Out For Justice. Susan Kearney

Gray clouds scudded across the sky, threatening a May shower. Azaleas and bluebonnets bloomed in hanging baskets along the sidewalk. And the townsfolk nodded friendly hellos or tipped their hats to passersby.

      They strode past Mayor Daniels’s campaign headquarters where red, white and blue balloons attached to parking meters outside whipped about in the wind. A banner had come loose and flapped, a broken cord dangling.

      “Andrew told me you were a fashion plate, but I thought he exaggerated,” Wade teased as he walked beside her wearing the same jeans and dark blue shirt he’d worn since this morning.

      “Dressing for the part gives me confidence.”

      “You look like confidence personified.”

      “Thank you,” she said as self-assurance welled up in her.

      Kelly was surprised his patience with her investigation hadn’t worn thin by now, but although his long legs ate up a steady pace on the sidewalk, he didn’t hurry her. He also didn’t pepper her with questions. Unlike the men she’d dated, some of whom could have filled up the Grand Canyon with their compliments, Wade’s simple words touched her. That he actually seemed willing to let her take the lead, she appreciated even more.

      Wade opened the door for her at Lambert & Church and the cool air-conditioning caused goose bumps to form on her skin. Or perhaps it was the stench of the burned annex out back where Andrew had died. Although a construction company had cleared the burned timbers, the scorched earth still reeked of smoke.

      Kelly headed straight for the receptionist. “Hi, Wanda.” She greeted the friendly woman who answered the phones and guarded passage to the inner sanctum. “I’d like to speak with Mr. Lambert or Mr. Church, please.”

      “Sorry, Kelly. Mr. Lambert’s in court and Mr. Church has a meeting with Mayor Daniels.” Wanda spoke softly. “I want to tell you again how sorry I am about Andrew. We all miss him.”

      “Thanks.”

      Beside her Wade squeezed her hand as if he realized how difficult it still was for her to talk about the loss of her brother. But for Andrew’s sake, she had to be strong.

      “If there’s anything I can do—” Wanda’s phone rang and she answered it, then transferred the call. “If you like, I can make you an appointment for next week.”

      Kelly was considering the time slots Wanda offered her just as Lindsey Wellington breezed through the front doors. Kelly recognized the woman lawyer as one of Andrew’s co-workers but didn’t know her well. A newcomer to Mustang Valley, Lindsey wore her blouse buttoned up to her neck and a long-sleeved jacket as if she still lived in Boston, where Kelly knew she was from.

      “Kelly McGovern.” Lindsey shifted her documents and stuck out her hand, shaking Kelly’s then Wade’s as Kelly made introductions.

      Lindsey shoved back her shiny brown hair and surveyed them with piercing blue eyes. “I didn’t expect you so soon. But please come into my office.”

      “You’re expecting me?” Kelly looked at Wade, who shrugged and appeared puzzled, too.

      “Would you like a cup of coffee, tea or a soda?” Lindsey asked as they followed her into her office where stacks of legal documents perched on top of file cabinets and flowed in a river across the floor. In contrast, her desk was immaculate.

      “No, thanks,” Kelly answered for both of them.

      Lindsey walked behind her desk, opened a closet door and spoke over her shoulder. “You didn’t get my phone message?”

      “I’m afraid not.”

      “Well, I’m glad you came.” Lindsey picked up a carton and set it down on her desk right in front of them in a forthright manner. “Before I moved in here, Andrew had this office. When he relocated to the annex, he forgot to take some of his things. I thought you’d want them.”

      At the familiar smell of Andrew’s faded brown leather jacket, Kelly’s throat clogged and her voice hitched. “Thanks.”

      “There’s not much here.” Lindsey’s tone, although brusque and polite, still managed to convey sympathy. “A few family pictures. Some work notes. Just old memos and junk he forgot to move.”

      That old junk was all she had left of her brother. Oh, God. Kelly hadn’t known this would be so hard. Dealing with his death struck her at the oddest and most unexpected times.

      She grappled for self-control. Wade had taken a chair beside her, seemed to understand her difficulty and inserted himself smoothly into the conversation. “Lindsey, did Andrew have any enemies here?”

      Lindsey’s eyes widened. “At the firm? Everyone gets along.”

      “What about clients?” Wade persisted. “Surely Andrew might have had a few criminals who believed he could have defended them better?”

      “Possibly. But they’re in jail.” Lindsey frowned, her gaze cutting from Wade to Kelly with sharp suspicion. “What’s all this about? And why are you here if you didn’t get my message?”

      Kelly finally collected herself by ignoring that box of Andrew’s. “We don’t think the fire was an accident.” She didn’t reveal that the killer had used the fire to cover up a shooting. If the sheriff wanted to keep his investigation quiet, Kelly would abide by the man’s wishes.

      “You’re implying the fire was deliberate?” Lindsey spoke in her strong Boston accent. “We’re talking murder?”

      “Yes,” Kelly admitted. “But please keep this to yourself. The sheriff wants it that way.”

      “All right. I always liked your brother.” Lindsey sounded both sympathetic and careful. Clearly cautious and holding back, she peered at them as if trying to make up her mind about something.

      “What?” Kelly’s heart hammered her ribs. “If you know anything that might help us figure out who killed my brother…anything at all,” Kelly pleaded, “tell us.”

      “I probably shouldn’t—”

      “—but you will.”

      “—give you this.” Lindsey opened a file cabinet and used a key to unlock a compartment. “Andrew was working on these papers right before he died. It’s a copy of a file.” Lindsey spilled the rest. “I think Andrew left this here for safekeeping, but I have no idea why.”

      “What is it?” Wade asked.

      “It’s a contract offer to buy the family ranch of Andrew’s girlfriend.”

      Debbie’s family was moving? Andrew had never said a word to Kelly about it, but then, he didn’t like to talk about his girlfriend since the family had clearly disapproved of her. And due to that lack of communication, Kelly had no idea if this file could be important. Perhaps Wade knew more than she did, and she made a mental note to ask him about Debbie and her family later.

      Wade reached for the documents. “Is there anything unusual about the offer?”

      “None that I can see.” Lindsey frowned at them. “But maybe you should talk to the family.”

      “We will.” Kelly stood. “Everything you’ve told us is confidential. No one will know where those papers came from. After all, Andrew could have left them at home.”

      Lindsey motioned her to sit. “There’s one more person you might question.”

      “Who?”

      “I shouldn’t be telling you this.” Lindsey shrugged, then sighed. “But I’d like to see justice done.”

      “I don’t want to compromise your position, but any help you can give us would be appreciated.”

      Lindsey gestured with her hands. “It’s nothing that wasn’t reported in the Mustang Gazette just a few months ago.”

      “I