Path of Secrets E-Book

D.F. Hart

• Herausgeber: 2 of Harts Publishing
• Kategorie: Krimi
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

Sometimes the road less traveled contains monsters…
Grant Forrester is living his lifelong dream.
He’s finally become a respected voice as the Arts and Entertainment writer for The Best of Texas, the state’s premier magazine. Through him, hundreds of thousands of readers discover the hidden treasures of rich history Texas has to offer.
He has it all… including a trail of bodies left in his wake…
FBI Profiler Nathan Thomas and his team must follow the clues that directly contradict Grant’s claims of innocence to get to the truth.
Is Grant Forrester really also an innocent victim – or a serial killer hiding in plain sight?

Vital Secrets is a suspenseful crime thriller series chronicling FBI profiler Nathan Thomas and his team's cases, who capture serial killers while also juggling their personal and professional lives. While each suspenseful, riveting title in this series can be read as a standalone, readers will find maximum enjoyment if these full-length books are read in order - because while there are no cliffhangers, there is character growth over the series. If you enjoy the works of Elle Gray, Mary Burton, Lucinda Berry, Melinda Leigh and Pete Zacharias, the Vital Secrets series should make for a very enjoyable read!

Path of Secrets is perfect for readers who enjoy fast-paced, action-filled crime thriller novels that are brimming with unexpected twists and turns and feature FBI profilers.

Leseprobe

Path of Secrets

Book Four of the Vital Secrets Series

Table of Contents

Title Page

Path of Secrets: A Suspenseful Crime Thriller (Vital Secrets, #4)

The Vital Secrets Series

COPYRIGHT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Author’s Note:

Buy Carnival of Secrets!

D.F. Hart

A Collaboration with

K. W. Branzell

The Vital Secrets Series

Wall of Secrets (prequel)

Book of Secrets

List of Secrets

Web of Secrets

Path of Secrets

Carnival of Secrets

House of Secrets

End of Secrets – Spring 2022

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COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2020 by D.F. Hart

Library of Congress Control Number: PENDING

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-952008-05-4

eBook 978-1-952008-04-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

––––––––

Custom Cover Design commissioned for D.F. Hart’s Vital Secrets Series by:

Rocking Book Covers

Published 10/30/2020 by 2 Of Harts Publishing

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To my fabulous collaborator K.W. Branzell, who gets in the zone when she’s researching interesting ways to kill (and who, as a result, I really, truly hope I never make mad at me – Love you, Mom!).

And a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the friendly and knowledgeable staff that I met while visiting locations along the Texas Forts Trail. Thanks to you, the spectacular backdrops for this story’s events are historically accurate:

Conner, at Fort Richardson

Brent, at Fort Chadbourne

Brenda Lee, at Fort Concho, and

Kevin, at Fort McKavett.

Warm Regards,

D.F. Hart

PROLOGUE

He was summoned to his Editor-in-Chief’s office on Friday, November sixteenth.

“Have a seat, son. This shouldn’t take long,” the gray-haired gentleman said, indicating the chair across the desk from him.

“Yes, sir,” Grant Forrester, a copy editor at The Best of Texas! magazine, replied as he settled in to listen.

“Grant, I’ll get right to the point. I like the pitch you made,” the editor began, looking at Grant over his reading glasses. “Not only do I think it’s a hell of an idea to keep our readership growing, I know for a fact that only one person in this whole place has the passion – the drive – to pull this off.”

“Yes, sir,” Grant replied. “And they’re going to need all my notes about it, aren’t they, sir?”

“Nope,” the editor said, and smiled. “No need to hand your notes over.”

“But, sir, they’re going to need...”

A raised hand cut off Grant’s comments.

“No, son, I don’t believe you’re following me here,” the editor chuckled. “I’m trying to tell you I’m promoting you, Grant. I want you to be the new Arts and Entertainment columnist, and I want you to take this ‘Experience the Texas Fort Trails’ idea of yours and run with it.”

Grant was momentarily stunned but recovered quickly. “Thank you, sir; I’ve been hoping for an opportunity like this.”

“I know you have, and you deserve it, Grant. So,” his boss said, “where are you going to start?”

“I think the ‘Christmas at Fort Concho’ event in San Angelo would be ideal, sir. It starts the Monday after Thanksgiving.”

“Well, then, I guess you’d better make some travel plans, Grant. Congratulations, son. I look forward to reading your articles,” the editor told him as he stood and extended his hand.

