Page 12 of Fractured Memories

Kurtis locked eyes with Felicity and something flashed in the depths of those blue orbs, but before Felicity could determine what, it was gone. He laughed lightly. “Of course. Forgive me, Ranger Capshaw. I’m not good with names or faces.”

“That’s quite all right.” Felicity kept her tone light. “We never officially met when I was younger.”

Melanie drifted to her husband’s side. She wore an expensive linen suit that played off her bronzed skin. Her diamond necklace and wedding band sparkled in the sunlight. She absently wrapped an arm around Kurtis’s waist. “I’m sorry to intrude, but we have plans this afternoon. A golf charity game. Have you asked all the questions you need to?”

Noah stepped forward. “Actually, Mrs. Ferguson, since you were Brooke’s best friend, we’d love to ask some additional questions.”

“Of course.” She smiled politely. “Come by the bank tomorrow morning. I’ll be there.”

“Appreciate it, ma’am.” Noah settled his cowboy hat on his head and then paused. “One last thing, and then we’ll get out of your hair. Where were each of you on the night Brooke was murdered?”

Melanie laughed lightly, although her expression held no sign of mirth. “Excuse me, Detective. Are we suspects?”

“It’s a routine question, ma’am.” Noah shot her a charming smile. “They teach us to ask it in detective school.”

The small joke broke the tension in the room. Everyone chuckled.

Kurtis pulled his wife closer. “Melanie and I were together. We had dinner with my mother and then began watching a movie. I’m embarrassed to say we both fell asleep on the couch and didn’t wake up until the next morning.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m so sorry, but we need to get going. If you think of any other questions, feel free to contact me at my office.”

The couple quickly shook Felicity's and Noah’s hands. The maid appeared out of nowhere and escorted them from the home. Felicity waited until they were back inside the Tahoe before opening her mouth. “That was interesting. Did Kurtis ever mention Melanie being withhim on the night of Brooke’s murder in his initial statement?”

“No. You think he’s trying to shore up his alibi?”

“Possibly.” She cast a glance back at the house. “Or maybe he’s trying to shore up hers.”

NINE

Noah considered Felicity’s observation while driving across town. Could Melanie have been involved in her best friend’s death? She’d been dating Kurtis and he’d readily admitted to being at Brooke’s house earlier that day. Jealousy could be a powerful motive.

And then there was that pesky lipstick-stained glass on Brooke’s end table. He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. “Did you notice Melanie was wearing red lipstick? It sure looked like the same shade from the glass at Brooke’s house.” Noah heard his own statement ring in his ears after he’d spoken aloud. “Gosh, that sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? There must be dozens of women in town that wear red lipstick.”

He glanced at Felicity. Her lips were gorgeous and rose petal pink. Naturally beautiful. She caught his glance, and those lips curved into a smile. “Yes, red is a common shade. It doesn’t mean Melanie killed Brooke. We can’t even prove she was at her house. Brooke wasalso fond of red, although now that I think of it, her color was a more orangey-red.”

He tore his gaze away from the woman in the passenger seat and focused back on the country road. What was he doing thinking about Felicity’s lips? Sometimes, it felt like an alien had taken over his body. Or at least messed with his brain. “I’m hungry. Are you? I know a great fast-food place near here, although I want you to withhold judgment until you’ve tasted the food.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Is it a taco truck? Because the last time I ate from a taco truck you recommended, I was sick for three days with food poisoning. You know what, maybe I should pick the place for lunch?—”

“Calm down. It’s not a taco truck.” He flipped on his blinker and turned into a gas station. Attached to the building was a hamburger joint. A picnic area next to the lake sat invitingly under the shade of an old oak tree. Moss, hanging from the thick branches, drifted in the breeze. “This is the place. It looks dodgy on the outside, but the food is great. Promise.”

Felicity hesitated but then undid her seatbelt. “Okay. Let’s do it.” She jabbed a finger in his direction. “But if this place makes me sick, you have to take care of me and you never—I mean, never—get to pick where we eat again.”

The idea of caring for Felicity when she was sick didn’t bother him one bit. In fact, it made him wonder. Who took care of her? A nasty thought worked its way through his mind. Was she dating someone? Felicity hadn’t said so, but it wasn’t like romantic relationshipswere something they talked about regularly. The idea of another man holding her close… kissing those lips… it sent a bolt of jealousy straight through Noah.

Okay. He was definitely losing it.

He shoved the vehicle into park and quickly got out, circling around to open the door for Felicity, but she’d already exited and was across the parking lot. He jogged after her. The summer heat was tempered by a soft breeze floating through the air. It ruffled the surface of the lake, creating ripples, while dragonflies darted along the shore. After ordering their meals, Felicity sighed with contentment as she settled at the picnic table. “I’d forgotten just how pretty Knoxville is.”

Noah said a quick grace before unwrapping his burger. “Do you miss it?” He hesitated. “Or does the town hold too many unpleasant memories?”

“After Brooke’s murder, being here was hard. But now…” She dragged a fry through her ketchup. “I don’t feel the same. Honestly, I miss it. I’ve made friends, but there’s something special about being around people who knew you when you were young. You, Cassie, Leah. Y’all remind me of a time when life was easy. Fun. I need that.” Her gaze grew distant. “I’ve been lonely since Dad died. He was my only family.”

Noah’s chest squeezed tight. He knew what it was like to be an orphan, but at least he’d had Aunt Imogene. Felicity’s mom left the family right after she was born and died a year later in a boating accident. Her dad had been the one to raise her. Now with him gone, too, she really was on her own. He didn’t want that.

Noah dipped his head until he caught Felicity’s gaze. “You always have a home here. Always. Holidays, weekends, birthdays. You can come here. Aunt Imogene celebrates Puppy Day. She’d be over the moon to throw you a party for any reason. Not to mention Cassie and Leah.”

She dropped her gaze. “That’s nice of you to say, but all of you have families of your own. I don’t want to impose.”

“Whew. I was hoping you’d say that.” Noah shoved a fry in his mouth. “The idea of spending one more Christmas with you makes me want to scream. All those times my parents had you over while your dad was working…” He rolled his eyes. “Very annoying.”

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