“You’ve had plenty of years to come up with a dozen. Since you’re living there, I’ll listen.”

I explained the happenings, including the threats. “She had no part of embezzling the money. I’m sure of it.”

“Never expected to hear ‘innocent’ from your lips. Why the change of heart?”

“When she went to prison, parole was a possibility for the future. So why refuse to acknowledge embezzling the money when she might never have access to it? Years ago, you asked me the same thing. Except I wouldn’t listen. I believed in the accomplice theory, and I should have listened to you.”

“I’m marking this on my calendar—Denton McClure admits he’s been wrong. What about her has changed your mind?”

“More than what I could verbalize.”

“Try me.”

“Another time, Mike, when I’m able to weigh the girl then and the woman now. Looking at what we’ve learned over the years, what was your gut reaction to her during the trial and interviews?”

“She confessed to murder. But something never seemed right about the theft, and the prosecuting attorney did his best to get a name or her accomplice from her. You’ve worked this case sporadically since it happened. Anyone else grab your attention? Anyone in her hometown come into a sudden cash flow? I know you’ve monitored reports from the area.”

“No one from Sharp’s Creek. Her parents still own the bakery, and her sister works in the family business.”

“Who has Shelby kept in contact with over the years?”

“Zilch.”

“Do you have suspects for the threats?” Mike continued.

“Possibly a Valleysburg local motivated by a need to protect folks from an ex-con.”

“Keep your eyes open, Denton.” Mike paused. “Poke around. When you get concrete evidence, call me. Back then we found unidentifiable smudged fingerprints on the murder weapon. Maybe we can find a match.”

26

SHELBY

If I could discover my enemy’s motivation, I could reverse engineer the reasons and confront the culprit. Tuesday afternoon, thoughts from last night’s conversation with Sheriff Wendall and Denton anchored me to explore luring my enemy into a trap. With what had happened since arriving here, I gave the person no leeway—someone had a definite agenda.

Swallowing my pride came at a cost, but this mess had sprawled to affect others.

After locking up the cabin, I walked to Denton’s. The jaunt through nature calmed me—the sights, sounds, and cooler temps. He could be the one behind this mess, and if so, my request would add points to his side. I shivered.

Nothing to keep score here. My only goal was to stop the threats.

At Denton’s cabin, a little smaller than mine, I knocked on the door. His eyes widened at my arrival. Catching him off guard was well worth humbling myself to request his help.

“I wasn’t who you expected?” I said.

“Not exactly.”

“Shall I leave?”

“Not at all. Come on in.”

“If you have time, I’d like to talk in confidence.”

He stepped back and led me to a round kitchen table and single chair, the only visible space not covered with stacks of papers. “Sorry about the mess.”