Trail of Lies (3 page)

“Okay. I'll check when the next meeting is and get on the agenda.” Daniel immediately thought of the last meeting he'd gone to. Melora was on the committee. Maybe he could talk to her afterward. In a different environment after she had time to think about the break-in, she might be more forthcoming with her information.

“How did it go with Mrs. Hudson?”

“She's not saying much.” He went on to give Ben a detailed report of the break-in and his interview with Melora and Juanita.

“Get Gisella to help you with digging into Axle Hudson's background and dealings. We need to know everything about him.”

“Especially if he's a member of the Lions of Texas. You can certainly say he was a powerful person with lots of connections.” One of the first breaks in their captain's murder case was the few details about the group they got from Eddie Jimenez, a low-level member of the Lions of Texas, who had tried to get the captain's notes after the shooting. Eddie hadn't been successful in getting what he had been after. When caught, the thug hadn't been able to tell them who had killed Gregory Pike or who had sent Eddie after the notes, but the man did tell the Rangers that the group behind all this was called the Lions of Texas. According to Eddie the members were powerful—and very dangerous. Not much to go on, but a start. And if Axle was a member of the Lions, then getting to know everything about the man could lead to others in the group.

“Do you think Mrs. Hudson knows what her husband was up to? What got him killed?”

His image of Melora, frightened and vulnerable, didn't fit with her being a cold, calculating woman who approved of her husband's illegal activities. “I aim to find out. I don't think the intruder was there to rob her place. Oliver is tracking down the getaway car.”

“Stay on her. Get to be her new best friend. Find out what she knows.”

“That's what I plan on doing.” As Daniel headed toward the door, his cell rang. Noticing the call came from the sheriff, he answered it as he left Ben's office. “Riley here.”

“We're at Alicia Wells's apartment. I think you should come take a look at the place.”

“She's not there?”

“Nope, and it appears she left in a hurry.”

After the sheriff gave him the location of the apartment, Daniel slipped his cell into his pocket and started for the exit.

Oliver stopped him. “I tracked down the white Honda, at least I think it's the one. It was reported missing this morning. It belongs to Paul Carson.”

“Has the car been found?”

“No.”

“Check Carson out and interview him. The man I chased was compact, five feet nine inches with medium-length black hair. See if he fits the description.”

Daniel hurried toward his truck. He felt as though Melora was the key to what was going on. He would stick to her like glue.

Thirty minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of the building where Alicia Wells lived. When he entered the apartment, the sheriff waved him over and pointed at a spot on the rug, the size of a quarter. “Found this after I called you. We tested it. That's fresh blood.”

“S
o you think it's human?” Daniel scanned Alicia Wells's living room.

“Yes. No signs of a pet. But the lab will have to confirm it and the blood type.”

“Why do you think she ran?” Daniel spotted a desk with some open drawers.

The sheriff stiffened.

“Because her clothes and most of her personal belongings are gone. I didn't see this blood until a second walk-through.”

“So you're thinking someone took her and made it look like she left?”

Sheriff Layton stroked his chin. “Possibly. I suppose there could be a simple explanation for the blood, like she cut herself. It certainly isn't enough to kill her.” He flipped back the edge of the rug.

Daniel noticed several more spots of what looked like dried blood along that edge—not nearly enough to indicate she was seriously injured. But his gut feeling on this was they'd find Alicia dead. He hoped he was wrong, but the people they were dealing with wouldn't hesitate to kill someone after they got what they wanted. “I'll have my office look into Alicia Wells if that's okay with you.”

“Fine by me.” The sheriff started for the bedroom. “I suspect Ms. Wells didn't go willingly.”

“If Alicia gave someone the code and key to the house, that would explain the how of the break-in but not the why or the who.”

“You don't think it was just a robbery attempt?”

“I think there's more to it. Possibly connected to Captain Pike's murder.” Halting at the entrance into the room, Daniel surveyed the open drawers, the empty closet, the rumpled coverlet on the bed.

“All connected to Axle's body being found?”

“That's what I'm thinking. It was found at a drop site used by the group we think is responsible for Greg's death.” Axle was somehow connected to the Lions of Texas, either he was one of them or he crossed one of them.

Daniel covered the distance to the closet and examined it—hangers tossed on the carpeted floor, a few clothing items still hanging on the rod, a box of papers scattered about the remaining three pairs of shoes. Kneeling by the mess, he took a pen out of his pocket and used it to move some of the pieces around.

“Look at this.” Daniel glanced over his shoulder at the sheriff. “These are financial papers. If she was running, why didn't she take them with her?”

“Maybe she was interrupted and didn't have time to come back for them? Maybe that blood has been there for a while. Someone obviously tried to cover it up but missed the few spots on the rug. It kind of blends with the other colors.”

