Page 19 of Long Road Home

Theo’s expression shuttered, but she caught a slight curve of his lips.

“Never mind.” Alonzo shook his head. “I’m sure it’ll turn up.”

They shared a look, and neither said anything else.

That’s what I thought.

These two men had some deep secrets, and they weren’t about to share them with her—or anyone else. She wondered if their wives even knew. That could be why both women hadreacted the way they did about being kept in the dark over Marion. Maybe they were entirely too used to secrets. Or felt they should’ve let their husbands know their lives might be in danger going to book club.

Kenna didn’t like the implication that she’d been prideful about keeping them safe, but it seemed to be coming up a lot lately. The time she’d spent in Mexico had stripped her strength and control down to nothing, and she’d finally surrendered to God. But this was the real test. Back in her normal life—where she liked to call the shots and fall back on her abilities and her strength—that was the proving ground. Could she live a life that represented the choice she’d made to be a Christian, or would she trip and fall at the first obstacle?

She could figure that out pretty quickly, but it could also be a lifelong journey.

I’d rather this didn’t take years to settle. If I get a vote.

“Heard about the arrest you made,” Alonzo said. “Big deal, so good job saving that girl.”

“Thanks.” Kenna grabbed a chair from a nearby table and sat with her boot on one knee so her bent leg touched the end of the table and she faced the two men. As she moved, she’d clocked Betty, who sat at the counter, drinking a cup of tea and talking to the waitress behind the bar. “Neither of you has to worry about being implicated anymore.”

Alonzo eyed her. “We’re not paying you.”

“This isn’t about money.”

Theo made ahuhsound. “She means that.”

Alonzo said, “Interesting.”

“So who is the person that might want this book of yours?” Kenna asked. “I can have my assistant locate them. Make sure they’re nowhere near here. That should take some of the worry out of it.”

“I’m not worried.” Theo didn’t meet her gaze.

Alonzo sat stiffly. “It’s just a whole lot of old information that wouldn’t mean anything to a young broad like you. We’ll find it.”

“Right.” Kenna nodded. If they wanted to give her the person’s name, they would. Or one of them would contact her later and do it on their own. She didn’t particularly need another case right now, but some simple legwork wasn’t out of the question. What she should do was ask them about Forrest’s family and if they knew anything about the accident.

Were either of these two men the person who had left the note on Forrest’s door?

Kenna set that worry aside for another second. “Would you rather I asked you where you had it last?” That was what her father always said:Where were you when you had it last?Most times retracing her steps did help locate something she’d lost.

Theo stared at Alonzo.

The mobster looking man with the pinkie ring lifted his chin. “Inside a hollowed-out book on my shelf.”

“Could Charlayne have moved it?” Kenna suggested.

Alonzo shook his head.

“Anyone been through that room?” She paused. “Workmen, contractors, or the cable guy? A guest who visited, and it seemed odd. Anything like that?”

Alonzo’s dark brows drew together. “Huh.”

At the least it gave him some trees to shake.Good.Figuring that might be enough for now, she switched up her line of questioning. “Can I ask the two of you about the accident that took the lives of Forrest Crosby’s husband and son?”

Theo shrugged.

Alonzo sat quietly.

“Did you ever have reason to believe the accident wasanything other than exactly that?” she pressed. “Driver error, or mechanical failure, or a tragic combination?”

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