by Terri Reed
Kaitlyn whistled. “This is some spread,” she said. “I’ve never been here. Have you?”
He shook his head. “No. I feel underdressed.”
Shooting him a grin in the rearview mirror, Kaitlyn said, “We should shine our badges before we go in.”
“I should have changed into a dress,” Maya whispered. “I don’t think Brady and I should be here.”
Alex took her hand and squeezed. He liked her in her jeans and plaid button-down shirt. Her injured arm was still tucked in the sling the ER doctor had given her. “You are beautiful. Don’t let all this intimidate you.” Though he had to admit, he needed the reminder, as well.
She blinked up at him. “Thank you.”
He let go of her hand. “I’ll come around.” He climbed out and closed the door.
Kaitlyn exited at the same time and playfully socked him in the biceps. “Good for you.”
He scowled at her over his shoulder. “What?”
Kaitlyn’s laugh followed him around the vehicle. He helped Maya out first, then Brady.
In tandem, they climbed the stone steps to the massive front door. He could barely reach the knocker.
Kaitlyn leaned on the doorbell to the right side of the door. “For us shorter folk.”
He laughed. His coworker wasn’t short by any measure.
The huge door opened to a well-dressed man with graying hair.
“Mr. Delaney?” Alex compared this man against the pictures he’d seen of Patrick as a young man. The reclusive billionaire didn’t do photo ops.
An amused smile split the older gentleman’s face. “No, I’m Collin. Mr. Delaney’s valet.” He gestured for them to enter.
Alex and Maya exchanged a glance.
“Swanky.” Brash as always, Kaitlyn had no filter. “I thought those were only in England,” she commented as they followed Collin through the massive entryway. Maya guided Brady with her good arm. His booted foot made a soft clicking noise on the marble floor.
Over his shoulder, Collin said, “Mr. Delaney likes things just so. If you’ll wait here, please.”
“Apparently,” Alex muttered, taking in the marble floors, sweeping view windows—at least twenty feet tall—and a wide staircase leading upward to a second floor with a wrought iron railing. Impressive paintings, which he would imagine were not fakes, adorned the walls. There was a museum-like quality to the home.
A few moments later, a tall dark-haired man, probably in his early to midthirties, walked into the room from the arched opening to the right of the staircase. He wore black slacks, a black turtleneck and shiny black shoes that made no noise as he strode forward. His vivid blue eyes assessed them with curiosity.
Kaitlyn made a small noise in her throat. A slight pink stained her cheeks. Alex nearly snorted. His gaze shot to Maya to gauge her reaction to the man. No flush to her cheeks. Good. She studied the newcomer politely but didn’t seem overly interested, which made Alex happy. Though why, he didn’t want to contemplate. Brady, with earbuds still in place, ignored the newcomer to inspect a large vase filled with exotic flowers.
“Ah, two deputies and guests.”
The man’s smooth voice grated along Alex’s nerves.
“The sheriff said you were coming, Deputy Trevino, but he failed to mention your lovely companions and a teenager.”
“You have me at a loss,” Alex said. “You are?”
“Forgive my lack of manners.” He held out his hand. “Ian Delaney.”
Alex shook Ian’s hand and was surprised by the roughness of the man’s palm. As rich as this family was, he’d expected smooth and soft. Maybe there was more to the man than met the eye. “Alex.”
Ian shifted his attention to Kaitlyn. “Deputy...?”
Kaitlyn pumped his hand. “Lanz. Deputy Lanz.”
His gaze narrowed slightly. “Charmed.” He extracted his hand and focused on Maya. “And you are?”
“Maya Gallo,” she said, taking his offered hand. “This is my brother, Brady.” She tipped her chin toward Brady.
“Miss Gallo. And Brady.” His gaze flicked to her sling. “I had heard you both were injured.” Sympathy oozed from his tone. “I hope you will recover quickly.”
Retracting her hand, she inclined her head. “Thank you.”
“How did you hear of their injuries?” Alex asked. Had the sheriff told him of the attack on Maya? Or Brady getting lost in the woods?
