Deadly Setup

by Annslee Urban

  Sometimes impossible dreams came true. And for Paige’s sake, he hoped this one did.

  Three hours and four pit stops later, Seth took a right off the highway, and the five-story, monolithic white building came into view.

  Low clouds hung overhead, casting an oppressive shadow over the jail.

  Swallowing tightly, Seth glanced at Paige, who was staring out the windshield, all expression wiped from her face. He could sense her discomfort, her worry. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, he resisted the urge to reach out and take her hand. To offer her comfort.

  Get a grip, Garrison. Keep your emotions out of it, he firmly reminded himself.

  Seth shook off those feelings and maneuvered his truck through two massive stone gates, where the tree-lined road gave way to a narrow, desolate street, barren except for the strategically placed sky-high industrial lights.

  He parked in the visitor section, and they climbed out and headed across the parking lot. But Seth noticed the closer they came to the check-in center, the slower Paige’s pace became.

  “Are you okay?” Seth glanced at her, finding a bewildered look on her face.

  Paige bobbed her head. “It takes a few minutes to psych myself up for this. You’d think that after all this time I’d be used to it. But I still don’t have a warm and fuzzy feeling about this place.”

  “Actually, that’s probably a good thing.” Seth grinned at her. “Just relax, I’m right here with you.” He hoped that offered her some comfort and not added anxiety.

  But when a slight smile danced across her lips, his heart skipped a beat.

  Once inside, they went through the check-in process: passed through the metal detector, showed ID and surrendered their personal items—wallets, cell phones, keys, anything that could be construed as contraband. Then they were finally escorted to a no-contact visiting booth to wait for Trey.

  While they sat there, Paige stayed silent, hands clasped in her lap. She stared dully through the Plexiglas divider, waiting for Trey to be brought in. Seth knew she was hurting and exhausted, but even more so, a fighter.

  Gloom settled like a wool blanket on his shoulders when he thought about what they were up against. Keeping Paige safe was still his top concern. The harder they dug for the truth, the more desperate Paige’s stalker would become. But desperation bred mistakes and mistakes opportunity. Unfortunately, a lot could happen before then.

  After a few minutes, Trey was led in by a guard. He moved slowly with a shuffling gait, his posture hunched, body stiff. He was shackled and handcuffed, wearing an orange jumpsuit. A man broken, and yet, Seth could still see the warrior in him. Strong and determined, a familiar trait, and like his sister, a fighter.

  The guard unlocked Trey’s cuffs and then walked out, the metal door clanging shut behind him. Trey didn’t even try to make eye contact until he dropped into the lone plastic chair and picked up the handset.

  Paige was ready, holding the visitation phone in a death grip in her hand.

  Seth stood in the background, giving Paige a moment to talk to her brother.

  As Paige pressed the handset to her ear, Trey’s narrowed gaze shifted over her shoulder and landed on Seth. “What’s he doing here?”

  Seth didn’t need a handset to make out his words. Nor did he miss the disgust on his face. There had been a lot of tense moments following Trey’s arrest, leaving their once strong relationship in shambles.

  Paige leaned in. “Seth is here to talk to you about some possible new evidence.”

  “Evidence?” Trey’s gaze shifted back to Paige.

  “I’ll let Seth explain.” Paige handed Seth the handset.

  “Trey, I hope you’re doing okay.”

  Trey didn’t respond. But his cold stare could have scorched through metal.

  “Trey, I know this is awkward,” Seth said, already feeling the tension radiating through the Plexiglas between them. “But we’ve come across some new information and I’d like to ask you a couple questions.”

  Trey lifted a shoulder in a shrug, his mouth softening into a less hostile frown. “Okay.”

  Slipping down into the chair beside Paige, Seth hoped getting eye to eye with Trey might help ease some of the tension. “We recently gained information regarding the Cramers’ family trust. Could you tell me what you know about Madison’s share?”

  A bewildered expression crossed Trey’s face, giving Seth the answer he needed. “A trust fund? As in family money?” Trey said after a moment.

