Page 25 of Fatal Witness

“Last night I received a phone call from a deputy in Russell County, Tennessee...” She related everything Mark Lassiter had told her. “It seems I have a grandmother that Keith never mentioned. Maybe even other relatives.”

“Wow,” Evelyn said softly. “I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling.”

“My emotions are all over the place.”

“Understandable. Youaregoing to this county in Tennessee, right? I mean, it couldn’t be that far.”

Dani dug into the cuticle again. “It’s six hours. Last night I booked a room in Knoxville for tonight so I could get a good night’s sleep since I barely slept at all last night. Then tomorrow, I’d planned to drive the hour and a half to Pearl Springs, but now I don’t know...”

“What do you mean, you don’t know?” Evelyn leaned toward her. “Dani, you have to find out what happened to your parents. And meet this grandmother.”

“It’s not that easy.” She blinked back the tears that stung her eyes and then stared at the ceiling.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.”

She didn’t know what she was thinking, or maybe she didn’t want to admit it. “What if Keith killed my parents?”

Evelyn pressed her hand to her throat. “This has to be tearing you apart. Let’s try and look at this logically.”

“Okay.” Dani pressed her lips together. “Why didn’t he leave me with my grandmother? And you said yourself, he tries to control me. Maybe he’s afraid I’ll remember something he wants to make sure I don’t tell anyone.”

“Would he have taken you to a psychiatrist if that were the case?”

She hadn’t thought about that.

“Perhaps he thought you were in danger, and he couldn’t leave you with your grandmother.” She raised her eyebrows. “You’ll never know unless you discover the truth.”

Truth. It’s what she’d always wanted, wasn’t it?

“Maybe I shouldn’t encourage you to do this—if you did see the person responsible for your parents’ deaths, it could be dangerous.”

She hadn’t considered that and mulled the possibility over in her mind. “It’s been twenty-five years. The murderer could be dead. Besides, I don’t think the deputy I talked with would encourage me to come if it were dangerous.” Dani straightened her shoulders. “I’m going to do it. Thanks for helping me make up my mind.”

Evelyn raised her eyebrows. “Tell me about this deputy. You got this dreamy look in your eyes when you mentioned him.”

Dani jerked back. “I did not!”

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”

Heat infused Dani’s cheeks as she grabbed the water glass and took a long draw.

“Are you telling me you haven’t looked him up?”

“He was nice.”

Evelyn took out her phone and opened Facebook. “Did you say Russell County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office? And his name is Mark?”

“I’m not having this conversation.”

Evelyn was quiet as she scrolled through the app, then she stopped and brought the phone closer to her face. “Wow. No wonder you light up.” She looked up and grinned. “Ask him if his father is available.”

“Evelyn! I can’t believe you said that. I don’t even know the man. He could be married, for all I know.” But she certainly hoped not. The reaction shocked her, and she took another drink of the water. “We were talking about my grandmother ... who lives just outside of Pearl Springs.”

Evelyn gave her a gentle smile. “I’m sorry. This has to be overwhelming for you.”

“Yes. And tomorrow...” She barely got the words out before tears stung her eyelids and her chin quivered. She hadn’t been kidding that her emotions were all over the place. Where was her stress ball when she needed it?

Dani shifted her gaze across the room to a family that appeared to be celebrating someone’s birthday. A happy, whole family. Not the best distraction. She straightened her shoulders and turned and faced Evelyn. “Tomorrow I’ll meet my grandmother and get answers to my questions.”

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