Chapter 9
NINE
The next morning, Jonah sipped his third cup of coffee while watching the sun rise over the lake. He’d been up since before dawn, patrolling the grounds near Laney’s cabin. There were no signs of anyone sneaking around in the woods. At least not today. But that brought him little comfort.
A killer was still out there.
The interviews with rangers and park staff hadn’t yielded any suspects. Chief Deputy Williams hadn’t had any luck identifying a suspect either after re-interviewing family members and some of Ava and Tyler’s friends. Even the lab results had been disappointing.
He was frustrated and broody.
The door to Laney’s cabin opened, and Scout bounded out.
She beelined for the trees, dipping behind a pine and weaving through bushes.
Laney followed. She was dressed for work in her park ranger uniform, but her hair was left free, tumbling over her shoulders in a silky black wave.
In one hand, she carried a coffee mug. The smile on her face was soft, and she drew in a deep breath of fresh air before spotting him on the porch next door.
Laney’s smile widened, her entire face lighting up. “Morning.”
His heart skipped a beat as his breath hitched.
That really needed to stop happening. He’d always harbored romantic feelings for Laney, but until the attack, he’d been able to keep a tight lid on them. “Morning.”
“You’re scowling.” She grinned as she joined him on the porch. Sunlight illuminated the red highlights buried in her hair and the sweep of her cheekbones. “What’s the matter? Don’t like your coffee?”
He eyed the watered-down brew that supposedly passed for coffee. His cabin was outfitted with a machine that used pods. The result was sorely-lacking in his opinion. “It’s pathetic.”
“Switch with me.” She extended her own cup in his direction. “I made mine the way you like it, just in case. I’ll drink yours. That way we’re both happy.”
Warmth washed through him. She’d thought of him.
He liked that she thought of him. Too much.
And when their fingers brushed as they exchanged cups, his traitorous pulse sped up.
Jonah was briefly tempted to take her hand and hold it, but that would’ve been out of character.
They were affectionate with each other. Hugs and brief touches. But always careful. Always friendly.
He sat back in his chair and studied her as she sipped the coffee from his mug. The dark circles under her eyes were gone. She looked fresh-faced. Pretty. “You look better this morning.”
“I took a melatonin. Wouldn’t have slept otherwise.” She kept her focus on the lake as she took another sip of her coffee. “Thanks for keeping watch.”
His stomach flipped over. He hadn’t told her about his plans.
She must’ve seen him patrolling. The appreciation in her voice did funny things to his insides, even as pride swelled.
Laney was as tough as they came. She didn’t accept help easily, and despite her sunshine demeanor, trust wasn’t something she doled out to everyone.
He was among the select few in her inner circle.
Her best friend. It meant everything to him and was a reminder of just how precious their relationship was.
And how easily it could all get screwed up.
Scout jogged up the porch steps, and Jonah smothered her with affection before Laney pulled a ball out of the pocket of her cargo pants. She tossed it, and the lab raced off. Jonah took a drink of the dark brew in his own mug and gave a grunt of approval. “Much better. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I thought we could go into town for breakfast this morning.
I know a cute place with the best kolaches in the county.
” She pushed against the floor, setting her rocking chair into motion.
“I figured after that we could regroup. Maybe meet with Chief Deputy Williams to compare notes and see where the investigation stands.”
It was a good plan. Jonah was just about to tell her so when his cell phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, surprised to see Sheriff Morrison was calling. He answered. “Morning, sheriff.”
“Morning. Sorry to bother you so early, but Ava’s roommate just arrived at my house.
She went home to Austin on Thursday for the holiday weekend but drove straight here once she heard the news about…
” The sheriff cleared his throat and then pressed on.
“Anyway, she has information you’re going to want to hear. ”
Jonah straightened. “Should I call Chief Deputy Williams?”
“Her son is ill, so she needs to take him to the doctor. Normally, I would wait for her, but given the circumstances, I don’t think the delay is a good idea.”
“Laney and I will be there soon.” He hung up and then explained the conversation to Laney. “No time for breakfast.”
Thirty minutes later, the sun was blazing as they pulled up to Sheriff Morrison's property.
The house was on the small side with a neat front yard and trim hedges.