Ian smiled in a way that made Alex wary. “We make it our business to keep abreast of the activities in town.”
Really? Alex wasn’t sure why that bothered him.
Another man emerged from a different arched opening. This one younger, midtwenties, wearing an outfit nearly matching his brother’s.
Annoyance flashed in Ian’s eyes, then quickly receded. “My younger brother, Nick.”
Nick went straight to Kaitlyn. Taking her hand, he murmured, “You are beautiful. What are you doing working such a menial job?”
Kaitlyn extracted her hand just as Nick lifted it to kiss her knuckles. Tucking her hands behind her, she rocked back on her heels. “I have a very important job.”
There was no mistaking the defensiveness in her voice.
“Excuse my brother.” Ian’s tone held a tight note of chastisement. “He still hasn’t learned his manners.”
Ignoring Ian, Nick smiled at Maya and tugged on her braid. “You should wear your hair loose.”
Alex’s fingers curled. Only the badge on his chest kept him from pushing the younger Delaney out the front door.
Maya plucked her braid back from the man. “And you should not touch unless given permission.”
Alex silently applauded her.
Nick, however, only laughed. He looked at Brady, then away as if he didn’t find anything interesting there. He refocused on Kaitlyn.
Taking control of the situation, Alex said, “I need to speak with your father. Now.”
Ian gave a gracious nod. “Of course, Deputy Trevino. My apologies.” He spun on his heels. “This way.”
Holding out his arm to Kaitlyn, Nick said, “Shall we?”
“No.” She strode forward, leaving Nick a few paces behind. She paused. “Is there a restroom available?”
Eager to please, Nick said, “I’ll show you.”
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes but followed the younger Delaney down a hallway to the left.
Alex shook his head at his colleague’s retreating back. When Maya tucked her fingers in the crook of his arm, he stood taller. Ian led them into a large dining room where Collin, the valet, had taken a position near a side door and stood at attention.
The opulence of the room was overwhelming. A bank of windows with a stunning view of the Rocky Mountains provided an impressive backdrop to the elderly man sitting at the head of a large oval table, dominating the center of the space. Alex hadn’t expected such frailty. Obviously, Patrick Delaney had had his sons late in life. A colorful afghan surrounded his thin shoulders and wispy tufts of hair sticking straight up off his head gave him a mad-scientist kind of vibe. Round spectacles covered blue eyes rummy with age. His pale skin made Alex question his health. He held out a spindly hand.
“The detective,” Patrick Delaney said, his voice shaky. “Please join me.”
Alex stepped up to the table beside him and took the frail limb for a brief moment. “Sir, I’m not a detective. I’m Deputy Trevino of the Bristle County Sheriff’s Department. And this is Maya and Brady Gallo.” He gestured to Brady, who had wandered to a window and stood swaying to the music in his ears. He kept his back to the adults.
Patrick’s gaze swept over them before once again landing on Alex. “Ah. Yes. How is Sheriff Ryder? I’m surprised he did not come to see me. Why is that?”
Alex wasn’t about to explain the sheriff’s reason for not coming. Just then, Kaitlyn and Nic
k returned. Taking the distraction of their arrival as a way to avoid Patrick’s question, Alex said. “I’m leading the investigation into the recent death on Eagle Crest Mountain.”
“And that concerns me how?” Patrick countered.
“Father.” Ian’s voice was low and held censure.
Patrick waved a hand. “Sit. All of you. I don’t like craning my neck to see you.”
Out of respect, Alex pulled the chair in front of him out for Maya to sit, then he took the seat beside her. If the old man wanted to orchestrate this meeting by ordering them to sit, so be it. Alex was determined to convince Patrick to cease the treasure hunt.
Nick rushed to pull out a chair for Kaitlyn. She slid him a sharp glance but politely mumbled, “Thank you.”
Nick plopped down in the seat next to her.
Ian, however, remained standing at his father’s elbow. To guard him or to keep him in line?
