“Just a few things—a big bowl on a crate. Someone gave me a beer. Jared on the floor by me.”
“What was in the bowl?”
Kelly shrugged, sweat popping out on her forehead. “Don’t know exactly.”
“Were there pills in it?”
Kelly nodded.
“Who was there besides you and Jared?”
Kelly covered her eyes with her hand, slowly shaking her head. “Friends of his. It’s all a blur.”
“Are you gonna promise me you won’t do this again? You know how dangerous this sounds.”
“Yes. I don’t think it makes any difference. Jared left me there. He must have decided to dump me.”
“Good. You don’t need someone who would leave you in a place like that. I won’t say anything, but you should talk to someone about this.”
“No way! And you better not either, or I’ll never talk to you again. Remember you promised.” Kelly shoved open the door and scrambled from the car.
Lexie watched Kelly sneak toward her house and go around to the back. They had been friends forever, but ever since Jared started paying attention to Kelly, she had changed. Maybe last night was a wake-up call. She prayed it was.
Kelly sighed when she saw the closed blinds along the back of the house. Mom must still be asleep. Kelly hoisted herself into an elm tree that butted up against the back porch. After she crawled along a thick branch, she hopped to the roof and pulled herself up to the ledge near her window. Leaning over, she pushed it up and swung toward it, going headfirst into her room at the same time the doorbell rang.
Her right shoulder cushioned the impact with the floor, but one of her legs kicked out and struck the side of a small table. It teetered and crashed to the floor. The sound thundered through her head, aggravating the throbbing pain behind her eyes.
3
Sadie approached Ashley’s favorite place in the woods behind their home, an abandoned tree house she and her brother had fixed up not long after they moved to Summerton. It was where they retreated when they were troubled or lonely, especially the first few months in town. “May I come up?”
“What’s the difference? You will anyway.” Ashley’s voice sounded heavy with tears.
“I’ll leave if you want.”
A long silence met Sadie’s statement. She turned to trek back to the house and wait for Ashley to return.
“Fine,” Ashley said, barely audible.
Sadie climbed up the boards nailed to the oak tree until she reached the six-by-six platform about twenty feet off the ground. Settling next to Ashley, Sadie surveyed the forest from that vantage point. This was the first time she’d been up in the tree house. She hadn’t wanted to invade their privacy until now.
“Ashley, I handled this all wrong.”
“Why did you let us believe our dad was dead?”
“It was easier to let you think that than for you to think your father didn’t want to have anything to do with you two. He left me when you all were born.” Sadie looked at Ashley, but she couldn’t see her daughter’s face. Her long blond hair hung down, veiling her expression.
“He’s been alive all these years,” Ashley mumbled, her clasped hands twisting.
“When you were three and started to ask questions, he had come back to see me. Not because he wanted to be in your lives, but for money. Money I didn’t have. I could barely feed and clothe you all. When he heard I couldn’t help him, he left. I was so angry.” She thought back to that time and felt all over again how devastated she was when he’d walked out a second time. Then the rage came. It consumed her, festering in her heart until she’d done something she shouldn’t have. She’d let her kids think their father was dead. And now, she had to deal with the consequences.
Sadie placed her arm around her daughter, hoping she wouldn’t reject the gesture. “At that moment, I gave up hope he would ever want to be in your lives, and I cut him from mine. As far as I was concerned, he was dead to me. I lied to you. I shouldn’t have and regretted it afterwards, but I didn’t know what to do so I let it stand. I truly never saw your dad coming back into our lives.”
“But he has. What do I do?”
The hurt and pain in Ashley’s question tore at the wall Sadie kept around her own feelings. If only she could redo her life. It would be different. She wouldn’t have fallen in love with Harris. She wouldn’t . . .
She wouldn’t have her two children if she hadn’t been with Harris. That thought sobered her. She loved them and couldn’t imagine life without them. “Honey, you need to search your heart and make that decision. But I’ll tell you this, I won’t let your father come into our lives and disrupt them. He doesn’t get to after thirteen years of silence.”
