Whirlwind - Janet Dailey Page 0,105

and full of spirit, who should have been bucking with the others today, instead of lying in the arroyo, his bones long since picked clean by scavengers. There was no way Callie would have unlocked the pasture gate and left it open. Somebody else had done that and more, and Lexie was going to find out who—starting tomorrow when she searched Aaron’s place.

* * *

With people getting ready for the busy weekend, supper was a grab-and-go affair, with leftover lasagna and garlic bread available for microwaving and the last of the chocolate cake for dessert. When everyone had finished, Lexie cleaned up, pulled two cold lemon sodas out of the fridge, and went outside. She found Val, as expected, sitting on the porch, watching the last of the sunset fade above the pass.

“I was hoping you’d come out,” Val said. “Sit down. We need to have a sisterly talk.”

Lexie sank into a chair. “I hope it isn’t about Shane.”

“It isn’t. Whatever’s going on between you two is your business, not mine. But he doesn’t want you to leave. He told me that much on the way back to the house.”

“Well, he didn’t say that to me.”

“He wouldn’t, you know. He’s a proud man.” Val popped open her soda, took a swallow, and grimaced. “When were you going to tell the rest of us that you’re going back to school? Tess isn’t going to like it, and I’m not so crazy about the idea myself.”

“Tess doesn’t run my life. Neither does Shane. I thought he was going to need me. But he doesn’t want to need anybody, and I’m tired of trying to figure him out. That’s why I have to leave.”

“Do you love him, Lexie?”

“Does it matter? Is it worth loving someone who doesn’t want to be loved?” Lexie brushed back a lock of her hair. “Never mind. You said you had something else to talk about.”

“That’s right. And I have a feeling you’re not going to like it.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Lexie shrugged. “Shoot.”

Val poured the rest of her soda between the floorboards of the porch and crushed the can in her hand. “Last night at dinner, when Aaron mentioned that he’d be going to Tucson on Friday, you lit up like a Christmas tree. I could read your mind—you’re planning to let yourself into his house and look for evidence.”

“Of course, I am. Isn’t that what we talked about?”

“It is. But I was thinking in terms of our doing it together. I won’t be there to help you tomorrow. By the time I get home, Aaron could be on his way back.”

“That’s why I’m planning to go in early. Sure, I’d rather have you with me—especially as a backup witness in case I find anything. But I can do it on my own.”

Reaching out, Val caught Lexie’s hand and gripped it hard. “Here’s the thing. I don’t have a good feeling about this. I’m begging you, don’t go into that house alone.”

Bewildered, Lexie stared at her sister. “But we need to do this. With Aaron moving away, it could be our only chance.”

“Then let him go,” Val said. “He’ll be out of our lives. Maybe we’ll never know if anything happened between him and Callie. But she’s dead, Lexie. She won’t care. Sometimes you need to put bad things behind you and move on—nobody knows that better than I do.”

“Well, you’re wrong!” Lexie pulled her hand away and stood. “Callie deserves justice. What if she was innocent of those awful things? What if she was murdered? If I don’t try to find out what happened, I’ll never forgive myself.”

“Listen to me, girl,” Val said. “What if Aaron did kill her? If he were to find out you’d been in his house—and he could easily rig something that would let him know—he could come after you. Callie loved you. She wouldn’t want that to happen.” She paused. “Does Shane know what you’re thinking?”

“No. And if you tell him, I’ll never forgive you. But even if he knew, I wouldn’t let him stop me.”

Lexie turned toward the door. Val caught her wrist to stop her from leaving. “Please, Lexie,” she said. “Think about what I’ve said. Justice isn’t worth your life.”

“I’ll think about it—but no promises.” Lexie crossed the porch and went back inside, closing the door behind her.

Val was right—if Aaron had committed crimes, especially if he’d killed Callie, sneaking into his house would be dangerous. But she couldn’t let that stop her. She owed it to