It occurred to Alex that the two brothers might be allies in convincing Patrick to end the treasure hunt. The prize would come out of their inheritance. Would that be motive to find the treasure themselves? Or to kill for it?
Tucking the questions away for further examination, Alex said, “Mr. Delaney, this treasure hunt you’ve instigated has caused a death and numerous injuries all along the Rockies.”
Patrick rubbed his hands together. “So much fuss! Isn’t it glorious?”
“No, sir, it’s not.” Kaitlyn piped up. “It’s a royal pain in the neck.”
“I could help you with that,” Nick said.
Kaitlyn clamped her lips together with a shake of her head.
Ian nodded. “I’ve been telling my father this wasn’t a good idea from the beginning. Maybe he will listen to you.”
From the glee on the older man’s face, Alex doubted that Patrick would listen to anyone. “Sir, I need the location of the treasure so we can put an end to this chaos.”
“Tsk, tsk. I’ll be releasing a new clue on Monday. You’ll have to wait like everyone else.”
“I don’t want your treasure.” Alex couldn’t keep the frustration from his voice.
The elder Delaney’s expression hardened and his blue eyes turned ice-cold. Alex ground his teeth together. He heard the sheriff’s words about finesse echo in his head.
Alex turned his palms up in a gesture of entreaty. “Sir, please, people are getting hurt.” He put a hand on the table in front of Maya. “As you can see, Miss Gallo has been injured due to this treasure business. She and her brother have been threatened.”
He frowned and peered at Maya. “We’d heard you were injured, my dear. No one said it had to do with my hunt. And I didn’t know about any threats.” He sent a sharp glance at his eldest son before refocusing on Alex. “What does any of this have to do with my treasure?”
“My brother, Brady, is a big follower of the hunt for the buried prize,” Maya said, drawing Patrick’s attention back to her. “He loves the challenge. And he is good at it.”
Patrick glanced to Brady and nodded. “It’s supposed to be fun.”
“Sir, there are desperate people who will do anything to win,” she replied softly.
Attention snapping back to her, Patrick groused, “That’s not my fault. If you feel threatened, then we will get you a bodyguard.”
Ian arched an eyebrow but didn’t comment.
Anger simmered low in Alex’s belly. He held on to his temper. “Are you prepared to provide protection for every person who is being threatened or hurt by this treasure hunt?”
“Certainly not,” Patrick declared. “The Gallos are family. This town is my family.”
The younger brother snorted. “Dad, you don’t know anyone down there. You never even visited the town except once when you first bought this property.”
Patrick waved his hand at him. “Doesn’t matter. I know who each and every one is in this county. I know what they have and what they need.”
Alex was sure right then and there that several laws had been broken. But that was a fight for another day. Right now, he just needed to know the treasure was buried in the Eagle Crest Mountain. “Sir, I’m pleading with you. I need to know where the treasure is so I can end the threat to our town and its citizens.”
Patrick put his hands on the table and hefted his frail body to his feet. “This interview is over. Monday, the new clue will be uploaded to the website. Good day, Deputies. Miss Gallo.”
Collin rushed forward to help the old man out of the room. With effort, Alex contained his frustration as he watched the man leave.
Once his father had exited the room, Ian shook his head. “I’m sorry that you have to deal with this. My father has become very eccentric. For some reason this treasure hunt has brought him immense pleasure. I will do my best to convince him to put it to an end.”
“I would think you’d want it ended,” Kaitlyn stated, echoing Alex’s earlier thought.
Ian focused on her. “And why would that be?”
Tilting her chin up, Kaitlyn replied, “When your father is gone, all this—” she swept a hand to indicate their surroundings “—becomes yours, right?”
“Ours,” Nick corrected her.
A small smile tipped the corners of Ian’s lips, but there was no smile in his cold blue eyes. “My brother and I do have a vested interest in putting an end to our father’s shenanigans. But there is no controlling our father.” Ian slanted his gaze to Alex and Maya. “We can provide protection if you require it.”
