Page 35 of The Jade Stone Sleuth

“Weston?” She scurried to the side and leaned back against the rock wall, needing support without his touch, her stomach squeamish because of his accusation and redirection. Hadn’t they been talking about his spiritual journey and her love for him? Why was he accusing her friend? She looked out over the yawning cliff below them and her stomach dropped.

“No,” she said. “No way. He’s been one of my best friends since grade school. You might as well accuse Jane.”

He arched an eyebrow as if he’d considered it.

“Brex.” She shook her head, trying to think how to defend Weston when her mind was still caught on their kiss and admitting her love and him not returning the words. “No. I know Weston seems possessive of me, but we’re the best of friends and he’s a great guy. It was only him and his mom growing up, and she died when he was a young teen. He’s protected Jane since we were teenagers, even though the tough football player and now coach watching over a girl who’s ‘slow’ has brought him grief at times. He clings to me and is overly protective of Jane, buthe could never hurt anyone.” She studied him when he didn’t respond. “Did Aiden’s people find something to point fingers at Weston?”

His jaw worked, but he shook his head. “No.”

“Oh, good.” She sighed with relief.

“Instinct tells me he’s our guy.” Brex shrugged. “Unless the deaths were all accidental.”

“I don’t think they were.” But that was all they had, her thinking there was something suspicious. She wanted closure for her and their families, and she wanted to know that Brex was safe and wouldn’t be the next victim.

Silence fell between them.

Brex tilted his head. “Let’s keep hiking. See if we can draw this murderer out.” He gave her a devil-may-care grin that turned her stomach. She loved his bravery and toughness, but it might get him killed.

“Please, Brex.” She put a hand on his arm. “Let’s pray together.”

He shook his head, not meeting her eyes. He turned and started up the path.

Clara hurried after him, bothered he wouldn’t pray with her, concerned he could push away her declaration of love, and terrified that something was going to happen to him. Her heart thumped hard against her rib cage, and the squeamish feeling in her stomach became more pronounced.

Suddenly, Brex stopped. On their right, the smooth cliff still descended hundreds of feet. The view of red rock, cactus, and even palo verde trees would be awe-inspiring—if she wasn’t panicked about him going off that cliff.

Was he going to pray with her? Tell her he loved her too and they’d both lost their minds? Why had he stopped?

“Brex,” she whispered.

He held up a hand and glanced over his shoulder. “I heard something up ahead. Stay here.”

Then he took off at a run. On the dangerous trail.

“Brex! No!”

Clara rushed after him. If it was the murderer, would he or she kill Brex before Clara could get to them? The trail continued to have terrifying drop-offs on her right. She edged toward the safety of the left cliff face and had to slow to a fast walk.

They had never prayed together, and now they were separated. It was just like the other times.

Chills raced over her skin and her stomach tumbled.

No! Please not Brex!

She prayed in her mind, a constant repeat of,Help him!

She heard voices up ahead and her pulse skyrocketed. Brex had found someone. Could it be the murderer? This was a particularly precarious part of the trail. It was thin and slick with dirt and rocks covering the sandstone and the cliffs stretching sharply upward on their left. No handholds or vegetation to cling to. The sheer face was hundreds of feet down on their right.

Cautiously creeping round a corner, holding on to the wall as best she could, she saw Brex. His back was to her, his posture puffed up and threatening. Who did he have cornered against the cliff side? What if that person pushed Brex into the yawning opening to his right? All it would take was one solid shove.

“Brex.” She rushed to him.

He glanced over his shoulder and held up a hand. “Stay back, Clara.”

“Who is it? What’s happening?” She didn’t listen and hurried to peek around his side. “Mrs. Talon?”

Clara could only stare at the forty-something lady. Mrs. Talon was an English teacher and the track coach. Her children were younger than Clara, but she knew them from church. Mrs. Talon was battling breast cancer but loved to explore themountain trails. It was inspiring to see her up here again. Was she recovered from her surgery and treatments?

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