Trail of Lies by Margaret Daley Read Free Book Online

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.
    â€œSure. 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.
    â€œWill the Rangers be able to secure the celebration?” she asked after taking a sip of her drink.
    â€œWe’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?”
    â€œNo, but we think Alicia Wells was the one responsible for giving him a key and the code.”
    â€œNot Alicia. She’s worked for me since I married Axle six years ago. She’s never given me a reason to doubt her loyalty.”
    â€œWell, 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.”
    â€œShe works hard, but she’s had some problems with her two kids.”
    â€œDo you know where they live?”
    â€œShe 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.”
    â€œWhat’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?”
    â€œPossibly. I need to check everything out.”
    â€œIt was just a break-in—nothing taken,” Melora