Page 11 of Crossroads of Betrayal
Grace’s words of absolution closed his windpipe and he coughed to clear his airway. No matter the hostility and bad-feelings that simmered between them, Grace’s belief in who he was as a person meant more to him than he wanted it to.
“I didn’t say he did. I said I may have more questions at a later date.”
“I’ve got nothing to hide.” He couldn’t help the way his gaze stayed on Grace as he spoke. In that moment, his mind was made. “I’ll answer any questions any time. I’m not going anywhere.”
Grace widened her eyes before turning and stomping away.
She could go…this time. But unlike before, he’d fight to the death to get the answers he needed.
CHAPTERFIVE
Grace shifted her stance with the light breeze as she aimed her bow at the target on the opposite side of the lawn. Keeping a firm grip on the smooth, curved wood, she focused her mind and drew back her elbow then released a small breath as she let the arrow fly.
Thunk.
She pulled another arrow from the quiver on her back, the long feathers tickling her hand. Archery required discipline and concentration. Two things that allowed her to focus on the moment and forced her to leave her troubles for another time. Repeating the same motions, she let another arrow go.
Thunk.
“Nice shot.” Brooke emerged from a cluster of trees at the edge of the cleared-out field. “I thought you might be here.”
She let her bow dangle at her side. “I figured you’d be up to your neck cleaning this mess.”
Brooke’s long, brown hair ran down her back, exhaustion clear in the circles under her eyes. “I just got done talking with the coroner. Tessa’s death has been officially ruled suspicious.”
The news wasn’t a surprise, but it still hit her like a sucker punch in the gut. “What happens next?” Brooke might be the owner of Crossroads Mountain Retreat but her previous years of experience as a police officer would give her insight into how this process worked.
“Lincoln and Cruz will head up the investigation. Do more interviews with everyone who was on the camping trip. Dig into Tessa’s background. Chances that whoever tossed her over the cliff isn’t a guest is low, but it’s always possible.”
The familiar pangs of guilt ricocheted off her ribs. “I shouldn’t have gone to bed. Keeping everyone safe was my responsibility. On these trips, I always make sure I’m the last to turn in. If I would have done that, none of this would have happened.”
“Why’d you go to sleep?”
Grace kicked at the dirt and avoided Brooke’s questioning gaze. No judgement coated her words, just curiosity and concern. She’d never opened up about her past to anyone—Brooke included—but maybe now was time to let down a little of her guard. “I was upset by one of the guests.”
Brooke frowned. “Could that person be responsible for what happened to Tessa?”
Tension beat against her temples. “Listen, there’s a lot you don’t know about me, and a lot I don’t want to get into right now. But the guest who showed up yesterday before we left, Zeke, we were together. A long time ago.”
“What?” Brooke’s eyes flew wide. “Did he come here for you? Did you know he’d been injured? Wait a second…he’s the one who was last seen with Tessa, right?”
Grace pinched the bridge of her nose. This was why she kept everything locked deep inside. One tidbit of information led to more questions she didn’t want to answer. But in this situation, she had to give all the details she could so the police had a full picture of what happened.
“Yes, he talked to Tessa last night. Alone by the cliff where she either fell or was shoved.”
“And he’s the reason you went to sleep early instead of staying up like you usually do?”
Grace nodded. “I let my emotions get the best of me. I was caught off guard. Upset and, even though I hate to admit it, jealous seeing the two of them together. So I called it a night.”
“Did you tell Lincoln any of this?”
“No. I was busy calming everyone down and preparing for the hike back. I gave Lincoln the bare bones. I’ll tell him anything else he wants to know.”
“Are you all right?”
Grace glanced up at the white clouds dotting the blue sky and her chest threatened to split down the center. “I haven’t been all right in a long time. This certainly doesn’t help.”
“I respect your need for space and privacy and all that bullshit, but I’m here for you like I’m here for everyone else. Tell me what you need from me.”
