Pierce was probably overthinking this. He did that. Payton had told him as much, more than once. Said he needed to stop running every worst-case scenario and just make a decision.
Hell. He stood there right now as if it was already a done deal. If he backed out now—everything came out of the box in front of him and he just erased what he’d done so far. And everything that Kai was going through would just continue on.
Just like it already was. Hamsters on the wheel, never getting anywhere. Well, how was his son supposed to get better with that? Pierce just needed to make the damned decision. One way or another. Before the ghosts haunted them all forever.
First…do what he could on the Gibson case. He needed to at least see it to the finish line, if he could. Then…Pierce was going to do what he had to do.
Chapter 13
Miranda cataloged the majority of the evidence that remained from the Gibson case so long ago. Pierce had documented and logged and recorded and everything else he could have done since he’d taken over the case completely ten years earlier. There was nothing in his work to indicate he'd made a single mistake. That didn't surprise her at all. Every Asher she'd met was methodical and perfectionistic.
Payton on the job could be enough to drive a woman around the bend. But her friend was exceptionally good at what she did. Miranda suspected Payton’s brother was the same. And there was definitely something big bothering this man. She could see it in the big gray eyes he shared with his little sister. "So where in Texas are you going?"
“Finley Creek. Working for Luc down there. Security.”
“I’ve been hearing a lot about that place lately. I’m going to give you a number of a forensics genius who works in Finley Creek. She’s a contact who may come in handy someday.” And Charlotte Talley could be just fiery enough for one Pierce Asher, in Miranda’s opinion. If not, well…Charlotte a lot of friends. Pierce could use some of those, she suspected.
“Is she hot?” He shot her a delicious look. He was more of a reserved kind of man, but he had a wicked sense of humor she had always appreciated. It was the main reason Payton had claimed she wanted to set them up a few years back. Said they were both too wicked for their own good. Miranda didn’t know about that…but she really liked this man. He was good. Had that old-fashioned kind of honor a woman would be lucky to find. Just…not Miranda. This wasn’t the man for her.
“I am in no position to judge since she’s my cousin. Her name is Charlotte, she works for the forensics department in Finley Creek. Her father is with Major Crimes. She’s besties with one of Luc’s younger sisters—Zoey. He has quite a few down there in Texas, you know.”
“Yeah, so he tells me.” A look went through his beautiful eyes. Miranda didn’t miss it, but she wondered. This man had secrets, most definitely.
“Let me know when you finally get down there. I swing by and visit Char whenever I am down that way. We’ll do dinner some time.”
“I’ll do that.”
Miranda kept going through the box of lab reports and interview sheets. She needed to work through a few things, get her thoughts in line. “Hailey felt protective of her siblings.”
“Yes. They were a close family. At least, everything I’ve found shows that.”
“No problems between her and her stepmother?”
“Not that anyone ever reported to me.”
“What about the ex and the new wife?” Miranda asked. Hailey’s mother and Derek hadn’t been married, but they’d been in a relationship for about two years, from what her original interview statement said. But when Miranda had spoken with Hannah briefly the day before, she had said they had a great relationship. That would have to be confirmed again.
“No. They were on great terms, and worked together as co-parents for Hailey. If there was ever an ideal way to handle custody, that family did it. From all accounts, Derek was a good, involved, father. Aimee and the ex were both well-liked, well respected. They lived reasonably close to each other so that when she was old enough, Hailey could walk between her parents’ homes. At times, Cruz would spend time with Hailey at her mother’s. Hailey would watch him sometimes after school—Hailey’s mother was even listed as an emergency contact for Terra and Cruz.”
“That’s a bit unusual to have that kind of crossover.” And definitely atypical. So many broken relationships were bitter.
“Two determined parents with a kid they love—they can make coparenting work. I have to admire Derek Gibson for that. And Aimee...”
“Did you know them?”
He shook his head. “Not personally. I’d only been in town a few months when this happened. I was still practically job shadowing back then. But after working this case…”
“I understand.” She rubbed him on the arm. She’d always liked the Asher brothers. But she and Pierce had connected. He’d reminded her of Clint, the man she used to love. He still did. But all the problems she would have had in a permanent relationship with Clint would have probably been there with Pierce, too. Not that Miranda hadn’t been tempted. A good man was very hard to find, after all. Or so she’d heard.
“So where did your shadow run off to?” he asked. “I thought he was sticking close?”
“He’s out touring the town. He likes to do that on his own. Likes to get a feel for the place.” And wander around like a dark shadow, absorbing all the light. And all the details.
Every agent she’d ever worked with worked in their own particular unique way.
Knight was as unique as unique could be. No denying that.
“I don’t think I remember ever meeting him when I was in St. Louis.”
