After her intensity at the pond, begging him to fix things with his dad, this was the last response he expected from her. But with such a visceral reaction on her part, he’d honor her wishes in this matter going forward.

  Well, unless it conflicted with the investigation. Then he’d have to do what he thought best. Even if it pushed an even bigger wedge between them.

  TWELVE

  As the morning sun climbed into the sky and sparkled off the snow, Gavin wasn’t sure if he could bring himself to walk out of the house and leave Lexie behind. She sat at the small kitchen table with Adam, his mother and Matt, and it was easy to see she was still shaken up from last night.

  “We don’t have all day, Gavin.” His dad’s voice rang from the foyer.

  “You probably don’t want to keep Dad waiting,” Matt said.

  Gavin met his brother’s gaze. “You’ll call me if the slightest thing happens, or if you hear anything from Kendall at the school.”

  “Do you think something will happen to Adam?” Lexie’s worried expression tugged at him to stay. But he knew she was safe with Matt and Granddad, and Gavin could gain valuable intel by going to the interview.

  He smiled for Lexie’s sake. “Adam will be fine. I’m just being cautious.”

  “Something you’ve become in spades,” Matt muttered, drawing Lexie and his mother’s attention.

  But Gavin ignored his brother’s comment and kept his focus on Lexie. “If anything seems out of the ordinary, you call me, too.”

  She nodded, but her expression said she was unlikely to turn to him unless the situation was dire. After the way they’d left things last night, he wasn’t surprised at her response, but her unwillingness to rely on him still stung.

  “Especially if the burner phone rings,” he added.

  She nodded again and gave him a pointed look that he took to mean she didn’t want to discuss that phone in front of Adam.

  “Last chance, Gavin,” his father bellowed.

  Gritting his teeth, he headed for the door only to discover his father had already gone outside and was settling into his car. The moment Gavin hit the passenger seat, his dad shoved the gear into Drive and took off.

  Just like last night, his father didn’t give a care about Gavin’s thoughts or his feelings. Not that his dad would even admit to having feelings. Okay, fine, Gavin might not admit to them much, either, but that wasn’t the point. The point was that his dad clearly hadn’t changed, and it didn’t bode well for their time together.

  He merged onto the road. “I called the lab. They’re moving the evidence up, but don’t hold your breath.” He shook his head. “When I first started out in law enforcement, we didn’t depend on forensic evaluation as much. But then, we didn’t have the levels of crime that we have today.”

  That piqued Gavin’s interest. “The crime rate going up in Lake County?”

  “I hate to admit it, but yeah. We’ve seen an influx of people from the city, and not all of them are law-abiding. So I don’t know the people the way I used to. Means I have to depend on forensics more to solve even the smallest of cases.”

  Surprised at his stance, Gavin peered at his father. “Thought you didn’t much like depending on something you couldn’t explain.”

  “That was shortsighted.” He glanced at Gavin. “I might be getting old, but I can still change.”

  Gavin gaped at his father, but he’d already turned his focus back to the road. While the miles disappeared beneath them, Gavin sat back to think. A spark of hope that his father may have changed in other areas took purchase, but he quickly tamped it down. Despite Lexie’s valid points about reconciling, it took two people to repair the damage and that meant Gavin had to change, as well, if he wanted to get along with his dad and trust him to have his best interest at heart again.

  Was he letting the constant worry from Emily’s near death extend to places it shouldn’t, like to his siblings? He’d once fully trusted them and happily worked alongside them. But looking back on the last few days, he’d really given them a run for the money. Especially Matt, who was fully competent.

  It was one thing not to trust outsiders, but his brother and sisters? He’d sunk way low if he couldn’t work with them. He may not be able to do anything else, but that he could change. If it extended to his father, then that would be a bonus, and maybe it would help him at work, too.

  They hit the outskirts of Lost Creek and his dad pulled into Clem’s Garage, with its two gas pumps, an old wrecker and an equally old whitewashed building with a rusty metal awning. The snow was the only fresh-looking thing on the property.

  Hoping to see the Honda, Gavin got out to look around, but found only a pickup and minivan parked in the spaces reserved for repair service.

  “I’ll take lead,” his dad called out as he passed Gavin.

  He thought to argue, but his promise to try to reconcile came to mind and he bit his tongue.

  His dad looked back and arched his bushy eyebrow. “What? No response?”

  “Nope.” Gavin trailed his dumbfounded father into the shop. The small, grease-stained waiting area was empty, so they pushed through the swinging doors to the repair area holding two bays.

  Earl Clark wore dirty denim coveralls that hung on his body. He looked up and ran the back of his hand over a scraggly beard, leaving an oil stain on his cheek.

  “Sheriff.” Earl switched his focus to Gavin. “Oh, looky what we have here. Heard you come back home... Mr. Big Shot FBI Agent all dressed up in a suit.”

  Gavin left the guy’s barb alone, as it served no purpose in responding.

  “You here to harass me like you used to do when you was a deputy?”

  “Guess we don’t remember things the same way,” Gavin said. “You were chopping up hot cars for parts and I was just doing my job.”