“We'll need to look into her accounts and see if she's received any large amounts of money.” Something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Leaning forward,
Daniel poked under the shelving in the closet with his pen. He slid out a hundred dollar bill. “Or not. Cash works just as well.”

 

Melora left the hospital gift shop after volunteering behind the counter. She had to keep up appearances, act as though nothing was wrong. And every Wednesday morning she helped in the auxiliary's gift shop. She didn't want to make anyone nervous.

Looking down, she opened her purse and dug around for her car keys. She nearly collided with Dr. Jorge Cantana, the father of Kaitlyn's friend Cara, but stopped herself one step short when she glanced back up.

Startled, he pulled his gaze away from a folder he was reading, his dark hair tousled. “Sorry, Melora.” His warm appraisal skimmed down her. “Where are you heading to? Finished volunteering?”

“Yes. I have a meeting at one for the Alamo Planning Committee. We're really getting geared up for a big celebration for the Battle of the Alamo anniversary.”

“How do you keep everything straight?”

She withdrew her PDA from her purse. “By counting on this. What's got you flustered?”

“Flustered?”

She flipped her hand toward his white doctor coat, buttoned wrong.

He chuckled. “Oh.” After fixing it, he peered up at Melora. “One of my patients isn't responding to his treatment. I'm trying to figure out what else I can do.”

Jorge had been their family doctor for years. He was her uncle's doctor, too. He and his wife had been there for
her after Axle had disappeared. He'd even tried to help her with Kaitlyn when his busy schedule allowed.

“Just remember to take some time for yourself. I worry about you working so hard.”

He grinned. “Don't. I thrive on working. Thankfully, my wife understands.”

“Tell Beth hi for me. I hope our daughters can get together again. Kaitlyn enjoys playing with Cara.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” He started to move away, stopped and turned back. “If you need to talk, I'm available. So is Beth. I know Axle has been gone for two years, and you felt something had happened to him, but now knowing for sure still has to be processed.”

“I appreciate that.” If she wasn't so afraid, she might actually have time to do that very thing. But all her energy had to be focused on keeping her daughter safe. Figuring out a way to get their lives back.

Checking her watch, Melora noticed she was running late for the meeting. She hurried from the hospital and located her silver Lexus in the parking lot. As she slid behind the steering wheel, she scouted the area. She couldn't find anyone watching her, but she felt it deep in her bones. She'd felt that way ever since Axle's body had been identified.

Who was watching her? Why were they watching? She wasn't going to talk. She didn't even have much she could tell the authorities. She didn't know the details of her husband's activities, and she planned to make that clear to the Texas Rangers.

Two years ago, the two men who had broken into her house had told her they were after a flash drive. They hadn't found it then and had thankfully left her unharmed but with a warning. Had the man broken into her house two days ago because of the police's renewed interest in Axle? Had they
stopped looking for the flash drive because they'd thought Axle had it on him? Then when his body was discovered, they realized the device wasn't with him?

Her head throbbed with all the unanswered questions. She pulled out of the parking lot and drove toward the meeting's location.

She really didn't know whom to trust.
Trust in the Lord.
The thought popped into her head as she turned into the space at the side of the office building. She'd pleaded with the Lord to help her when everything had started falling apart three years ago. He obviously hadn't thought she was worth His trouble. So somehow she had to find a way out of this mess by herself.

On the elevator ride she composed herself. She couldn't let people know what was going on. She had to be in control, poised—play the role she'd been cast in.

When she stepped into the hallway on the tenth floor, she came face-to-face with Rangers Daniel Boone Riley and Anderson Michaels. She tried to hide her surprise mixed with concern, but Daniel's assessing gaze honed in on her. She remembered at the funeral last week the kindness in his eyes when they had connected with hers.

“It's nice to see you again.” Daniel shifted toward her. “I believe you've met Anderson Michaels. He came with me in October to this meeting.”

“Yes, I remember him.” At this moment, Daniel's look didn't convey the kindness she'd glimpsed at the gravesite but something else—determination. To dig into Axle's past and put her and Kaitlyn in danger.

Anderson nodded toward her. “Good to see you again, Mrs. Hudson.”

Why are they here?
Struggling to remain outwardly calm while she quietly panicked inside, she forced a smile.
She clutched her purse straps tighter to still the trembling in her hand. “Is there a problem with the celebration?”

While Anderson went into the conference room at the end of the hallway, Daniel hung back with her. “Possibly. I'll explain everything inside. I was going to call you, but then I had to come to this meeting. Afterward, I'd like to talk with you. Let you know what I've come up with concerning your break-in.”

She glanced up and down the corridor. Another committee member stepped off the elevator. Rodney Tanner caught sight of them and headed toward them.

“I thought I was late. I guess the meeting hasn't started yet. Good to see you, Melora.” Rodney patted Daniel on the back. “And you, too, Daniel. How's your mother doing? I haven't seen her lately.”

