If Ian suddenly showed up at the center, demanding explanations or hurling accusations, would he, too, suffer an accident, just as she had? Or would he once again go missing, never to return?
Furious with herself for not having thought of it earlier, Andrea left her room and trotted down the staircase in the hope of finding Zach—or anyone she could convince to loan her a vehicle or drive her. Downstairs, the house was quiet and dark, other than a few dim lights that had been left on, which had to mean that everyone else had gone upstairs, as least for now.
Her teeth worrying her lower lip, Andrea remembered spotting a rack hanging in the mudroom, with a number of key rings dangling from its copper hooks. But was she really so ungrateful a guest, after everything the Rayfords had done for her, to take a set of keys without permission and steal a vehicle?
Her heart thumped at the thought of it, but with her mind full of Ian, there was little room for uncertainty and no room at all to worry over whatever consequences she might suffer. For there was absolutely nothing worse than the thought of losing the man she loved—the man she could only now admit had always and would forever own a piece of her heart.
Standing near the back door, she was lifting a key ring when she heard a jingling sound behind her. Pulse racing, she whipped around, only to see close to a hundred pounds of vigilant Rottweiler standing in the doorway, her deep brown gaze fixed and her broad head lowered.
“Nice doggie. Good Gretel.” Andrea used the same soothing tone she reserved for troubled clients, but she suspected that the well-trained animal scented her nervousness like a raw and bloody steak. Andrea waited for the curled lip or the growl that would indicate the dog was about to punish her transgression, probably in a manner that would involve another visit to the hospital.
Instead, the Rottweiler looked over her shoulder, where Jessie was standing in the shadows.
“What are you doing with my car keys?” she asked.
“Oh, you surprised me....” Andrea stalled while her mind raced to come up with a halfway plausible explanation. “I was thinking that the other day, when we went out to lunch, my lip balm might’ve rolled out of my purse. I didn’t want to bother you about it, but I thought I’d go and check under the seat.”
“You’re worried about lip balm? When you lost the whole purse and everything you own in Spur Creek?”
Gretel’s low growl barely registered. Did the animal somehow sense the lie, or was she mirroring Jessie’s skepticism instead?
“It was recovered—the purse, I mean. Dripping wet with most everything inside it ruined, but...” Andrea let the story wind down as Jessie stepped into the light, her eyes damp and her face blotchy. “What’s wrong?”
Jessie wiped at her eyes. “Other than your lying to me, you mean? Nothing.”
“Now who’s lying? It’s not Ian, isn’t? You haven’t heard anything?”
“It’s not Ian. It’s Zach. I just had... We were discussing—” Jessie heaved a sigh. “I thought I was sparing him, sparing all of them by keeping my investigation into North Texas campaign fund-raising tactics to myself. But all I’ve done is screw things up. Zach’s already livid that I’ve dug into his mother’s donations—he thinks I’m doing it for spite and not because I care that some sleazy local politician’s milking her for whatever he can extort. And once Zach finds out the rest, he’ll—”
She dug a tissue from her pocket and turned away to blow her nose.
The car keys still in her hand, Andrea stepped closer to lay a hand on Jessie’s shaking shoulder.
“I’m such a colossal screwup,” Jessie said. “I just wanted to— I thought I could use my investigative skills to solve one family issue, not create a dozen more.”
“If it makes you feel any better,” Andrea told her, “you aren’t the only one to foul up. I was about to take off with your car.”
“Why would you do that?” Jessie looked more confused than angry. “I’m going out on a limb here, but I don’t see you as the type to take a joyride in my Prius.”
“I had an idea, a crazy idea, maybe, about where Ian could be heading.”
“Where?”
Andrea drew in a deep breath. “Back to Marston, at the center where I worked. And I think he could be heading straight for trouble.”
“But it’s an hour away. Shouldn’t we just call the satellite office over there and have them send a deputy to head off trouble?”
“No,” Andrea said firmly, convinced Ian would run at the first sign of a patrol car. And heaven only knew where he might go after that. “But if you’ll lend me your phone, I’ll try calling a friend of mine who works there and have her keep an eye out for any trouble.”
“I don’t understand. Why would Ian go there in the first place? I mean, that’s the reason we had you come here to work with him, since he refused to leave the ranch for counseling.”
“This isn’t about counseling, but it could take a lot of explanation. And I’m afraid we don’t have that kind of time, not if I’m going to keep Ian from making the worst mistake of his life.” Or maybe even the last.
Jessie stared another moment before making her decision. “Then let me grab my purse and leave a note for Zach, and we’ll talk on the way. But first, give me those car keys. And don’t you dare try to take off before I come back.”
She gave a quiet command in German, then left the Rottweiler watching Andrea with an intent expression.
Grimacing, Andrea called after her, “Wouldn’t dream of leaving.”
Gretel seemed to smile at her, exposing a row of shark-like teeth.
* * *
Ian took it as a good sign when the headlights coming from behind slowed instead of speeding up and gunning for him. An older, red Corolla pulled up and the driver put down the passenger-side window. “Saw your truck back there. Need a lift into town?”
