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CHAPTER TEN

T he next morning, Gavin followed Claire into a conference room at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department. His entire body was sore from the encounter with the gunman. Questions about the case kept him tossing and turning the entire night. Hopefully, the meeting this morning would provide some answers.

Seated at the table were the rangers from Company A. Gavin’s steps faltered as he registered everyone’s presence, including his boss, Lieutenant Rodriguez. She rose from her chair to greet them both with a handshake. “Sorry to crash the meeting, Claire, but once my team heard about the latest attack, I couldn’t keep them away if I tried.”

“Bennett’s the only one not here,” Weston said, as he moved to hug Claire. She looked tiny next to the former professional football player. “But he has a good excuse since he’s honeymooning in Hawaii.”

Weston clapped Gavin on the back and the two men did a half-hug, half-handshake. The move was repeated with Grady and Luke. Each of the men embraced Claire. She asked to see photos of their growing families. The next few minutes were spent catching up with each other’s lives. Coffee and breakfast were brought it.

Gavin’s fatigue lifted as he listened to Grady’s funny stories about toddler mischief and Luke’s woes about sleepless nights with a newborn baby. He hadn’t realized how much he needed a break. The case and the threats against Claire were weighing on him.

He was terrified something would happen to her.

Gavin didn’t know when it happened, but somehow this smart, beautiful woman had slipped past his defenses. Hearing how her ex-husband left her, pregnant and alone, had broken his heart. She was amazingly resilient. Claire didn’t need anyone to take care of her, but she sparked every one of his protective and caring male instincts. Gavin wanted to be there for her.

Could he do it forever? He didn’t know. His own failed relationship with Willow haunted him. The words she’d hurtled during their last conversation were buried in his heart.

You’d never make a good father or husband. Your work is everything to you. There’s no room for anything else.

“Okay.” Lieutenant Rodriquez clapped her hands, breaking through Gavin’s thoughts and drawing the attention of everyone in the room. “I hate to ruin this good time we’re having, but we have a case to solve. Let’s get down to business.”

Like a switch, everyone in the room turned serious. Lieutenant Rodriquez turned to Gavin. “Let’s start with a rundown of the case so we’re all on the same page.”

He ran through the chain of events, from Faye’s murder to last night’s shooting. Everyone listened carefully. Then Weston took over to discuss the private investigator’s murder. “Michael Grayson, thirty-six, former military. Did two tours in Iraq before opening a private investigation business. According to phone records, he received a call from a burner phone on Monday night.”

“The same night Faye was killed,” Claire interjected. “What time was the call?”

Weston glanced down at his notes. “Nine thirty. We don’t know what was said, but according to Michael’s secretary, he was meeting with someone about a case. He drove to a park on the outskirts of Houston. Police officers located him last night.”

“Why did it take so long?”

“His car was in a remote location, hidden behind some trees. Michael was shot three times point-blank. Ballistics matched the bullets from his body to the ones taken from Faye. Both victims were killed with the same gun. That weapon was then rigged in your bathroom, Claire.”

Gavin blew out a breath as the impact of evidence hit him. “The killer meets with Faye, slashes her tire, then kills her on a remote road. He rifles through her wallet, looking for the name and number of the private detective she’d hired. Then he calls Michael, arranges a meeting for the same night, and kills him. The next day, the murderer rigs the gun in Claire’s bathroom, hoping to kill her.”

Weston nods. “That tracks with what we know so far. One more note. Michael wasn’t a trusting person. He had a handgun under his jacket and a spare on his ankle. Both were holstered. His secretary said he never met with clients or others in remote locations, only public ones. Whoever called him was someone Michael didn’t believe would hurt him.”

“Same with Faye.” Gavin sat back in his chair. “What do we know about the shooting from the bakery? And the truck from last night? How do they fit in?”

Ryker opened a folder and pulled out a lab report. “Ballistics confirm the same weapon was used in both attacks. An AR-15. The rifle is used for hunting and professional shooting competitions. Half of Fulton County probably owns one. We didn’t collect any fingerprints from the stolen truck. It’d been wiped clean.”

“The killer is going to a lot of trouble to stop us from looking for Stephanie Madden. The real question is why. Why kill two people in cold blood and then try to murder Claire?”

“There are two reasons I can think of.” Lieutenant Rodriquez tucked a lock of mahogany hair behind her ear. “One, Stephanie is alive but knows something someone doesn’t want us to find out. Or two—and I think this is the more likely—she’s been murdered, and the killer doesn’t want us to find her.”

“I don’t think Stephanie is alive,” Claire said softly. “The Houston Police Department did a thorough search and couldn’t find her. We’ve spoken to every member of her extended family. None of them have heard from her since she left town.”

“Sadly, I agree with Claire.” Ryker removed another report from his folder. “A handwriting analysis was done on the postcard Stephanie supposedly sent from Houston after leaving town. She didn’t write it.”

