Page 90 of Trace of Doubt
Awkwardbest described my sensation of sitting on the passenger side of Denton’s rental car with Aria in the middle. My walk to and from work seemed to speed by faster than this. Every familiar fence post, clump of wildflowers, and dip in the road brought me closer to dealing with the past. I’d go to my grave wearing lies like another layer of skin.
I’d spent so many years with my own thoughts as a companion that I resembled a nineteenth-century hermit. What did I say to a fifteen-year-old who’d been told I’d murdered her father?
“Aria, what are the plans once you’re at Shelby’s cabin?” Denton said. “You’ll have nearly five hours together.”
She swung to me. “You live in a cabin. Cool.”
“Yes, it’s homey, peaceful. It sits next to a grove of woods filled with wildlife. I’ve seen deer, a coyote, raccoons, a fox, and lots of incredible birds.”
“I love animals. But the only thing on my mind is spending time with you.”
Denton tossed me a baffled look. For certain he had questions upon questions about how Aria and I would spend our time together and why she was in Valleysburg.
“We’ll figure it out once we’re there.” If she liked jewelry, I could give her a few tips on how to create a necklace or bracelet. Working with our hands would give us something to do while we talked.
“Aunt Shelby, how did you and Denton become friends? I’d think you’d run the other way since he investigated the... you know. But—” She paused. “Maybe it’s like you and me. We’re better people not to profile each other. Back to my question, when did the friendship start?”
“I’ll let Denton answer.”
He rubbed his face. “We decided to like each other when we took the time to get acquainted instead of viewing each other as enemies.”
“Who took the first step?”
I burst out laughing. Couldn’t help it.
“What’s so funny?” He frowned.
“Aria’s so much like me.”
“Laughter at my expense, huh?” He grinned.
“What happened to your leg, face... and the rest of you?” Aria gestured from his head to his toes.
“A truck didn’t see me.”
“Next time wear a neon vest.”
“I’ll remember your sage advice. Now I have—” His phone rang, and he snatched it from the dash. Reading the caller ID, he answered. “Sheriff, how can I help you?”
I observed every muscle and line on his bruised face for telltale signs of the call’s content since we’d just left Sheriff Wendall at the café. Typical agent, couldn’t read a thing.
“Who paid the bail?” He scowled. “All right. I’ll handle it.” He placed his phone on the dash. “Change of plans. We’ll stop at Shelby’s cabin, pick up anything needed, then head to my place.”
I frowned. “Can you tell me what’s happened?”
“Randy’s out on bail. A friend of his paid it. No worries.”
No point elaborating.
“Who is Randy?” Aria looked at me. “And—?”
“Not up for discussion.” I used my gentlest tone, although I hadn’t had much practice around teenage girls. “Some things are better left alone.”
Aria huffed. “In some countries, I’d be married with a kid.”
Denton chuckled. “But not in Texas.”
At my cabin, Aria inspected every room with compliments. “The green is terrific and so are the touches of yellow and lavender, but a burst of red would make it pop.”