  “Allegedly hot cars.” Earl crossed his arms. “Never proved that, now, did you?”

  “That’s water under the bridge,” Gavin’s father said and Gavin stood back to let his dad do his thing. “I was hoping you could tell us where you were last night around nine.”

  “Home. Watching TV.”

  “Can anyone vouch for that?”

  “Maybe you should tell me why I need vouching for.”

  “What about two nights ago? Where were you about the same time and the next morning?”

  “That’s when that plane exploded and Doc was killed, right?” Earl pulled off a stained Texas Rangers ball cap worn backward and ran a hand through his thinning hair. “You think I had something to do with his death. Unbelievable.”

  “Clem said you called in sick the next morning.”

  “That don’t mean I killed someone.”

  “No, it doesn’t, but you do have the skills to build a bomb.”

  A sly grin crossed his mouth. “I do at that. But again, doesn’t mean I did it.”

  “Just tell us where you were,” Gavin snapped.

  Earl smirked.

  “Don’t make me haul you in for formal questioning, Earl,” Gavin’s dad warned.

  Gavin hated that his father was keeping his cool when he’d lost it. And he hated that this conversation was going nowhere, so he pulled out his phone and faked checking a text, but turned it on to record Earl’s voice for Lexie. Sure, if he confessed to something, the audio wouldn’t hold up in court, but Gavin didn’t plan to use it in an official capacity.

  “Fine,” Earl grumbled. “If you must know...it was payday, and I tied one on the night before and was sleeping it off. Again. I was alone.”

  “Might you have a Honda that you’re working on?”

  “Not at the moment, no.”

  “You have one here recently?” Gavin asked.

  Earl shrugged.

  “If you can’t be more specific, I’d like to take a look at your records,” Gavin said.

  “And I’d like a million bucks.” Earl grinned.

  “We can get a warrant,” Gavin’s father said. “Or just ask Clem for the files.”

  “Clem’s not about to give up the records any more than I am.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Gavin asked. “He willingly told us you called in sick.”

  A buzzer chimed from the reception area.

  “Gotta see to this customer. What with Clem being mad at me for calling in sick an’ all, don’t want to peeve him off more.” That sly grin returned as he walked away.

  Gavin followed him and had to fight the urge not to make some smart-alecky comment. It likely wouldn’t faze Earl, and if Gavin spouted off in front of a customer, it could only serve to hurt Clem’s business.

  “That didn’t go so well,” Gavin said after settling back in the patrol car.

  “You liking him for this?” his dad asked.

  “He doesn’t have a verifiable alibi. He fits the size and build of Lexie’s almost abductor, too. So I won’t rule him out.”

  “Agreed, but none of that’s enough for me to arrest him.” His dad shoved the key into the ignition. “Plus we don’t have any obvious motive.”

  “From what I know about Earl, he doesn’t really need a motive to break the law, but killing Dr. Grant and the near abduction took some planning.”

  “And Earl isn’t real big on the planning skills,” his father finished for him.

  For once Gavin agreed with his dad when he wished he didn’t. Because that meant they weren’t any closer to finding a suspect and, in his opinion, time was just ticking down until the killer ramped up his efforts to find the information he obviously thought Lexie possessed.

  * * *

  From her spot on the sofa, Lexie heard the front door close and Gavin in the hallway talking with his father. They stepped into the room, both of their gazes tight. She didn’t know if it was because they’d struck out or because they hadn’t gotten along.

  Gavin marched straight over to her and held out his phone. “I recorded Earl’s voice for you. Take a listen and let us know if he’s the guy at the airport.”

  She held her breath as he tapped his screen to get the audio going. Despite her desire to see the killer caught, she was relieved when the man’s voice wasn’t familiar. “It’s not him.”

  “We didn’t think so,” Gavin said.

  She opened her mouth to respond when the burner phone in her pocket rang. She jumped. “It’s the phone from my truck.”

  “Answer and let me listen in.” Gavin sat next to her and, once she lifted the phone to her ear, leaned so close she nearly fumbled the phone.

  “Hello?” she answered breathlessly.

  “Who is this?” the scrambled voice asked.

  “Lexie Grant. Who is this?” she demanded.

  Gavin shot her a look that said to cool it.

  “You will leave the files in Lost Creek Park,” the voice said.

  “I don’t have any files. You took them.”

  “Took them? I have no idea what you’re talking about, lady. I’ve looked everywhere. Found nothing. You must have them.”

  Why was he playing dumb?

  “I don’t have a clue what information you’re looking for,” she said.

  “Fine. Lie to me. It doesn’t matter. You’ll bring the files to the park at eleven o’clock. Come alone. No cops. Drop them in the garbage bin at the bench by the swing set. Then leave. I’ll be watching. If you don’t do what I say, you’ll die.”

  “But I—” she started to say when the call disconnected. She dropped the phone like a burning log on the couch.

  Gavin grabbed it and tapped the screen a few times. “We can get records for the caller’s phone number, but I imagine it’ll lead to another burner phone.”

