Page 116 of Trace of Doubt
Edie glared at me. “I feel badly for you, but, Denton McClure, you have no excuse not to shower. My twelve-year-old smells better after baseball practice. Have you been sleeping in your horse’s stall?”
“I wasn’t expecting visitors.”
“Trust me. We won’t be long.” Amy-Jo set the bag on the kitchen table. “You’re pale too. The food’s still hot.”
I thanked her, and we sat.
“See here,” Amy-Jo began, “if you’re working from home, Shelby has made contact, and you’re helping her stop some crime.”
“Now—”
“Don’t placate me. If she’d simply run off, you’d be furious. If she was in danger, you’d be a wreck, which you are. Bet your laptop is hotter than a firecracker. And we learned one more tidbit of news—Clay Pearce and Aria have disappeared.”
Facing the consequences of skipping church wasn’t worth these two tormenting me. “Since you have this all put together, why are you here?”
“Seeing you helps me analyze your answers.” Amy-Jo stared at me. “Is Shelby with her dad and niece?”
“I don’t know.”
“In protective custody? Or—?”
“Is she alive?” Edie said.
“I think so.”
Edie stood. Must be her signal to leave. “When this is over, I want to learn what’s going on.”
“Me too.” I forced a chuckle but neither of them joined me.
Amy-Jo joined Edie at the door, and I did the proper host thing. “Thanks for stopping by and bringing food.”
“Get a shower, Denton,” Edie said. “Put your clothes in the washer and turn it on hot with extra soap.”
I smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
Amy-Jo pulled a newspaper from her never-ending tote. “Have you seen Saturday’s paper? I understand you can’t reveal what you know, but this could get her killed.”
After they left, I opened the local newspaper. Front-page news...
FBI announces nationwide search for Shelby Pearce for breaking parole. Pearce was recently released from prison after serving fifteen years for murdering her brother-in-law. Authorities say Pearce is suspected of running a drug cartel from inside prison and may have left the country. Missing family members indicate she may have committed additional murders. FBI Special Agent Denton McClure, who is reported to have been living in the area, is under investigation. Sources say McClure and Pearce met at the murder trial and continued a relationship during her prison years.
I tossed the paper aside and scrolled through notices on my phone. One missed call from Mike and another from my boss. I’d silenced my cell after talking to Shelby so I could work uninterrupted. The article had been picked up Sunday by nationwide sources with more dirt tossed at Shelby and growing accusations against me and the FBI’s credibility.
A great way to discredit Shelby’s testimony.
My conversation with Mike was short. Houston needed us in the office tomorrow morning at ten thirty.
71
SHELBY
Sunday night, shortly after darkness covered the city, Marissa told me to change into faded jeans, a plain T-shirt, and the brown chin-length wig. She emerged from her bedroom in slit jeans, eye makeup that rivaled Amy-Jo’s, and black hair.
“We have an errand.” She echoed Eli’s description of her destination earlier today. “Leave everything here. We’re going to a party.” She slipped a gun into the rear waist of her jeans. “It’s a 9mm, little sis.”
“How many will be at this party?”
“Enough to have a good time.” She handed me a cell phone. “I’m giving you a number to call. A man will answer. Tell him your real name and you want to meet with him tonight. The conversation is urgent.”