  Seth nodded.

  Trey shook his head, a wary look in his eyes. “I never heard anything about a trust fund.”

  Seth leaned in closer. “Are you sure there was never even a hint from any of the Cramer family members? Because each one—Madison, her mother and brother—received a fairly substantial settlement after Frank Cramer’s death.”

  Trey shifted on the molded plastic seat, shaking his head. “No, I never heard a peep from anyone. Are you sure it’s even true?”

  Seth exchanged a look with Paige, who gave him an encouraging smile. He looked back at Trey. “It’s not idle hearsay, it’s been confirmed. Rubin Avery is the trust executor. Ever hear of him?”

  Trey thought for a moment then shook his head. “No, never heard of the guy,” he said, his dark brows pulling into a tight frown over his eyes. “But it still doesn’t make sense. Madison and I were always hurting for money. Madison liked nice things. She spent money faster than we could make it. And lack of money was the source of a lot of our arguments.”

  Trey looked confused and more than a little alarmed that the relationship he remembered was actually based on lies. Seth was confused himself. Madison’s lack of trust in people must have kept her from telling Trey. And although she’d made a bold decision to add Trey as beneficiary, she might not have had the nerve to request draws from her trust until after they’d separated. That was when it appeared she had finally decided to stop using her brother as intermediary between her and the trust executor. A gutsy move, pulling away from her brother’s control. And Seth could only imagine what Gentry thought about that.

  Seth continued. “Did you notice Madison having more access to money after you separated?”

  “I don’t know,” Trey said with a limp shrug. “I wasn’t around her enough. The last text I received from her was the day she died, asking me to stop by so we could talk. That was the first time I’d heard from her in weeks. We had agreed not to talk for a month and then reconvene and discuss where our future was headed.”

  He stared off blankly, anguish and despair clearly stamped on his face as he continued recounting the last communication he’d had with Madison. The last day of her life. He was rambling, but Seth let him talk. “When she contacted me and wanted to talk before our agreed-upon date, I knew then that we were done.” Trey shook his head, suddenly looking exhausted. Broken. Like the wind had been kicked out of him.

  On that day, the feeling of loss must have overwhelmed him, pushing him into a valley of despair. He’d relapsed that day. And the relationship he’d feared losing had been ripped apart in the most brutal way by Madison’s murder.

  Seth felt Paige’s hand on his arm, and when he glanced at her he saw tears in her eyes. Seth swallowed, understanding. This was an emotional moment for everyone.

  Trey visibly sighed and straightened in his seat with what appeared to be determined composure. “Sorry about this.” He plowed his hands through his short hair. “I try not to think about Madison, and this is why.”

  Seth could relate. Thinking about a lost love was never productive, but unfortunately necessary in this instance. He pressed on. “What about Gentry? Did he and Madison get along?”

  Trey shrugged. “They had their issues like everyone else but for the most part got along.”

  “What were their issues?”

  Leaning in, Trey propped one elbow on the counter. “Gentry liked to give advice, and Madison didn’t like to take it. Just like my little sister.” He cocked a dark eyebrow at P
aige, and Seth couldn’t miss his knowing expression. Trey didn’t want Paige involved in his case.

  She returned a sheepish grin. Obviously not having trouble keeping up with the conversation.

  “Was his advice about money?” Seth continued.

  Trey shrugged again. “I don’t know. Madison didn’t give specifics, just grumbled about him not thinking she was capable of making her own decisions.”

  A thousand questions whirled in Seth’s mind about the dynamics of the Cramer household. Power. Money. Control. But, in consideration of time, he didn’t want to open that can of worms. Instead he directed his focus to Gentry’s personal issues.

  “If any of the Cramers had access to big money, they never let on,” Trey said, scratching his head. “In fact Gentry had a couple bad investments. You’d think if he had the funds—”

  Bingo. That’s what Seth was waiting for. “What kind of bad investments?” he interrupted.