Jonah noted the beat-up Chevy in the driveway.
Likely the roommate's. He prayed whatever information the young woman had would lead them straight to the killer.
Laney rang the doorbell. She looked increasingly wilted. Humidity had put a slight curl into her dark locks, and her slacks were wrinkled. She’d left Scout back at the visitor center with Andy. Jonah wiped a bead of sweat from his own brow before settling his cowboy hat back on his head.
A black SUV drifted past on the street, slowing as it passed the house. Tinted windows made it impossible to see the driver. Jonah's gaze tracked it for a moment—probably just a neighbor being nosy about all the law enforcement presence—before the front door swung open.
Grayson had aged fifteen years overnight.
Bags hung under his dark eyes, and his olive complexion was ashen.
Despite his grief, purpose fueled his movements as he waved them into the foyer.
“Thank you for coming. My wife and Ava’s parents are at the church meeting with our pastor about…
” His jaw hardened, and he swallowed hard as tears filmed his eyes. “The funeral.”
“I’m so sorry, sheriff,” Laney’s tone was comforting and kind. “I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for all of you.”
He nodded and cleared his throat. “I appreciate that. My sister and brother-in-law are barely functioning. As it is, I’d prefer we get through the interview before they return.”
“We’ll do the best we can.” Jonah couldn’t promise anything—not without knowing what Ava’s roommate had to say—but he would move heaven and earth to prevent causing this family any more pain. “Would it be better to speak down at the sheriff’s department?”
“No. Kylie’s pretty distraught, and I don’t want to put her through that if it can be avoided.” He paused. “She and Ava have been roommates since freshman year. They were very close. Like sisters.”
Jonah heard the protective note in Grayson's tone and respected him for it. The message was clear: treat Kylie gently. She was grieving and fragile, and the sheriff wouldn't tolerate anyone making it worse.
Grayson escorted them into the living room.
The space was homey but dated, with paneled walls and oversized furniture.
A petite woman in her early twenties sat tucked in the corner of the couch.
Short red curls framed a heart-shaped face and pointed chin.
Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying.
Sitting next to her, holding her hand, was a thin-faced male with bottle-thick glasses and a goatee.
“Kylie, hon, these are the investigators I told you about.” The sheriff’s tone was gentle. “Texas Ranger Jonah Foster and Park Ranger Laney Torres.” He turned toward Jonah. “This is Kylie Jackson and her boyfriend Parker Wessel.”
Jonah gave each of them a nod in greeting before claiming an armchair catercorner to Kylie. Laney hung back, choosing to perch on a recliner near a set of patio doors that led to the backyard. A silent way of letting Jonah take the lead in questioning.
“I’m very sorry for your loss,” Jonah started gently.
Kylie’s lip trembled, and he gave her a moment.
“Sheriff Morrison mentioned you and Ava have been roommates for years, and that you have some information about who might’ve wanted to hurt her.
” He removed his cell phone from his pocket.
“I’d like to record our conversation, if you don’t mind.
It'll help me recall all the details accurately later.”
The young woman nodded, and he hit the record button, setting the device on the coffee table. Recording the conversation kept his attention on the witness instead of on taking notes, which meant his sole attention was on whatever Kylie had to say.
Jonah offered an encouraging look. “When was the last time you spoke to Ava?”
“On Thursday afternoon, when she left for the camping trip. Tyler planned the whole thing for their three-year anniversary, and she…she…” Kylie glanced at her boyfriend, tears welling in her eyes.
Parker scooted closer on the couch and ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “Ava suspected Tyler was going to propose on the trip. Kylie had the difficult task of convincing her that Ty was just being sweet, and that he hadn’t so much as hinted at proposing, but Ava didn’t seem convinced.”
“I’m not a good liar.” Kylie gave Jonah a watery smile. “Ty had been planning everything for months. He was going to propose on Sunday, out on the water, at their favorite swimming spot. It was the first place he’d told Ava he loved her.”
Jonah felt a stab of grief for the couple.
Their young lives had been cut far too short, and learning they were in love and on the cusp of getting engaged made their deaths all the more awful.
He’d worked countless murders, but there were a few that buried deep in his heart. This was turning out to be one of them.