Page 25 of Critical Strike

He had to be applauded. He’d done a fantastic job making it seem Claire had reason to kill Julia. If Claire read this, she’d believe it, too.

Luke continued to drive them farther out of town. “It gives proof of motive. That’s all Ballard needed right now.”

“There’s no going to the cops now.” Hot tears pressed against her closed eyelids. “No one will believe me. I don’t even understand why you do... You don’t really know me.”

Luke’s silence just added to her fear.

Maybe he thought she’d lied to him. Could she really blame him?

Abruptly, the truck slowed down.

Claire opened her eyes to find they were entering a wooded area. The sign read Government Canyon State Natural Area.

She tensed, papers crumpling in her hands. Was he planning to leave her here?

Again, she couldn’t really blame him. Like Rick had said, she had a target on her back and staying with her would put one on Luke’s back, too. Not to mention anything he did to help her was illegal.

She couldn’t bring herself to ask what he was going to do.

By the time he pulled into the nearly empty parking lot and turned to her, she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to keep it together.

“Luke, I—” She wasn’t sure what she was going to say, just knew she needed to say something.

“Let’s go for a walk—let Khan get some fresh air and exercise.”

They walked along one of the many paths, stopping when they got to a picnic table.

“Luke,” she started again. “I know it looks bad. I know you must wonder if I’m lying to you, and rightfully so.”

He turned and climbed up onto the picnic table, sitting on the table itself. “Do you know what I remember most about you from Skyline Park?”

She shook her head.

“Well, I mean, besides those big blue eyes that were always studying everyone from afar. You never liked to talk to anyone. And you always tried to get on the computer—not that the bigger kids gave you much of a chance.”

She shrugged. “I was too young to do much computer-wise then anyway. That’s what you remember? Me on the computer?”

“No, what I remember is you sneaking your snack money into Amelia Whalen’s backpack.”

Claire felt her face burn. “She needed it. She stayed after school and always got hungry. Her stomach used to growl at night. I was never hungry, so I didn’t need the money.”

The side of his mouth pulled up in a smile. “Even though you never liked talking to anyone, you were always aware of what was going on around you, even as a little kid. And you did something about it.”

She swallowed hard, her throat burning. “Anyone would’ve done it.”

He reached out and snagged her hand, pulling her over until she was standing between his knees where his feet rested on the picnic bench.

“No.” His voice was firm. “They wouldn’t. I’ve been around a lot of people, both when I was a kid bouncing from place to place before the Pattersons, and in the army. I’ve learned how to read them. How to judge intentions and purposes. Little Claire had no reason to help Amelia Whalen, especially not secretly.”

“I’m not little Claire anymore.”

She stared down at where Khan had come to rub against her legs, sensing her distress. She shifted her gaze back up to his when his finger tilted her head gently under her chin.

“No, you’re definitely not little Claire anymore...but your heart is still the same. Still generous. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, and they’re telling me you’re one of the good guys.”

She parted her lips, unsure of how to respond. Luke had helped her so much already. Him putting his faith in her now wasn’t something she took lightly.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I want to prove it wasn’t me who killed Julia.”

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