Deadly Image by Tamelia Tumlin Read Free Book Online

entire ordeal was exhausting. “I–It’s too much.”
    “You’re wrong. The church just wants to help. No one is accusing you.”
    “You are.” The two simple words trembled from her lips and hung in the air between them.
    Ace inhaled sharply. “I won’t lie to you, Lexi. I have to investigate every possible lead. My personal feelings on the matter aren’t relevant. Only the facts.”
    Lexi’s gaze caught his. “And what are your personal feelings? Do you think I did something to Anna?”
    She held her breath as she waited on his answer, not realizing how important it was for him to believe her until she had asked the question. She needed him to believe her. Needed to know someone besides her parents believed in her. She needed it just as much as she needed oxygen to breath.
    * * *
     
    Questioning blue eyes stared up at Ace, pleading for an answer he couldn’t give.
    Not yet anyway.
    “Let’s get some coffee.” Ace took Lexi’s elbow and guided her toward the door. Her body deflated like four tires hitting road spikes, disappointment ebbing from every pore.
    Ace tightened his jaw. No matter how many cases he was involved in or how many years he’d been on the force, this job never seemed to get any easier.
    He knew better than to get personally involved with any case, but this time was different.
    It felt personal.
    Which was ridiculous since he knew next to nothing about Lexi. Yet, somehow, he felt a connection with her. Something he’d never experienced before with any other woman.
    Dangerous ground there, Valdez. You know better than to let any woman get under your skin. Especially a case.
    Ace pushed the thought to the side. He needed to focus on Anna and the facts. Not on Lexi’s china blue eyes begging him to help her. Or the way she seemed to be aware of him too. Like when her fingers barely brushed his when handing him a pen or when her shoulder touched him ever so lightly as they passed in the hall. The soft gasp from her lips told him she had felt something too.
    Lord, please help me keep this case on a professional basis and give me the wisdom to determine Lexi’s innocence or guilt. And please keep Anna safe until we can find her.
    Ace led Lexi into the hall. He finished his prayer as Zach strode toward them with a solemn look on his ruddy, round face.
    Ace’s heart bungee-jumped to his toes.
    The news couldn’t be good.
    Zach stopped in front of them, eyes darting to Lexi then back to Ace. “Ace, I need to talk to you privately.”
    Ace nodded and turned to Lexi. “Excuse me for–”
    “No.” Lexi stiffened. “Whatever it is, I should hear it too.” Ace felt a sudden quiet strength take hold of her. He could almost feel the steel wall snapping into place around her, protecting her from what he knew would not be good news.
    Guilt niggled at him. He wished he could have been the one to protect her from all of this. But he couldn’t. Not while she remained their key suspect.
    Zach looked at Ace and shook his head sharply. “Ms. Yates, it would be best if I spoke with Ace in–”
    “Whatever you have to say, Agent Cartwright, you can say it in front of me. I’ve waited for four grueling days to find out something – anything – about my daughter, and I don’t intend to let you tiptoe around it now.” The determination in Lexi’s voice surprised Ace. Other than a small quiver in her voice, it was apparent Lexi had more strength in her than he’d given her credit for.
    Then again, he should have realized that. He’d seen flashes of it when he’d tried to break her in the interview room four days ago. Without success, he realized ruefully.
    Lexi drew herself up to her full height. Probably no more than five six. Though he towered over her by several inches and Zach was a couple of inches taller than her himself, Lexi didn’t seem to notice. Or care. Twin blue lasers pinned Zach with a non- negotiable stare. “Where is Anna?”
    Zach shifted his weight to his left foot and