Trail of Lies Read Online Free Page A

change today. I’m Daniel.”
    She tapped her chest. “I’m Kaitlyn.”
    â€œI thought so. Your mother talks about you a lot.”
    Kaitlyn beamed. “Yeah, she tells me all the time I’m her pride and joy.”
    â€œI can see why.”
    â€œHave ya met Patches yet?”
    â€œNo, I haven’t.”
    â€œHe’s hiding. He does that all the time with someone new.” Kaitlyn stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Don’t worry. He’ll get used to you. Then he won’t leave you alone.”
    Melora moved forward to break up the little bonding session. She wanted the Texas Ranger out of her house assoon as possible. “Speaking of Patches, aren’t you supposed to feed him, young lady?”
    â€œYeah.” Kaitlyn turned her full attention back to Daniel. “Would ya like to help? I’ll hold Patches while you pat him.”
    â€œHon, he needs to leave.”
    Daniel shot Melora a look that said their conversation wasn’t over. “Yeah, I’m sorry I have to go. But I’m sure I’ll see you again, Kaitlyn.”
    â€œGreat! I’ll show you Patches then.” Her child hurried toward the utility room where Patches’s food was kept.
    Once Kaitlyn was out of the kitchen, Daniel said, “I’d like to talk to Juanita before I leave.”
    Melora peered toward where her daughter had disappeared. She needed to get rid of the man as fast as possible in case someone was watching the house. “Fine. I’ll take you back to her suite. After that, I’d like you to go. I don’t want Kaitlyn to know anything about today.”
    â€œDon’t you want to find out who murdered your husband? Who broke into your house? It’s possible there’s a connection.”
    While he studied her, she struggled to remain as calm as possible. “Of course. But I don’t see a connection. And I have to think of my daughter’s emotional well-being.” And her physical well-being. What if Kaitlyn had been here when the man had broken in? Both sets of intruders had frightened her, but the last one seemed more sinister—desperate almost, as though time was running out. Chills encased her in a cold sweat. Her heartbeat sped up. She didn’t know how long she could keep up the pretense that everything was all right. This facade she had to put on weighed heavily on her.
    â€œI shouldn’t be long.”
    Melora swept her arm across her front, indicating thehallway Juanita disappeared down, then started forward. “Her room is back here.”
    The hair on her nape tingled under the Ranger’s hard gaze. He wasn’t going to let this investigation die until he’d turned over every clue he could get. Fear mingled with her frustration. She hadn’t wanted to say anything to Uncle Tyler about what had happened two years ago. She didn’t want him worrying or worse—trying to do something about it and getting hurt. He’d taken her in after her parents died when she was nine. He was all the family she had except for Kaitlyn.
    Melora stopped in front of a closed door and knocked. Her housekeeper answered, peering first at her then Daniel, wariness in her dark eyes. Although she knew about the break-in after Axle had vanished, Melora hadn’t told her about the threat. And Juanita had never questioned why Melora hadn’t reported the break-in to the sheriff. Juanita was an American citizen, but she was leery of law enforcement. Some of her family had been deported back to Mexico.
    â€œThis is Daniel Riley with the Texas Rangers. He has a few questions for you. We had an intruder today, and Ranger Riley managed to chase the man away but didn’t catch him.”
    Juanita’s attention remained focused on Melora for a few seconds. “I don’t know anything about a break-in.”
    Touching her arm, Melora gave her housekeeper a reassuring look. “I know.” She