Page 96 of Fatal Witness

“I’ll do that,” Alex said. Once Kyle was out the door, she said, “If Keith had been killed in Pearl Springs, Kyle would be my number one suspect.”

Dani wasn’t so sure the chief deputy should strike Kyle off her list. “I think I’ll take a shower.”

“Don’t be too long. My grandmother made one of her chicken and rice casseroles.” Then she called after her, “Oh, I almost forgot—Morgan and Ben are coming to visit tomorrow afternoon.”

Dani nodded.

Before she showered, Dani was certain she wouldn’t be able to eat anything, but cleaning up made a world of difference ... or at least enough to be able to eat Judith’s delicious casserole. She’d even resisted checking her watch every five minutes. But by the time her grandmother turned in, a slow boil had started, and by eight thirty, Dani was set to blow.

She checked her watch again.

“It’s ten minutes past the last time you looked,” Alex said.

Heat rose in Dani’s face. Was she that obvious?

“What do you think is taking him so long?”

“I’m sure he went to check on Gem.”

“But he’s not answering your calls.”

“His phone might be dead—he probably doesn’t have a charger with him.”

“Oh, right.” She stole another look at her watch.

Alex sighed. “Did ... uh...”

Dani raised her gaze to the chief deputy’s concerned gaze. “Did what?”

Instead of answering, Alex stood and took her cup to the coffee maker and refilled it.

“Did what?” Dani repeated.

Alex turned toward Dani. “Is there something going on between you and Mark?”

“No.” From the way Alex looked at her, she’d spoken too quickly.

“’Cause if there is...” She took a sip of coffee, then looked at Dani over her cup. “I’m afraid you’re setting yourself up for heartbreak.”

She bit her lip. “Why do you say that?”

“I’ve heard him say he isn’t husband material.”

“I’m not looking for a husband.” Dani wasn’t, was she? No. And she definitely hadn’t been thinking along those lines with regard to Mark. So why did Alex’s words hurt? “Like I said, there’s nothing between us.”

Dani raised her cup to her lips only to realize it was empty.

“More coffee?” Alex asked, holding the pot up.

“Sure.” She leaned back as the chief deputy refilled her cup. Even if she wasn’t looking for a husband, what were her feelings for Mark?

Alex sat across from her at the table. “I shouldn’t have said anything, but you don’t seem to have much experience with men. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Was she that transparent? Dani set the cup down. “You’re right. I’ve never dated much. I don’t know how I was when we were friends, but growing up in Montana I was very shy. I would have much preferred to be homeschooled, but Keith thought I needed social interaction and insisted I enroll in public school. He was probably right, but I hated it.”

Alex nodded sympathetically. “From what I remember, you were quieter than either Morgan or me, but I never thought much about it.” She chuckled. “If I had, I probably would’ve just thought you couldn’t get a word in edgewise—Morgan and I usually did all the talking and planning, and you did what we said.”

Dani gave her a rueful smile. “That didn’t change, except it was my uncle doing the talking and planning. And being the good little soldier he said I was, I never argued with him, just went along.” She rubbed her thumb on the cup handle. “By the time I was in high school, my classmates thought I was stuck-up.”

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