It’s really happening. After four years in the trenches, I’m finally getting a chance to be a features columnist for the most prestigious magazine in the state! Grant thought to himself as he left the big boss’s office. And I don’t intend to waste it.

By the time I’m through, everyone in Texas will know my name.

CHAPTER ONE

By noon Saturday, the last box had been loaded into the moving truck, and the ‘For Sale’ sign was already prominently displayed in the yard.

“Should we take one last look around, make sure we didn’t miss anything?” Donny suggested, and Lizzie nodded.

“Good idea. I’ll take downstairs, you handle upstairs?”

He grinned. “Meet you back here at the front door.”

Elizabeth Zimmerman, former Seattle detective, was embarking on a new chapter of her career. She’d been accepted into the FBI Academy, and once she completed the five-month program, she already knew where she would be assigned – in Dallas, as part of BAU Agent Nathan Thomas’ team.

She walked slowly through each room downstairs, looking in each drawer, gazing at each shelf, making sure she’d packed up everything of value to her.

Strange, she mused. I’ve lived here most of my adult life. You’d think I’d be more upset about leaving.

But she wasn’t.

Ever since she’d caught her ex-fiancé cheating on her three years earlier – not just under her own roof, but in her own bed - she’d felt no emotional attachment to this place. Quite the opposite, in fact. The structure had felt more like a prison, a heavy ponderous chain tying her to a hurtful past.

I hope whoever owns it next has happier times here, Lizzie told herself as she finished checking the rooms and returned to the front door to wait for Donny.

As he came down the stairs toward her, she couldn’t help but smile. Donny Atherton, my boyfriend, her brain echoed, and her smile grew bigger.

They’d started off sharing a heartbreaking commonality - being involved with someone who turned out to be anything but stable. Lizzie and Donny had started to spend time together, beginning with the day they’d both had to testify in court about their experiences. A solid friendship had grown from their shared tragedy, and recently the friendship had become much, much more.

And now? Now, I cannot imagine life without him, Lizzie thought to herself, and sighed happily. If someone had told me three years ago that I would be this happy, I’d have said they were nuts.

“What?” he asked her as he stepped down to the living room floor and moved toward her.

“Honestly?”

“Always.”

“Just thinking how funny it is that things worked out the way they did,” she confessed. “I was determined to just... focus on work, and that’s it. I was done with relationships, determined to be by myself, if only out of spite.”

“And now?” he smirked as he put his arms around her.

“Now, I’m so glad I was wrong,” Lizzie answered, and kissed him. “You ready?”

“Yep,” Donny said. “We just need to get your SUV hooked up on the tow dolly. Other than that, I believe we’re ready to go.”

They stepped outside and Lizzie locked the door for the last time, then pulled the housekey off of her keyring.

“Here goes,” she said, and using the code the realtor had given her, opened the lockbox and placed the key inside, then closed the lockbox again.

Ten minutes later, they had her SUV connected securely, and they both climbed up into the cab of the moving truck.

“You grabbed it, right?” he asked, and she chuckled.

“You bet I did,” Lizzie answered, holding up the mini cooler and the bag of snacks they’d selected for the road trip. “What would you like first?”

***

“I’m thinking have everyone over here,” Bella Thomas pondered out loud as she, Nathan and Charlie had lunch. “You think Jandy would mind? I know she normally hosts Thanksgiving.”

Nathan shrugged. “I honestly don’t think she’d mind. But there’s only one way to know, and that’s ask her.”

Bella scooped up her cell phone to call her sister-in-law, then shrieked as it rang in her hand.

“Hey sis,” she began. “Your timing is awesome. I was just about to call you.”

“Hey,” Jandy said, breathless and upset.

Bella immediately noticed her tone. “What’s wrong?”

“Our house is gone.”

“What? Hang on a second, let me put you on speaker,” Bella replied, and did just that. “Okay, what do you mean your house is gone?”

“I put a roast in the oven this morning, to cook all day like I usually do. Then I left to go run some errands. I was gone two hours, tops. When I got back, the house was on fire, guys,” she managed. “Thick black smoke everywhere. There are four fire trucks out here trying to put it out as we speak. But from the looks of things, our home is a total loss.”

“Was anyone hurt?” Bella asked.

“No, thank God,” Jandy said. “The kids are off doing their own thing and Tony’s at work.”

“How can we help?” Nathan asked.