  Trey settled back against the molded white chair and folded his arms. “Work related is all I know. But...” He sat up straight again, as if a lightbulb had just gone off in his head. “If you’re thinking Gentry murdered Madison, I think you’re off base. He might have been a little controlling, but he cared about Madison and her well-being.”

  Trey was a bigger man than most. This was his opportunity to shift blame, and yet he refused to sacrifice someone else in hopes of saving himself.

  “There are a lot of things in life that surprise us. And sometimes it involves the people we least expect.” Seth switched the handset to the other ear. “But no concrete conclusions have been made yet. Is there anything else you could tell us about the night Madison was murdered?”

  “I didn’t do it.” Trey’s gaze caught his, a challenging stare. “But that hasn’t changed since the day you arrested me and charged me with murder. So my question to you, Garrison, is why, after ten months, are you trying to help me?”

  Seth thought for a moment, wondering how much he should divulge about what had been going on. Paige gave him a sharp little nudge with her elbow, as if to say, don’t do it. He cleared his throat. “New evidence turned up. I can’t ignore it.”

  Trey only nodded, silent for a moment. “Are you two—” his pointed finger swayed between Seth and Paige “—back together?”

  “No,” they both said in unison. Apparently Paige was as uncomfortable about the question as he was, and unlike him, there was not an inkling of remorse in her answer.

  Paige grabbed the handset. “I know we don’t have much more time, so how have you been doing?”

  Trey didn’t miss her attempt to circumvent the direction of the conversation. He shook his head, edging closer to the dividing window. Seth watched carefully, reading his lips. “You and Seth aren’t dating again, but you came here together? Are you back in Boone?”

  “No. I mean, yes. Temporarily,” Paige stammered, her face practically bloodless, pale as chalk.

  “That’s what I was afraid of.” Trey firmed his jaw and shook his head. “Give the phone back to Garrison.”

  Paige hesitated a second, then at Trey’s second request, she turned the handset over to Seth. And the dark look she gave him said not to elaborate, but something told Seth Trey already had it figured out.

  “Garrison, I read in the paper about the recent murder in Boone and that the killer is still at large and also suspected of making attempts on another woman’s life. Please tell me Paige isn’t involved in this.”

  Seth hesitated and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Trey—”

  That’s as far as he got before Trey pushed back his chair and rose, a vivid flush filling his face. “That’s what I thought.” His gaze jumped to Paige. “Don’t do this.” He pointed at her. “Don’t try to be a hero to save me. Some people get a raw deal in life. Don’t waste your life trying to figure it out. It’s my problem, not yours.” Trey’s voice cracked with emotion before it trailed off.

  Seth was glad it was him holding the line and not Paige. The emotion in Trey’s voice was almost too much for Seth.

  Paige grabbed the handset from him, fresh tears glinting at her brother’s obvious distress. “Trey, I want to help you. I won’t sit by and let you take the hit for a crime you didn’t commit. Just like you’d do for me if our situation was reversed.”

  Paige’s rationale fell on deaf ears. “Paige, please listen to me and just back off.”

  Before Paige could disagree, Trey hung the handset back in its cradle. He turned to summon the guard.

  Paige jumped to her feet. “Trey! Don’t leave!” She screamed into the phone. But Trey couldn’t hear her through the soundproof barrier.

  The door slammed as he exited the room with the guard.

  Seth’s gut clenched at the sound of Paige’s sobs. He drew her into his arms, holding her tight as she cried against his chest.

  “Trey is going to trial in a few days. And now...because of me, he has more stress to deal with.”

  Instinctively, Seth tightened his embrace, hoping to calm her, to make her feel safe. At the same time trying to ignore how overwhelmingly right it felt to have her back in his arms. After all this was over, she would be gone; he knew that without a shadow of doubt. There were too many unpleasant memories in Boone. “Are you ready to step aside and let me take over?”

  “No,” she whispered against his chest. “Even if Trey wants me to, I can’t give up on him. I want your help, Seth, but I’m not leaving.”

