“You haven’t told me what makes you happy.”

“Being with you.”

“Cheesy, Denton.” She pointed to the door. “Go ahead, unless you need help. The kitchen needs a little attention.”

I grabbed my crutches. “I won’t be long. Today starts a new chapter, and I don’t want to waste any of it.”

58

I sensed I’d stepped into a nightmare, and the only way to resolve it was to take action. I navigated my crutches to the small barn while Shelby stayed inside the cabin. I contacted the FIG with my questions about Marissa. Clay had stumbled onto something too—I could feel it.

Marissa, the role model and older sister, had challenged Shelby with math word problems, which developed analytical skills, creative thinking, and to effectively handle life’s problems. Add to that, challenging her ability to solve critical issues in a story setting and her mind expanded to . . . a step-by-step process for whatever Marissa devised for Shelby to do. Just a theory or reality?

I fed and watered Big Red before I yanked my phone from my jean pocket.

Mike answered on the first ring.

“Do you have time for me to run a few things past you?”

He agreed, and I shared the happenings over the last two days. In short, I questioned if Marissa had everyone fooled and if Shelby hadn’t shot her brother-in-law.

“Whoa, you hit me broadside. Have you been drinking?”

“No, Mike, my thinking makes sense.”

“When you told me Shelby refused to handle a weapon, I couldn’t shake it. Let me get this straight. You’re proposing that at an early age Marissa urged Shelby to develop critical thinking by manipulating her to commit crimes under the pretense of games? It’s speculation, but I can’t discount it either. Then again, if Marissa pulled the trigger and took the money, why wait all these years to upgrade her lifestyle?”

“The high-dollar question,” I said. “With Shelby in prison, Marissa might have expanded her business and needed the cover. Or if she is guilty of murder and she took off, would Shelby reveal the truth? If Marissa is driving the threats, I see why she’d encourage Shelby’s suicide before moving on to murder. After all, Shelby is her sister and perhaps paid the price with her freedom. The voice distortion could be Marissa’s, but I don’t think so. If she’s behind the crimes, then she’d have someone else do the dirty work, like we’ve already seen. One more bit of information to process is Marissa’s sudden move to Phoenix. Aria mentioned it to Shelby, and Clay confirmed it.” I relayed all I knew about Marissa abandoning her family.

“Strange there were no goodbyes or taking personal belongings. Don’t you find it interesting Clay made a turnabout with Shelby?”

“Yep. No explanation, and Shelby didn’t ask.”

“Why? Nervous dear old dad might change his tune, or something else?”

I leaned against a horse stall. “Spot-on, in my opinion. I think he may suspect the truth and it’s too much for him to handle. I’ll find out.”