Page 27 of Trace of Doubt
Heat rushed into my face—for what I’d done to her, deceived her for my own well-being.
The older man stood and looked out at the congregation. “Ms. Pearce, standing up for yourself takes guts. While I’m apprehensive about you living among us, I commend your courage. Accept my apology, and I will give you the chance you requested.” He turned to Pastor Emory. “Sorry to interrupt worship.”
“No problem. I hope all of you will reflect Jesus in your actions.”
The sermon took over the agenda, and I tuned out Pastor Emory.
Yesterday, I followed shoe prints to a country road where the sender of Shelby’s card had driven away in a vehicle. Someone had developed a devious plan to get into her head, but the motives defeated me. What else had the person done? Would Shelby open up to me about other possible threats? As far as I was concerned, she’d never see the suicide-sympathy card unless I deemed it necessary. Except... she might recognize the handwriting and identify the sender.
The service ended, and I waited in the rear to ask her to lunch. I had my truck to load her bicycle and plans to drive her home later. The older man exited his pew and nodded at her. He mumbled something indiscernible before he moved on. Edie and her two kids joined Shelby and Amy-Jo. Then the pastor and his wife stopped to chat. After-church conversation might take a while.
An hour later, Shelby and I sat at a popular restaurant known for its down-home cooking. My order of chicken-fried steak smothered in pepper gravy with mashed potatoes and buttered green beans didn’t match her healthier choice.
I patted my belly. “I see a six-mile run in my future, but it will be worth every cholesterol-filled bite.”
“And drop of sweat.” A hint of a smile met me, and my heartbeat bolted like a schoolboy’s.
“Is this your first restaurant meal after your release other than at the café?”
She lifted her chin. How could one woman display such a picture of beauty and innocence? “Edie drove me through McDonald’s after picking me up at the bus station. Fabulous hamburger and fries.”
I sighed. “My effort is number two. My ego is under the table.”
She lifted a glass of iced tea with lemon to her lips. “Friendship isn’t based on ego. And you sounded like you were flirting, which is not up for discussion.”
Was I interested in Shelby other than learning about the missing money? “My apologies.”
She set the glass back on the table. “We had an interesting church service.”
I shook my head. “You mean the man who wanted you tarred and feathered? Or the brave stand you took?”
“Neither. I was talking about the pastor’s message.”
Great. I hadn’t paid attention. “Okay, you go first.”
“Faith is a part of my every breath. What about you?”
“God and I have a difference of opinion on how He runs things. I attend church, depending on the occasion.”
“He’s always in control of what’s happening in the world,” she said.
“So I hear.”
“You were there today.”
“It fit the occasion.”
She tilted her head and sadness cast a shadow on the moment. “Denton, my guess is you’ve scoured the Internet and read every post and viewed every video about what I did years ago. You heard the older man in church voice his disapproval. Since arriving in Valleysburg, I’ve been threatened, and I’ve promised to keep my distance from Edie. You’re aware of these things, and it hasn’t deterred you. By being seen with me publicly, you risk your reputation and your safety.” She hesitated. “Let’s be honest here. What’s the real reason for your keeping company with me?”
“Do I need one?”
She folded her hands on the table. “Over fifteen years ago, FBI Special Agent Allen Denton McClure was assigned to track down the disappearance of $500K, part of the case involving the murder of Travis Stover. The state of Texas filed the murder charges and tasked the FBI to help locate the money. Agent McClure and his partner, Special Agent Mike Kruse, failed to recover it. No one did. The missing money remains an open case. Back then your hair was dark brown. No mustache or beard. You got rid of your large-framed glasses, possibly in exchange for contacts. I say that because when we took the walk through the woods, your eyes reddened. I assumed because of allergies. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble to portray a widower finding his way back from grief.”Pain from my betrayal flashed across her eyes. “Your turn, and I deserve the truth.”
I’d underestimated her. Now I looked like a fool. I peered at her. Cover my rear or admit the truth? “How long have you known?”
“Since Friday evening. No one gives a puppy without a reason.”
“Shelby, I thought the puppy could be a companion. Nothing else.”
