Page 38 of Fatal Witness

No doubt about it—Daniwastired, and Mae wasn’t expecting her until tomorrow anyway. “That’s probably for the best.”

“Your grandmother loves you very much. It’s going to do her a world of good to see you. Maybe more than any medicine.”

The thought that someone she didn’t know loved her soothed an ache in Dani’s heart.

“Do you plan on staying around town for very long?”

Dani thought about her conversation with Evelyn, when Evelyn warned her that coming back to Pearl Springs could be dangerous. What if Mae was hurt because of her? “After tonight, I don’t know. I don’t want to put Mae in jeopardy.”

Alex was quiet a minute. “I don’t know that she would be safer if you leave.”

“What do you mean?”

“While we don’t know for certain anyone broke into her house, Mae did call 911. She would not have done that without a good reason.” Alex rested her hand on her gun. “Mark and I—all my deputies—will be protecting Mae, and if you stay, we can protect you as well.”

She stared at Alex. Her confidence reminded Dani of something that had come to her off and on over the years ... “You were the girl!”

“What?”

“Over the years, sometimes I have this memory—a boy is teasing me, and a blond-haired girl punches him in the nose.”

Alex’s eyes widened. “Tyler Spence!”

Instantly, Dani put the name with the boy. “You’re right.”

“Oh, wow. I hadn’t thought of that in years.” She grinned. “You won’t believe what he’s doing now, but I’ll give you a hint—he followed in his daddy’s footsteps.”

“His daddy was our principal—” She gasped. “Another memory!”

Alex grinned. “You have to stay now—we were best friends before you disappeared, and I can help you get your memory back.”

That sounded good, but at what cost? Dani was already responsible for Mark Lassiter being injured. Would she be putting others like Mae or even Alex in danger as well?

Dani glanced around the area. It was isolated—anyone intent on harming Mae could walk up and escape with no trouble. But that wouldn’t happen if Dani moved in. Lizi would be there to guard them both. It was a good enough reason to stay. Besides, Dani wasn’t a quitter.

18

Alex kept the Lincoln Navigator in her rearview mirror as they wound down the mountain from Eagle Ridge. What she’d learned from Dani, aka Danielle Bennett, raised more questions than answers.

Was this possibly connected to the break-in at Mae’s house? While there was still no conclusive evidence there’d been a break-in, Alex no longer had any doubts there’d been one and it was the reason Mae called 911. Maybe the person hadn’t searched her pottery shop earlier and returned tonight to finish the job. But what was he looking for?

Alex turned into the hotel parking lot and waited until Danielle parked, and then she pulled beside her and lowered her window. “I’ll wait until you get inside, but then I need to check on Mark. Once that’s done, are you up to discussing what happened tonight since I never got your statement?”

“As long as it isn’t too much later. I’m in room 235. Text me before you come.”

“I will.” Alex entered the number Danielle rattled off into her contacts and when she started to add her name, she hesitated. Her given name was Alexis but only a few people called her that—mostlyNathan and her grandparents. She preferred Alex. “Your name ... I remember you as Danielle, but do you prefer Dani?”

Her friend pulled her bottom lip through her teeth, then slowly nodded. “Make it Dani. It sounds odd to hear someone refer to me as Danielle.”

“Totally understand. It took a while to get people to call me Alex instead of Alexis—that’s how you would’ve known me when we were kids.”

Dani startled, then her eyes widened. “The Three Musketeers!”

“Yes! Mae tagged you, me, and Morgan Tennyson with that name.”

“Just for a second I had a picture of three girls.” Her shoulders drooped. “Then it was gone, and I don’t remember a girl named Morgan ... or Alexis.”

“Give it time. I’m not a psychiatrist or anything, but I wonder if being back in Russell County may trigger more memories.”

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