was going on. Why had Axle been murdered? Who did it? What was Axleâs connection to the Lions of Texas?Where was the flash drive? What was on it? Question after question tumbled through his thoughts.
Anderson and Oliver were at Axleâs business, reviewing the business papers under the watchful eye of William Thompson. His own interview with Thompson a few days ago had proved fruitless, but maybe something would come of going through the paperwork at Hudson Restaurant, Inc. Ben had already heard from Tyler Madison demanding to know what was going on. His captain was fielding the manâs inquiries, but threats to go to the governor were being tossed around.
When Tyler had called Melora, not two hours after his visit to his nieceâs, sheâd been upset, telling her uncle that she needed to help with the investigation into Axleâs murder. Her shaken demeanor after the phone call momentarily made Daniel forget that sheâd kept quiet when she shouldnât have. In his job he lived with danger and fear. Melora didnât. He had to remember that. They needed to work together to find the connection between Axleâs and Captain Pikeâs murders.
Daniel threw together the clothes and toiletries he would need for a week, then glanced around to make sure he wasnât forgetting anything before making his way toward the door. A knock on it slowed his pace. He wasnât expecting anyone. Dropping his bag at his feet, he leaned forward and checked who it was through the peephole.
Clay. What was his son doing here? Then he remembered and groaned.
Pulling the door open, he stood to the side to let his seventeen-year-old into the house. âYouâre early.â
âBasketball practice was over early so I came on over.â Clay spotted the bag on the floor nearby. âGoing somewhere?â
âIâm sorry I have to cancel tonight, but a case Iâm working onââ
âFine. Itâs not something that hasnât happened before.â His son started to turn to leave.
âHold it. Why donât you take the tickets to the Spursâ game and have a friend go with you? We can go to dinner and a game another night.â Daniel withdrew his wallet and removed the two tickets heâd bought for a night with his son. He held them out to Clay, not sure by the frown on his face if his son would even take them.
Clay glared at them for a long moment, then snatched them from Danielâs grasp.
âIf this wasnât importantââ
âDad, donât. Iâve heard that before. Thanks for the tickets.â He pivoted and hurried out the door.
Daniel stared at the empty entrance. Heâd done it again. Heâd blown it with his son and he couldnât blame Clay for being upset. After three years of clashing over just about everything, heâd started making some headway with Clay recently and now this would set him back. If he didnât get so wrapped up in work, maybe he would have remembered about his plans with Clay and been able to make other arrangements.
With a heavy sigh, Daniel grabbed his bag and left his apartment. When this case was over, he would make it up to Clay somehow. Their relationship had always been rocky since Cheryl had divorced him when their son was four. Sheâd found another man who could give her what she wanted, and sheâd made it clear to Clay it was his dadâs fault their marriage had fallen apart. Cheryl had done everything she could to make sure her son didnât want to live with Daniel through the years.
Shaking those memories from his mind, Daniel reached his truck and slipped inside. He needed lessons on how tobe a father. He certainly couldnât use his own sire as an example. He and his dad had butted heads most of their relationship. Like father, like son? He hoped not. He didnât want to make the same mistakes his father had with him, but it seemed as if he was heading down that
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