“I’ve got that handled,” Alex said. “But I would appreciate if you could persuade your father to not put up the next clue and tell you where the treasure is buried, so you can relay the information to us.”
“Don’t count on it,” Nick said. “Once Dad gets his mind set on something, there’s no turning back.”
“Don’t mind my brother. He’s just chafing under our father’s strict rules.”
“Strict doesn’t even begin to cover it,” the younger man griped.
Ian gestured toward the arched doorway they’d entered through. “I’ll show you out.”
Alex helped Maya to her feet. She corralled Brady, drawing him away from the view.
Kaitlyn rose and skirted around the table to walk beside Ian as they left the room and headed for the entryway. “What do you do?” she asked.
“I manage the estate,” he replied curtly as he stepped in front of her to open the massive front door.
Kaitlyn wrinkled her nose at his back. Alex pressed his lips together to keep from barking out a laugh. He noted Maya’s lips twitching, as well.
“I appreciate you coming and trying to talk my father out of this ridiculous game,” Ian said. “Anything you need that we can provide you, just let me know.”
Kaitlyn walked past him and out the door. “We’ll do that.”
Nick rushed out after Kaitlyn. “Hey, I didn’t catch your first name.”
Kaitlyn didn’t break her stride. “That’s because I didn’t say it.” She climbed into the back passenger compartment of the vehicle and shut the door.
Alex shook hands once again with Ian. “Thank you for your time.”
“A pleasure,” Ian said. To Maya, he said, “I do hope you recover quickly.”
“Thank you,” she murmured and guided Brady out of the house.
Alex followed them to the vehicle and helped her into the front passenger seat and Brady in the back, then jogged around to the driver’s side. Once he was settled in his seat, he asked, “So what do you think?”
“I think Patrick Delaney has lost his mind,” Kaitlyn said from the back seat.
“The brothers are interesting,” Maya said. “Not sure what to make of them.”
“The younger one is a total playboy. He needs to grow up. You know they have a gymnasium in the basement. Nick was gushing about how fit he is.” Kaitlyn leaned
forward so that she was between Alex and Maya. “It’s that older brother we have to worry about.”
Alex glanced at the man, who remained standing at the open door, watching them. “He’s certainly smooth.” And obviously had Kaitlyn’s hackles up.
“We should do background checks on both of them,” Kaitlyn said as she sat back and buckled up. Then she helped Brady to buckle his seatbelt. “I think Ian is in more control than he’d like us to believe.”
“You could be right.” They hadn’t accomplished what they’d set out to do. Patrick Delaney wasn’t going to cooperate.
They left the estate and headed down the winding mountain road. From the corner of Alex’s eye, he saw a flash of movement that raised the fine hairs at the nape of his neck. A car shot out from a side road, aiming straight for back end of the SUV.
Alex swerved, barely avoiding a collision.
The beat-up sedan braked, tires squealing as the car veered away from the guardrail with seconds to spare. The smaller car roared up behind them.
“Maniac is going to try a PIT maneuver,” Kaitlyn shouted.
Not if Alex had anything to say about it. He floored the gas pedal, making the big engine of the vehicle hum as they picked up speed, quickly outdistancing the less powerful sedan.
“Can you get a plate number?” Alex threw over his shoulder to Kaitlyn.
“Plates removed,” she replied. “I’m calling it in.”
Alex drove as fast as he dared until they hit a T in the road. He turned toward town. The sedan turned the opposite direction and zoomed out of sight.
Slowing down, Alex glanced at Maya. She’d paled, her eyes were closed and her good hand clutched the dashboard. In the back seat, Brady’s eyes were wide and he was grinning as if he’d just ridden his favorite roller coaster.
Alex reached over to touch Maya’s arm. “We’re okay.”
She opened her eyes and blinked at him. “What was that?”
“I don’t know.” The grim possibility that whoever had been in the car had intended to ram them into the guardrail and potentially off the side of the mountain had his gut twisting.
He sent up a grateful prayer to God they’d survived. Obviously, someone had been watching Maya’s house and had followed them up the mountain to the Delaney estate.