“Oh, honey, I have no idea right now,” came the answer over the speaker.

“I do,” Bella piped up. “You can plan on coming here and staying as long as you need to. We have two bedrooms ready and waiting. You and Tony can take one, and the kids can take the other.”

“It will most likely just be me and Tony,” Jandy told them. “Lauren and Jordan have already said they’re going back to campus on Friday anyway, and they haven’t spent a single night at home so far – they’ve been hanging out with their friends.”

“Do you need us to come help with anything?”

“Not at the moment,” she said, and Nathan was glad to hear she sounded a bit more like her usual self. “Once I get the all-clear from the fire department, I’ll be able to go in and see if anything can be salvaged. But like I said, I’m pretty sure nothing is left.”

“Well, if you change your mind on that part, all you have to do is tell us,” Nathan told her. “Just know, it could be a day or two before they let you in there.”

His big sister sighed.

“I know,” she answered. “Tony and I will be at your house later, probably around seven. And thanks, guys.”

“No need to thank us, sis,” Bella said warmly. “This is family. This is what we do. See you tonight. And when you get here, we’ll have dinner, and start brainstorming a battle plan, all right?”

A loud sniffle, then, “You chose well, Nathan. I love you both to pieces. See you tonight.”

***

Joe Wallace smoothed down his hair and straightened his tie in the mirror, then checked his watch. Six o’clock. Almost time to go pick up Trish for our date.

They’d been seeing each other for over eight months, both seemingly content to keep a slow and steady pace.

Until recently, that is.

He checked his appearance one last time, and before he left his house, he made sure that the delicate engagement ring he planned to propose with was safely tucked away in the breast pocket of his suit jacket.

Here goes nothing, he thought, and walked with purpose out to his car.

***

Lizzie and Donny made a fuel and food stop in Pendleton, Oregon before continuing their trip to the southeast.

Not too long before they got to Boise, Donny looked over and asked, “Where would you like to stop for the night?’

“You mean we’re not going to attempt to drive straight through?” Lizzie remarked. “I’m glad to hear that. This isn’t exactly the world’s most comfortable seat.”

“I know, right?” Donny grinned. “Mine isn’t either. I could use a break from it. So, what do you think?”

“Boise works for me, and we’re only ten miles away,” she pointed out.

Despite the quality of the moving truck’s bucket seats, both of them were in a relaxed mood. Lizzie’s Quantico program didn’t start until December first, which gave them plenty of time to navigate the 3,388-mile journey at a comfortable pace.

“I almost forgot to tell you, we’ve been invited to Thanksgiving with the Thomas clan,” Lizzie mentioned.

“Sounds like fun! Do we need to bring anything?”

“I told Faith to let Jandy know we could cover drinks,” she answered. “I wasn’t sure about much else, given that we’re on the road.”

“Okay, so, that’s easy. We’ll stop before we get to Denton and pick up some two-liter bottles.”

“Cool,” Lizzie said. “I need to touch base with Faith anyway, so, I will confirm with her.”

Lizzie pulled out her cell and fired off a quick text. She was surprised when instead of texting back, Faith called her.

“Hey bestie, what’s up?”

“Quite a bit, but you go first. Where are you guys?”

“Just coming into Boise,” Lizzie relayed. “We’re going to stop for the night. What’s going on there?”

“Well,” Faith said, “Jandy called me earlier. It seems Thanksgiving is being moved to Nathan and Bella’s house. Jandy and Tony’s place burned down earlier today.”

“Oh no!” Lizzie gasped. “Are they all right?”

Donny shot her a concerned look and she mouthed I’ll tell you later.

“They’re fine, just upset,” Faith answered. “Sounds like they might not be able to salvage anything at all.”

“Well, we’ll be in town for a couple of days, at least, before we have to head to Virginia,” Lizzie reminded her. “So, tell Jandy that if they need any extra hands, I’m volunteering us. Do they have a place to stay?”

“They’re staying with Bella and Nathan.”

Lizzie and Faith talked for a few more minutes, and as Donny pulled into the parking lot of a hotel, Lizzie ended the call with, “I’ll reach out tomorrow, okay?”

***

Grant smiled as he drilled down into the ‘Christmas at Fort Concho’ website and found what he was looking for.

“Edward Baker,” he murmured, making a note. “That’s who I need to interview, from the sounds of it.”