Gavin had suspected it, but actually hearing the words out loud was a gut punch. The entire table was quiet for a long moment. This criminal had killed two people already—three, if Stephanie was included—and was coming after Claire. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Lieutenant Rodriguez straightened her shoulders. “I think we need to operate with the assumption that Stephanie is dead. If we get evidence otherwise, we can reevaluate. Suspects?”

Ryker leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “Xavier Whitlock could be involved. A symbol used by the Chosen was scrawled under the threatening message written for Claire in the boathouse.”

“Does he have a motive for wanting Stephanie out of the picture?”

“Maybe. There are rumors Xavier is involved in weapons and drug trafficking. Stephanie could’ve uncovered evidence of his crimes and threatened to turn him into the police. They didn’t have a good relationship.” Ryker’s mouth flattened. “Xavier refused to speak to me yesterday. We don’t have any hard evidence linking him to Stephanie’s disappearance, the murders, or the attacks on Claire. But he owns an AR-15. He had it in his hands when I arrived at the property.”

Gavin drummed his fingers on the table. “Claire brought up something the other day, and I think it’s relevant. Faye trusted her killer. She wouldn’t have gotten out of the car for Xavier. His wife, Maribelle, maybe. But even that is questionable. And from what we know about the private investigator, I don’t think Michael would have met with Xavier on his own in a remote location.”

Weston nodded. “I have to agree with Gavin on this one. Michael had been looking into Stephanie’s disappearance. He would’ve vetted both Maribelle and Xavier, would’ve known they were part of the Chosen. I could see him meeting Maribelle in a public location. But at night, in the park? I doubt it.”

“What about Stephanie’s boyfriend?” Luke's brows drew down. “You mentioned him earlier. Alex. He admitted they had an on-again, off-again relationship. Those are typically volatile and can turn ugly.”

“Alex provided an alibi for the night of Faye’s murder,” Gavin said. “He spent the night with a friend because his apartment was being repainted. But we haven’t verified the alibi yet.”

“I’ll take care of it. Send me his friend’s name.”

“Thanks, Luke.”

Claire blew out a breath. “Faye’s funeral service will take place in Fort Worth, since that’s where most of her family is. But there’s a memorial service today at the church. I’m going to pay my respects. It’ll also give me an opportunity to speak to Mary Ellen again. She knew Stephanie well and may provide more insight into Stephanie’s relationship with Alex. Or there may be someone else we’re missing.”

“I’ll go with you.” Gavin was sticking close to Claire because of the threats on her life, yes, but that wasn’t his only reason for accompanying her. Attending the service for her childhood friend would be painful. He wanted to support her.

She shot him a grateful glance. “Thanks. That would be helpful.”

“What happened to Stephanie’s car?” Weston was flipping through Stephanie’s case file. He frowned. “If we assume she’s dead, the killer had to get rid of her body and her car. That’s difficult to do.”

“I’ve been thinking about that same thing.” Claire rose from her chair. On the wall was a map of Fulton County. She stood in front of it. “I think we should get a canine cadaver unit to search the lake.”

Gavin inhaled sharply. Cadaver dogs were specially trained to detect human remains. Some could even locate a body under water. “You think the killer hid Stephanie’s body in the lake?”

“Her body and her car.” She pointed to a section of the map. “This area of Lake Hudson has several boat ramps, but they aren’t used anymore because the entire area is a protected wildlife refuge now. If I was the killer, I’d drive Stephanie’s car into the lake using a ramp. Or I’d get a boat and pull it into the lake.”

“It’s worth a shot,” Lieutenant Rodriguez said. “I’ll arrange for the cadaver canine unit to do a preliminary search?—”

A knock on the conference room door interrupted her. Keith popped his head in. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Sheriff, but Mayor Scott is here. He insists on speaking to you immediately. And, a word of warning, he’s mad.”

Claire observed Mayor Scott pacing the length of her office through the glass wall. He wore a designer three-piece suit with a dark red tie. His hair, more gray than brown, was elegantly brushed away from his patrician face. A glower marred his handsome features. Claire had heard the rumors of Patrick Scott’s temper, but she’d never been on the receiving end of it.

Until now.

She wasn’t afraid of him. Patrick couldn’t fire her, but he could make her life more difficult. Claire didn’t believe in creating problems unnecessarily. She leaned closer to Keith, keeping her voice low to prevent any of the deputies working nearby from overhearing their conversation. “Any idea what he’s so mad about?”

“He refused to tell me. Sorry, Sheriff. I explained you were in a meeting, but he insisted on speaking with you immediately.”

