“No, he asked me not to,” Maya said, looping her thumbs into her duty belt and working to keep the emotions at bay. She would let them out later. Dr. Meyers had also worked with her on the importance of not holding everything in, but for now, she was glad to have the distraction of work.
“I guess I can understand,” Lucas said. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” she said, turning to walk back to her vehicle. “See you in a few minutes.”
When Maya climbed back in her patrol SUV, Juniper popped her head out the small open door into the cab. She gave Maya some more slurps. “Thanks, girly.”
Hearing the vehicle start, Juniper pulled her head back and curled up in her compartment, deciding to catch another nap while they drove. Maya headed in the direction of the recreation cabins, hoping they could find something useful.
Preferably something that didn’t connect or incriminate Josh in this homicide.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Parking at the courthouse, Josh spotted his father’s rental car. His dad was in the driver’s seat and seemed to be gathering some items together before getting out.
“Perfect,” Josh said to himself as he shut his vehicle off and hopped out.
The morning air was still crisp and cool even down at the lower elevation. The courthouse lawn was starting to green up and the trees had buds that would soon be leaves. It was closer to spring down here, although the forecasted storm would not only hit Pinecone Junction, but also the front range too. Josh had learned that spring storms would dump a large quantity of wet, heavy snow and then melt fast. That’s when everything really greened up. One of his favorite times of the year in Colorado.
His dad saw Josh approaching and unfolded out of the vehicle with the same briefcase he’d had for years in his hand. Supposedly, Josh’s mom had given his dad the briefcase for his first trial. His dad had won that trial and said it was his good-luck charm. That good-luck charm was now battered and well-worn.
“Morning, Josh,” his dad said.
“Hi, Dad. You have a minute?”
“Sure. Although can we walk and talk? I don’t want to be late.”
“That sounds good,” Josh said. “I have a case I need to testify at as well. Then I’ll be in to watch a little bit of Pops’ trial.”
They started walking toward the entrance, matching strides.
“What do you need?” Josh’s dad asked.
“This homicide, the recent one. We believe that the remains could be Amber.”
“I guessed as much when you were asking me to find out information. I feel for her family and I hate seeing a life cut short. It’s so sad.”
“It is,” Josh said. “The thing is, if it is her, then I think someone is trying to frame me for her murder. I don’t know who to trust other than you and Maya.”
“Why would they be trying to frame you?” his dad asked, a surprised look on his face.
Josh filled him in about Amber’s phone call and the evidence.
“And you have this evidence? You think it could prove that someone else killed Sydney? And whoever knows the truth is the person trying to frame you?” his dad asked, adding, “You have to understand. This sounds a little bit paranoid.”
“I know how it sounds, but I really believe that someone is using my past to try to make me the perfect suspect. And I do have the evidence,” Josh said. “I guess I don’t know for sure what it would prove, because I don’t have anything to compare the evidence to.”
“Is that evidence in a safe place? Somewhere that whoever wants it won’t be able to find?”
“It is,” Josh said, still wondering if giving it to Maya was the right choice. What if something happened to her?
“Do you think whoever this is would try to come after you? Are you in danger?”
“I don’t know. They seem more intent on framing me right now,” Josh said. He’d been so worried about Maya and her safety, he hadn’t thought much about his, but his dad had a good point. He needed to be more aware as well. “But I also have a question for you about the senator.”
“What is it?”
“Did you accidentally run into them at the airport or did Mom invite them?” Josh asked. He knew Maya was right. The senator and his family deciding to visit didn’t seem like a coincidence. There were other places in Colorado the rich, famous, and political liked to visit.
