Trail of Lies

by Margaret Daley

  Beyond the large window at the front of the cabana the dim shadows of twilight settled over the pool area. After shutting the window, Melora pulled the blinds closed and instantly the large room seemed to shrink to half its size. As she panned the area, disappointment weaved through her. They had found nothing. Where could Axle have put the information? What had made him stop wearing the flash drive around his neck and possibly hide it? If it wasn’t one of the Lions of Texas, who was his killer? A rival drug gang?

  “What if there wasn’t anything that Axle hid. That this is all a big joke on us—on the people he crossed?” she asked Daniel.

  “After we’ve checked everywhere, we might need to consider that. But either way the people who want it certainly don’t want us to get to it first. Where do you think we should look tomorrow?”

  Frustrated, Melora flittered her hand in the air. “I’m running out of places.” She skimmed the room as though it could reveal some hidden cache she’d previously forgotten. They’d checked the baseboards and for any loose tiles in the floor. They’d examined the walls, especially behind the pictures. She stopped at one arrangement of photographs that Axle had taken. Several were of his champion Arabian horse and the others were of his dog that had died about six months before Axle. He’d loved both of those animals to the point she’d felt more than she.

  She marched across the cabana and took down one photo of the black gelding in the pasture behind the stable. Although she had neighbors on both sides of her several hundred yards away, the property went back several acres. Tearing into the back of the picture, she stripped away the paper, hoping there was something hidden there. Nothing. She moved on to the next photo and finally finished several minutes later with Daniel pausing in packing up the last box and peering at her.

  “I’m desperate, okay?”

  He closed the space between them and stacked the photos on top of each other. “Actually that wasn’t a bad idea. He could have hidden something behind one.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I was hoping, but as you can see, that wasn’t the case.” She lifted the top picture of Axle’s hunting dog, Bailey. “He loved this animal so much he had him buried at the back of the property. Has a headstone and everything. He used to go out and put flowers on the grave every Sunday afternoon.” She bit back, “he loved that dog more than me,” but it was the truth.

  “Every week?”

  “Yeah.”

  Daniel pointed to the picture of the Arabian horse. “I’ve been down to the stable. I didn’t see this horse.”

  “I sold him about a year ago. I have a horse for myself and Kaitlyn that a neighbor’s been helping me care for, but his stallion was high-strung and didn’t like anyone but Axle. My husband used to spend a lot of time with him.”

  “Then let’s check both the stable and the gravesite out. We’re running out of places and since he spent time at both those places, we should take a good hard look at them.”

  “Most of Lightning’s riding gear went with him. His stall is empty though.”

  “Okay, then first thing tomorrow that’s where we’ll start.”

  A knock sounded at the door. Daniel whirled around at the same time she did. He frowned and hurried to answer it.

  “Clay, what are you doing here?” Daniel asked, surprise flashing across his face.

  “I heard about what happened at Tyler Madison’s funeral. Someone said a Ranger got hurt. I…” Clay’s gaze swung to Melora then back to his dad.

  Melora came up beside Daniel. “One of the Rangers guarding the back door was knocked out, but he’s fine now. I’m Melora Hudson.” She held out her hand.

  Clay shook it. “Nice to meet you.”

  “How did you know where I was?” Surprise still lit his eyes as though Daniel couldn’t believe his son was standing in front of him.

  “The internet,” Clay said as if that were a no-brainer.

  “Well, since you’ve come all this way, I hope you’ll stay for dinner. We’ll have pizza.” Melora stepped to the side to let the young man inside.

  “Sure.” Clay peered around the cabana with some cartons piled in the center of the room. “What are you doing in here?”

  “I needed help boxing up my deceased husband’s belongings. Your dad has been gracious enough to help.”

  “Yeah, he’s that kinda guy.” Clay’s look seared into his dad. “Why didn’t you call and let me know you were all right?”

