Trail of Lies by Margaret Daley

was going on. Why had Axle been murdered? Who did it? What was Axle’s 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 Axle’s 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 man’s 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 niece’s, she’d been upset, telling her uncle that she needed to help with the investigation into Axle’s murder. Her shaken demeanor after the phone call momentarily made Daniel forget that she’d kept quiet when she shouldn’t have. In his job he lived with danger and fear. Melora didn’t. He had to remember that. They needed to work together to find the connection between Axle’s and Captain Pike’s murders.
    Daniel threw together the clothes and toiletries he would need for a week, then glanced around to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything before making his way toward the door. A knock on it slowed his pace. He wasn’t 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. “You’re early.”
    â€œBasketball practice was over early so I came on over.” Clay spotted the bag on the floor nearby. “Going somewhere?”
    â€œI’m sorry I have to cancel tonight, but a case I’m working on—”
    â€œFine. It’s not something that hasn’t happened before.” His son started to turn to leave.
    â€œHold it. Why don’t you take the tickets to the Spurs’ game and have a friend go with you? We can go to dinner and a game another night.” Daniel withdrew his wallet and removed the two tickets he’d 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 Daniel’s grasp.
    â€œIf this wasn’t important—”
    â€œDad, don’t. I’ve heard that before. Thanks for the tickets.” He pivoted and hurried out the door.
    Daniel stared at the empty entrance. He’d done it again. He’d blown it with his son and he couldn’t blame Clay for being upset. After three years of clashing over just about everything, he’d started making some headway with Clay recently and now this would set him back. If he didn’t 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. She’d found another man who could give her what she wanted, and she’d made it clear to Clay it was his dad’s fault their marriage had fallen apart. Cheryl had done everything she could to make sure her son didn’t 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 couldn’t 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 didn’t want to make the same mistakes his father had with him, but it seemed as if he was heading down that