in her eyes.
    "You can't go away and letBethanyfight this battle alone," his mother said.
    Claudia's words hit a nerve. He'd leftBethanyonce, left her to fight against the will of his parents and her mother. She'd lost that fight and married Amery. A part of him did and always would feel guilty that his desertion had left her defenseless. Had she turned to Amery not only because his parents and Eileen Dow had encouraged the relationship, but because she'd known how much he hated his cousin? Had marrying Amery been an act of revenge against him?
    Did he owe it toBethanyto stay inBirminghamand guard her? Maybe. Was he a fool to even consider taking the assignment? Probably.
    Claudia patted Anne Marie's hand. "Would you mind running up to my room