He typed out an email of introduction, including his desire to speak with the man about Fort Concho’s history, and hit ‘send’.

“Okay,” Grant murmured, “now I just need to line out a place to stay while I’m there. But first, dinner.”

His phone rang just as he finished placing his delivery order from his favorite Chinese restaurant’s website.

“Hey, Mom,” he said, a warm smile creasing his face. “I’ve been meaning to call you and Dad. Guess what happened at work yesterday?”

“You got the promotion, didn’t you?” Bernice Forrester asked.

He chuckled. “How did you know?”

“Because you sound like a little kid at Christmas,” she told him, and made him laugh out loud.

“I probably do,” he conceded. “I’m just so jazzed to finally get a chance to prove myself as a columnist instead of making sure other people’s articles are error-free.”

“I know you’ve had this dream for a while, honey, and I’m so proud of you! Now, tell me all about it. What’s your first piece going to focus on?”

“The Texas Forts Trail,” he said. “Starting with Fort Concho, in San Angelo.”

“I’ve never heard of that, and I’ve lived in Texas all my life,” his mother remarked. “Sounds intriguing – and fun for you, too. You’ve always been a history buff.”

He walked her through his concept for the series.

“The cool part is, each location has at least one event going on yearly to commemorate the history,” he concluded. “So, my thought is to almost make this a guide of sorts – experience the places and events firsthand and share it all with my readers.”

“And I think you’ll do brilliantly,” Bernice said. “You’re not traveling this week, are you?”

“And miss your amazing cooking? No way. I’ll come home on Thursday for Thanksgiving like we planned, Mom,” Grant confirmed.

She laughed, and as always, the sound warmed him.

“So, what’s Dad up to?”

“He’s still not home from work yet,” Bernice revealed, the laughter leaving her voice. “They’ve got him working all sorts of extra hours. That boss of his is too cheap to hire enough people to cover all the routes.”

“They’re treating him like that after thirty-one years of service. Seriously?”

“I’m afraid so, honey,” she said, “and I’m worried about him. They’re running him into the ground.”

Grant shook his head in frustration as he listened to his mother vocalize her concerns about her husband’s health.

“That’s not right,” he grumbled.

“I know. But your dad’s been determined to try and stick it out until he can retire.”

“But that’s two more years!”

A sigh from her end. “I know, honey. I know.”

***

Jandy and Tony pulled into Nathan and Bella’s driveway just before seven-fifty p.m. and walked up to the front door with four large bags.

Before they could knock, Nathan opened it.

“Sorry we’re late,” Tony said. “Had to buy some clothes and stuff to get us through the next few days.”

“You guys okay?”

Jandy tilted her head, pondering his question for a brief moment before she replied, “No,” and burst into tears.

The last time I saw her cry was the day Dad died, Nathan thought, and he stepped forward to envelop her in a hug.

“It’s all gone,” she managed between sobs. “All our pictures of the kids growing up, everything.”

Another pair of headlights in the drive caught Nathan’s attention as he attempted to console his big sister.

“Hey gang,” Faith called out as she and Rick exited his truck. “Thought we’d come over and see what we can do to help.”

“Let’s start by having some dinner,” Bella replied from the doorway with Charlie on her hip. “I made a lasagna. Come on in, guys.”

***

Trish and Joe’s waiter cleared away their empty dinner plates and returned with the dessert menu.

“I’m thinking tiramisu and coffee,” she mused as she reviewed the offerings.

“Sounds good to me,” Joe said, trying his best to stay calm.

But both his heart and his brain were racing.

Should I do it now, in the restaurant? Or wait until we get back to her house?

“I’ll be right back,” Trish announced, bringing Joe out of his reverie. “Order me the tiramisu, please.”

“You got it,” he said, and smiled as she stood and walked toward the ladies’ room.

Okay, you can do this, Joe told himself. You just need to be brave and ask her.

What if she says no? the logical part of his brain chimed in. What then?

She won’t, his heart shot back. I know she won’t.

How sentimental. You’ve both been alone a long time, you know. And you’re both fiercely independent, his brain countered. What about that?

“I have to know,” he whispered to himself. “And I won’t, unless I ask.”

The waiter approaching the table gave Joe something else to focus on for a moment.

“We’d like a tiramisu, a cannoli, and two coffees, please.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll be right back with those.”

Trish returned to the table and noticed Joe’s flushed face.

“Honey, are you all right?’

