Lexie spooned her own stew then gave Walt an earnest smile. “I really appreciate all you’re doing for us.”

  “You’re practically family, Lexie. I can do no less.” He pressed a warm hand over hers.

  Practically. The word stuck in her throat and she couldn’t respond. She’d been so close to being a McKade. To having this amazing family adopt her through marriage. It would have been so wonderful. Not only for her, but also for Adam. Having such strong men to serve as role models on a daily basis at this vulnerable stage in his development would have been so incredible. Gavin could have been such an important part of Adam’s life. If only...

  Stop.

  It wasn’t going to happen. Not now. Not in the future.

  “Time to get some of this hearty stew in your stomach.” Winnie took Lexie by the shoulder and settled her in the chair. She squeezed her hand before releasing her. “I’ll leave you to your discussion, but don’t get so caught up that you forget to enjoy your food while it’s still warm.”

  Lexie smiled up at the woman who would have been a wonderful mother-in-law, then quickly turned her attention to the stew to keep her wayward emotions from spiraling out of control. There was no point in thinking about what could have been, as God had made it clear that such a traditional family was out of the question for her right now. Maybe for forever. She just didn’t know.

  They ate in silence and Lexie suspected they were all thinking about how to proceed after the near abduction and break-in at Ruth’s house.

  After a few minutes, Matt’s spoon clanked on his bowl as he raised his napkin to wipe his mouth. “We can’t all look at records, so we should come up with a suspect list to spread the work around. I’d start with guys in the area who have the skills needed to blow up a plane.”

  “The ATF report said dynamite was used for the charge, which is far too common round these parts to track down,” Walt said. “And the device had a simple timer with an action circuit controlled by his phone.”

  “Can’t buy a circuit like that around here, but it can be purchased online and won’t narrow down a suspect list,” Gavin said. “So we’re better off looking at people with explosives experience and a basic knowledge of electrical wiring.”

  “Good thinking, son,” Walt said. “There’s Earl Clark over at Clem’s Garage. Clark knows about wiring from working on cars. Plus he used to handle demo for an oil company. He also fits the killer’s build.”

  “Know him, Lex?” Matt asked.

  She shook her head. “Jose fixes all of our vehicles.”

  Gavin pulled a small notepad from his pocket and jotted down the name. “We should also consider Norbert and his son Freddie Nash, who live up near the county line. I remember from hauling them in a few times for drug possession that they both have electrical skills. Plus Norbert handled explosives.”

  “If they’re involved, their drug use could indicate a syndicate,” Matt said. “Though there’s never been any suggestion that these guys are more than low-level users.”

  “It’s common for drug users to escalate and often move into peddling drugs to pay for their habit,” Gavin stated, noting the names on his pad.

  Matt’s gaze turned pensive. “That’s true, but is it true in this situation?”

  Lexie couldn’t believe the direction the discussion had gone. “Surely you don’t think my dad was a drug dealer.”

  “At this point we have to entertain all possible leads,” Gavin said. “And illegal drugs can easily mean a syndicate. Plus drugs are always a strong motive for murder.”

  “Let’s not forget Silas Ross,” Matt chimed in, changing the focus. “He has a record, too, and last I heard he was still working in explosives with one of the oil companies. I haven’t seen him around lately, so maybe he’s moved.”

  Walt nodded. “You know Silas or the Nash men, Lexie?”

  She shook her head. “It’s great to have names, but why would any of these men want to kill Dad other than a drug connection, which, honestly, I find hard to believe?”

  “Well, I’m still thinking the syndicate is related to the Medicaid fraud,” Gavin said. “And the killer somehow learned your dad was using their social security numbers to defraud the government. Maybe more.”

  “Best way to figure that out is bring them into the office for a little one-on-one.” Walt pushed to his feet. “I’ll get interviews set up, and if they don’t have an alibi for the near abduction and the time of the murder, then I’ll press for their connection with Dr. Grant.”

  “And I’ll arrange the voice lineup for Walmet,” Matt added and stood, too. “We can do the same thing for the others if their alibis don’t pan out.”

  Walt nodded and turned his attention to Lexie. “If all goes well this afternoon, you could soon be hearing the voice of your father’s killer.”

  Goes well? Lexie shuddered. How could hearing the voice of the man who’d killed her dad be considered a good thing?

  EIGHT

  Gavin dropped the folder on Dr. Grant’s desk. He’d been sitting next to Lexie for an hour, reading her father’s financial records. He was in his element here. Doing what he’d trained to do. So why was he having to work so hard to focus? Was it the sweet scent of Lexie’s vanilla shampoo bringing back so many memories? Or the warmth of her body reminding him of how wonderful it had once felt to hold her? Especially after he’d argued with his father or had a miserable day.

  He missed her big-time. He sighed, drawing her attention.

  “Mind scooting a little further away?” she asked pointedly.

