Page 76 of Trace of Doubt
“Not exactly. Maybe.”
“Help me understand. I’m confused.”
The idea of sparing my sister the truth when she’d been through so much seemed like the right thing. But we were grown women who needed to work out a horrible set of circumstances. “I was told to commit suicide, that my family would be better off.”
She burst into tears. “Why?”
“Some people are not good-hearted like you.” My sister’s innocence needed to stay intact. “They’re selfish, greedy, cruel. It’s a part of this world you haven’t experienced, and I will do whatever’s necessary to make sure you never do.” The moment the words left my mouth, I committed to my original promise to keep her safe. “You have a fifteen-year-old, and she needs a mother to teach her how to stay away from people who’d hurt her.”
“I’m sorry to bother you with this. I didn’t know where else to turn. If not for me, you wouldn’t have been among the worst people. I promise I will educate myself in the ways of today’s world. Aria deserves the best. She’s my reason for living. But my resolve doesn’t help now. You’re the clever one, the sister with a plan. Help me, Shelby. I’m afraid.”
Poor, sweet Marissa. “The person who is threatening us has to be someone who followed every moment of the trial and kept tabs on us since then.”
“I’m afraid it’s Dad.”
The dad of my girlhood valued honesty above all things. “If he embezzled the money, why is he living in Sharp’s Creek? Why hasn’t he left the country or laundered it to improve his life? He’s not getting any younger. No, it’s not Dad.”
“He asked me this morning if he could take Aria on a vacation during spring break. He believes Mom will have died by then, and the two of them could grieve together.”
My pulse raced. “He’s counting on Mom dying so he can take a trip?”
“I agree it’s heartless. When he wanted my permission, I didn’t know what to say. I asked him how he could afford a vacation, andhe apparently has money saved. I asked where he wanted to take her.” She paused. “He doesn’t know for sure, but the trip would be a surprise. The worst part is spring break is in two weeks.”
Surely Dad hadn’t chosen money over his family. “Does Aria suspect anything? Have you told her about the threat?”
“I refuse to frighten her with this.” Marissa sobbed. “She should know, right? So she can be on alert?”
“Right. Ignorance doesn’t stop a crime.”
“Okay. She tells me everything, and she hasn’t mentioned a word.”
“Has Dad’s behavior changed since my release? Has he said anything confusing?”
“He’s always difficult, irrational. Hot and cold with his love. But he loves Aria, always has. I think I could rot, and he wouldn’t know the difference.”
“Not true at all. He loves you.” I had to protect Marissa and Aria. “Do you still take a couple of days off occasionally to rest from your rheumatoid arthritis?”
“I haven’t for a while. It’s impossible to leave Mom or the bakery.”
“Take a break. Make sure Aria’s with you. I’ll talk to Denton to see if the FBI can arrange a safe house.”
“I won’t leave Mom. She depends on me.”
“What about your daughter? There’s got to be a solution. Just give me a moment to think.”
I prayed for an answer. If Dad stood at the helm of a money-laundering scheme, he’d wasted a lot of years before he took advantage of a leisurely life. Perhaps the years of bitterness held the key. How sad to expect Dad, the one man I loved more than life... Unless the person responsible intended to frame him.
“Shelby, I’ll tell Dad I need a day off to see a new doctor in Houston. I’ll drive to Valleysburg so we can talk in person. He won’t hurt Aria.”
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t know. I’m upset about too many things and it’s hard to focus. I’ll find a way to bring Aria with me.”
“How about Thursday? Please give thought to allowing the FBI to step in and keep you and Aria safe.”
“Maybe so. All right, I’ll pray about it. I have an idea—I’ll tell Dad that Aria needs to be checked for RA. My strain is genetic.”
“Is it?”