“I’m fine, it’s... just a bit stuffy in here,” he managed, and loosened his tie as he willed his heart rate back to normal.

“Are you sure? You seem agitated,” Trish noted, concern creeping into her voice.

“It’s just that I...” Joe started to say, but the waiter returned at that moment with their desserts and coffee, setting each small plate down with a flourish.

“May I get you anything else?” the young man asked politely.

“I think we’re good for now, thanks.”

“Well then, enjoy. I’ll be back by in a bit to check on you.”

They watched him walk away, and Trish turned her attention back to Joe.

“Now, you were saying?” Trish asked as she stirred cream into her coffee.

“Yes.... well...” Joe stumbled over his thoughts, lapsing into silence.

“Joe, what’s gotten into you?” she asked gently as she reached across the table and took his hand.

One look into her beautiful green eyes was all it took to calm him, and when he spoke, Joe led with his heart.

“You have, Trish,” he began, his voice soft but clear. “Every morning when I wake up, you’re the first thought in my head. And every night I fall asleep thinking how lucky I am that you’re in my life. You make every day brighter, more hopeful. I feel more alive with you, and damn sure more complete. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’m in love with you, Trish Sevins. And it would make me the happiest man on earth to spend the rest of my tomorrows with you. Will you marry me?”

The green eyes he loved so much began to shimmer with emotion, and her lips curved into a trembling smile as she whispered, “Yes.”

Joe immediately stood and moved around the table, bent down on one knee, and brought her engagement ring out of his pocket to slip it onto her dainty hand.

“I love you,” Trish managed through happy tears, and kissed him as other patrons in the vicinity began to clap and cheer.

***

Up in Boise, Lizzie and Donny had just gotten settled into their hotel room after dinner when her cell phone chimed with a new text message.

She glanced at her phone, then beamed.

“Check this out,” she said as she showed it to Donny.

The all-caps message from Joe read SHE SAID YES!!! and was accompanied by a picture of the newly engaged and extremely happy couple.

“Good for them,” Donny responded.

“I know, right? He was so nervous about it. He’s been planning this for a week!” Lizzie revealed.

“That’s sweet.”

“I thought so. The big softie,” she agreed as she smiled.

May have to ask the man for help when the time comes, Donny mused to himself while Lizzie went into the bathroom to change into her pajamas. After all, he’s known Lizzie most of her life. And I want to make sure the moment is perfect.

He watched her cross the room, climb up on the bed and rearrange the pillows so she could sit up comfortably, then scoop up the remote.

“What are you in the mood to watch?” she asked as she flipped through channels.

“You really wanna know?”

“Of course,” she confirmed.

“I’d love to watch your face by candlelight again,” he murmured in a low growl, and slowly moved her direction.

Lizzie grinned even as a slow blush spread across her cheeks.

“Well, get over here, then.”

***

Three a.m., and all was quiet in Pantego, Texas.

He made his way through the stillness to a large display case in the front parlor of the lovingly restored Dutch colonial. He moved carefully and quietly, then eased open the glass panel inch by excruciating inch to minimize noise.

He considered the options before him, mentally weighing the pros and cons of each one; as an extreme enthusiast, he knew several in the collection could serve his purposes admirably.

Then he saw it. The ideal tool to carry out his plans. Excited, he reached out and placed his hands gently around his prize.

It’s perfect, he thought as he slowly removed it from its resting place, savoring the weight, the feel of it in his grip. A beautiful specimen. And so very appropriate... what better than a historical piece for historical places?

Smiling ghoulishly, he set the useless but realistic-looking wooden replica he’d made into the empty spot. He cradled the fully functional Winchester 1873 .44/40 WCF he’d liberated tightly against his chest with one arm as he closed the display case, then slipped back into the darkness.

Let the games begin.

CHAPTER TWO

“How did you sleep?” Bella asked Jandy as she walked into the kitchen on Sunday morning.

“Not bad, all things considered,” Jandy replied, heading for the coffeepot. “Bel, I just want to say again how much I appreciate you guys putting us up. Hopefully it won’t be for long.”

“Nonsense,” came the reply from Bella as she continued making pancakes. “Stay as long as you need to. Maybe I haven’t made it clear enough, but I am really enjoying having a bigger family! I didn’t realize how lonely being an only child was until I met you all. So, although I’m sad about the reason, I’m happy you’re here so we can hang out more.”

