Before Avery could tell her not to bother, she was calling out for Cherry to do just that.

The men stood when she entered the kitchen. Matt took one look at her and came around the table. He caught her hands. "Are you okay?"

She forced a weak smile. "Hanging in there. Barely."

He led her to the chair next to his. Cherry set a plate, napkin and utensils on the blue-and-white-checked

place mat in front of her. "Coffee?"

"Thanks."

The younger woman filled a mug and handed it to her. "Matt told us about last night. How horrible for

you."

Lilah passed her the tray of biscuits. "I can't imagine. I'm quite sure I would have fainted."

Avery took a biscuit, though the thought of eating made her queasy. She swallowed hard, shifting her

gaze to Matt. "How's the investigation coming?"

"We canvassed the trailer park for witnesses. The kid next door says she saw a car pull up with its lights off. Then her folks began fighting."

"So she never saw who got out," Avery said, disappointed.

"Or when it drove off. The crime scene techs have done their thing, but it's too soon for the evidence report. As soon as I'm done here, I've got to get back."

"If you need any assistance from our department, son, we're ready."

"Thanks, Dad. I appreciate that."

Cherry spread strawberry jam on her biscuit. "What were you doing at that awful woman's house,

Avery? Why were you there?"

The table went silent. All eyes turned to her. Uncomfortable, Avery opened her mouth then shut it as Matt squeezed her knee under the table.

"I've asked Avery not to talk about that just now," he said quietly. "As difficult as that request is, she's

agreed."

Avery silently thanked him.

Cherry pouted. She lifted her right shoulder in a disinterested shrug. "I didn't mean anything by it, I just

couldn't imagine, that's all."

Aware of the minutes ticking past, Avery looked at Buddy. "I need your help with something, Buddy.

Could we talk privately?"

His forehead creased with concern. "Sure, baby girl. I was done here. Let's go to my office."

She turned to Matt, finding the moment awkward. Feeling Cherry's and Lilah's curiosity. "If you'd like to

join us-"

"You guys go on. I'll check in on my way out."

She sent him a grateful glance, for the second time that morning touched by his understanding. By the

way he seemed to know what she needed without her having to ask. He made her feel safe. Cared for.

She stood and followed Buddy to his office. He closed the door behind them and motioned to the love

seat. She sat and looked up at him. "Matt told you why I was at Trudy Pruitt's last night? He told you about the calls?"

"Yes." His frown deepened. "Why didn't you tell me this was going on?"

"What could you have done? Someone was making crank calls to me. I figured you would tell me to

ignore them or change to an unlisted number."

"When you found out who the anonymous caller was, you should have contacted me immediately." He

leaned toward her, ex-pression grave. "Avery, if you had shown up fifteen minutes earlier, you might be lying beside Trudy Pruitt in the morgue."

A chill washed over her. She shuddered. She had never considered that fact.

"Trudy Pruitt ran with a rough crowd. Always did. Don't know yet who killed her, but I'll bet money it was one of them."

Matt tapped on the office door, then poked his head in. "I'm leaving."

Buddy waved him inside. "Come in, son."

Matt did, shutting the door behind him and sat down.

"She said her boys didn't kill Sallie Waguespack," Avery continued. "Said my dad was involved in a cover-up. She said she had proof."

"And you believed her?" Buddy said.

"Frankly, I didn't want to, but I...don't you think it's weird that the same night she was going to show me proof her sons were innocent of Sallie Waguespack's murder, she was killed?"

Matt's mouth thinned. "Trudy Pruitt was involved with some dangerous characters. That involvement got

her killed."

"But-"

Matt stood. "Look, Avery, there are things you don't know. Things we've uncovered that I can't share

with you. I wish I could. I hate to see you tearing yourself up over this, but I can't. I'm sorry."

He bent and brushed his lips against hers. "I've got to go."

Avery stared after him, surprised. Disoriented by the intimacy of the move. Disoriented, she admitted, but

not displeased.

Buddy broke the silence, tone soft. "If Trudy Pruitt had this supposed proof, why did she wait until now, until you, to bring it forward?"

Avery turned back to him. She didn't have an answer for that. "She never...came to you with-"

"Of course she did. And the district attorney. And the sheriff's department. And anyone else who would

listen. She had nothing, not one scrap of evidence, to support her claim of her sons' innocence."

"I have a favor to ask, Buddy. For my own peace of mind, may I look at your files of the Waguespack murder investigation?"

"Avery-"

"She called Dad a liar, Buddy. And a murderer. Why would she do that?"

"Your daddy was the most honest, upright man I've ever known. I was proud to call him my friend."

"Then you must understand. I feel like I have to uphold his honor. Prove him innocent."

Buddy leaned forward. "Innocent to who, Avery?"

Not liking the answer, she curled her hands into fists. "Why did he keep that box of newspaper clippings, Buddy? Why did he kill himself?"

Buddy sighed heavily and stood. He crossed to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. "If it'll help you, baby girl, of course you can look at the files. Just let me tell Lilah to go on to the service without me."

CHAPTER 35.

Three hours later, Avery thanked Buddy for his help. "I'm sorry I messed up your Sunday," she said.

"You couldn't, baby girl." He kissed her cheek. "Do you feel better now?"