  “Sorry—can’t,” he replied, though he really wasn’t sorry, as he loved being close to her. He’d felt that way since they started dating. “I have to see the records, too.”

  Her chin went up in her usual attempt to make herself appear taller and more formidable. She obviously felt a need to defend herself like she’d done with her father. Gavin didn’t want to be compared to her father. Not ever. But he’d acted like her dad. Moving to Houston. Not talking to her since. Then coming back here and telling her what to do without any regard to her feelings.

  But she’s in danger.

  Not an excuse and he knew it. It was all about his need to take charge and keep his finger on every action in his life to stop bad things from happening.

  Look how well that’s been working.

  She suddenly cleared her throat and pushed back from the desk. “It’s clear that Dad wasn’t destitute, so maybe this has nothing to do with money at all.”

  Right, business. They were there to work, nothing personal between them anymore, and he needed to remember that. “Don’t be so quick to jump to that conclusion, Lex. These statements are from the last six months, so we have no way of knowing where the money came from without accessing older records.”

  “But there isn’t anything else in his file.”

  “His bank will have more.” Gavin closed the drawer.

  “You can’t get a warrant for them, though, right?”

  “Not at this point, but hopefully I’ll find enough information at his office to satisfy the judge.”

  Lexie’s phone rang from her coat pocket and she fished it out. She got a puzzled look on her face, but answered.

  “Hello?” A frown soon drew down her very kissable lips.

  Don’t go there, man.

  She picked at a sliver of leather curling up on her father’s desk blotter, her frown deepening as she listened. “Thank you, Mike.”

  Mike? Maybe Mike Alexander, her father’s attorney.

  “His will,” she said, confirming Gavin’s suspicion. “Does it contain his burial wishes?”

  She pressed the leather back down as if trying to repair it and her life.

  “Then I appreciate the call, but honestly, I have no interest in hearing about what Dad wanted to have done with his worldly possessions.” She hung up and stowed her phone.

  “Mike Alexander?” Gavin asked.

  She nodded. “He wanted me to stop by for a reading of the will. He said it was kind of complicated, and I should hear about it sooner rather than later.” She turned to peer out the window overlooking a lush lawn. “I haven’t even made funeral arrangements yet. I’m not at all ready to hear what Dad wanted done with his stuff.”

  Gavin thought the will could give them insight into her father’s thoughts and maybe his finances, but she was in no frame of mind to be pushed into a reading. He could also request a warrant for the will, but at this juncture, they didn’t have enough probable cause for the judge to approve the document.

  Hoping the office visit would turn something up, he got up and stacked several boxes filled with records that he planned to take into evidence. “Let me get these boxes out to the car, and then we’ll head over to his practice.”

  Lexie nodded but continued to stare into space, so he carried the first load outside. The crisp northerly wind swept over the area, reminding him that Christmas was just weeks away and he hadn’t even considered where he’d be for the holiday. He’d spent the last two years working. His life had taken such a sharp turn away from family and friends. How pitiful was that, and how in the world had he let it happen so easily?

  He settled the boxes in his vehicle with a pensive sigh. Had he been wrong in leaving town? Could he have survived under his dad’s thumb? No. No way. He shook his head and went back inside.

  Lexie jumped, but didn’t look up at him.

  He desperately wanted to console her, but there was no point in trying to offer comfort when his touch would only make things worse. But, man, what he wouldn’t give to have her in his arms one more time.

  Shaking off those foolhardy notions, he picked up the final box. “This is the last one, and we should get going, as Helen is waiting for us.”

  “Helen Byrum,” Lexie said as if reminding herself of the name of her father’s office manager. “I haven’t been to the practice in years, and I can only imagine what Dad told her about why he didn’t live with Adam and me.”

  Not something Gavin thought was a good idea to dwell on. “Let me get this last box in the car and then I’ll come back for you.”

  He quickly departed before she asked about his reasoning and he’d have to tell her that he needed his hands free to go for his gun if necessary. Before returning to the house, he made a quick sweep of the area, checking shadows and blind spots. Convinced there was no immediate danger, he escorted her to the car and got them on the road.

  He didn’t speak for the entire drive, as after the attempted abduction yesterday, he had to keep his gaze moving over the area and checking the mirrors. Even when they hit Lost Creek, a town he’d always considered safe despite it being the largest city in Lake County, he searched storefronts and vehicles.

  Satisfied by what he was seeing, he parked in front of the office. “I’ll come around to open your door. Stay close to me.”

  She nodded, but looked like she’d swallowed some bitter medicine. Still, she’d listened and remained by his side until they stepped inside the office. Lexie greeted Helen as Gavin turned the door lock behind them and went straight to the blinds to close them.

  Though he knew Helen, he displayed his credentials for her. “Are you alone?”

  “Yes,” she replied.

  “You don’t mind if I take a look, do you?”

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  “Let me look around and then I’ll explain.” Gavin stepped through the open door leading to a hallway with three exam rooms and several offices.