She deftly flipped the last pancake then gasped in surprise as Jandy wrapped her up in a fierce hug.

“Oh, honey,” Jandy murmured. “I sure do love you.”

Bella chuckled and hugged her back. “And I love you! Now, turn me loose, the pancakes are gonna burn.”

Jandy laughed and stepped away. “Mugs still in the cabinet by the sink?”

“Yep, help yourself.”

Nathan strolled in at that moment with Charlie in his arms.

“There’s my sweeties,” Bella announced, and kissed her husband and child. “I didn’t hear him fussing.”

“He wasn’t, that’s the strange thing,” Nathan answered. “I peeked in to check on him and he was standing up in his crib just looking at me.”

“Huh,” Bella said. “Maybe that’s a good sign of things to come.”

“’Andi! ‘Andi!” Charlie squealed, and held out his arms toward his aunt.

“Coffee can wait - there’s no way I can refuse that kind of greeting,” Jandy beamed as she came over and took the wriggling child from his father’s arms. “Hello, handsome boy.”

Charlie put his tiny hands on each of Jandy’s cheeks and began to babble animatedly.

“Is that so? I’m intrigued, tell me all about it,” Jandy prompted, and he shrieked with delight and kept going.

“I knew she’d make an awesome aunt one day,” Nathan observed softly as he stood with Bella at the stove watching Jandy get Charlie situated in his highchair.

“And you were absolutely right. Have I told you lately how much I love your family?” his wife asked him as she smiled. “Because I really, really do.”

***

“So, how far are we going to try to go today?” Lizzie asked Donny as they climbed back into the moving truck’s cab.

“I was thinking stop somewhere around Green River, Utah,” he replied as he gazed at the map. “That’s about an eight-hour drive. Then tomorrow, we can stop in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and be at your house in Pantego by Tuesday night.”

He showed her his planned stops on the map, and she nodded.

“Divides it up pretty evenly. I like your style, Atherton.”

“Oh yeah? Prove it,” he teased, and found himself on the receiving end of a passionate kiss.

“You keep doing that, we’ll go right back inside and get our room back,” Donny warned, wearing a megawatt smile.

“Why, whatever do you mean, dear?” Lizzie batted her eyelashes at him, and he chuckled.

“All right, you. Let’s get going.”

She surprised herself by giggling as she strapped on her seat belt.

Oh, for crying out loud - he makes me giggle. I hardly ever used to giggle – until him, Lizzie realized. I could almost get used to this.

“What?” he asked, eyebrow raised at her puzzled expression.

“Well, don’t let it go to your head, but you make me ridiculously happy, that’s all.”

Donny reached for her hand and kissed it. “Same here, you know.”

“Man, are we sappy, or what?”

“Yep, absolutely.”

She scrunched her nose and sheepishly declared, “I kinda like it.”

Now Donny roared with laughter. “I do too, Lizzie. And after everything we went through, I think we deserve some sappy, don’t you?”

“No argument from me,” she agreed. “Let’s get moving, we’re burning daylight.”

***

“Good morning, fiancée of mine,” Joe whispered in Trish’s ear. “How about some breakfast?”

“Sure,” she murmured sleepily. “Meet you in the kitchen.”

“No need, love,” he answered, and as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, she realized he’d brought her breakfast in bed.

“Oh, Joe, how sweet! What a nice surprise,” Trish exclaimed, and kissed him as he placed the tray across her lap.

He sat on the edge of the bed and made small talk as she ate.

“What would you like to do today?”

She mulled it over for a moment, then said, “I believe it’s supposed to be nice out today. How about a stroll through the botanical gardens?”

“I think it’s a perfect day to do just that,” he replied with a soft smile.

But the cell phone on his hip began to ring, and his smile faded as he remembered it was his Sunday to be on call.

“Wallace,” he answered, then listened for a minute before saying, “What’s the address?”

A pause, then Joe said, “I’ll be there in fifteen.”

He hung up and looked at her.

“Rain check on that stroll?”

“Absolutely. See you later?”

“You bet.”

“Be safe, sweetheart.”

He paused at the doorway and looked back at her. “Hey. Be thinking about where and when you wanna get married. I’m good with anything you decide, I just want to marry you.”

“The wheels are already turning,” Trish confessed, and he grinned.

***

As he ate his cereal, Grant checked his emails, and was delighted when he saw Edward Baker had already responded.

Good morning Mr. Forrester. I would be happy to walk you through Fort Concho’s history! When would you like to come down to San Angelo?