Ian took in the clean-shaven face of a male in his late thirties, a sandy-haired man who was giving him the same cautious appraisal, probably hoping he hadn’t just offered a ride to some psycho killer. Nodding, Ian said, “Thanks. I’d sure appreciate it.”
After stowing the gas can behind the front seat, Ian climbed in next to the driver and buckled up.
“I’m Connor.” The driver reached over to shake his hand. “Connor Timmerman.”
“Good to meet you. Ian Rayford, and I feel like the biggest idiot in the Panhandle for running dry way out here.”
“Wait. You’re him, Captain Rayford, right? Yeah, of course. I recognize you.”
Ian winced as it dawned on him that with all the publicity Jessie’s story had generated, he was probably as close to a celebrity as it came around these parts. Though he’d declined the scores of requests for on-camera interviews that followed, it hadn’t prevented anyone from digging up whatever old photos they could find. “That’s me, yeah.” Unfortunately.
“Awesome. I was just talking to some guys about you.”
Ian tensed. “What guys? Who was talking about me?”
Timmerman shrugged. “Just some of the veterans I work with. You’re an inspiration to them, man. They would absolutely love to meet you.”
“Veterans... Wait. You’re not the same Connor that Andrea Warrington mentioned to me, are you? Over at Warriors-4-Life?”
“One and the same. Big fan of Andrea’s,” Timmerman admitted before his smile faltered. “I understand she was working with you at the ranch for a short time before she decided to leave the center.”
“She quit?”
“That’s what we’re hearing, and I can tell you, it’s a real blow, losing her. Hard to believe she’d bug out on her clients, on all of us, without a word of explanation. I tried calling her a couple times, but her voice mail box is full.”
“She’s back at the ranch,” Ian said, “recovering from a wreck she had the night o
f the storm.”
“She was in an accident? Is she all right?” Too distracted by the news to drive, Timmerman left the car in Park.
Judging the man’s surprise and concern to be sincere, Ian said, “The car was totaled, but her injuries weren’t serious. She’s already back on her feet. It was no accident, though.”
“No accident? What do you mean?”
“I mean, a larger vehicle ran up on her and forced her over the Spur Creek bridge. She damn near drowned before I happened on the scene and pulled her out. And if I ever get my hands on the bastard responsible—”
“Does Julian know all this? Julian Ross, our director?”
“Absolutely, he does. He came to visit when she was under observation at the hospital.” Wondering what else he might get out of Timmerman, Ian didn’t mention that Andrea had refused to see Ross.
“I can’t believe it. Why on earth wouldn’t he have told us, unless—”
“Unless what?” Ian asked when Timmerman abruptly cut himself off.
“He’s seemed kind of off lately, and he got pretty short with the staff when we tried to press him about why Andrea would leave. You have to understand. Julian’s a good administrator and a real rainmaker when it comes to funding, but Andrea’s the one most of the clients and the staff would throw themselves on a grenade for. She’s the heart and soul of that place.”
Ian let the words sink in, judged them to be genuine. “Yet Ross wouldn’t give you any explanation?”
Timmerman shook his head. “He just said it was a personal matter and ordered us to drop it, giving us this no-bull army glare that made everybody back down.”
Ian perked up. “So the man’s ex-military?”
Timmerman snorted. “Retired army colonel, yeah, though he doesn’t like to talk about it.”
Ian ran it through his mind. When he finally spoke again, his voice was grim. “Sounds like there are a lot of things this boss of yours doesn’t like to talk about. So how about you and I forget the gas station trip and go try and get some answers out of Colonel Ross now instead?”
Convincing Timmerman took a lot more talk, but the counselor started driving anyway, turning onto a road on Marston’s outskirts rather than continuing toward downtown. But by the time he turned into the drive of a low brick building fronted by a Warriors-4-Life sign, Timmerman was shaking his head and sounding more uncertain than ever.
“I don’t know about this, Rayford. I consider Andrea a good friend. I mean, she was the one who convinced me they really needed a counselor with my combat experience to give the program credibility, but still...”
“Don’t you want to know why Ross fired her, then? Because that’s what Andrea told my sister-in-law happened, just before her car was forced off that bridge.”
As the car glided to a stop, Timmerman jerked his head to stare at Ian. “You aren’t suggesting that Julian had anything to do with that, are you? Because whatever the deal is between him and Andrea—and the whole staff’s figured by now there was something going on between them—I don’t peg him as the type to fly off the handle and do something crazy. He’s just—he’s more methodical, you know? More measured in the way he deals with issues.”
“Is that your personal or your professional opinion?”
“Both. You have to understand, I work with a lot a seriously volatile people, people who have hell on earth bubbling up inside them looking for a place to boil over.”
“People like me, you mean.”
“I don’t know you, Captain Rayford, and you have to understand, I’m not passing judgment on you. I’m the last person in the world who would, considering what I’ve been through personally. But, yeah, from what I’ve read and seen about your situation, I’d be damned surprised if you didn’t have some issues.”
“But Julian Ross doesn’t? That’s what you’re trying to say to me?”
“I’m sure he does. Doesn’t everybody? But not the kind that involve the kind of craziness you’re talking.”
