Page 29 of Crossroads of Betrayal
Tucker winced. “Damn. That’s bad. But Brooke’s on top of things, so why do you want my advice?”
“How do I figure out who’s responsible for Tessa’s death?”
Tucker frowned. “Why’d you want to do that? Lincoln and Cruz are working the case. They’ll get to the bottom of things.”
She wrinkled her nose, preparing herself for something she dreaded—being vulnerable. “Lincoln has made it pretty clear he’s suspicious of Zeke. I have faith he’ll get to the truth eventually, but Zeke’s name shouldn’t be dragged through the mud in the meantime. Not when he’s here for a reason, which is to focus on himself and healing. Not fending off gossip and hiding from everyone’s prying eyes.”
“And you’re helping him focus on himself?”
Dropping her gaze to the floor, she fought not to squirm under Tucker’s gaze. She could lie, but what was the point? She’d already opened up to Tucker, and he’d seen her storm into Zeke’s cabin and bark her insistence he was innocent of any wrongdoing. Tucker wasn’t an idiot. He had to know something was between her and Zeke, even if he wasn’t aware of the full extent of their connection. “I’m doing the best I can.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you show such an interest in any of the guests before.”
She grimaced. “Listen, Zeke and I have a complicated history. I’ve made some mistakes, and those mistakes have cost him a lot. I don’t want to see him in any more pain if I can help it. That means clearing his name as quickly as possible. So as a former police officer, do you have any advice on how he and I can hurry along this investigation?”
Tucker nodded. “Okay. I don’t know a lot of what’s going on with the case. Lincoln and Cruz are strict about keeping confidential details confidential.”
She laughed at the irritated way he admitted his friends were good cops.
“If I were in charge, I’d focus my attention on the people who were on the camping trip. Search for motive. Find out if anyone knew the victim or had any prior contact with her before she got here.”
“Makes sense. I even got out my files of each of the campers to see if I noticed anything.”
“Good thinking, but chances are you won’t spy something the police haven’t already. If I were you, I’d think outside of the box a little. Look into Tessa’s past. Why is she here? What’s her family life like? Was she involved in any cases that would cause someone to seek her out? You and I both know in these types of situations, the person responsible could be the last one you’d expect.”
“Or right under our nose,” she said, thinking back to some of the past nightmares that had consumed the people she was closest with at Crossroads Mountain Retreat.
“Good point.”
“Thanks for the chat. I better get going.”
Tucker straightened the plastic jars he’d just filled with dog treats then wiped his hands on his thighs. “Anytime.”
She offered him a smile then turned to find Zeke.
“And Grace…”
She glanced back at Tucker, brows raised.
“If you’re really concerned about Zeke, don’t let him get sucked up in something he can’t control. No matter what else is going on, your job is still to help him with his issues. Don’t forget that.”
Heading for the door, Tucker’s words rang like an annoying bell of truth in her brain. She owed Zeke a lot more than just helping him find the best way to find healing, and finally admitting that to herself loosened the boulder wedged in the pit of her stomach for far too long.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Zeke walked along the lake shore with Ruby by his side. Lunch with Grace had left him with more questions than answers, and as much as he craved being in her company, it sent sparks of anger and betrayal shooting through him. He wasn’t sure if he bought her excuse of wanting to find Tessa’s killer in order to get rid of him, but he needed to take advantage of whatever time she gave him.
Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Penelope was right. He hadn’t moved on from Grace for a reason, and maybe he never would if he couldn’t get her to open up about what went wrong between them.
Appearing on the horizon, Grace waved a hand. The wind whipped around her dark hair, lifting the ends and making them dance.
His fingers itched to brush away the strands. To touch her soft skin and fall right back into the easy pattern they’d established when they’d first met.
But that would never happen. Whatever had been easy for them had morphed into an unrelenting bitterness.
He waited for her to approach before continuing his lap around the lake—not like he’d make it all the way around. The glassy body of water was far too big, the land on the opposite side too rugged to venture through without the proper equipment. But he liked watching the tiny ripples lap along the smooth pebbles on the shore, the subtle movement causing the reflection of the mountains to morph and shift on the surface.
Catching up, she fell into step beside him, her hooded stare set on the water. “It really is beautiful out here.”