Grant set his bowl aside and composed a reply.

That’s great to hear, Mr. Baker. I’ve already booked accommodations for next weekend. My plan is to interview you, but also experience ‘Christmas at Fort Concho’ firsthand so that I can highlight the event in my article. I’m scheduled to arrive mid-morning Sunday. When might we meet?

He added his usual signature block and hit ‘send’, and by the time he’d returned to his home office from putting his bowl in the dishwasher, Baker had replied.

The festival kicks off at ten a.m. Monday, so, let’s meet at the library at noon Sunday. That gives us plenty of time to walk the fort and cover the historical significance beforehand. I look forward to meeting you.

Baker had also included the address to the library in his email, and Grant dutifully noted it in his binder before confirming their appointment.

***

They’d just finished breakfast and Jandy was helping Bella clear the table when her cell phone rang.

Jandy glanced at the number and took the call, listened for several minutes, then fired off several questions.

When she hung up, she looked at the group.

“That was the fire chief. We are not allowed to go back in yet. It’s partially collapsed, and he wants city engineers to sign off on its stability first before he lets us wander through it. He says it may not be safe to try to go back in at all, and if that’s the case, we’ll just have to raze it to the ground completely. But he was able to determine the origin of the fire. It wasn’t the oven, like I thought.”

“What was it?” Tony asked.

“An electrical fire. We had a short-circuit in an outlet,” she revealed. “And from what he described it sounds like the fire traveled along the wiring to spread really quickly to the rest of the place.”

“Covered by your insurance, I hope?” Nathan asked.

“Should be,” Jandy answered. “I need to call our agent back and get him to meet us onsite at some point. He’s going to need to document the damage before anything else can happen.”

She dialed and waited. “Hey, Jason, I just heard from the fire chief.... Yes, he told us.... Really? Oh, all right.... Yes, thanks, Jason.”

“Huh,” she said. “Evidently Jason’s already done his assessment. Total loss, and one hundred percent covered – after the deductible, of course.”

“Well there’s some good news, at least,” Bella pointed out. “And look at the positives here – no one got hurt, and if you ever wanted to make any changes to your house, now’s the perfect time.”

Tony’s eyes lit up.

“She’s right, honey,” he exclaimed. “We could have a brand new, open layout with that kitchen island you’ve always wanted.”

“And a great big garden tub in the bathroom! I’ve always wanted one of those, as well. Hey! We could make the den bigger! Get rid of that formal dining room that we hardly ever use,” Jandy responded. “We’ve talked about remodeling for years, but we just never got around to it.”

“I think this is gonna turn out to be a blessing in disguise, honey,” Tony announced as he crossed the room to hold his wife. “I know we lost some things that cannot ever be replaced, and I know how sad that makes you. But we have each other, Jandy, and that’s really all we need.”

***

By the time they reached Ogden, Utah, Lizzie and Donny were past ready for a break. They stopped to refuel the truck, then scouted out a place to have lunch. By mutual agreement they lingered over dessert, taking as much time as possible to relax before reluctantly climbing back into the cab.

“These seats,” Donny began, and grimaced. “Can you imagine if we had to drive this thing all the way to Virginia?”

“I know, right?” she quipped as she tried to adjust the driver’s seat so she could reach the pedals more comfortably. “The good news is, we just have to get to Pantego in this damn thing, and we can unload it and then turn it in. The seats in the SUV are like heaven compared to these.”

She frowned, then growled. “Is that as far forward as it goes?”

“I think so,” he confirmed. “Sorry. Want me to keep driving?”

“No, that’s not fair to you,” she pointed out. “We said we’d take turns, and that’s what we’re gonna do. Even if it means I need to strap blocks to my feet like that little kid in the Indiana Jones movie.”

He snickered. “That’d be quite a look.”

“Whatever works,” she said, beginning to chuckle. “I’ve been the same height since eighth grade. Trust me, I’ve learned a few workarounds. Maybe I won’t need blocks. Grab my body pillow out of the SUV, will you? I have an idea.”

Three minutes later Lizzie was smiling. Wedging the pillow behind her lower back and hips had moved her just far enough forward that she could safely operate the truck but still wear her seat belt.

“Much better,” she proclaimed. “Let’s roll.”

“Hang on a second, I have an idea of my own. Can’t believe we didn’t think of this before,” he said, and returned to the passenger seat moments later with a grin.

