Aria drew in a breath. “She told me Mom’s behavior had nothing to do with me. She said life isn’t always what it looks like, and I should seek out the truth—from you.”

“Was this conversation before or after I visited Sharp’s Creek?”

“Both. She said you promised to find the truth.”

I gazed into her young face. I’d always believed Marissa was a perfect mother. So many reasons for her rejecting Aria, from guilt of killing Travis to having me take the blame. But it wasn’t her daughter’s fault. Maybe Aria had inherited more than my physical likeness. Perhaps my curiosity streak. What else explained her visit and accusations against Marissa?

“Why does Mom make everything about her?”

“I have no idea.”

Aria worried her lip. Rats, I did the same thing. Were the similarities why Marissa might have held back on her love?

Aria glanced around us as though someone might be eavesdropping. “I overheard two conversations lately. Mom was talking on the phone and didn’t know I’d come home from school early. I have no idea who was on the other end. She said, ‘Shelby’s release has to be short. Do what’s needed to eliminate her.’”

I fixed an impassive expression on my face. Yet my pulse sped. “There’s no way for me to judge the conversation without hearing all of it. Perhaps she feared for you or she was concerned I’d try to contact the family.”

“The only thing Mom fears is not being the center of attention.”

Harsh, but I didn’t contradict her.

“The second thing happened when I overheard Mom and Grandma talking. Grandma knew you didn’t kill my dad.” Aria gasped. “She asked if Mom pulled the trigger.”

Mom had confronted Marissa? “Aria, my fingerprints were on the firearm.”

She stared at me as though she saw into my soul. Emotions swept over her face—disbelief, confusion, grief. I longed to reach out and hug her, but I dared not. She must be convinced I killed her father.

“Aunt Shelby, I’ve seen enough movies to know fingerprints can be removed and others added. Can we go to your house when you’re off work? I’d like to spend time with you, get to know you better, and see where you live.”

Nausea hit me. Had she figured out who really killed Travis? “It’s a violation of my parole, and you’re underage.”

“Mom told me you’re not to have communication with family, but I’m the one who came to see you. Doesn’t that make it okay?”

Something Marissa had claimed bothered me. I smiled into the eyes matching mine in color. “This has been a hard season for you. Do you have plans for spring break? A vacation for you and Dad?”

“Granddad and I will go through all of Grandma’s things, a hard job for both of us.”

“Nothing fun?”

“Money’s tight right now. We might do a little fishing.” She paused. “One of my girlfriends asked if I could spend a night or two with her.”