“But he’s my father. I’ve always wanted to know him. All my friends talk about their dads, and I’ve envied them.” Ashley lifted her tear-filled eyes to her. “Don’t get me wrong. I love you, Mom. I always will, but what if he’s been missing us and wants to make it up to us? You’ve always taught us to forgive when we get mad at a friend. Isn’t that what God wants us to do?”
But this is different, isn’t it? Her daughter was always rooting for the underdog. Ashley had such a big heart. And now Sadie had to face Ashley and tell her she was wrong when she wasn’t. That her dad was an exception to the forgiveness rule, when God didn’t feel that way. She swallowed those words and instead wrapped both arms around Ashley.
“Steven’s and your welfare will always come first with me. That’s what a parent has to do.” Even if she could bring herself to forgive Harris, she would not let his reentry into her children’s lives harm them.
Kelly’s bedroom door flew open, and her mom stood in the entrance with the angriest look she’d ever seen on her Botox-treated face. Her mother’s fists settled on her waist with her feet planted apart. Still not as clearheaded as she should be, Kelly struggled to stand, clasping the edge of the dresser nearby.
Her mother’s mouth contorted into an expression that produced the wrinkles she’d constantly fought to keep at bay. “Where have you been? Out all night with that boy?”
The screech of her mom’s voice pierced Kelly’s fuzzy mind like a needle plunged in it over and over. “No.”
All of a sudden, her mother stood in front of her, her face so close she could smell her morning breath. “Don’t lie to me. You’re still dressed in the clothes you wore last night and you stink.” Her nose wrinkled.
“Right. I need a shower.”
“You’re just getting home from your—date.” Her mom moved forward, crowding Kelly.
She stepped back until she bumped against her dresser. “I don’t know where Jared is. I haven’t seen him since last night.”
“He’ll use you until he gets what he wants, then drop you.” Her mom snapped her fingers in Kelly’s face. “He’s just like his dad.”
“I was with Lexie this morning. You can call her.”
“Then why are you sneaking into the house?”
Kelly’s mind went blank. She didn’t have an answer for her mother.
“That’s what I thought. You’re lying. Right now you need to come downstairs and talk to Ethan Stone. He came to talk to you.”
“To me? Why?”
“That’s a good question. What have you done wrong that a Texas Ranger and the police chief would come to our house on a Sunday? If you bring shame . . .” Her mother’s chest rose and fell as she drew in a deep breath. “When they leave, we’ll continue this little chat. I won’t have my daughter shame our family.”
Kelly nearly laughed at that statement. Her mother did a great job of doing that. “I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be downstairs in a minute.”
Her mother backed away, her gaze raking Kelly’s length. “Change while you’re at it. You look and smell like you’ve been on a bender.”
You should know. Kelly bit her lower lip to keep those words inside. Why couldn’t I have a mother like Lexie’s?
When her mom left her bedro
om, Kelly waited half a minute, her heart racing as though it were going to come out of her chest. As she made her way toward the bathroom down the hall, a change of clothing in her hand, everything around her felt surreal. Her heart continued to throb at a rapid rate.
Inside the bathroom, she locked the door then leaned against the counter, looking at herself in the mirror. Her mascara ran in dark rivulets down her cheeks as though she’d been crying black tears. Her long blond hair laid in a wild tangle about her face. She was glad Jared hadn’t seen her like this. Maybe it was a good thing he left the warehouse.
A flash—blurred—flickered onto the screen of her mind. Jared sprawled on the warehouse floor. Still as death. She shuddered. No—a hallucination from the pills she took last night. She’d see him later today or tomorrow, and he’d have an explanation for why he left. Then everything would be like before.
She wiggled out of her jean skirt and dropped it to the floor. Two pills rolled out of a pocket. She bent and picked them up, no idea what kind of medicine they were. Maybe they would help her feel better, get through the meeting with the cops.