  “Trace?” his father asked.

  “Call was too short.”

  Walt widened his stance. “Then we need to do as he says and set up a dummy file for the drop.”

  Gavin eyed his father. “Lexie’s not going anywhere near the park.”

  “We’ll scout it out and go in plain clothes to protect her.”

  “The caller sounds familiar with the town and could recognize all of us.” Gavin scowled at his father. “Even your other deputies.”

  “Then I’ll get deputies from Cypress County.”

  Gavin jumped up and puffed out his chest as he crossed over to Walt. “They can’t protect her from a gunshot.”

  The sheriff took a matching stance. “She can wear a vest under her jacket.”

  “And her head?”

  “A ballistic helmet under the hood.”

  “No,” Gavin said, his hands curling in fists. “She’s not going.”

  “Listen, son. We need her to do this.”

  “Will you two stop it,” Lexie blurted out. “This is my decision to make.”

  They both turned to look at her as if they’d forgotten she was in the room.

  “And before I make it, I have one question,” she added.

  “Go ahead,” Walt said.

  “If this guy has the envelope, why is he asking me for information?”

  “Good question,” Walt replied.

  “Two people could be looking for the information,” Gavin said. “One of them is looking and doesn’t know the other one has already gotten his hands on it.”

  “You thinking partners who’ve turned on each other?” Walt asked, his eyes lighting up with interest.

  “Could be, or the information is just so valuable that more than one person wants it.”

  Lexie couldn’t believe what she was going to suggest, but she had to do it. “Then if this is ever to come to an end, it’s even more important for me to go to the park. I admit I’m afraid, but I’ll do it so Adam isn’t living in fear all the time.” She met Gavin’s hard gaze. “With the protection your father has offered, that is.”

  “I’ll put the plans into place.” Walt charged out of the room.

  Gavin watched him go for a moment then dropped back on the sofa and clutched her hands. “Don’t do this, Lexie. Please.”

  She should pull her hands free, but she honestly liked his touch. “Do you disagree that making the drop is the best chance we’ve had so far to capture the killer?”

  “No, it’s a great opportunity, but I won’t risk your life.”

  “Would you be on board with this plan if it involved someone other than me?”

  “It would depend on the circumstances, but yes, I likely would.” He tightened his grip. “But it is you, sugar, and I still care about you. I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt.”

  She reveled for a moment in his caring. In thinking that he might still love her. But it was precisely for that reason that she pulled free and went to look out the window to put distance between them. “If there’s any chance that this will keep Adam safe, then I’m willing to take that chance.”

  “And what about a chance that you could die? How will that help Adam?”

  She spun. “What are the odds that this person would shoot me before determining that I left him the correct information?”

  “Not very good.”

  “Couple that with the vest and helmet, and I’m guessing it’s extremely unlikely that I will die.” She lifted her shoulders into a firm line. “I’m going, Gavin, and nothing you say will stop me.”

  THIRTEEN

  Nerves near the breaking point, Lexie watched the bustle of activity from the sheriff’s conference room. Walt had two deputies from Cypress County under his watchful eye as he instructed them on his expectations, while Matt hustled down the hallway carrying a vest and helmet. Gavin snatched the items from his brother’s hands and gave them a thorough going-over.

  Matt frowned, but walked away without commenting. Lexie was impressed that Matt was able to let Gavin take over like this without speaking out.

  Gavin entered the room and placed the items on the table. “I don’t like this. Not one bit. We haven’t had enough time to strategize. What if there are loopholes in the plan? And I wasn’t able to vet the deputies Dad’s putting in place. How can I know if they’re qualified?”

  By the time he finished talking, his voice held rare panic that scared her. She’d never seen him like this. Never. Not even when she’d said no to a long-distance relationship. He’d changed in far more ways than his clothing. This extreme cautiousness and unease, when he had always been decisive and strong, broke her heart.

  “Houston has changed you,” she said.

  He fisted his hands. “Why does everyone keep telling me that when it’s not important?”

  “Maybe because it’s true. You’re bordering on obsessive about taking care of every single detail.”

  “Well, you’re wrong. It’s not Houston. It’s...” He clamped his mouth closed.

  “It’s what?”

  He took a breath. Blew it out. Seemed to weigh his thoughts, then closed the door. “It’s because of my big mistake here. With Dad. When I shot Emily. I can’t let that happen again. Can’t injure someone or let someone be injured on my watch. It’ll...” He shook his head and his eyes filled with anguish so deep that Lexie’s breath stilled.

  She’d been wrong. Way wrong. If he was this distraught even three years after leaving his deputy job, he really had needed to quit working with his dad and step away. “I had no idea how deeply this affected you. And I only made things worse by getting angry at you for leaving town.”

  He watched her carefully. “I’m trying to get control of it. Trying to let down my guard and work with others, but when it comes to your safety...” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Man, it’s worse than ever.”

  She laid a hand on his arm. “But here’s the thing, Gavin. You’ve let your feelings sway you and moved to the other extreme. Might it keep you from acting when needed? Keep you from making a necessary decision for the right reasons?”