“I appreciate your take on this.” Ian reached for the door handle. “But if you don’t mind, I’ll need to get some answers for myself.”
They both climbed out of the car, and Ian hesitated. “Before we head inside, can you tell me which vehicle is Ross’s?”
Timmerman scanned the parking lot, which was lit by a pair of security lights. A moment later, he shook his head. “That’s odd. I don’t see his Explorer. He must’ve run in to town to pick up something. But don’t worry. I can’t imagine he’ll be gone long.”
“Then I’ll be waiting for the colonel by the time he makes it back. Can you take me to his office?”
Timmerman nodded. “That’ll work. He’s sure to stop in there to check for messages, and I do have a key. But still, I can’t just— I have a lot of clients counting on me here, especially without Andrea around to counsel them.”
“Don’t worry. There’s no need for you to be involved in this. I won’t mention that you let me in.”
“These questions you’re here to ask my boss,” the counselor asked as he studied Ian intently, “can you promise me that’s all you’re here for? Nobody’s going to get hurt, are they?”
“Someone already has been,” said Ian darkly as he thought of Andrea. “But I’ll give you my word, I’ll do my best to keep things safe and civil.”
“And afterward, you’ll fill me in?”
“I’ll definitely find a way to do that. For one thing, I’ll still need a ride to grab some gas—and maybe to borrow twenty bucks, if you can spare it, since I lit out without my wallet.” As much as Ian hated to admit it, he figured such a request deserved some explanation. “Damned flashback got the better of me.”
A look of understanding crossed the older man’s face, and once again, he offered a firm handshake. “You’ve got it, Captain. For Andrea.”
“For Andrea,” Ian echoed.
* * *
Jessie glanced over from behind the wheel of her car. “So tell me, Andrea, why are we heading out now? And I still don’t understand why we you were so dead set against taking the dog.”
“Because that’s not a dog. It’s a T. rex in a dog suit,” Andrea argued. “I’m already nervous enough.”
Jessie shook her head. “What the heck is going on with you?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” Andrea said, concerned about how troubled Jessie had seemed. Whatever was really going on between her and Zach must have been pretty serious to strain a marriage that looked so solid.
“You first,” Jessie said. “It’s only fair, since I’m taking off to drive you without a word to Zach, which, I guarantee you, is going to cause an issue.”
“So why do it, then?” Andrea asked. “You could’ve let me borrow your car.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. After what you did to the last one you drove?”
Andrea smiled though it was clear to her that Jessie had wanted out of the house. “You did say you left him a note though, right?”
“Yeah, right on his pillow, where he should see it after he’s gotten Eden down for the night. But trust me, he’ll still be furious. So spill it, Andrea.”
“Let me make that call first to my friend at the center?”
“Only if you promise you’ll answer my questions when you’re done.”
Once Andrea agreed, Jessie pulled her cell phone from her purse and handed it to Andrea. Soon, she managed to connect with Cassidy at the center.
“I need you to do me a big favor,” Andrea told her. “No questions, no arguments—just take my word that it’s important, and I promise you, I’ll introduce you to some of the most gorgeous cowboys you’ve ever laid your eyes on.”
Jessie jerked a curious glance her way, but Andrea shrugged it off. “Okay, now. I need you to head straight out to be parking lot. You may want t
o take a flashlight with you.”
“These better be some seriously prime cuts of beef you’re talking about,” Cassidy grumbled. “I just got out of the shower, and I’m a dripping mess. And maybe you can tell me, what the heck happened with you, anyway? One minute, you’re off doing some one-on-one with a client, and next thing I know, you’re gone—poof, and Julian’s shooting the atomic death glare every time your name’s brought up.”
“I’ll explain everything later. I promise. But for now, you need to tell me, do you see an old brown pickup in the parking lot?” Andrea described the truck Ian had been driving as best she could but didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed when Cassidy didn’t find it.
“No.”
“What about Julian? Is he there?”
“His Explorer’s gone, in case you were wanting to come by to pick up something you left.”
“Great. I’m on my way, but I need you to call me back at this number if you see any sign of either Julian or Ian Rayford.”
“Ian Rayford? The guy you were counseling? I don’t understand. Why would he be here, and what’s this have to do with Julian?”
“Just promise you’ll call me, and I’ll be there as fast as I can.”
Andrea ended the call and laid the phone in the car’s center console.
When Jessie glanced over at her this time, the soft glow of the dash lights highlighted her impatience. “Okay, now explain, with no more stalling. I’m not going to be put off a second longer—unless you’re a big fan of long walks.”
Andrea nodded, dragging in a deep breath. “The truth is, my being on hand and available to work with Ian was no coincidence. Someone appears to have gone to a lot of trouble to put me in place before Ian’s return.”
“I knew it.” Jessie popped the steering wheel with one hand. “I’ve been saying the same thing to Zach from the start, how it seemed awfully convenient. He just said we shouldn’t waste too much energy questioning good fortune.”
“It did seem odd to me, too, but I was so shell-shocked after hearing about Ian’s return that I wasn’t seeing the forest for the trees.”
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