“Okay. I suggest contacting Denton instead of Edie or Amy-Jo to drive you.”

“Why? My dad has a mind like a steel trap. He’ll recognize Denton’s name.”

“Does it matter? If anything, Denton’s presence means the FBI believes in your rehabilitation.”

Then it hit me. “This is an opportunity for Denton to see if the threats are coming from here or Sharp’s Creek. We know I’m being watched. But, Sheriff, a smart person wouldn’t show his face and risk arrest here or there.”

“Depends on the person’s desperation.”

I thought about Randy’s state of mind and the logic of staying away from him. “I’d rather have someone with me who knows how to defend himself.”

“We’re rollin’ along the same road.”

His encouragement gave me a nudge toward optimism. I must cling to a better tomorrow. “I’ll talk to Denton. I wish I trusted him more. Amy-Jo scheduled my regular day off for Monday. I’ll see if anyone will switch Friday with me. With Mom in hospice care, I don’t want to wait.”

“Good. Work it all out and let me know the plan.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Get some sleep, and don’t open the door to Randy. If he shows, call me. His truck’s parked at a local bar, and he doesn’t hold his liquor well. I’ve posted an officer to keep an eye on him.”

“What about the safety of his ex-wife and sons?”

“I’ve warned them and Edie.”

At least I understood the enemy in prison. Randy Hughes was a wild card.

“Shelby, what if a trip to Sharp’s Creek gave you an opportunity to carry out your fake suicide? Think about layin’ the groundwork with Amy-Jo and Edie startin’ tonight. Use your original cell phone to contact them. I know it means changin’ plans in midstream with little time to finalize, but takin’ advantage of the trip sounds good to me.”

“Not sure if the drug dealer will be at the café tomorrow. If not, most people won’t have a problem believing I had access to his goods. But Edie does know I’m feeling down.”

“I’ll make sure the right story is spread, and James Peterson is aware.”

When the conversation ended, I phoned Denton on my burner and explained the situation. We agreed to leave Friday morning at five. My next call went to Edie as Sheriff Wendall suggested. If my stalker had tapped into my phone, he might hit the overconfidence button and expose his identity. I told her about my mother.

“If I can make arrangements at the café for Friday, Denton will drive me.”

“Shelby, I’d like to take you. It—”

“You told your brother you’d keep your distance until this ended. Your kids need their mom.”

Edie sighed. “All right. Let me know as soon as you two head home.”

“Sure.” I paused. “This will be hard. Mom’s dying. Dad disowned me, and my sister . . . Some days I struggle to live.”

“God’s with you. And I’m your un-biological sister. So is Amy-Jo. Hold on tight to that truth.”