Page 107 of Fatal Witness

“I-I was justwalking in the woods and pretending—”

“It’s okay.I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She hopped on her good foot. “What was in the box?”

“Nothingthat concerns you...” He bent down and picked her up. “You know what this place is?” When she shook herhead, he said, “It’s where my grandfather built hishouse when he first came to Russell County.”

“Butthere’s no house, just woods.”

“Yeah, I know. The house burned down when I was about your age. I like to come here when I’m troubled. It’s peaceful.” He hugged her and set her back onthe ground. “We’re leaving in a bit. You needto go pack your Barbies.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. Now hop to it or your mama willthrow the snack she made you out the back door.”

She giggled. He was always saying things like that.Her mama wouldn’t ever throw out food. Nonny wouldfuss at her...

Dani opened her eyes. The memories were coming back ever so slowly. The box her daddy buried must have been the diamonds. Gem followed as she walked out onto the back porch and stared toward the woods. Could she find the place where he buried them? Her great-grandfather’s old homeplace?

She glanced toward the road for Mark, but he was busy with Alex. Dani looked toward the woods. With Mark and Alex and two other deputies here, it should be safe enough to see if she could find the old homeplace.

She started to call to Mark, but he and Alex had walked to the edge of the road and were talking to someone in a tan SUV. If her memory was right, she and her dad had gone only a short distance in the woods—she should be back before anyone even missed her.

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An SUV coming from the vacation rentals had pulled off the road. Mark frowned, then relaxed as he recognized Ben and his uncle, Craig Tennyson. They were probably checking out the summer cabins beyond the Bennett house.

He joined Alex as she walked toward the SUV. “Dani’s ready for you to come in,” he said.

“Has she remembered anything?”

“A little, but nothing major. I don’t think it will be long before she remembers what happened, though. Dani wants her life back, and she’s one determined lady.” Mark kicked at a rock, then raised his gaze to Alex. “In fact, next to you, she’s probably the strongest woman I know.”

Alex stopped, and his neck grew hot under her intense scrutiny.

“You’re protecting her,” she said. “Don’t do anything to jeopardize her life.”

Like lose his focus because he was falling for her. Might be a little late for the falling-for-her part. “I won’t lose my focus.”

“See to it that you don’t.” They’d reached the road, and she turned to the two men climbing out of the SUV. “Morning, Craig, Ben,” Alex said.

“Morning, Chief Deputy,” Craig said. “Surprised to see anyone here.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, Mae’s just had a stroke. Who else would be here?”

“Ben didn’t tell you Mae’s granddaughter is back in Pearl Springs?”

The older man jerked his head toward Ben, who shrugged. “Why didn’t you say something? You know I’ve been trying to find that little gal. Thought if Mae wouldn’t sell, she would.”

“I can tell you now, she won’t be selling,” Mark said. He was pretty sure Dani would want to hang on to the property. He eyed Craig. While Mark liked Ben well enough, Mark didn’t care for his uncle.

Craig cocked his head toward him. “Now how do you know that? You don’t even know what I’d be willing to offer.”

“Because you never buy anything unless it’s a bargain,” Mark said. “I’ve heard you make Ebenezer Scrooge look like a spendthrift.”

Ben laughed. “He got you there.”

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