Page 23 of Dangerous Lies

All the more reason it was important to find the drone today.

Jason Gonzalez strolled down the side yard along the tree line. Scars crisscrossed the former Marine’s left cheek, remnants of an IED explosion that had killed the rest of his unit. At his side was his trusted German shepherd, Connor. The dog had a beautiful black and brown coat, but like his master, scars cut along his left side. Connor was also former military, a retired bomb detection dog.

“Everything okay?” Jax asked as they drew closer.

“No signs of trouble.” Jason adjusted the ski cap covering his dark hair until it protected the tops of his ears. “Nathan is monitoring the front part of the property. We’ll switch shifts in an hour with Walker and Logan.”

Nathan Hollister was a former Green Beret. Married with a daughter, he owned a ranch that also operated as a horse rescue. Walker Montgomery also owned a ranch and his wife, Hayley, worked at the police department. Logan Keller was a paramedic. The former Army medic had been on duty last night and had given Megan an exam to make sure she wasn’t suffering from any lingering effects of hypothermia after her dip in the lake.

“Can’t tell you how much I appreciate y’all being here.” Jax scratched Connor behind the ears. The dog’s tongue lolled out in happiness.

“No need to thank us. We’re happy to do it.” Jason’s gaze went to the police boats out on the water. “No one should be hunted down and threatened.” His gaze swung back to Jax. “You should know, I’ve tried reaching out to your brother several times since he’s come home. Wesley wasn’t interested in joining our informal support group. For some guys, even among fellow soldiers, opening up can be hard.”

Jax sighed. “He’s stubborn. And far too independent.”

“That’s the impression I got too. He’s suffering from PTSD, but I never had the impression it was out of control. Being out in the wilderness, connecting with nature… that seemed to be his version of therapy.” Jason’s mouth flattened into a thin line. “It’s not my place to say, and I don’t have any inside information, but from a personal standpoint, I’d find it difficult to believe Wesley was behind this.”

A knot of tension unfurled in Jax. It was nice to hear that someone outside of the situation had the same assessment of Wesley. “Thank you for saying that.”

The sound of a vehicle turning in the driveway caught Jax’s attention. It was a Knoxville Police Department SUV. Noah and Dawson emerged. Jax lifted his hand in a wave as he jogged across the yard to meet them. “They haven’t found the drone yet. Still looking.”

“We aren’t here about that.” Noah looked weary, deep lines bracketing his mouth. “It’s Zeke Russell. Where’s Megan?”

Dread curled inside Jax. He didn’t like the look on Noah’s face. Whatever his colleague had come to say, it wasn’t good. “She’s inside.” Jax’s gaze darted to Dawson, who also wore a grim expression. “What’s going on?”

“It’s better if we speak to you together,” Noah answered. “I have some follow-up questions anyway.”

Worry fueling his steps, Jax led them into the house. The scent of vanilla and butter hung heavy in the air. Chatter and music spilled from the kitchen. He pointed to the living room and said, “I’ll get Megan.” Jax’s strides were long as he crossed the dining room, even as his mind whirled with possibilities.

He rounded the corner and stopped short. Megan stood at the island in the center. A caramel-colored sweater highlighted the reddish tones in her blonde hair and clung to her slender form. Mid-laugh, her eyes sparkled with humor and her cheeks were flushed with the heat from the oven. And when she noticed him in the doorway, her smile widened.

Jax stared at her, mesmerized. Had he ever seen her like this? Happy and carefree? Their previous interactions had always been so fraught with tension, and since the attacks, worry had entrenched itself in her features. So no, he didn’t think he’d ever seen her like this.

It stole his breath.

Megan was an objectively beautiful woman, but happiness enhanced her beauty, making her radiant. His pulse skipped a beat. Unsettled by his reaction, he tried to tell her that Noah and Dawson were here, but the words died on his lips. Jax couldn’t quite bring himself to ruin the happy moment she’d found. Not after everything she’d been through the last few days.

“Jax!” Megan used a spatula to lift a cookie from a baking tray. “Perfect timing. Settle a debate between Nana and I. Should walnuts be included in chocolate chip cookies or not?”

Rose smiled from her station at the mixing bowl. Her eyebrows drew down into a mock scowl, but a smile played on her lips. “May I remind you, I’m the expert in the room. Walnuts donotbelong in chocolate chip cookies. I’m sure Jax will agree with me.”

He held up his hands in mock surrender. It seemed dangerous to step into this debate. “Walnuts or no walnuts, if it’s a chocolate chip cookie, count me in. Actually, any cookie will do.” He winked at Megan. “Although I do like nuts.”

“Ha!” She pointed her spatula at her grandmother. “I told you!”

Nana maturely stuck out her tongue, which made Jax laugh. Knowing that Noah and Dawson were waiting in the other room should’ve been at the forefront of his mind, but it was nice to disappear into the joyful kitchen and forget about the problems plaguing them for a minute or two more.

Jax scanned the cookies covering the counter. “It looks like you’re baking for an army.”

“It’s for the Special Forces. We’ll send some home with Jason and Nathan when they leave.” Megan scooped another cookie off the tray. “We also baked extra for the police department. It doesn’t come close to thanking them for everything they’re doing, but I wanted to let them know how much I appreciate their hard work.”

It was a sweet and unnecessary gesture, but it summed up everything Jax was learning about Megan. She was considerate and unfailingly kind. How could he have ever thought she’d killed his brother and then tried to avoid responsibility for it? Noah had been right. It wasn’t in her nature. In the past, drugs might’ve made her a different person, one he wouldn’t recognize, but this Megan… she wasn’t capable of what he’d accused her of.

It made what he had to say next all that much harder. Jax drew in a breath. “Megan, I’m sorry, but Noah and Dawson are here. They’re waiting in the living room to speak to us about Zeke. I don’t think they’ve found him yet, and they need to ask some more questions.”

It was painful to see the happiness melt from her pretty features, replaced by worry and concern. The flush in her cheeks faded and her mouth flattened. “Nana, can you make a fresh pot of coffee? I’m sure Noah and Dawson would like some.”

With deliberate movements, she untied her apron and slipped it off before squaring her shoulders. Jax admired the way she shifted into battle mode. None of this was easy. He was a police officer with decades of experience, and even his emotions were riding a roller coaster. He couldn’t imagine what it must be like for her.

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