She stared at them in her palm, one white, the other pink. Then she remembered the bizarre night before. Before she changed her mind, she tossed them in the toilet and flushed it.
She’d promised Lex she wouldn’t do anything stupid again—like last night.
Somehow, she would get through the interview on her own.
Ethan walked into the foyer at Mary Lou’s to answer his cell phone. “Have you heard from Lexie?” he asked his sister.
“Yes, she came home a few minutes ago. She’d thought going for a drive might help her feel better. She didn’t leave a message because she knew she was going to be home before I returned from church. You were right. I overreacted.”
The relief he heard in Beth’s voice eased some of his tension. At least his family was all right. “Great. Kelly’s back, too. Was she with Lexie?”
“She didn’t say anything about Kelly. I’ll ask her later. She went upstairs to lie down. The drive didn’t do what she wanted. She looked even more exhausted and pale than when I left for church. Come by for dinner soon. My thanks for putting up with your hysterical sister.”
“Sure. See you later.”
When he hung up, he peered at the staircase and Kelly slowly descending, her hand gripping the banister. She looked like what Beth said about Lexie.
Ethan waited for her at the bottom of the steps. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I think I’ve picked up what Lexie has.”
“You were with her this morning?”
“Yeah, trying to cheer her up.”
As the teen walked past him, a strong flowery scent engulfed him. He almost choked on the fragrance she wore. Instead, he sneezed.
In the living room, Mary Lou frowned when her daughter entered. Kelly sat across from her mother while Cord occupied the other chair, leaving Ethan to stand or take the seat next to Mary Lou. He preferred mother and daughter beside each other, but now it was more a fact-finding mission, since technically no crime had been committed—until they heard back from the ME. He didn’t have a good feeling about this, though.
“I have a few questions for you, Kelly.” Ethan took out his pad. “Did you go out on a date with Jared Montgomery last night?”
“Yes.”
“Did he bring you back home?”
Her eyes dilated, she nodded.
“What time?”
Kelly glanced at her mother. “I don’t know exactly.”
“Can you give me a guess?”
“Why? What’s this about?” Kelly’s brow creased.
“I’m trying to establish Jared’s movements last night. What time do you think?”
“After midnight. Maybe one. I went up to my room and fell asleep.”
“Were you two drinking?” As she’d come down the stairs, she’d seemed unsteady on her feet.
“No, I don’t drink,” Kelly answered too quickly. “I’ve seen what drinking can do to a person.” As she lifted her shaky hand to her wet hair and flipped it behind her shoulder, she glanced toward her mother.
Mary Lou gasped and twisted toward her daughter.
Before Mary Lou opened her mouth to say something, Ethan asked, “Where was Jared going after he dropped you off?”
She shrugged and wiped her hand across her mouth. “I guess home.”
“How did he seem to you?”
“Fine.”
“Did you two have a fight?” Cord asked, swinging Kelly’s attention toward him.
“No, he kissed me good night, and I came inside,” she mumbled, her voice so low Ethan leaned forward to hear her.
“Did you see anyone else last night?” Cord continued the questioning, giving Ethan a chance to watch Kelly’s micro expressions and mannerisms.
“No. We were alone.” One of Kelly’s eyes twitched.
“I thought you were going to a movie. What were you two doing alone? You’d better not have done anything to embarrass me.” Mary Lou tilted up her chin and combed her fingers through her bottle-blonde hair.
“Kelly, where did you and Jared go?” Ethan cut in before Mary Lou made this conversation about her.
“Some place in Lone Star Park.”
“Not Red River City Park?”
“No.” The creases between Kelly’s eyebrows deepened.
“What part of Lone Star Park? It’s a big park.”
Kelly looked left and up at the ceiling. “It was dark. I don’t know exactly. What’s this all about?”
Her body language shouted that she was hiding something. “Why did you go to Lone Star Park? It’s closed after eleven.”
