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money into my business to save it. It was just one more hook he had in me.
    “Isn’t that sweet?” Carter groaned out, sitting upright in his chair. “Can we get back to the business at hand?”
    Mason shot him a glare.
    “This wasn’t a bail bond. Glenn Stout posted one million cash.”
    Mason’s hand tightened around mine again.
    “And not only that,” Carter continued, “Mr. Stout had one million in cash ready and available a mere two hours after her arraignment, even though he is supposedly from Little Rock, which is roughly two hours away.”
    Mason finally released his grip on me and leaned his forearms on the desk. “So this Mr. Stout was ready and waiting to post her bail.”
    “It appears that way.”
    “We need to find out anything and everything we can about this man,” Mason said, casting a glance first at me and then at Carter. “Someone who forked over that much money wants something from her.”
    “Agreed. I plan to have Greta start looking into it as soon as we’re done here.”
    “What’s your plan for her defense?” Mason asked, switching gears.
    Carter shook his head. “You and I both know there is no defense that’s goin’ to work in this case.”
    “That’s the best you’ve got?” Mason demanded, his eyes blazing. “You always pull out every trick in the book against me, and not to boast, but I’m a far better prosecutor than my boss.”
    Carter smirked. “I’ve always hated pulling cases against you for that very reason. But you and I both know this case isn’t goin’ to hinge on the prosecution’s argument. The judge is goin’ to sway the jury to reach the verdict J.R. Simmons bought and paid for.”
    “Goddammit!” Mason shouted, climbing to his feet.
    “We’re goin’ to have to fight this case out of the courtroom. Find out how the judge was bought. Find evidence linking Chief Deputy Simmons and the DA to abuse of power.”
    “You want to go after Joe?” I asked, my stomach tumbling like a washing machine.
    “You bet your ass I do,” Carter said, looking me square in the eye. “And the DA, and anyone else who’s a part of this mess.” He sat up. “I have some—ahem—contacts who might be able to help me gather some information.”
    Mason snorted. “I bet you do.”
    Carter gave him a pointed stare. “Isn’t that why you came to me, Deveraux?”
    Mason released a low growl and turned his back to us.
    I stood up and put a hand on Mason’s arm. I knew he was wrestling with his conscience. It had to kill him to be in this position, where our fates were riding on someone with ties to the criminal underworld.
    If Carter Hale’s connections upset him this much, how would he feel if he found out about my involvement with Skeeter? And how long could I keep it from him?
    He turned to me and stared deep into my eyes. “Do it,” he grunted. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
    “So that’s my assignment,” Carter said. “Yours is to attack the senior Simmons from another front.”
    “I’m already working on it.”
    “Any progress?”
    His face darkened. “No.”
    Carter looked at me. “I have a few contacts who might be able to dig up a little dirt on the senior Simmons as well.”
    “Do I want to know who they are?” Mason asked.
    A ghost of a smile lifted Carter’s mouth. “I suspect not.”
    “Is there anything else?” Mason asked.
    “No. As soon as I find out anything about Mr. Stout, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
    Mason nodded and took my hand. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you home.”
    “Rose, you might want to stay at home and inside for a day or two,” Carter said. “At least until we know more about your benefactor.”
    Mason nodded. “Agreed.” Then he squeezed my hand and started to lead me out of the room.
    I pulled him to a stop. “Carter. I know you and Mason don’t see eye to eye, so thank you for taking my case anyway.”
    “Oh …” he drawled. “You can thank your friend Neely Kate for that. And be sure