Page 72 of Night Hawk
“Are you sure?” Clay asked. “Because very few people knew Lisa was staying with her grandparents, and if you told someone, they could be responsible for taking her.”
Wilshire firmed his stance. “Doesn’t matter. Not really. Anyone I might’ve told wouldn’t have abducted a child. I know that for certain.”
“We don’t always know people as well as we think,” Toni said. “They keep secrets and lie. Like Carla did.”
“You’re heading down a dead-end path. Like I said. I don’t remember telling anyone.” He jerked his rifle up. “Time’s up, and you need to go.”
Toni didn’t want to leave before pushing him more on this question, but with his rifle pointed in her direction, she had no choice but to comply.
She started for the door, and Wilshire backed up to let her pass. Once outside and on solid ground, she turned. Wilshire stood in the doorway, his rifle still raised.
“Thank you, Mr. Wilshire. I appreciate your time. Might I leave a business card in case you think of anything to help?”
“Don’t bother. I won’t think about this again.”
Disappointed at his attitude, she headed for the car. Once the doors were closed, she turned to Clay. “Do you believe his story?”
“He’s hiding something. He knows something about the Raders and maybe more.”
18
Clay ended his call to Trent and grabbed his laptop from the beach house bedroom. He and Toni had decided on the drive back that they would share their latest information with Trent. Hopefully if Trent brought Toni’s grandparents and Wilshire in for questioning, the unease of being called into the sheriff’s office would encourage them to reveal whatever they were withholding.
Clay headed down the hallway and met Aiden and Sierra as they entered. Sierra’s chin was smudged with dirt, and her eyes were droopy.
“This one needs a nap,” Aiden said.
“I can keep going.” Sierra stifled a yawn. “The car ride made me a little sleepy, is all.”
“Kelsey’s napping,” Clay told his sister, hoping she would feel better about resting.
“With her due date fast approaching, she needs to rest.” She gave Aiden a pointed look. “ButI’mfine.”
He held up his hands. “Don’t bite my head off.”
“I’m not…okay, fine. I did snap at you. I just don’t want you guys to look at me like I’m an invalid.”
“Not doing that,” Aiden said. “Just concerned for my big sister.”
She snorted. “You all never think of me as older. You treat me like a kid.”
“Only because we love you.” Clay circled an arm around her shoulders. “And to prove I’m not giving you special consideration, how about fixing me a cup of hot chocolate?”
She laughed and slipped from under his arm. “I’ll get cleaned up for dinner. Who’s making it anyway?”
“Erik,” Clay said.
“Guess that means tacos.”
“Yep,” Clay said. “And if we’re still here tomorrow night, Brendan has KP duty.”
“I don’t want this investigation to drag out, but I’d be happy for one of his omelets.” She gave a tired smile and headed down the hallway.
Clay looked at Aiden. “Did you pick up on anything at the beach house?”
Aiden shook his head. “Trent’s deputy made sure I stayed at my vehicle.”
Clay felt like punching the wall, but he continued into the family room instead. The sun had set long ago, and blackness stared back at him from the big picture windows overlooking the beach. The cold feel deepened Clay’s frustration, and he lowered the blinds. Someone had started a fire and a pleasant aroma of browning taco meat mixed with wood smoke filled the air. If life were normal it would be an idyllic time to sit down, kick up his feet, and take a break, but they weren’t there to relax. They could always come back later for that.