  Her action was a true testament of her loyalty and unwavering belief in her brother’s innocence. And he planned to walk this road with her. Because more and more he was thinking she might be right.

  * * *

  Feeling Seth’s glances throughout the ride home, Paige knew he wanted to talk. If not about the case then probably light chatter about anything that would make the long trip go by quicker. But she was exhausted. Both mentally and emotionally.

  She couldn’t stop thinking about her brother and the worry and pain in his eyes when he’d learned what she’d been up to. Her heart constricted from sadness as she thought about inflicting any more pain in his life.

  He’d always been there for her; why couldn’t he just accept her wanting to help him?

  The answer was simple, and she knew it. He was worried about her safety, just like Seth was. She got that, but still, somebody had to help Trey. And she’d come too far to turn back now. Seth was finally committed to doing what he could. She could never repay him for all he’d done. She prayed a silent prayer for Seth. For his safety and that God would direct her and him to the truth. That prayer stayed on her lips.

  Settling back against the seat, Paige closed her eyes and tried to tune out Seth’s voice as he chatted with Ted on the phone. She was grateful for the distraction for Seth, and hopefully what they were discussing would help her brother’s case.

  Even as Paige tried to rest, the three-hour ride felt more like six. Her mind just wouldn’t let go, racing instead in a thousand different directions. But even as her brain scurried for ideas, she knew that evidence against Gentry was what they needed. And it was going to take some digging on Seth’s part to accomplish that.

  Finally, around two they arrived back at the cabin. As Paige double-checked the locks on the front door of the cabin, she watched Seth’s truck disappear down the driveway. Just when she thought she was over him, old feelings of affection crowded her heart. Biting her lip to keep burning tears at bay, she shook her head. She needed to accept that some things just weren’t meant to be.

  And she and Seth were one.

  Still, she couldn’t help but love this man for stepping up to the plate to keep her safe. And now he was off to Cramer’s Antiques to talk to the employees about Madison’s and Amy’s murders. One place she never cared to step foot in again.

  Fortunately, being a detective gave him more clout in asking questions and gathering information, unlike her blundering attempts, which got her nowhere—except inadvertently landing her in jail—and provoked
someone to murder Amy. She bit her lip. If only she’d had five more minutes to talk to Amy. What intuitions did Amy have? About Madison’s murder or Paige’s attacks?

  Suddenly chilled to the bone, Paige shivered. That was something they’d never know.

  Pushing aside her frustration, Paige wandered down the hall to the kitchen. Ruby was up in her room and Laser caught up with Paige, barking and dancing in circles around her feet.

  “Shh, Laser.” She squatted down beside him, scratching between his ears. “Quiet, buddy. Miss Ruby’s asleep.” But he kept barking, his body fidgeting, his tail wildly banging the wood banister.

  “He’s been acting like that for the last hour,” Ruby said from the top of the stairs. “I guess he just missed you.”

  “I’m sorry he woke you.” Paige glanced up the stairs. “He’s probably out of his element and antsy with so many visitors in the house.” Something she could relate to herself.

  “Probably.” Ruby laughed. Tucking her book under her arm, she started down the staircase. “I was about to make some tea. Care to join me?”

  Tea did sound wonderful. “Sure, I’ll be right there after I let Laser out. Maybe that’s what he wants.”

  “Okay, I’ll grab the box of mint tea.”

  As Ruby walked out of the entry, Paige opened the door, and Laser shot out. When nature calls... Paige laughed and then headed into the kitchen, leaving all worries of Trey’s upcoming trial and her stalker tucked in the back of her mind. She was in a safe haven and Seth was now in charge, so for the moment she willed herself to relax. And a hot mug of mint tea would definitely help with that.

  * * *

  Seth turned onto the highway, glad Paige had agreed to stay at the cabin with his mother. Seeing her brother had taken a toll on her and hopefully she’d get some rest. Besides, what he had to attend to was something he needed to do alone.