Page 124 of Trace of Doubt
“So it’s illegal?”
Marissa raised an eyebrow. “Does it matter?”
“What if I refuse and want to live with Granddad?”
“Shelby has witnessed what happens when I’m displeased. Anger me, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Why am I here?”
Marissa uttered an expletive. “Last question. You’re with me as a guarantee Shelby follows my orders.”
“Mom—”
Marissa slapped her hard across the bruised cheek and lower eye. “You broke rule number one. My guess is boarding school is starting to look good.”
Aria touched her cheek. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Shelby will escort you to the spare bedroom. Shower and throw away everything you’re wearing. I’ve done a little shopping. New clothes, makeup, and two wigs are on the bed. I’ll have dinner and lemonade brought to you. Meals will be in your room unless otherwise instructed. One of my bodyguards is always here for our protection. We’re finished.”
“Thank you.”
“The tap of generosity flows as long as you behave.”
75
DENTON
While the rest of world slept and neglected to anticipate a new day, I drove to Clay’s safe house. The idea of seeing him made more sense than a phone call. He’d experienced the loss of his wife, the reality of Marissa’s deviance, threats against Shelby, and Aria’s kidnapping. Not likely he’d hide his anguish in a face-to-face. Maybe he knew more than he’d shared.
I took a gulp of hot coffee, burned my tongue, and uttered a curse word, a habit I needed to break. The highway stretched out before me with an occasional vehicle in my sights. Lots of think time, as if I hadn’t fired all my brain cells on this case. Questions formed, and my speed matched my insistence to get answers.
My arrival found Clay and the two agents finishing up breakfast. I leaned against the kitchen counter with my crutches and noted the lines in Clay’s face had deepened since our last meeting. His plate of eggs hadn’t been touched.
“Did those making threats against Shelby kidnap Aria?” Clay’s features tightened. “Did they see my granddaughter in Valleysburg?”
“What I know is Eli Chandler kidnapped Aria per Marissa’s orders and is transporting your granddaughter to Miami, not Phoenix. Mike and I go wheels up in the morning.”
Clay shoved back his breakfast. “I’m confused about all of this. I don’t understand why Marissa wants her daughter now when she had no problem leaving her in the past.”
“I wish I had solid intel for you, but we’re working on it.” I addressed the two agents. “Do you mind if Clay and I talk privately?”
The two grabbed their coffee and walked outside. Clay watched them leave. “What’s the bad news?”
“Nothing to report along those lines. You’re worried, and I am too. Here’s what I can tell you, some of which you already are aware. Shelby volunteered to find evidence that would hold up in court and prove Marissa is part of a money-laundering organization. Meantime, indications of other illegal activities leading to Marissa have come to our attention.”
His eyes reddened. “My wife told me before she died about Shelby taking the blame for Travis’s murder. I assumed the pain medications were talking, and I refused to listen. Then Aria claimed horrible things about Marissa, inconceivable things. I’ve thought of little else since. Memories repeat of my daughters as girls and of Marissa during the time Shelby spent in prison. But is it true? Did Shelby take the blame to protect her sister?”
“Yes.”
He clenched his fist. “Is Marissa behind the threats on Shelby’s life?”
“We believe so.”
“I want the chance to love on Shelby like she deserves and get Aria back. I love Marissa, but how could she do these horrible things?”
Clay needed to hear what he was up against. “Marissa has legal rights to Aria. Instructing Chandler to pick her up and transport her to Florida isn’t against the law.”
“Unless he hurt her. Aria’s disappearance is my fault. One of the agents left his phone on the table. I used it to call Marissa, to find out the truth behind her abandoning Aria.”
