Holiday Secrets - Susan Sleeman McKade Law

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this murder was related.

      “And there’s more,” she said. “The killer knew my name. Called me Dad’s precious Lexie. Which means he didn’t know Dad very well as I wasn’t precious to him. Maybe once. When Mom was alive.”

      Gavin had hoped she’d reconciled with her father in the past few years, but clearly she’d still had issues with him. And now, thanks to her father, a killer knew her name.

      Gavin didn’t like it. Not one bit. He didn’t want the killer to know anything about her. “In what context did he mention you?”

      “He asked if Dad gave me the information, too. Dad said no, but the killer didn’t believe him. Dad warned me before he died that this guy is dangerous, and he’ll come after me. Kill me, too.”

      “Kill you?” Gavin’s voice shot up, spooking Lexie and Lightning. He lowered his voice. “Do you have the information he’s worried about?”

      “I don’t know what was in that envelope and Dad didn’t give me anything else. But now that we know someone is looking for information, it makes sense that his office and house were ransacked.” She turned her big-eyed gaze to him. “What if the killer spotted me as he was leaving? If he did, he knows I saw him commit murder.” She shuddered. “Do you think he’ll come after me? Try to kill me, too?”

      “I won’t let that happen, sugar. I promise.” Gavin wrapped an arm around her shoulders to help allay her fear, but his emotions were a different story.

      If this man had killed once, he wouldn’t hesitate to do so again, and now he had Lexie in his sights.

       TWO

      Lexie didn’t know what to think. To feel. After Gavin’s father arrived, he’d escorted her to the main road where she now sat sideways in the front of Sheriff McKade’s patrol car, her feet planted on the asphalt as she waited to give her statement. She caught a glimpse in the distance of tall lights, their halos standing like beacons in the night over the plane wreckage, another set near her father’s body, warning all who came close of the horrific sight.

      And it had been horrific. There was no question. Even for a trauma nurse. Seeing the once-solid plane in tiny bits scattered around the area. Seeing her father gunned down. Worse than horrific.

      She shuddered and stared at her blood-caked hands. Her father’s blood. He’d lain in front of her, his life floating away, his eyes going blank and glazed. She’d seen death before. Of course she had. Many times in the ER. Always feeling sad for a life lost coupled with a bit of second-guessing as she ran the trauma through her brain to make sure they’d handled it right.

      But tonight? What did she feel now?

      Something, that was for sure, but it was hard to put a finger on her emotions. She definitely didn’t feel the deep, split-your-insides-open anguish she’d experienced when her mother had died. So was it guilt for not being able to save her dad? Maybe. Actually, now that she took the time to think about it, she felt numb. Cold inside and out. Alone. So alone.

      Where are You again, God? Why take someone else from my life? From Adam’s life? Am I this undeserving of love?

      Why was she even asking at this point in life? Nothing changed.

      She wrapped her arms around her body and ran her hands up and down her arms to ward off the howling wind. Earlier, she’d tried closing the car door, but claustrophobia had set in and she’d had to open it again.

      The sound of boots stomping across the road brought her head up in time to catch Sheriff McKade marching over to Gavin.

      Gavin. What did she do about him? She’d been relieved to see him when he’d arrived. Practically thrown herself into his arms. But now what? Was he the reason for her numbness?

      She shifted to get a better look at the pair. They stood strong, staring across the road, backs to her with hands on their waists in identical stances. They were both over six feet. Both had a head of thick, black hair, though she knew gray strands that had grown in numbers over the years intricately laced the sheriff’s.

      Gavin suddenly crossed his arms and spun. His dark gaze landed on her and that familiar, angry frustration with his dad lingered in his eyes. Walt turned, as well. They spit a few more sentences at each other and Gavin suddenly stormed in her direction.

      Lexie sighed. Nothing had changed. The same old Gavin, and the same reason he’d left town. Left her.

      Gavin was the firstborn in a family of four siblings, and his father held his son to lofty standards that no one could live up to. Still, Gavin had wanted a career in law enforcement and the only option without leaving Lost Creek was to work as a deputy for his dad. He’d tried to make a go as a deputy for years. Really tried. Even if it meant he wasn’t always happy.

      Then one day he’d disagreed with direct orders from his father on how to handle a domestic disturbance. Walt had wanted to sit back and wait for things to play out. Not Gavin. He was more of a “take action and sort things out later” kind of guy. Fearing for the wife’s safety, he’d stepped in. Tensions escalated and he’d ended up in a shoot-out with the husband, catching his wife in the cross fire. Emily had survived, and Gavin wasn’t hurt, but from that day on, his father no longer trusted him.

      No matter how hard Gavin worked to right things between them, he failed and couldn’t continue to work with his father. His only choice was to leave town. At least, that was what he’d thought. Lexie still didn’t agree.

      Didn’t matter now, though. She’d had enough of her pity party and it was time to shake it off. To go on. For Adam. Her brother needed her.

      Gavin continued toward her, his strides long and powerful, his gaze focused.

      Why was he in town, anyway? If it was solely to talk to her, why wouldn’t he just tell her what he wanted to discuss? Why the big mystery?

      Gavin stopped before her and squatted down.

      How many times had she gazed into Gavin’s rich brown eyes and known he was the man she’d wanted to marry? He’d dashed that dream when he’d moved away and left her behind without a second thought.

      “Dad will take your statement,” he finally said. “I was hoping to put it off till tomorrow, but he refused. So I wanted to see if you needed anything, and I’ll take care of it while he’s talking to you.”

      For a moment, he worked the muscles in his jaw then forced a smile. The left side tipped up just a fraction higher, a quirk that never failed to make Lexie’s heart skip a beat.

      “I could get some water for you,” he offered. “A blanket. Or maybe I could call your aunt Ruth.”

      “Ruth? No. She’s on a much-needed vacation, and I don’t want to burden her with this until she gets back in a few days. But I do need to tell Adam about Dad.” Lexie saw Walt approaching. “I’ll give my statement to your dad and get going.”

      Gavin crossed his arms and gave her a steely look. “You’re not going anywhere alone until this killer is caught.”

      “So you really do think he’ll be coming after me,” she said, letting her fear usurp her unease over his sudden bossiness.

      “Yes,” he said, but his narrowed gaze told her that he didn’t like admitting it. “I’ll drive you home, and make sure you have a protective detail. I can help you tell Adam, too.”

      No way she wanted Gavin to talk to Adam. The two of them had formed a strong bond and Gavin had destroyed the kid when he’d moved away. She’d have to tell Adam he’d lost his father. Why add the unease of talking to Gavin?

      “I’m glad for the protection,” she said. “But I’ll deal with Adam on my own.”

      Walt arrived before them and slapped his hat on his head as he peered at Gavin. “Our first priority is to keep

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