Logic and statistics told me old habits seeped into a person’s blood and seldom found an exit. Life changes were miracles, not the norm. I believed God existed, but I hadn’t gone the route of giving my life to Him. Too much misery in the world to believe in a loving God.

A call from my youngest brother, Brice, interrupted my musings. “Hey, Denton, how’s life on the back forty?”

“Great. Fresh air and good people.”

“And working undercover? I saw that Shelby Pearce was released.”

I knew where this was going. “We’ve met. Talked.”

“Still not too late to resign and join your brothers at Houston PD.”

“I’m fine.”

“Really? What happened to your wedding?”

“For the record, my engagement was headed south before I chose the FBI.”

“She married a cop, our brother.”

“Give it a rest, Brice. The past is in the past. Andy and Lisa’s marriage has worked for a lot of years.” I wish I could accept their relationship . . .

“Know what? You’re right. I’m done giving you a bad time, Bro. Andy jumped all over me after I ran you off at Christmas.” He drew in a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

“Is that why you called?”

“There’s more. I wondered if you planned to be at the barbecue.”

“Mom put you up to this?”

“Yes. She said your staying away is my fault. And she’s right.”

“Never thought you’d swallow your pride.” But I couldn’t bring myself to dissolve the many times Brice had irritated me with his constant badgering.

“You’ve had a solid career with the FBI. But not near what you could have accomplished in the police force.” After my prolonged silence, he sighed. “Don’t forget to call Mom.”

Even with an apology, Brice had a way of making me feel like horse manure. When I least expected it, he’d remind me of something stupid I did in middle school or college. Always something. And it always ended with me not going into the family business. Being a police officer.

My thoughts turned back to Shelby. Before her release from prison, she’d been part of a program that encouraged prisoners to bond with dogs while learning how to train them. I understood from my own experience how an animal could be a source of comfort. Now shame tormented me for giving her the puppy as though I had an ulterior motive.

I paced the floor. I’d investigated every inch of this case—repeatedly. Years ago, Shelby’s parents grieved the death of a son-in-law and stalwart member of the church and community, as they grieved the loss to their oldest, pregnant daughter. Shelby’s high school friends testified to her rebellious and often-dangerous pranks. No one was surprised she’d been charged with murder, except one girl claimed Shelby had put aside her wild ways and chosen to pursue her dreams in fashion design.

Every road I’d followed led to a dead end.

The sensible explanation to my mixed feelings about her today pointed to Shelby playing me for a fool. She’d pretended to be a decent, reformed woman and learned from the past. Had to be a role she played, a ploy of manipulation.