Donny placed a second pillow on the passenger seat, then sat down. “So much better. Now we can go.”

The next several miles passed in a comfortable silence.

“Hey, I had a question,” Donny said suddenly.

“Whatcha got?” Lizzie said as she checked her side mirror before changing lanes.

“Well, I know it’s kind of an out-of-the-blue topic,” he began, and she threw him a puzzled look.

“What is?”

“Kids.”

“What about them?”

“Have you ever thought about having kids?”

“You mean, like, my kids? As in, be a mom?”

Did he seriously just ask me how I feel about kids?

“Well... yeah.”

Yep, that’s pretty out-of-the-blue, all right....

“Um...,” she fell silent for a moment as she searched for the right words. “To be honest, I kinda figured that ship had sailed without me. My main focus has always been the job, you know? And I’m already thirty-six, so....,” she glanced over at him, concerned. “Why do you ask? Do you want kids?”

Donny sighed. “Yes, and no. I mean, do I think it would be cool to be a dad? Yeah, I do. But I turn forty-four next month, Lizzie. If I had a kid now, I’d be in my sixties when he or she graduated high school. I don’t know how to feel about that.”

She arched an eyebrow. “That’s not unheard of, Donny. Lots of people have kids later in life.”

“I know...I guess I just wanted to know how you felt about it.”

“Huh. Something to talk about in more depth, for sure. For me, it’s not a simple answer. There’s a lot of moving pieces there. I mean, for starters, I can’t be a field agent and be pregnant, Donny.”

“True,” he agreed. “And like I told you before, I would never ask you to give up your career. I know it’s your calling.”

“Have you ever thought about channeling that ‘dad vibe’ into working with kids somehow? Coach a team or volunteer at the local youth center? Things like that?”

“I hadn’t thought about any of those before,” he confessed.

They both lapsed into an awkward silence.

Donny gazed out the passenger window as he considered her suggestions.

She’s got a point. I never even considered any alternatives, he acknowledged. But that’s not where my focus should be right this minute. What I really should be asking myself right now is– how dumb am I to bring up such a serious topic? What was I thinking? We’re in the process of moving her across country so she can take the next big step in her career, and I bring up children? Already? We just said ‘I love you’ for the first time two days ago! What is wrong with me?

Meanwhile, Lizzie replayed the entire conversation on a repeating loop in her head as she drove.

I don’t know what to do here... what if he decides he really wants children of his own? That’s right up there with marriage! Next-level, deep commitment type stuff. Am I comfortable with that? Am I even ready for all that? she asked herself as they continued south toward Green River and their next overnight stop.

***

Joe returned to Trish’s house in the early afternoon, his eyes haunted and weary.

“I’m not sure how much longer I want to do this,” he confided as he dug into the sandwich that she’d made for him. “I enjoy mentoring Pete and helping him get to where he wants to be, Trish. But I’m just not sure how many more murder cases or notifications to next of kin I can take.”

“Rough one, huh,” she said softly, and he nodded.

“Really rough,” he murmured.

“Have you thought about your options, Joe? You don’t have to completely retire if you don’t want to.”

“Yeah, I thought about that,” Joe replied, and squeezed her hand. “If I just retired from the force without anything to move on to, you and I both know I’d be bored within two weeks.”

“Yep,” she agreed. “You’re so driven that you’d never be able to sit still for very long. But you’ve also got a lot of really valuable experience, honey. You’d be an excellent private investigator. Did you ever think about something like that?”

“That hadn’t occurred to me, but it’s not a bad idea at all! I could probably get the licensing easily enough. And that way I could still work some cases with Nathan too, if I wanted.”

“Exactly. Think it over. Whatever you choose to do, you’ve got my full support. Now,” Trish leaned closer, “I have an idea for our wedding I want to run by you.”

“And that is?”

“Keeping it simple. You and me and the Justice of the Peace, followed by a week-long tropical getaway,” she said. “I’ve already experienced the big formal wedding thing once. It was stressful, gaudy, and expensive, and I have no desire to go through all that again, do you?”

He grinned. “At fifty-two? Not really.”

“Then it’s settled,” Trish announced, and smiled. “We just need to get the license, book a date on the Justice’s court schedule, and decide where we want to travel afterward. So,” she continued, opening the laptop she’d brought to the table, “would you rather do an all-inclusive resort somewhere, or a cruise?”

***