Luke shared the conversation and his observations, frustration bleeding into his voice. “The problem is, the attorney is right. We don’t have enough probable cause to get a search warrant.”
Weston nodded. “Now that Chad’s aware we know Skeeter was murdered with the same weapon used to shoot at the two of you, chances are he’ll get rid of the rifle.”
“I know.” Luke rubbed his chin. “I would’ve preferred to keep that information to myself, but Sheriff Franklin shared it.”
Megan gripped her mug tighter. Why would the sheriff tell the Dickersons about a key piece of information? Was he protecting them? She hadn’t been in the interview, so it was hard to judge his intentions.
“We know two of the incidents are linked because of the evidence.” Luke took a sip of his coffee. “Same gun indicates the same killer.”
“Agreed,” Weston said. “The real question we need to figure out is—if Franny’s murder is linked to Skeeter’s—why did the killer wait so long?”
“He didn’t want to attract attention. Killing Franny and then Skeeter back to back would’ve caught law enforcement’s curiosity. By spacing the murders out over the course of a year and killing Skeeter in a different county, he reduces the likelihood of them being connected.”
Megan nodded. “Different weapons too. Franny was shot with a handgun. Skeeter with a rifle. Add my brother’s confession into the mix and there’s very little chance anyone would’ve considered them linked.”
“Except your aunt,” Luke said. “June believed Wade was innocent from the get-go. She would’ve investigated Skeeter’s death herself. Maybe that’s what led her to find the evidence she called you about.”
“I don’t think so.” She frowned. “I mean, I think June figured out they were connected, but Skeeter died two years ago. Unless some new fact has arisen in the case in the last couple of months, I can’t see how that would’ve helped.”
“I keep circling back to Chad. His alibis are weak and he’s the only suspect so far with a clear motive. He was angry with Franny and Skeeter over their relationship. He kills his sister and frames Wade. Then he bides his time before shooting Skeeter.”
Weston nodded. “It fits.”
“Hey, guys, I’m gonna be the voice of dissent here.” Megan leaned her elbows on the table. “Are you sure Chad is sophisticated enough to have pulled this off? He doesn’t strike me as a criminal mastermind. For starters, he’s openly hostile. If he was trying to hide his actions, screaming at me in front of half a dozen lawmen wasn’t a good idea. He’s also made threats before and never acted on them. Even his actions last night weren’t terribly smart. He didn’t even try to disguise himself.”
“Could be arrogance,” Weston said. “Chad may believe he’s untouchable because of his father.”
Luke drained the last of his coffee. “He could also be crazy like a fox. By being openly hostile, we think he’s incapable of a well-plotted murder. But I think Chad’s smarter than most give him credit for.”
“Hmm, I hadn’t thought about it that way.” Megan fiddled with the key hanging from the chain around her neck. “I wish we could figure out what evidence my aunt uncovered. I have the sinking feeling she found Franny’s journals and hid them somewhere.”
Luke shook his head. “It might not be the journal. The gun used to kill Franny is still missing. June may have uncovered it.”
“Whatever it is, she hid it well. We haven’t been able to located anything that key goes to,” Weston said. He stood and stretched, his fingers brushing the ceiling. “I’d better be on my way, guys. I’m going to interview the friends Skeeter was on the hunting trip with again. Maybe something new will shake loose. Try to keep yourselves out of trouble while I’m gone, okay?”
Luke flashed a grin to his friend. “We’ll try.”
Megan wagged her eyebrows. “But we make no promises.”
“Ha-ha. Y’all are so funny.” He opened the back door. “Keep it up and I’m gonna get the boss to put you on house arrest.”
With that parting warning, Weston left. Megan stood. She picked up her mug, along with Weston’s, and took them over to the sink. “Let’s go to the Wake Up Cafe. Rosa messaged earlier and asked if I would stop by this afternoon.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be wandering around town.”
She spun to face him. “Thank goodness, because I don’t intend on wandering. I’m going to see my aunt’s friend and continue with the investigation.”
His lips flattened and his jaw took on a stubborn edge. He added his own cup to the sink. “Megs—”
“Don’t even think about it.” She narrowed her gaze. “We made a deal, remember?”
“That was made before a madman shot at you.”
“Doesn’t change the deal. I’m not going to be scared away from proving my brother’s innocence. I came here for a reason and I intend to see it through.” She kept her gaze locked on him. “You can’t prevent me from doing this, Luke. I make my own choices.”
“I know that.” He seemed to wrestle with his thoughts before sighing. “I don’t want you to get hurt, Megs. You could’ve died.”
The tremble in his voice was slight, but she heard it. Megan placed a hand on his chest, right over his heart. It thumped against her palm.
“Would you stop working as a Texas Ranger? It’s dangerous. You could die.”
“It’s my job. It’s…”
“It’s worth the risk.” She leaned closer, the heat of his body and the feelings buried in the deep blue of his eyes pulling her in. “And this is worth it to me, Luke.”
He brushed her mouth with his. The kiss was soft and sweet, and Megan’s heart ached for what she’d lost. What she’d thrown away so carelessly. It terrified her to think she might not be able to get it back.
Seventeen
The Wake Up Cafe was at the corner of Main and Second in the center of town. Dark wood floor and plush chairs gave