“She's fine, sir. She went to the Caribbean a couple of weeks ago and just returned.”

“I'll have to call her and make sure she doesn't need anything. I told your father I would keep an eye on her.”

“We need to start the meeting.” Hank Zarvy, the chairman of the committee, stuck his head out into the hallway.

Melora used that excuse to hurry ahead of Daniel and Rodney into the room. Taking the last vacant chair on the left, she was relieved when Daniel sat on the opposite side of the table. His eyes zoomed in on her as he removed his white cowboy hat and put it under his seat. She fought the urge to squirm and wrenched her gaze away from his.

 

After going through a list of items on the agenda, Hank closed the folder in front of him and looked toward Daniel. “I understand the Texas Rangers have some concerns and wanted to express them today at this meeting. You've got the floor, Daniel.”

Hank, too, had been good friends with his father. Actually, Daniel knew half of the members personally. He hoped that would help him talk them into the changes the Texas Rangers proposed.

Daniel rose, chancing a look toward Melora. She'd been avoiding eye contact the whole meeting. At the moment, she stared down at the paper before her.
What are you hiding?

He cleared his throat and turned his attention to Hank. “We've looked over the plans for the celebration and feel we have to recommend that it be toned down in scope. We think a more intimate celebration will give anyone bent on causing trouble less opportunity to disrupt the event. It'll be easier to keep an eye on the crowd with a smaller function. We're concerned that with the vice president and the governor attending there could be problems with security, especially in light of the letter in October alluding to bad things happening if the celebration wasn't canceled and then the anonymous phone call Hank received a few weeks ago threatening problems. It doesn't appear the person has given up, and we haven't been able to locate him.”

Everyone began talking at once. Hank held up his hand. “This has been in the planning stages for years. We can't all of a sudden change plans. What kind of message would we be sending to others? That we can be intimidated? No!” Hank brought his hand down flat on the oak table. “This is Texas and this celebration is important to the state, especially to San Antonio.”

“But we celebrate the Alamo's anniversary every year. We can make this one smaller and have a bigger one next year.” Daniel looked pointedly at each member of the committee, lingering on Melora for a few extra seconds.

“Celebrating the 176th anniversary doesn't have the same kind of ring as the 175th anniversary.” Rodney
frowned. “And what if we have a threatening letter next year? Do we just cancel the celebration altogether? No, just like the United States doesn't give in to terrorists, we won't give in to this blackmail. Beef up security. Find the person responsible for the threats.”

A few others interjected their thoughts. One was in favor of scaling the celebration down while two others weren't.

Frustrated, Daniel surveyed each member's face and saw resolve not to buckle under any pressure—except for Melora and the woman next to her. Melora's gaze connected with Daniel's for a brief moment, and he saw understanding in those green depths. The visual link stirred feelings of protectiveness in him.

“I think you know how this committee feels, but we'll put it to a vote. All in favor of keeping the celebration as it's planned now, raise your hand.” Hank surveyed the people at the table. “Eight to two. It looks like we'll leave it as is.”

Daniel gave Melora a smile for her no vote and sat.

“We expect you and the other Rangers to make the celebration as safe as possible.” Hank directed a hard look at Daniel, then Anderson. “And we don't need knowledge of the letter and phone call getting out. They were both vague, nothing concrete. I don't want the press to get hold of them and build up the threat to more than it is. You know how they can be. Understand, Rangers Riley and Michaels?”

“Yes, sir,” both he and Anderson said.

“Good. Since we're getting closer to the anniversary, we'll convene in two weeks at the same time. That concludes our meeting.” Closing his notepad in front of him, Hank rose.

Daniel surged to his feet and headed for the door. Out in the hall he paused and turned to Anderson. “Go ahead without me. I'm going to try and talk with Melora Hudson.”

“Gonna use your charm to get the lady to tell all?”

“I'm working on it.” Daniel chuckled. According to his ex-wife, he had none.

 

Melora emerged from the meeting room and spotted Daniel. Her mouth tightened and her shoulders tensed. Quickly, she fastened her attention on the opening elevator door and started toward it.

Daniel moved into her path. “I want to thank you for your support in the meeting.”

“You're welcome.” She took a step away, feeling trapped by the Ranger's presence yet wanting to know if he'd discovered anything about Axle's death. Anything that could put her in more danger.

“I think the decision is a big mistake.”

“I agree. It isn't necessary to take needless risks.” She had enough of them to fill a lifetime.

“With added security there won't be needless risks,” Rodney said, stopping next to Melora. He directed his look to Daniel. “I'm confident that the Texas Rangers will have the security needed to protect the public, the governor and the vice president. Look at the Super Bowl. The World Series. They manage to have those huge events without incident.”