Page 48 of Trace of Doubt
“Yes, sir.”
“Get some sleep, and don’t open the door to Randy. If he shows, call me. His truck’s parked at a local bar, and he doesn’t hold his liquor well. I’ve posted an officer to keep an eye on him.”
“What about the safety of his ex-wife and sons?”
“I’ve warned them and Edie.”
At least I understood the enemy in prison. Randy Hughes was a wild card.
“Shelby, what if a trip to Sharp’s Creek gave you an opportunity to carry out your fake suicide? Think about layin’ the groundwork with Amy-Jo and Edie startin’ tonight. Use your original cell phone to contact them. I know it means changin’ plans in midstream with little time to finalize, but takin’ advantage of the trip sounds good to me.”
“Not sure if the drug dealer will be at the café tomorrow. If not, most people won’t have a problem believing I had access to his goods. But Edie does know I’m feeling down.”
“I’ll make sure the right story is spread, and James Peterson is aware.”
When the conversation ended, I phoned Denton on my burner and explained the situation. We agreed to leave Friday morning at five. My next call went to Edie as Sheriff Wendall suggested. If my stalker had tapped into my phone, he might hit the overconfidence button and expose his identity. I told her about my mother.
“If I can make arrangements at the café for Friday, Denton will drive me.”
“Shelby, I’d like to take you. It—”
“You told your brother you’d keep your distance until this ended. Your kids need their mom.”
Edie sighed. “All right. Let me know as soon as you two head home.”
“Sure.” I paused. “This will be hard. Mom’s dying. Dad disowned me, and my sister... Some days I struggle to live.”
“God’s with you. And I’m your un-biological sister. So is Amy-Jo. Hold on tight to that truth.”
I sniffed. I’d confessed more truth than a lie. “Thank you, my friend.”
Amy-Jo answered on the first ring. One more time I explained about my mother’s failing health.
“Don’t worry about your shift. One of the gals asked me for more hours, so I’ll offer her yours. How are you holding up?”
“I feel like I’ve fallen into a well, and it’s impossible to climb out.”
“This might be an opportunity to begin the healing process with your family.”
“Unlikely, Amy-Jo. Some relationships are irreparable.”
“Do you feel up to working tomorrow? I can get someone to cover you.”
“I need to keep my mind occupied.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in the morning. Call me if you want to talk. I can come out there and spend the night.”
“Thanks. You are really sweet.” I hadn’t lied to my friends about my tendency toward depression. In essence I had two enemies—whoever threatened me and the depression.
With God’s help, I’d overcome both.
31
I did nothing to conceal my departure with Denton on Friday morning. His FBI training should allow him to detect someone following us, but I stared at the passenger-side mirror for my own peace of mind.
Fifteen minutes into our drive, I brought up my fake suicide and how Edie and Amy-Jo had been alerted to my dwindling mental condition. “Normally I chat with Amy-Jo and Edie at the café, but yesterday I avoided them. I regret the ruse, but I have no clue how else to credibly expose who’s responsible. My Bible is in my backpack, and the note is written and in my purse.”
“What if we learn the culprit is someone you know? Like your dad?”
