Page 42 of Trace of Doubt
“Just an idea, but here goes. Fake my suicide with a note left on my nightstand that offers clues to the whereabouts of the missing money in the cabin. If it’s possible, enlist an ambulance to pick up my body, falsify a death certificate, arrange a newspaper obituary, also plant a newspaper article that shows I’d embezzled the money with the same clues from my suicide note, and establish proof I was cremated. In the meantime, I’ll stay hidden for a few days to see who breaks into the cabin.”
“Not a bad plan.” He rubbed his stubbled jaw. “It would take twenty-four-hour surveillance, and I don’t have the officers to spare.”
“There’s a pine tree that faces my front door. Could a camera be placed there? Another thought is a small camera at my back door.”
He nodded. “The other problem is who would pronounce you legally dead.”
“Could the coroner’s signature be forged?”
“Possibly.” He paused. “I could talk to the FBI, but that means lettin’ Denton in on what’s goin’ on.”
I grimaced. “Is there another way?”
“Not really. I understand not trusting him after what he’s done, but I’ll keep him on a tight leash.”
“I understand. But involving Denton doesn’t mean I like the idea.”
“If we did those things and followed through with a trap, how would you explain faking your death to your parole officer?”
“Can Mr. Peterson be trusted?”
“Without a doubt. He’s in your corner.”
Mr. Peterson’s reliability rated higher than Denton’s. “Okay. Trust has to start somewhere, and I do trust you.”
“And Denton? Since this is part of his assignment?”
I hesitated and told the sheriff what I’d said to Denton earlier in the day. “What if he’s the one behind the threats?”
“Denton has nothing to gain by your death. In fact, he has everything to lose.”
“You’re right.” I paced the room. “Does someone have the money and is worried I know his identity?”
“Exactly, Shelby. You were little threat in prison. But now is a different story. You might suspect someone subconsciously, and the person’s runnin’ scared.”
“I’m concerned about Edie and Amy-Jo. They’ve invested so much time and energy in me. I loathe the idea of deceiving them. How can I show friendship with a lie?”
“How can you live looking over your shoulder? I reckon you don’t have a choice. They’re in danger too.”
“All right. I’ll explain and ask for forgiveness when this is over.”
“By the way, your phone records showed nothin’ but a few calls from burner numbers.” He handed me a small phone. “I picked this up so no one could trace you. It’s activated.”
I thanked him and tried to pay, but he wouldn’t hear of it. “Are you helping me because I’ve become a victim?”
“I am. But it’s my job.”
“And my friends’ lives hang in the balance.”
27
DENTON
Nothing alerted me faster to trouble than a visitor at midnight. I opened the door to a man who sounded like Sheriff Wendall but was dressed like an insurance salesman... or a mortician. He relayed Shelby’s plan to trap the lawbreaker. A bit dangerous in my opinion. “She’s not trained in law enforcement.”
The sheriff huffed. “She spent fifteen years among the worst. The little lady may look like she just walked out of a candy store, but she’s smart and no fool. Give her a chance.”
Odd, I’d been obsessed about keeping her behind bars and read the reports about her high intelligence. Now I feared she’d get hurt. “Right. We’re on solid ground with Shelby.”