“You’re scaring me. Why all the questions?” Tears welled in Kelly’s eyes. She lowered her head until he couldn’t see her expression, her hands twisting in her lap. “Is Jared missing?”
Ethan sat on the edge of the couch. “Why do you say that?”
When Kelly reestablished eye contact, a look of fear dominated her face. “Because of your questions. If you need to know his whereabouts, ask him.” She stared right at him. “I was with him a few hours last night. That’s all.”
“Jared was found dead in his car in Summerton Lake this morning by some hikers. That’s on the other side of town from the Lone Star Park.”
With each word he said, Kelly’s pupils got bigger, and her face grew even paler. Her eyes fluttered. She swayed, then collapsed back on the couch. “He can’t be. He was all right when I last saw him.” Her thready voice wavered more with each word she spoke.
“When was that?”
She didn’t say anything for a moment.
“When he brought you home?”
“Yes,” Kelly said, jumping on that answer and lying. Sweat coated her forehead.
“Did he say he was going somewhere after he left you?” Ethan asked again, an interrogating technique to see if the answer would change.
“He didn’t say. I didn’t ask.”
Kelly omitted saying Jared had gone home as she had before. Another hint she wasn’t telling the truth.
Tears shone in her eyes. “He can’t be dead. He . . .” She buried her head in her hands and sobbed.
Mary Lou hurried to Kelly and cradled her daughter against her. “She can’t answer any more questions. She’s distraught.”
“I have one more question. Maybe you can answer it. Where was she this morning when you went to check on her?”
“With Lexie. Talk to your niece. They were together.”
Ethan rose with Cord following suit. “I will.” Then to Kelly he said, “If you remember anything about where Jared might have gone after dropping you off, please let me know. I’m leaving my card with my number on it.”
Sadie opened the door to Cord and went into his arms. “I’m glad you could come. I didn’t know who to turn to.”
“What’s going on?” Cord moved into her house bumping the door closed with his foot. “I’m working a case, but you sound
ed upset on the phone.”
She glanced over her shoulder then tugged him toward the living room. “Ashley went to a friend’s house, but I don’t want Steven to overhear.” She lowered her voice. “Harris is back in town.” She pictured her ex-husband with his good looks, a charming smile he used when he wanted something, and a heart of stone. She never wanted to see him again.
“When did he return?”
“Recently. He didn’t tell me when. He did tell me he wanted to see his children after thirteen years. When I last saw him ten years ago, he still didn’t want to have anything to do with them. He just wanted money.”
“Is that what he’s after?”
“I wish that were it. I could deal with that, especially since I don’t have any. He wants to be part of Steven’s and Ashley’s lives now.”
“Oh, great. Not a card from him in thirteen years, and he waltzes right in and wants to play daddy. Why?”
“I don’t know, but it can’t be for a good reason. He has an ulterior motive for everything he does. He’s bad news, and I don’t want my kids near him.”
A tic jerked in the hard lines of Cord’s jaw. “I’ll ask around and find out where he’s staying, then I’ll pay him a friendly little visit and tell him he’s not welcome in this town.”
“That might not be as easy as you think. He’s working for Jeffery Livingston.”
“Bradley Montgomery’s lawyer?”
“Exactly. If he’s working for the Montgomery family . . .” Whether her brother liked it or not, they ran Summerton. If they wanted someone to stay in town, that person would stay.
“Listen, Sadie, I have something to tell you,” Cord said, pulling her toward the couch. “You’d better sit.” After she did, Cord stepped back. “I know you have Jared Montgomery in class and—”
Her cell phone rang. “Just a minute. It might be Ashley, wanting to come home.” When she saw the number, she knew it wasn’t her daughter. It was Maxwell Howard, the assistant principal at Summerton High School. “Hello.”
“I’m calling all of Jared Montgomery’s teachers first.”
Sadie fixed her gaze on her brother hovering nearby while her hand tightened about the phone. “What’s going on?”
Severed Trust: The Men of the Texas Rangers | Book 4 Page 5