Page 65 of Trace of Doubt
“It’s about faith in a God I can feel. He’s given me peace about the things I can’t change. I trust His ways are best even though I don’t understand.” I peered into his battered face. “And hope for eternity.”
“My parents and grandparents are believers.”
“You’re not, or are you angry because life isn’t easy?” When he didn’t respond, I ventured one step more and whispered, “What kind of circumstances mold us into stronger people, the easy path or the challenges?”
“How’s Aaron?”
I’d hit a nerve, but I refused to retract my words. Instead I kissed my fingers and laid them on his forehead. Isaac and Sheriff Wendall walked to the opposite side of the hospital bed.
“You asked about Aaron,” Isaac said. “He made it through surgery and is holding his own. Due to Shelby’s quick thinking, she kept him from bleeding out.”
The sheriff nodded at me. “I’m not surprised. She’s smart and cares about others. Maybe too much.”
Denton’s gaze met mine. His confusion over God changed to tenderness, and the change penetrated my heart.
“Thanks, Shelby. Aaron’s like a dad to me. Him and Isaac. They remind me of the characters in the movieSecondhand Lions.”
“I saw that movie with my dad. And you’re right. Note, we agree.”
“Thing is,” Isaac said, “I have yet to figure out if I’m Robert Duvall or Michael Caine.”
“Maybe the lion.” I smiled.
Denton gave me a thumbs-up with his non-IV hand. “While I’m in a coherent mode, update me on the two attacks.”
Isaac told him about identifying the shooters from the security camera through facial-recognition software and the dead man’s criminal record. “We learned his name was Arthur Shell. You’ll probably find more info with your FBI security. Your clearance outranks mine. The driver who took off was Eli Chandler. He drove a dark pickup minus the front license plate.”
“Anyone else?”
“Not that I’m aware.”
Denton reached for his phone on the nightstand and typed. His impassive look gave no signs of his reaction to what he’d learned. He peered at Isaac and Sheriff Wendall. “I can’t share some of what I learned with Shelby, but I have a couple of questions for her first.”
My heart thumped. “Go ahead. Then I’ll walk to the cafeteria. A Coke sounds good right now.”
“Take one of those officers posted outside my door.”
“I think you’re the center of attraction.”
He tried to scowl but it obviously hurt. “Did you recognize the dead man? Or does the name Eli Chandler mean anything to you?”
“No.”
Denton showed me a photo on his phone of a dark-haired man. “Ever see this guy?”
“No. Is he Chandler?”
“Right.”
“My turn,” I said. “Where is he from?”
“Miami.”
“Do you think our attacks are connected to the missing money?”
“Maybe it’s not about the money,” Denton said.
Isaac cleared his throat. “The sheriff and I have been discussing the same thing. The answer could lead to the crimes we’ve experienced of late.”
