Trail of Lies. Margaret Daley

herself as far from the police as possible. She didn’t want the people watching her to think she was cooperating with the authorities.

      Daniel blew a breath out. “Mom is happy about the dedication.”

      “But not you?”

      “I don’t know what I think.” That hurt she’d sensed a few minutes ago inched back into his voice. “Especially if something does go wrong at the celebration.”

      “Rodney did spring it on you.”

      “Yeah. I’m not big on surprises.”

      “Neither am I,” Melora said.

      “Would you like some coffee? There’s a café downstairs that makes a good cup.”

      “I probably need to—”

      “Please.”

      The appeal in his expression touched her heart. No one was around. If someone was watching the building, they wouldn’t know she’d had coffee with Daniel. And she wanted to know if he knew anything about Axle’s case. Talking with him in a public place would be better than him coming to the house. From what she knew about Ranger Daniel Riley, their conversation a couple of days ago wouldn’t be their last. She got the feeling he would keep visiting her until he got what he was after and that worried her a lot. The intruder’s warning about the police resounded in her mind.

      “Sure. I have a little time before I need to be home.”

      Daniel smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “That’s great.”

      His expression caused her heartbeat to increase. What would it feel like to have a normal life?

      As she stepped up to the elevator, Daniel reached around her and punched the down button. Her stomach clenched at his nearness. A whiff of his fresh aftershave swirled around her. What she knew of him made her wish they’d met under different circumstances. For just a moment, she felt safe in his presence—a feeling she hadn’t experienced in years.

      They’d once moved in the same social circles, although Daniel hadn’t attended many functions in the past five or six years. Rumor had it that he and his father, who died last year, had a falling out about his job in law enforcement. Was that what was behind the hurt and pain in his expression earlier?

      The ding of the elevator pulled her away from her thoughts. She needed to keep her wits about her. She couldn’t let him know what was going on and risk something happening to her daughter or uncle.

      Inside the Java Hut, Melora ordered a chai latte while Daniel got a cup of black coffee. She sat at a table for four and decided it wasn’t big enough. He was too close. Too commanding. Too appealing. Those thoughts stunned her. It had to be her exhaustion talking, what with the identification of Axle’s body, his funeral, the break-in and new threats.

      “Will the Rangers be able to secure the celebration?” she asked after taking a sip of her drink.

      “We’ll have to. We have no choice now. While the secret service will guard the vice president, our main concern will be the governor and lieutenant governor.” He set his mug on the placemat before him. “I’m glad you’re here. I was going to pay you a visit to let you know about the progress on the break-in.”

      The mention of the intruder stiffened her spine. She gripped her cup, relishing the warmth on her cold fingers. “You found him?”

      “No, but we think Alicia Wells was the one responsible for giving him a key and the code.”

      “Not Alicia. She’s worked for me since I married Axle six years ago. She’s never given me a reason to doubt her loyalty.”

      “Well, she’s gone. Her bank account was closed two days ago. She deposited several thousand dollars late last week into it. Do you know any reason she would be putting that kind of money into her account? From the looks of her apartment, I didn’t get the impression she had a lot of money.”

      “She works hard, but she’s had some problems with her two kids.”

      “Do you know where they live?”

      “She told me her son, Nate, was going to move to Dallas. He should have by now. Her daughter lives in San Diego. She was getting married, and Alicia didn’t like the man. She said he was trouble.”

      “What’s his name? The daughter’s?” Daniel pulled out his notepad.

      Seeing him write something on the paper, Melora glimpsed the patrons in the café. Two others were in the restaurant and had been there since they had come in. The couple’s attention remained on each other. “Pedro something. I don’t know his last name. Her daughter is Bella. You think Alicia went to one of her children?”

      “Possibly. I need to check everything out.”

      “It was just a break-in—nothing taken,” Melora said without thinking, reliving the terror she’d experienced with the intruder on Monday. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. Her breathing became shallow.

      “But what if the break-in is tied to your husband’s murder?”

      “Why? That’s what you keep asking. He was killed two years ago.” She had to remain calm and in control or Daniel would know she was hiding something for sure.

      “Call it a hunch if you want.”

      The ever-present fear boiled in Melora’s stomach. How could she get him to drop the investigation? “This past month has been very difficult, and I don’t want any more grief. I just want to live in peace.” That last sentence felt wrenched from her as though if she said it enough, it might happen. Peace. She longed for it.

      “What if it’s connected to Axle’s murder and the intruder was looking for something now that your husband has turned up dead?”

      “Why would you say that?” As much as she tried, panic laced each word. She knew what the intruder was searching for—the flash drive.

      “Because it looks like the intruder went to some lengths to break into your place. If it was an ordinary robber, why would he possibly pay your maid for your key and code? Wouldn’t he just find an easier target?”

      Melora was in over her head and she didn’t know what to do. These people meant business. How could she say anything to Daniel and keep her family safe? She didn’t know where the flash drive was or anything about Axle’s business. “You don’t know that for sure. Maybe Alicia just decided to live with one of her children, or maybe she’s somewhere else. She isn’t due at my house until tomorrow. Maybe she’ll show up.” Although she knew that wasn’t the case. Alicia wouldn’t have left without telling her.

      Daniel scribbled a note on his paper. When his eyes connected with hers, a storm brewed in their depths. “What are you really afraid of, Melora?”