Deadly Image (Faithful Hearts Suspense) by Tamelia Tumlin

Author:Tamelia Tumlin [Tumlin, Tamelia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Steel Magnolia Press
Published: 2013-11-21T16:00:00+00:00

Ace pulled into Lexi’s drive at a quarter to seven and killed the engine.

Finally. Some good news for a change, or at least some bittersweet news.

Bertha had corroborated James’ story about Lexi being at the hardware store the day Anna disappeared. Now, at least, they had another eyewitness that could put Lexi somewhere besides the burger joint with Anna. Not that it explained how she was also caught on Bill’s surveillance video at nearly the same time, but it did make him feel better about Lexi’s possible innocence.

However, it seemed there were only two plausible explanations about Lexi’s involvement and neither one thrilled Ace. Either Bertha was lying to cover for Lexi – and he really hoped she wasn’t – or else someone was setting Lexi up. If the latter, then Anna could be in grave danger – if she weren’t already dead.

Ace opened the car door only a moment before his heart slammed to a halt in his chest as a third chilling possibility hit him. What if Lexi was guilty and she wasn’t working alone? What if someone had used a disguise in Bill’s Best Burgers to throw them off while Lexi was at the hardware store with an airtight alibi? Ace gripped the door handle. This would explain why the surveillance video seemed a bit odd. Maybe it wasn’t Lexi with Anna after all, but Lexi’s accomplice in disguise instead. An accomplice who had a limp.

The theory, though a bit of a stretch, was possible. It was an angle they hadn’t worked yet and one he hoped didn’t pan out.

Ace stepped out of the car with a frown. For now, he’d keep those speculations to himself. At least until he could investigate further. But there was one still one very important detail missing from his theory.

Motive.

What possible reason would Lexi have to pretend her daughter had been kidnapped?

Money? Not likely, since she appeared well-off. And who would pay the ransom? Her parents?

Freedom? Maybe. The responsibility of being a single mom could be overwhelming her. He’d seen it happen before.

Ace slammed the car door and headed toward the house. He’d investigate, but unlike Sheriff Dawson, he wasn’t quite ready to jump to conclusions and assume Lexi was guilty. Yet, by the same token, he also wasn’t ready to completely acquit her. There were too many pieces of the puzzle missing for him to make assumptions in either direction.

“Where’s Sheriff Dawson?” Lexi looked behind Ace expectantly as soon as he entered the foyer.

“He stopped by Faith Community Church to see how the volunteer search was going. I’m sure he’ll come back by here shortly.” Ace flashed a smile. “You will be happy to know Bertha verified your story of being in the hardware store the day Anna disappeared.”

“Thank goodness.” Relief washed over her features. “Now, I’m glad I ran out of wall border and had to make that trip into town. Otherwise, no one would have seen me.”

“I always say things happen for a reason. Maybe it was intended for you to be seen.

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