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She’d learned long ago that help often came from unexpected places. “I don’t think there are grounds for an attempted murder charge, if that’s what you mean.”
    She let him know by the tone of her voice that there was more, and he didn’t miss the inflection.
    Standing with his legs spread a shoulder width apart, he folded his arms. “Somehow I’m getting the impression I’m not completely off the hook.”
    Allie sat on the edge of her desk. “Not quite.”
    The shuttered look returned to his face but not before Allie saw a hint of the underlying weariness she’d occasionally noticed before. “Feel free to explain anytime,” he said.
    â€œShe says you killed your stepfather.”
    He seemed unaffected. “A lot of people say that.”
    â€œShe’s claiming you admitted it to her.” Allie clasped her hands together, knowing, if he was innocent, how terrible Beth Ann’s words must feel. “She just signed a statement to that effect,” she added gently.
    Allie had thought he’d get angry and holler, as he had about the pregnancy that might or might not be real. But he just stared at her—or, more accurately, stared through her.
    â€œI didn’t confess anything,” he told her at last.
    â€œThat doesn’t mean you’re innocent of the murder,” she said, to gauge his reaction.
    His chest lifted and fell again. “It doesn’t prove the opposite, either.”
    Allie’s question hadn’t rattled him into revealing morethan he wanted to. She could tell by his response that he already knew Beth Ann’s statement wasn’t as incriminating as his enemies would like to think. So she played it straight. “What’s really going on? Is she out to get you?”
    â€œOf course. And she’s not the only one.”
    â€œThat’s the problem, isn’t it?” she said. “Fortunately, I intend to discover the truth.”
    He picked up the picture of Whitney, which she kept on her desk. “What I’ve heard is true, then?”
    â€œWhat have you heard?”
    â€œThat you’re determined to find out what happened to my missing stepfather.”
    She waited until he looked back at her to answer. “Madeline has requested my help. We’ve known each other since high school, socialized a bit in the past. I’d like to bring her some closure, if I can.”
    He returned the photograph to her desk. “Madeline still believes her father is alive.”
    â€œWhat do you believe?” she asked.
    â€œI believe nineteen years is a long time. It won’t be easy to find anything.”
    Was that wishful thinking on his part? Or was he merely stating a fact? “I’ve solved older cases.”
    â€œI’m guessing those cases had some forensic evidence. There is no evidence here. Plenty of other people have tried to find it and failed, including your father.”
    â€œI have tools the police didn’t possess back then.”
    â€œThat’s hopeful,” he said, but the slight twist to his mouth made Allie wonder if he was being sarcastic.
    â€œIf your stepfather’s dead, wouldn’t you like to see his killer brought to justice?” she asked.
    The expression on his face gave nothing away. “I’m all for justice,” he said, his voice completely deadpan.
    Â 
    â€œWhat are you doing, waking me up so early? It’s barely seven!”
    Only five foot two—but with a bustline to rival Dolly Parton’s—Clay’s mother hid behind the door of her little duplex, which she’d recently begun to redecorate. It was becoming so cluttered with new rugs and furniture, paintings and knickknacks, Clay couldn’t help worrying that others would soon suspect what he already knew. Irene obviously wasn’t buying such expensive items with the money she made working at the dress shop. She told everyone