Page 21 of Keeping Her Secrets

“Do you know Clint Moody?”

Her blush was all the confirmation he needed. “Yes, we met a few months ago. He was Davey’s best man.”

“How well do you know him?” Mustique asked.

Lois gave Mari her attention. “Well enough.”

Her answer was evasive, and he didn’t know what she was trying to hide from them or why. “Are you sleeping with him?” Ash watched her reaction to the direct question.

Her back stiffened. “That’s none of your business. What the hell is this?”

Mustique went for the kill. “Clint was found shot this morning in his motel room.”

Lois went gray, and he thought she might faint, as her hand covered her mouth, and she held the counter she was leaning on for dear life. “No. He… he was fine when I left him. Is he okay? I need to go to him.” Her tear-stained eyes met his, and Ash moved toward her.

“Come sit down.” Ash helped her to the couch and pushed her head between her knees to stop her from passing out.

“He’s in surgery. Hopefully we got to him in time.”

A sob came from Lois, and his eyes moved to Mari. Lois and Clint were more than a hook-up at a wedding, rather they were in love—at least Lois was.

Lois lifted her head slowly, the color coming back to her cheeks a little. “Who would hurt Clint? He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Ash bit his lip at that comment. Clint was a Navy SEAL, and he had done more than hurt people, he’d killed in the name of his country.

“Clint was seen getting into his rental car around ten-thirty last night behind the hotel. Can you tell me where he was going?”

“He was coming here. I’d borrowed an old-fashioned chimney sweep kit from a friend of a friend as a good luck charm for Davey and Jessie on their wedding day. I didn’t want to ruin my dress, so Clint put it in his car and brought it here before we went back to the hotel. Since he had a room, we stayed there, so we could walk and have a few drinks at the party.”

“Do you still have the kit?”

“Yeah, that’s it. I have to return it on Monday.” She motioned to the long bag behind her. Ash stepped over to it and looked inside to find it was indeed a chimney sweep brush set. It was also the same shape as a long gun bag, and what they’d seen on camera. Fuck. Moody had been set up.

“Did you go with Clint to your apartment?” He wanted to be sure this wasn’t a distraction.

“Yes, I wanted to change my shoes, so he drove around to the front of the hotel and picked me up at the main doors, so I didn’t have to walk all the way to the car. He’s sweet that way.” Another sob slid from her lips.

Mustique disappeared into the kitchen before returning with a glass of cold water for the other woman. “Here, drink this. Do you have someone you can call to pick you up and sit with you at the hospital?”

“Yes, I can call my mom.”

“Okay, good.”

Lois raised her eyes up, and they had steel in them when she asked, “Are you going to find the person that did this?”

“Yes, Lois, we are,” he assured her.

She nodded. “Good, make them pay.”

He and Mustique went towards the door, anxious to get moving and speak with Craven and find out who the shooter was.

He stopped in the doorway and regarded Lois. “How come you two kept your relationship a secret?”

“It was new, and I was worried Jessie wouldn’t be happy about it. Clint has a bit of a reputation as a player, and you know how overprotective she can be.”

“I understand, but for the record, I don’t think Clint would hurt you.”

Lois nodded, and they left closing the door behind them.

“Do you think she’s safe? She’s giving the fall guy an alibi. The real shooter could come after her,” Mustique said as soon as they were out of earshot.

“I agree, which is why I wanted someone with her. Hopefully she’ll go straight to the hospital.”

“Should we take her? We can check on Moody at the same time.”

Ash opened the car door and got in before he answered. “Why are you avoiding Craven?”

“I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. You’re doing everything in your power to avoid seeing her.”

“Can we drop it, please?” She sounded tired, and he felt terrible for bringing it up.

“Fine, but you’re going to have to tell me sooner or later.”

Mustique said nothing but carried on studying the window again, hiding her eyes from him.