Dare to Dream: The Maxwell Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

hunched over the table, quickly checked the photo, then sat back in his chair. I picked up the picture. A mug shot of a Caucasian guy with red hair, gold- rimmed glasses, and a peace-sign earring in his left ear held up a numbered sign in front of him. He had pockmarks on his face, and if he hadn’t had red hair, he probably could have passed for Tommy Lee Jones’s brother. I’d remember a guy who looked like the actor.
    “Is he in jail?” I asked.
    “Weeks did some time, but no. He’s not behind bars anymore,” the detective said. “Does he look familiar to any of you?”
    I pushed the picture back to the detective. “I’ve never seen him before.”
    Dad and Rob said the same.
    “So is this Weeks guy your suspect?” Dad asked.
    “Not sure.” Detective Fisher unfolded his bulk to stand. “That’s all I have for now. If you can think of anything, please give me a call. We’ll be in touch.” He stretched to his full height. “Thank you for coming in.”
    A feeling of hopelessness clung to the pit of my stomach. I was beginning to think we would never find the person responsible, and we had to. I had to understand at least why someone would kill my family. More importantly, I wanted someone to pay for their sins.
    Rob jumped to his feet. Dad was quick to stand too. They made their way out as if they needed air. It still puzzled me why Rob was so nervous.
    “Should we be worried about these people coming back into our lives?” I knew Detective Fisher couldn’t say for sure, but I had to ask.
    “Like you said. They probably got what they wanted. Although if I knew what that was, it might blow this case wide open.” He pulled a business card from his shirt pocket. “If you need to talk or if you think of something, I want you to call me.”
    I slipped his card into the back pocket of my jeans. “I will.” I started for the hallway then turned. “Thank you.”
    He angled his bald head. “For what?”
    “For sticking with this case for so long. I know it’s your job, but you seem emotionally involved for some reason.” That softness returned to his eyes again, and it spoke volumes.
    He smiled, showing a crooked eyetooth. “Sooner or later we’ll get them.”
    I left the police station with my mind twisted in a heap of worry and a little bit of excitement. While Detective Fisher hadn’t given us great news, he did have a lead.
    Once Rob and I were in his car and on our way, I asked, “Why were you so nervous in there?” Rob had a way of closing down when something was bothering him. Sometimes getting him to talk was like pulling a chew toy from a dog.
    He sucked in his bottom lip as he braked for a red light. “I hate talking about this. I just want our lives to be normal. I just want to stop hurting. I just want the fucker who killed our family to rot in hell.” His voice shook.
    My mouth fell open. Rob had said more in a few seconds than he had since Mom and Julie’s funeral. Like Dad, he always avoided the touchy-feely topics.
    The light changed to green. As we inched our way through the LA traffic to the next stoplight, I asked, “What do you think the person was after?”
    He gave the car some gas. “Lacey, if we knew the answer, it still wouldn’t bring back Julie or Mom.” His voice was calmer. “Dad and I have been through all the valuables we own. Nothing was taken.”
    “I get that. But what were they looking for?” That was the million-dollar question.
    He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I wish I had the answers.”
    I wished he did too. I wished for a lot of things. Like time travel back to the past, which was impossible. I made a mental note to go through some of Mom’s things when I got back to Ashford.

Chapter Five
    Kade
    A s Hunt and I sat in the reception area of the Guardian office, I sifted through the events of Friday night. The cops had been right behind the ambulance. We had to hang around so we could give our statements. At first, I was a little apprehensive, given I