Cross My Heart (Ty & Hunter 1)

Which meant Paul could have followed Uncle Marc to Lacey’s. But why would the trustee want Uncle Marc dead, Lacey wondered.

The chief shook his head. “She said her car was stolen.”

Hunter narrowed his gaze. “Had she reported it?”

“No.”

“And didn’t you find that suspicious?” Ty pushed the subject.

“We did, yes. But we don’t have the car, so we can’t dust it for prints. And even if we could, we now know finding Paul’s fingerprints wouldn’t amount to squat. There’s a good reason for them to be there.” Chief Otter shrugged. “Listen, guys, I see you have your theories and Ty, I trust your judgment, I really do. But in this case, you’re accusing an upstanding citizen of our town without a shred of proof. And that means we have to be careful.”

“Then search his house or his office. I’m sure you’ll find something. ” Lacey pounded her fist against her thigh. “I don’t know what the link is between Uncle Marc and Paul Dunne but there is one. I’m sure of it.” Her voice cracked and she turned her head away in embarrassment.

Ty came up behind her chair and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“I’m sorry, but there’s no probable cause for a warrant. We’ll keep looking into it and when Marc Dumont regains consciousness, the hospital knows to call me immediately. Maybe he’ll reveal something of interest.”

“I’m not holding my breath,” Lacey muttered.

Ty squeezed her tight. He must have known a search warrant was asking for the impossible.

The chief apologized and went to check on her uncle’s status, leaving the four of them alone.

Lacey rose and started to walk away, unable to speak without screaming in frustration. She just couldn’t believe they’d hit a brick wall. Again. Three incidents and they were no closer to finding out who wanted her, and now her uncle, dead.

“I have an idea,” Molly said, stopping Lacey in her tracks.

Lacey pivoted. “I’m listening.”

“Anna Marie wouldn’t talk to the police but maybe she’ll talk to us.” Molly gestured between herself and Lacey. “She’s a good woman. She might be protecting her brother but there’s no way she knows she’s hurting people in the process. I really believe if we talk to her, she might break down and give us something to go on.”

Lacey nodded, slowly warming to the idea. “I like how you think.”

“I don’t,” Ty said. “I don’t want either of you going to question Anna Marie. If her brother is involved you’re putting yourselves in the direct line of fire.”

“Then come with us if you want to. But Molly’s idea is a good one and we’re going to talk to Anna Marie,” Lacey said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

She couldn’t allow Ty’s fear, or even her own, to sway her. They had to end this thing once and for all.

BEFORE THE MEETING with Anna Marie, Ty wanted to spend some time with his mother.

Since Anna Marie wouldn’t be home from work until later, he had the afternoon to spend at the hospital. Hunter had gone back to work, though he’d promised he’d meet Molly for dinner later.

Molly had tried to avoid seeing Hunter again today but Hunter had insisted. Things didn’t look good for the couple if Molly’s withdrawn attitude was anything to go by. Ty felt awful for his friend. And he hoped he wouldn’t find himself in a similar situation not too far in the future.

Ty had talked the chief into posting a plainclothes person in the hospital to keep an eye on Lilly, who very well could have been the target today, too. At the very least, the shooter might think Lilly could ID him and come after her to protect himself. Ty wasn’t taking any chances with her safety. While the women went to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee, they had an escort.

Meanwhile, Ty waylaid the food service cart in the hallway and picked up his mother’s tray. He knocked once and let himself in.

To his relief, Flo sat up against her pillows. Although she had an IV attached to her arm, the color had returned to her cheeks and she had a smile on her lips. A quick glance at the visitor’s chair revealed the reason.

“Hello, Dr. Sanford,” Ty said, setting the tray down on the mobile cart by the bed.

“Call me Andrew, please.” The other man rose and extended his hand.

Ty shook it, pleased his mother wasn’t alone and had someone in her life that obviously made her happy. She’d lived on her own for too long, Ty thought.

“Andrew, I’d like to have a word alone with my son,” his mother said.

The doctor strode to the bed, leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going to visit some patients and I’ll be back soon.”

Ty waited until they were alone before pulling a chair up beside her. “You scared me,” he admitted.

“I scared myself.” She leaned back into the pillows. “The doctors say I can go about my normal routine though. There will be no repercussions.”

He nodded, then paused in thought. They had to talk about her relationship with Dr. Sanford, among other things lingering between them, Ty thought.

“I like him,” Ty said at last.

“Andrew?”

Ty nodded. “I like him because he seems to have your best interests at heart.” And he’d shown that by being respectful to the mother/son bond.

Flo smiled again, the one that left her face beaming. She deserved that kind of happiness.

“There’s something else I need to say.” Ty rose and walked to the window overlooking the parking lot. “Nice view,” he muttered.

His mother laughed. “It costs me extra.”

He grinned. Her sense of humor had returned, another good sign. “Mom…..”

“The thing about loving someone is that you don’t need to rehash things,” his mother said, letting him off the hook.

He didn’t deserve it. “That might apply had we hashed things out to begin with. We didn’t. I didn’t let you. Oh, you explained taking Marc Dumont’s money and you said you’d done it for me, but my anger got in the way of hearing anything else.”

He ran a hand through his hair, the memory of the day he’d discovered his mother had taken money in exchange for giving Lilly room and board, vivid in his mind.

“All kids think their parents are saints. It hurts to find out we’re human,” Flo said.

Ty stared out the window. “The thing is, it wasn’t you I was angry at so much as myself.” The admission wasn’t an easy one for him to make.