  “I wasn’t hurt. I didn’t think about it. I’ve been so busy with this case that…” Daniel plowed his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I should have. I know you get worried when you hear about a Ranger getting hurt.”

  A nerve in Clay’s jaw twitched. “This was a mistake.” He spun around and trod toward the back door into the kitchen.

  “Score points for my side. Not.” Daniel shook his head and started toward the house. “Maybe I can catch him.”

  Melora stepped out into the cool night air. “Maybe it’s about time he realizes what kind of job you have.”

  “It’s a little late to do a ride along.”

  “Have you ever talked to him about your job?”

  “He used to ask questions when he was younger, but so much I couldn’t talk about. He was too young and didn’t need to hear about the evil in this world.”

  “Well, he isn’t anymore. You’ve helped so many people. Me, for one.” At the back door, she stopped Daniel from entering with a hand on his arm. “He came all the way out here because he was worried about you. Remember that when you talk to him. He’s made a move. Now it’s your turn. He needs to be treated like the adult he’s becoming.”

  When Daniel entered, he came to a halt a few feet into the kitchen.

  “I baked these.” Kaitlyn was showing Clay the Christmas cookies she decorated. “On this one, I wanted to make it sparkle like a Christmas tree.”

  “I think you did. It’s beautiful.”

  Melora smiled at the huge grin on her daughter’s face as Kaitlyn puffed out her chest. “You can have it.” She gave Clay the cookie shaped like a tree with every color of glittery sparkles sold at their local grocery store on it. “We’re having pizza. We can’t have any cookies until after dinner.”

  “I’m not staying—” Clay glanced at his dad then back at Kaitlyn. “What kind of pizza?”

  “The best. Pepperoni.”

  “I guess I can stay for a little while.”

  Later that evening Clay snatched another Christmas cookie off the plate sitting on the coffee table in the den and said, “It’s your turn.”

  Melora lined up for her shot at the trash can across the room. Compressing the ball of paper in her hands even more, she squinted and took aim. The wad sailed across the distance and plopped right down next to the “basket.”

  “Yay!” Kaitlyn jumped up and down then gave Clay a high five before doing a little dance in a circle, singing, “We won! We won!”

  Laughing, Clay did a jig then took a bite of his cookie.

  Melora sidled toward Daniel and out of the corner of her mouth said in a low whisper, “Some people need to learn how to win gracefully.”

  “Your daughter is competitive. Like her mother.”

  “When I agreed to this little game of paper basketball, I didn’t realize how hard it would be to hit the basket. I understand about your son making most of his shots, but where did my daughter learn to do it? And why aren’t you better at the game?”

  Daniel grinned. “I’m not the one who missed the tying shot.”

  When Kaitlyn started to grab her fourth cookie in the past hour, Melora stepped forward. “You’ve had enough, honey. It’s time for bed. Actually it’s way past your bedtime.”

  “Can’t I stay up a little later? At least until Clay goes home.”

  Daniel’s son tousled Kaitlyn’s hair. “Sorry, half-pint. I’ve got to go now.”

  “Please stay a little longer and read me a story. I can be ready for bed fast.” Kaitlyn tried to snap her fingers, but it d
idn’t work.

  “Okay. One story. If you can be ready in five minutes.”

  At Clay’s challenge, Kaitlyn raced out of the den, the sound of her pounding steps echoing down the upstairs hallway.

  “Thanks, Clay. I thought I was going to have a rebellion on my hands.” Melora was so glad that she’d asked Daniel’s son to stay for dinner. Kaitlyn had monopolized the teen’s time, but her presence had also kept the atmosphere casual and fun. Something both Daniel and Clay needed.

  Gisella appeared in the doorway. “Daniel, may I have a word with you?”

  “Can it wait?”

  “No.”

  “Be back in a few minutes,” Daniel said as he left the room.

  Clay frowned. “Does he ever not work?”

  “What was the past two hours? Work?” Melora faced the young man.

