In Close (Bulletproof #3)(36)
Author: Brenda Novak

They also accused her of being too controlling, too strict. The three Tug referred to wouldn’t even speak to her, including the one living in Pineview who was close to Claire’s age. Fortunately, Roni had softened by the time she’d become her and Leanne’s stepmother.

“She wasn’t ready to start over with a new baby,” her father was saying. “Not only that, but your mother had recently gone missing. You two were so hurt and confused. It didn’t seem like the best time to bring another child into the family.”

Claire tucked her hair behind her ears. It was only five o’clock, but it’d been a long day. “I don’t understand. First you tell me about the video, a secret you’ve kept hidden for fifteen years—”

“I kept it hidden because it has no bearing on the case and—and I didn’t want to make your sister look bad.”

“How do you know it has no bearing on the case? It could make a huge difference in how the police interpret certain events. Then you come here to admit you think Mom was unfaithful?”

He hung his head. “I know how unreliable I must seem. Roni has always said you and Leanne need me to be consistent more than you need to hear my doubts. So I’ve stuck to my story. To be honest, I haven’t wanted to face the possibilities that come up when I veer away from it. But that incident at the cabin, when you could’ve been hurt much worse than you were, is making me rethink my approach. If there’s someone out there who hurt your mother, we need to know why and whether that person poses a risk to you and Leanne.” He put the broom in the closet. “Some days I’m convinced Alana loved me. Others, I’m convinced she didn’t.”

The buzzer sounded. “You couldn’t have left me a note?” Roni said to her husband as she walked in. “I’ve been searching all over town for you.”

Tug cleared his throat and gave Claire a look that said the conversation was over. “Sorry, I didn’t expect you back until later.”

The only stepdaughter from her previous marriage still on speaking terms with Roni was divorced with a child of her own. Roni visited them on occasion in Kalispell. Usually Tug went with her because she didn’t like the drive. Claire wasn’t sure why he hadn’t gone this time.

“Little Ashley had ballet lessons, so I didn’t stay long.”

Suddenly eager to go, Tug dropped a kiss on Claire’s forehead and started toward the door. “Did Liz say how her siblings are doing?” he asked Roni.

“I didn’t ask,” Roni replied. “You know those kids aren’t worth a damn. They don’t deserve our concern.”

An awkward silence followed this harsh declaration, but Claire wasn’t surprised by what Roni had said. She’d heard her stepmother make statements like that before. Roni didn’t seem to care that it made her look as bad as them. “You must be feeling better,” she said, sizing up her husband.

Tug nodded. “Yeah, I am.”

Claire caught him before he could open the door. “You’ve been sick?”

He wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Woke up a bit off, that’s all.”

She’d just been thinking about how quickly he was aging. Could there be something more serious going on? “I’m sorry. I hope…I hope it doesn’t have any connection with what I’m doing.”

“No.”

“You’re sure?” She gave him a hug. She loved Roni, respected her for being consistent and responsible and, on the whole, a kind enough stepmother. But she’d always been somewhat perfunctory. It was Claire’s stepfather who held the biggest piece of her heart, and she knew Leanne felt the same.

“Don’t worry about me.”

It wasn’t until she stepped back that she noticed the strange expression on Roni’s face.

“What is it?” her stepmother demanded, glancing between them. “What’s going on?”

She didn’t know? Claire would’ve explained, but she had the feeling her father might be in trouble for not mentioning it himself. Roni could be authoritative and opinionated, and upsetting her was never a pleasant experience.

Claire hesitated, letting Tug respond.

“Nothing new.” He reached for the door handle, but Roni stopped him.

“What is it?” she repeated. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Tug’s lips thinned. It was the first time Claire had ever seen him show displeasure at Roni’s behavior. Normally he took whatever she said with a patient and loving smile. Was there some friction in their marriage after all? “Claire’s researching her mother’s disappearance again.”

Roni turned to confront Claire. “Is this true?”

“I’ve never really quit looking,” Claire said. “Sometimes I get discouraged and tread water for a while. And with David’s death I’ve been pretty preoccupied. But…the need to find out what happened never leaves me. It’s as strong now as ever.”

“What more can you do?” she asked. “Even the sheriff’s given up.”

“He and his deputies don’t have the same level of personal interest I do.”

Lines, deeper than she’d seen before, appeared on Roni’s forehead, showing how much she’d aged, too. “What about Leanne?”

Was she about to hear all the reasons she should, once again, put her sister’s needs and desires first? “What about her?”

Roni looked at Tug. When he didn’t speak, she continued herself. “This can’t be good for her. She’s dealing with enough anger and…and other emotional challenges without dredging up the second-most hurtful experience of her life.”

“Her handicap has nothing to do with this.”

“It’s something you should take into account. We don’t live in a vacuum. She’s drinking now. You know that, don’t you?”

“She’s been drinking for a while. And she should want the truth as badly as I do. Maybe once she has some answers, she can let go of her anger. Our mom didn’t leave us.”

“That’s just as possible as any other scenario,” Roni said. “But more to the point—when will enough be enough? When will you accept what is and move on with your life?”

Claire thought of the files she’d found and what they could signify about David’s death. She knew she shouldn’t say anything about that. Not yet. She needed to substantiate her suspicions first. But her stepmother was accusing her of making their lives miserable without having even the remotest chance of learning anything new. “When I’m satisfied that I’ve done all I can.”