Page 14 of Dangerous Lies

Jax stopped his pacing and faced her. “I know, but it still doesn’t add up, Megan. Wesley’s a trained Navy SEAL. Logistically, he would’ve planned for every contingency. He would’ve struck without warning. Wesley wouldn’t have sent dozens of threatening emails beforehand. He certainly wouldn’t have been sloppy enough to drop an incriminating photograph.”

Megan turned that over in her mind and realized there was logic in his arguments. “What are you suggesting? That someone is framing your brother?”

“It sounds farfetched, but it’s the only reasonable explanation.” He planted his hands on the back of her visitor’s chair. “Oliver told you someone was trying to kill him. Then you were run off the road. Right after the accident, when you came clean about what happened, no one believed you. That may have saved your life.”

Goosebumps rose on her arms. She’d had nightmares about Oliver’s killer coming after her. That fear had been a large part of the reason she’d fled Knoxville ten years ago. Still, it didn’t seem reasonable for the killer to come after her now. “I’ve already told the police everything I know. Why send threatening emails and try to kill me ten years later?”

Jax met her gaze. “Because I insisted the case be reopened. As the lead investigator, Noah has been reviewing the evidence. He believed your version of events and wanted to pursue new suspects.”

Shock rendered her speechless. She’d prayed someone in law enforcement would believe her, that Oliver’s actual killer would be caught, but it never seemed likely. Coupled with the gossip and rumors running through town about her… well, Megan hadn’t been sure she’d had any friends at all. Emotion clogged her throat. “Noah believed me?”

Jax nodded. “He argued with me the night you came to the police station to tell us about the emails.” His gaze dropped from hers and landed on the Bible, still sitting on her desk. “He vouched for you as a friend. Said you were honorable and good. He also told me that if you’d caused Oliver’s death, you would’ve taken responsibility for it. Even if it meant prison time.”

Megan was almost struck dumb by the knowledge that Noah had defended her. She’d left that night thinking no one cared. She’d been wrong. And it was a relief to realize her own assessment of Noah as a person and a law enforcement officer had been right.

Maybe she could trust her instincts after all.

“He’s right.” Megan waited until Jax’s gaze lifted to hers and then continued, “I would’ve taken responsibility. I know it’s not hard evidence or solid proof, but I hope you believe me.”

Once again, he studied her expression and then he nodded. “I do. And I’m sorry. If I hadn’t insisted that you were guilty of negligent homicide, Noah might’ve figured out you were telling the truth earlier and expanded the investigation. If I’d been more open-minded… shoot, if I’d just stayed out of Noah’s way and let him do his job…” Heat crept into his cheeks. “We wouldn’t be here now.”

Megan couldn’t let him take all the blame. He was stubborn, yes, but he was also grieving the loss of his brother. And her initial lies had made her an unreliable witness. She shook her head. “No, Jax. We both made mistakes. The question is how do we move forward from here? Do you really think Oliver’s killer is coming after me now?”

“You’re a witness, Megan. A loose end. And like I said, Noah was prepared to pursue new leads. I don’t know if the killer knows that, or if he was just scared. But I think Oliver’s murderer will do anything to ensure he stays out of prison.” His jaw hardened. “And whoever it is hates my family enough to frame Wesley for the crime.”

“So the emails… the photograph…”

“They’re a ruse designed to send the police on a wild goose chase after my brother.”

Megan’s mind whirled. She didn’t want to believe that someone could be diabolical enough to create such an elaborate scheme, but the man who’d attacked her was smart and daring. Could Jax be right? A chill raced down her spine.

She fought against her emotions, approaching the situation from a logical perspective. “Whoever is behind this would have to know Wesley was planning a trip.” She paused. “Unless you think…” She didn’t want to put words to the horrifying notion that’d popped into her mind.

Jax shook his head. “No, I don’t think the killer has attacked Wesley. A few people in town knew he was taking a trip, and there’s no sign of a struggle in his house. Clothes, camping equipment, fishing gear, and his rifle are missing from his house. His truck and boat are also gone. More than likely, he’s in the wilderness somewhere, completely unaware that someone is framing him for murder.”

Megan let out the breath she’d been holding. “Well, that’s a relief. Wesley doesn’t have a cell?”

“He has a satellite phone, which he left turned off and sitting in his house.” He scraped a hand through his hair. “Wesley is used to being out of touch with our family for extended periods of time while on deployment. This isn’t the first time he’s gone dark since returning home. Before it was always an annoyance. Now, it’s a serious problem.”

Worry radiated from him. Megan circled the desk, the natural need to comfort a hurting person instinctive. “He’ll come back. And once he talks to Chief Garcia, this whole thing will be cleared up.”

“Not necessarily. Wesley is in the middle of nowhere by himself. He won’t have a verifiable alibi.” Jax breathed out. “That’s why I need your help.”

“What can I do?”

Before Jax could answer, Megan’s cell phone rang. The special ringtone for her grandfather was exceedingly loud in the quiet office. “Excuse me.” She crossed back to the desk, snatching up the device right before the call went to voicemail. “Hi, Pops.”

“Thank God! Where are you, Megan?”

“I’m still at the office.” Her heart rate jumped at the controlled panic in her grandfather’s voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Hold on.”

His voice was muffled as he covered the phone and exchanged words with someone else. Megan could hear Nana speaking in the background. It sounded like they were coordinating something. “Pops, what’s going on? Is Nana okay?” Her grandmother’s health had been fragile since her bout with pneumonia a few months ago. “Pops?”

Her voice must’ve betrayed her growing sense of urgency, because Jax rose. He crossed the room on long strides. She met his questioning gaze and shook her head to show she didn’t know what was happening. He placed a reassuring hand on her arm. His touch was warm and grounding.

“Pops, answer me.” Her tone was sharp, so unlike the normal way she spoke to her grandfather, but Megan was struggling to keep the panic at bay.

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