  “Isn’t he here because he’s working a case?”

  She put a hand on her waist. “Yes, and because of your father, I’m alive. He saved my life yesterday. I’d say he’s doing a pretty good job. Your father is one of the people who helps keep us safe. If it weren’t for people like him, what do you think would happen in this world?”

  “He works all the time.”

  “Yes, I agree his job takes a lot of his time. But for a relationship to work, it takes both people. I’m glad you came tonight. Daniel needed to take some time off from this case.”

  “Kaitlyn really likes him,” Clay said as though that surprised him.

  “Yes, from the first day she met him.” Her daughter wanted a father figure. Melora could see that and wasn’t sure what to do about it because Daniel’s life did revolve around his job. In that moment, she realized she was falling in love with him. The realization shocked her into silence.

  “He can have that effect on some people.”

  “But not you?”

  “We tend to end up arguing more than anything.”

  “You could change that pattern.”

  “Why are you interested?”

  “Because I care about your father. As I said, I’m alive because of him. My daughter is. I lost my parents when I was young, and I would give anything to have them in my life now. I don’t want you to end up regretting your relationship when you get older and maybe don’t have a chance to be with your dad.”

  “He has a funny way of showing he cares. He’s always telling me what I need to do.”

  “When you were in trouble a few years back, who did you turn to? Who helped you out of a jam?”

  Bright red blotched his face. “I still had to do community service.”

  “Because you did something wrong. Do you think you’re so special that you don’t have to follow the rules?”

  “No.”

  “Then quit being so angry at your father for something you did. And a lot of parents feel they need to tell their kids what they should do. It’s hard to let that go as they grow up. Talk to your father about how you feel. That you want to be treated as an equal now that you’re seventeen.”

  Clay peered toward the entrance and saw Daniel standing there. “I’d better read Kaitlyn her story.” He hurried out of the room.

  Leaving Melora to face Daniel. His neutral expression evolved into one of anger. “I appreciate what you were trying to do, but I don’t need you to fight my battles.”

  His words bombarded her. “So it’s okay if you help me, but not the other way around?”

  He glared at her, his mouth a tight line.

  The intensity that flowed off him zapped what energy she had. All she wanted to do now was see that Kaitlyn got to bed then find her own. She needed to sleep, to hide from her problems for a while. To get a handle on the fact that she wasn’t just falling in love with Daniel, but was in love with him. “I’m going to see to my daughter then go to bed.” She headed toward him. “What did Gisella want? Any news about the case?”

  “Yeah. William Thompson is gone and they’ve found Gordon Johnson’s body about six hundred yards from where Axle was killed. He was shot like your husband.”

  “I was hoping with Clyde Walker’s death this would all neatly wrap itself up and Kaitlyn and I could get back to a normal life.”

  “No, not yet, but with each piece of information we’re getting closer to who killed Axle and where the flash drive is.”

  “I hope so,” Melora said with a deep sigh, then started for Kaitlyn’s room down the hall as Clay left her daughter’s bedroom.

  Daniel watched his son approach him, a leery look in his expression. “How’s basketball going?” he asked, remembering the first game of the season four weeks ago when Clay’s team got killed by their opponent.

  “Better, but then you’d know if you’d come to see me more than a couple of times.”

  “If I remember correctly you weren’t too thrilled that I came to see you that first game. After the third one you made it clear you didn’t want me in the audience.”

  “Since when have you done what I wanted?” Clay gripped the railing of the staircase as he put his foot on the first step.

  “You said I made you nervous.”

  Clay snorted. “Come to the tournament in a couple of days. I don’t care if you’re there or not.”

  Daniel had waited weeks to hear his son ask him to come to a game. “I’ll probably be working, but as soon as this case is over, I’ll be there.”

  “Don’t bother. You never understood how much I love the game.”

