Page 197 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“I’m not sure what kind of testimony I’m having. I’m not being honest with anyone, and it’s grating on me.”

“I wondered if the Holy Spirit would let you get by with half truths.”

“You think I should reveal who I am?”

“God always honors truth. I know you feel the danger will be more if your identity is known, but sometimes you just have to do what’s right and trust God with the outcome.”

Heat flooded Becca’s cheeks. “I’m being a coward, aren’t I?” Just like being fearful of praying for her meal that first night. Some witness she was. Still, she shuddered at the thought of everyone’s reaction. “I’ll tell the truth tonight at dinner.”

“That’s up to you, Becca. But I think it would be the right thing to do.” Her grandmother squeezed Becca’s hand then sat back in her chair. “Now about Tate. I think he feels no one takes him seriously, that he has failed in so many arenas he doesn’t deserve any respect. So he drowns his own feelings of worthlessness in the bottle. He has so much potential if he’d just let God use it.”

“What about Shayna? She seems to love him.”

“I think she does, but she’s fed up with his drinking and shiftless life.”

“She seems to bury her dissatisfaction in shopping.”

Gram nodded. “Poor child grew up with only one outfit each year, which she wore to school every day. I think she’s determined never to let anyone pity her again.”

Becca was certainly getting an eye-opening view of her relatives. “And Nick?”

Gram spread her fingers out palm up. “What can I say about Nick? He and Max are close, but I think they both envy the other.”

“What do you mean?”

“Their mother didn’t stay long with Nick’s dad either and took off when Nick was five. She doesn’t so much as call on his birthday, but she recently began contacting Max again. So they both think their mom loved the other one best.”

“Why Max and not Nick?”

Gram frowned. “I think he looks too much like his dad.”

Becca’s sympathies stirred. “Poor Nick.”

Gram gave her a sharp look. “Be careful of wearing your heart on your sleeve. Nick is the type who might take advantage of you.”

“He wants me to go to dinner with him.”

“He might be fun as a friend, but no more. He’s not ready to settle down so be careful.”

“What about Max? Is he good fun?”

“Max is salt of the earth. The things he endured with Laura would make your hair curl. But he stuck by her.”

“He doesn’t like me much.”

“I think he likes you more than he wants to,” was all Gram said.

So many undercurrents. How did she start to unravel everyone’s true motives? Becca liked all the house’s inhabitants. She didn’t think any of them would be capable of murder. Maybe everyone else was right, and she was wrong. As Jake was prone to point out, she wasn’t known for her common sense.

“Why the long face?” Gram asked.

“I was just wondering if I should give up. Maybe you’re right, and it really was an accident.”

“You follow your heart, my dear. You’ll know when you’re satisfied with what you’ve discovered.”

Misty rubbed up against Becca’s leg, and Becca picked her up and cuddled her.

“I’m surprised Max allowed you to bring your cat. He despises them.”

---