  How many times had he as a kid come down this hall to have something stitched up or to get an X-ray for an injured limb from horseback riding or sports? Twice needing a cast, one time suffering a concussion. Now here he was, checking each room and the bathrooms for a killer. Surreal for sure.

  On his way back down the hallway, he heard Helen talking about him.

  “Seems like he’s forgotten all about being one of your dad’s patients,” she grumbled. “Got to be a big shot in Houston, I guess.”

  Why was everyone thinking that? He was just doing his job. Sure, maybe he was more formal, more in control, but his job required it.

  He stepped into the small waiting area and Helen eyed him through thick glasses. She sat behind the reception desk, her lips puckered. Was this the same woman who’d given him lollipops after his appointments? Maybe she was right. Maybe he was acting too tight-laced for the small-town atmosphere.

  “I’m sorry to be so terse, Helen.” He smiled amicably. “Is there a place we can all sit down to talk and I can explain?”

  “My office.” She stood. “Follow me.”

  She clipped down the hall and they trailed her to the smaller of the two offices. She dropped behind her desk that was neat and organized. Lexie settled in a chair facing the desk.

  Gavin remained standing and pulled the warrant from his pocket. “As you can tell, I’m not here on a social visit but official business. I have a warrant authorizing me to seize Dr. Grant’s records.”

  Her thick eyebrows rose above her glasses as she held out her hand for the document. She took her time reviewing it before looking up.

  “Do you understand the request?” he asked.

  She crossed her arms. “We may be a small office in rural Texas, but this isn’t the first court order we’ve ever received to produce records. What are you looking for?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t divulge that.”

  “But you must think Doc did something illegal or you wouldn’t have a warrant.”

  He nodded but said nothing.

  “You’re not going to tell me because you think I’m in on whatever it is you hope to find.”

  Again, Gavin couldn’t deny it, so he didn’t speak.

  She looked at Lexie. “You knew about this?”

  Lexie nodded.

  “Your father’s not even in the ground and you can come here demanding such a thing?”

  Lexie recoiled. “We hope the files will help us find who killed him.”

  “But you don’t think either of us did anything illegal, do you?”

  Lexie shrugged.

  “Tell me this isn’t happening.” Helen clamped a hand over her mouth.

  Gavin would like to ease her mind, but if Dr. Grant was defrauding the government, she could very well know about it. “As the warrant says, I’ll be taking all patient files and billing records.”

  She crossed her arms. “I’ll help you with the files, but billing records aren’t kept here. Doc had a local gal do all the billing electronically, and she gave the files to him every month.”

  “I hope you’ll understand that my job requires me to search the office anyway.”

  “I understand.”

  “So you never saw the bills?” Lexie sounded surprised, but she didn’t have much to do with her father, so it made sense that she didn’t know how he ran his practice.

  Helen sniffed. “Only ever saw one if a patient put it in front of my face to ask a question, and I referred him to the biller. I was always glad I didn’t have to deal with any of that. I’d hate to know which of my neighbors didn’t pay Doc on time.”

  “Did you not handle the office finances at all?” Gavin asked.

  “Doc took care of all of that. I gave him expense reports at the end of the month and he paid the bills.”

  “Sounds like my dad,” Lexie said. “Keeping the money all under his purview.”

  Helen peered up at Gavin. “Before we go any further, suppose you answer a question for me. Do I need an attorney?”

  “Did you do anything wrong?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Then you shouldn’t need an attorney.”

  Lexie peered up at him, a deep scowl on her face. She thought he was being too harsh with Helen, but he was simply doing his job. Sure, if the same situation occurred when he’d been a deputy, he might have softened the blow, but he wasn’t a rural county deputy any longer. He was an FBI agent with strict standards to uphold.

  Okay, fine, he could relax a bit, but he wouldn’t. That led to thinking about this town. The people. His family and Lexie, when he needed to think only about putting the killer behind bars and bringing this Medicaid investigation to a swift and thorough closure.

  “Can you think of anyone who might want to kill Dad?” Lexie asked, maybe because she felt a need to step in before Helen got mad.

  “You know your dad,” Helen replied. “He could be hard to get along with at times. But his patients loved him.” She frowned. “Well, maybe not all of them, I suppose.”

  “Are you thinking of someone in particular?” Gavin asked, trying not to sound too eager.

  “Three people actually. The month before Doc went missing. He refused to fill their prescriptions and they stormed out of here. Next thing I knew, they canceled future appointments, and we got requests from the Lowell Clinic for the patient files.”

  Gavin’s interest perked up at the clinic name, as Dr. Lowell was another potential suspect in the Medicaid fraud. “The same doctor for all three patients?”

  She nodded.

  “And you didn’t think that was odd?” Gavin asked, as he sure did.

  “This isn’t like the big city, where you can choose from a long list of doctors. We only have two GPs in the county and Lowell is the closest.”