  Stunned, Daniel allowed his son to descend the staircase. Such anger. It still felt as though it swirled around him like a whirlwind. Suddenly shaking his head, he hurried after his son. He caught up with Clay at the front door.

  “Please don’t leave just yet,” Daniel said as he quickly covered the length of the large foyer.

  Clay placed his hand on the doorknob but didn’t turn it. Although Daniel couldn’t see his son’s face, his stiff back and rigid set of his shoulders spoke of his anger.

  “I know how important basketball is to you. I’ll be at the next game I can make. I want to support you in this. I’m glad you have something that you love like you do basketball.”

  Clay took a half turn to the left. “You mean that?”

  “Yes. If you want to pursue a career in basketball, I’ll be there cheering you on when I can.”

  “What’s caused your change of opinion?”

  “I had someone remind me what it was like with my own father. He didn’t want me to go into law enforcement. We fought about it, and it came between us. I never got the chance to clear the air with him before he died. I don’t want that for us.”

  Clay’s eyes narrowed as though he were mulling over what Daniel had said. “I’ll send you my schedule. Come when you can. Good night, Dad.”

  Unsure where he stood with his son, Daniel started to call him back. Seeing the two Rangers patrolling the grounds locked the words inside. This wasn’t a place for his son right now. When the case was over, he would approach Clay again. Make this right somehow.

  The next afternoon after spending all morning going through Lightning’s old stall, the tack room and any other place in the stable Daniel thought might contain something Axle would want to hide, Melora exited Daniel’s white truck not far from where Bailey was buried. She was glad the driveway split off and circled the back of the property because after spending another sleepless night she didn’t have much energy left to walk all the way to the gravesite.

  A small grove of trees shaded the dog’s burial place. She stopped not far from it. Since her husband’s disappearance, the grass surrounding the grave had grown up around it and because it was December, had died leaving long brown growth tangled about the stone. Axle would never have allowed that to happen.

  “You say he took care of this every week?” Daniel stood over the headstone, staring down at it.

  “Like clockwork. Every Sunday afternoon. I only mentioned this place to you because he did, but I can’t see there being anywhere to hide something. It’s not like he would ha
ve dug up Bailey and put something in the coffin.”

  “Coffin?”

  “My husband loved his animals more than people. He treated them better, too.”

  Daniel knelt and checked out the pop-up vase standing at the bottom of the stone with Bailey’s name etched into it. “Nothing here but very old remains of some stems.” He picked one up and it fell apart, the pieces plunging to the ground at his feet. When he peered up, his gaze lit on the photo display that latched on to the headstone. “Is that Bailey?”

  “Yes. A smaller version of one of the pictures in the cabana.”

  “Your husband didn’t spare any expense with Bailey’s burial.”

  “That was Axle. He loved to spend money. I know the restaurants were doing well, but I sometimes wondered about his extravagances. Now I know he supplemented his income by illegal means.”

  Daniel rose and bent over to examine the photo display. The back popped open to slip a picture into the holder. Before he could look inside, his phone blared in the quiet December afternoon. Daniel quickly answered it.

  He turned his back on Melora and walked a few paces away. She watched his posture stiffen, his spine ramrod straight as he clutched the phone to his ear. The low rumble of his voice drifted to her, but she couldn’t make out what was being said.

  They had spent all morning together searching the stable, but the barrier he’d erected between them last night over Clay had grown until she didn’t think she could scale it. He was determined to shut her out. Just like Axle had. So she’d come to the conclusion that they weren’t meant to be together. Hence the sleepless night trying to rid herself of any feelings she had for Daniel. She hadn’t been successful. She loved him. Whereas it had taken her over a year to fall in love with Axle, in two weeks’ time she’d fallen for Daniel—hard.

  Daniel walked back toward her. His frown deepened.

  “What happened? More bad news?” Melora steeled herself for another setback. The news of William Thompson’s disappearance last night had been a blow. She’d wanted him to break down and tell the Texas Rangers everything so she could get back to her normal life.