Trail of Lies Read Online Free PDF

they got from Eddie Jimenez, a low-level member of the Lions of Texas, who had tried to get the captain’s notes after the shooting. Eddie hadn’t been successful in getting what he had been after. When caught, the thug hadn’t been able to tell them who had killed Gregory Pike or who had sent Eddie after the notes, but the man did tell the Rangers that the group behind all this was called the Lions of Texas. According to Eddie the members were powerful—and very dangerous. Not much to go on, but a start. And if Axle was a member of the Lions, then getting to know everything about the man could lead to others in the group.
    â€œDo you think Mrs. Hudson knows what her husband was up to? What got him killed?”
    His image of Melora, frightened and vulnerable, didn’t fit with her being a cold, calculating woman who approved of her husband’s illegal activities. “I aim to find out. I don’t think the intruder was there to rob her place. Oliver is tracking down the getaway car.”
    â€œStay on her. Get to be her new best friend. Find out what she knows.”
    â€œThat’s what I plan on doing.” As Daniel headed toward the door, his cell rang. Noticing the call came from the sheriff, he answered it as he left Ben’s office. “Riley here.”
    â€œWe’re at Alicia Wells’s apartment. I think you should come take a look at the place.”
    â€œShe’s not there?”
    â€œNope, and it appears she left in a hurry.”
    After the sheriff gave him the location of the apartment, Daniel slipped his cell into his pocket and started for the exit.
    Oliver stopped him. “I tracked down the white Honda, at least I think it’s the one. It was reported missing this morning. It belongs to Paul Carson.”
    â€œHas the car been found?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œCheck Carson out and interview him. The man I chased was compact, five feet nine inches with medium-length black hair. See if he fits the description.”
    Daniel hurried toward his truck. He felt as though Melora was the key to what was going on. He would stick to her like glue.
    Thirty minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of the building where Alicia Wells lived. When he entered the apartment, the sheriff waved him over and pointed at a spot on the rug, the size of a quarter. “Found this after I called you. We tested it. That’s fresh blood.”

THREE
    â€œS o you think it’s human?” Daniel scanned Alicia Wells’s living room.
    â€œYes. No signs of a pet. But the lab will have to confirm it and the blood type.”
    â€œWhy do you think she ran?” Daniel spotted a desk with some open drawers.
    The sheriff stiffened.
    â€œBecause her clothes and most of her personal belongings are gone. I didn’t see this blood until a second walk-through.”
    â€œSo you’re thinking someone took her and made it look like she left?”
    Sheriff Layton stroked his chin. “Possibly. I suppose there could be a simple explanation for the blood, like she cut herself. It certainly isn’t enough to kill her.” He flipped back the edge of the rug.
    Daniel noticed several more spots of what looked like dried blood along that edge—not nearly enough to indicate she was seriously injured. But his gut feeling on this was they’d find Alicia dead. He hoped he was wrong, but the people they were dealing with wouldn’t hesitate to kill someone after they got what they wanted. “I’ll have my office look into Alicia Wells if that’s okay with you.”
    â€œFine by me.” The sheriff started for the bedroom. “I suspect Ms. Wells didn’t go willingly.”
    â€œIf Alicia gave someone the code and key to the house, that would explain the how of the break-in but not the why or the who.”
    â€œYou don’t think it was just a robbery attempt?”
    â€œI think there’s more to it. Possibly