The door to the conference room opened. Gavin and the rest of the rangers poured out. A female deputy at a nearby desk stopped what she was doing, her mouth gaping open. Claire couldn’t blame her. Every member of Company A was gorgeous. But Claire’s eyes immediately went straight to Gavin. He stood out. His chiseled features and gorgeous eyes were striking, but it was what was inside that really grabbed hold of her. He was brave and kind. Warm. Caring. Genuine.

Gavin’s gaze shot to hers. Even from across the room, his look felt like a touch. It was electrifying and heady. And scary. Claire hadn’t so much as looked at another man romantically since her divorce. Was she ready to try again with someone new? Was Gavin? He’d mentioned having his own scars from former relationships.

He shook hands with his fellow rangers, clapping several on the back, and then headed in Claire’s direction. Gavin jerked his chin toward the mayor. “What’s going on?”

“We’re not sure. But he’s definitely worked up about something. His pacing is wearing out my carpeting.”

“Mind if I join you? I’d like to hear what the mayor says about the case.”

“That’s fine with me.” She straightened her shoulders. “Let’s do this.”

She marched into her office. “Good morning, Mayor. Sorry to keep you waiting, but I was in a very important meeting with the Texas Rangers about the investigation. This is Ranger Gavin Sterling. He’s leading the investigation into Faye’s murder.”

Patrick spun to face her. He planted his hands on his hips, nostrils flaring, completely ignoring Gavin altogether. The glare Patrick shot her could melt the skin off bone. Claire couldn’t imagine anything she’d done to make him so angry with her.

“Why are you questioning my family about Stephanie Madden?” Patrick practically spit the words.

Perplexed, Claire moved behind her desk but didn’t sit. “Heather and Stephanie were friends in high school. I needed to ask your daughter-in-law if she had any insight that could aid our investigation.”

“Without speaking to me about it first?” A furious blush rose from his neck into his cheeks. He popped open his briefcase and pulled out a newspaper. “The media are watching your every move, Sheriff. They’re all over this case. A reporter noticed you were at my son’s house.”

He slapped the paper down on the desk. A photograph of Claire and Gavin arriving at the Scott mansion was front and center with the headline: Police Question Mayor’s Son about Recent Murder.

Patrick jabbed the paper with a finger. “Do you have any idea of the damage you’ve caused? This article alludes Ian was involved in Faye’s murder, that he may have even hired someone to kill her.”

A wave of sympathy washed over Claire. She didn’t control the newspapers or the reporters, but false allegations like these were the perfect fodder for gossip. Ian would be questioned by friends and neighbors. No wonder the mayor was so angry. He was incredibly protective of his family.

She took a deep breath. “I will personally issue a statement clarifying Ian is not a suspect. Nor is Heather. They were simply providing information to aid my investigation.”

Patrick’s jaw worked. It was any wonder he didn’t break a tooth, he was gritting his teeth so hard. Claire could feel he was struggling for control. Beside her, Gavin reached for the paper and slid it closer to him.

The mayor took a deep breath. “The next time you want to speak to someone in my family, you need to call my office. Are we clear?”

She stiffened. “No, sir, we’re not. I understand why you’re upset, but I won’t be dictated to. If I need to question someone about a case, whether they’re a family member of yours or not, I’m going to do it.”

The stain on his cheeks spread. He jutted a finger at her. “You need to be careful, Claire. Don’t make an enemy of me.”

“It’s not my intention to.”

Patrick continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “Sheriff King understood the power of this office and the way elections work. He knew?—”

“Randy King is no longer sheriff.” Claire pulled herself up to her full height. She met the mayor’s heated glare straight on. “I am. No one in this county, including you, is going to tell me how to run an investigation.”

“What investigation? So far, you have nothing. You’re screwing this case up, Sheriff, and I’m warning you. It’s going to cost you dearly.”

Claire could feel her own temper rising. “Are you threatening me?”

“No, I’m telling you how things work.”

Gavin jerked up his head from the paper. His expression was hard, his back stiff. “Is the information in this article correct? Did Faye volunteer for your reelection campaign?”

Patrick’s gaze shot to Gavin. He squinted as if sizing him up. “What difference does it make if she did or not?”

“Because Stephanie also volunteered for your campaign. Did you know her? Did Ian?”

“Of course we knew her, but only in passing. Most of the town knew Stephanie and Faye. There’s only one bakery, for heaven’s sake.” Patrick clicked his briefcase closed. He glowered. “Sheriff, issue that clarifying statement immediately. And watch yourself. It’s not wise to make enemies of people you’ll need later.”

With those parting words, he stormed out of the office. Patrick slammed the door so hard behind him, the blinds on her window rocked wildly.

Claire collapsed in the chair. Uneasiness churned her stomach. “That was…a lot. What is going on?”

“I’m not sure.” Gavin placed a hand reassuringly on her shoulder and squeezed. “But I suspect people in this town are hiding more secrets than either of us realized.”