“Dustin.” She glanced at him. “I just can’t get past my confusion about his actions. I know I sound like a broken record, but if there wasn’t concrete proof that he jumped, I’d swear he was murdered. I feel even stronger about it now that I’ve read this letter.”

Gavin nodded. “I have to agree with that.”

“Tomorrow, I want to go by the VA hospital.”

He shot her a frown. “Why? What do you have in mind?”

“It’s just an idea. Maybe a stupid one, but Dr. Kilgore is involved in all of this somehow—and probably that nurse, Donna.” She paused. “I have a feeling they’re closer to the bottom of the food chain, though, and someone else is calling the shots with whatever is going on at the hospital.”

“Then we’ll see what we can find first thing in the morning.”

CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE

Lewis dropped his head into his hands and studied the photos in front of him. He’d taken a huge chance in opening the package Dustin had sent Rochelle . . . Sarah. As soon as Mrs. Lawson had told him she was coming to the house and that she’d asked about her mail, he’d known something was up. Only something of dire importance would bring her into the same air he breathed, and he’d gone looking.

Fortunately, he’d been extremely careful and she hadn’t noticed the small slit or the extra tape. He’d read Dustin’s letter and hadn’t seen anything terribly incriminating in it. He’d simply placed it in a new envelope and written her name on the front, copying Dustin’s writing as close as he could. He’d had to wait two hours for his hands to quit shaking in order to write her name—a clear sign of just how rattled he’d been by the pictures and other information Dustin had sent.

He didn’t want to believe it, but the proof was right there.

Now, he had to quit stalling and decide exactly how to handle everything.

For the second time in his life, he simply didn’t know what to do. After several more minutes of deliberation, he picked up his cell phone and punched in a number. When the person answered with a gruff hello, Lewis said, “We need to talk.”

Caden met the two detectives at the hospital, along with a CID detective named Patty Boyer. He had just walked through the door when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. A text from Sarah.

Need to see you ASAP. I’d planned to talk to you this morning, but you left too early.

Caden frowned and typed.

At the hospital getting ready to question Wilmont about this guy Max. We just got approval from the doctor to talk to him so I bolted.

When you finish, we’ll be waiting at your house.