“You can’t do this.”
“Yes, I can. You’ve been traveling with a suspected murderer. You’ve admitted working for him…being on his payroll. I have every right. You can either co-operate and sign this now, or I’ll get a search warrant and have your entire office ripped apart. Your choice.”
Grudging admiration showed briefly on Trent’s face. “This is just for the one file?”
“Is all your work for Kendall in one file?”
“Well, no. There’s the club, the apartments, the resort complex.”
“List the names of the files we can access. I’m warning you, it had better be a complete list.”
Trent listed the files. “There. That should do it. I also wrote down the location of the cabinet key so they won’t have to bust it open. Can I leave now?”
“Nope. Not until your story checks out. I’ll make coffee.”
“Aren’t you going to fax that first?”
“Can’t. Luke keeps his office locked, and I don’t have a key. He’ll be up soon, though. Don’t worry.”
Michael served their coffee, and the three of them sat in strained silence, waiting.
Cal kept playing everything over and over again in his mind. He couldn’t believe Leah had worked at a strip joint of all places. The Mannings were rich enough that she didn’t have to work, but she’d wanted to dance. Ha! What kind of fool did that make me, waiting for her all these damned years.
He’d fallen right into her trap, felt sorry for her predicament, ready to pitch in and help raise her kid. Whose kid was she carrying? Did she even know who the father was? He gave his head a mental shake. He wasn’t sure he was ready to hear the answer to that one. In fact, he didn't think he wanted to see her at all.
He loved his job, and the Mannings had always treated him fairly, but maybe it was time to move on, find work somewhere else. Anywhere he wouldn’t have to face the torment that Leah put him through sounded good. He was still attracted to her, or at least the woman he used to know. He was beginning to realize this Leah was an enigma, a totally different person from who he remembered if she could strip for a living. That wasn’t the type of woman he envisioned raising his kids. He didn’t need this crap…didn’t need it at all.
Lucas was the first to join them, then Winnie bustled in and started breakfast.
Cal finished his coffee and rose to put his cup in the sink. “If you don’t need me anymore, I’ll head out and start the chores.”
“Okay, sure. I’ll need to get an official statement from you, but we can do that later.”
“Sure, see you around.”
He’d fed and watered the horses and mucked out their stalls by the time he heard a vehicle pull in. Curious, he glanced out and saw a police cruiser. Charlie got out and went up to the house and, as badly as he wanted to learn the outcome of the morning’s events, he wanted to avoid the house and its occupants even more. Especially Leah.
Maybe now was a good time to take that vacation he’d been putting off. He could go somewhere warm, avoid the snow and the cold for a few weeks and decide what to do. Another job sounded better the more he thought about it. Another town even. If Leah really was home to stay, he didn’t want to chance running in to her at odd moments.
He closed up the barn and walked the short distance to the bunkhouse. Cookie, the bunkhouse cook, had breakfast waiting for him.
“Early morning?”
“Yeah. Caught an intruder, or at least, Rounder did.”
“Well, dig in before your food gets any colder.”
He filled a mug with what Cookie called coffee, took his plate and joined the other wranglers at the long, buffet style table, taking a seat on the bench running along one side.
Some of them commented on hearing Rounder earlier, so Cal explained what happened.
“I was too wired to go back to bed so I tended the horses and fed Rounder and her pups. I’ll need a few of you to load up some feed and take it out to the herd.”
Nods of agreement greeted his words.
“Good. See you later.”
He crossed the room to put his plate and cup in the sink, then went to his room and lay down on his bed. As soon as he had the chance, he would talk to Luke about that vacation. The sooner the better. His eyes closed against the glare of the winter sun streaming in through the window and his mind conjured images of Leah as she’d been last night. So loving and passionate, as if she truly enjoyed being with him. Maybe he’d done her a disservice by believing the worst. Maybe, just maybe, Kendall had trumped up a believable story to garner Trent’s services.
Hope swelled in his chest. That had to be it. Once he talked to Leah and allowed her to clear up the mess of lies, everything would be all right. Wouldn’t it?
Chapter Nine
It was still dark outside when Leah arrived in the kitchen to see her family sitting around the old oak table, eating their breakfast. She smiled a greeting, which died quickly when she saw the stranger seated with them. Automatically, she took a step back, feeling the need to retreat…until the stranger spoke.
Trent let out a long, slow whistle. “Wow! Your picture didn’t do you justice at all.”
“My picture?”
Michael rose to make the introductions. “Yeah, Leah Manning meet Trent Erickson, a private investigator hired to find you.”
She laughed uncertainly. “Gee, I didn’t realize I was lost.”
The twins giggled, but everyone else remained serious.
“Have a seat, dear, and I’ll get your breakfast,” Winnie said as she stood and crossed to the stove, returning with a plate piled high with sliced ham, cubed home fries, and gravy.
She took the only seat still vacant, pleased that it was next to her father. “Thanks, Winnie.”
It was slightly unnerving, sitting there with the stranger staring at her. “I take it Roddy hired you?”
“Yes, and I’m glad he did. I’ve never seen a lovelier woman. You have the hair and face of an angel.”
The twins giggled again. Leah laughed. “Flattery, Mr. Erickson?”
“Trent, and it’s a fact.”
“Then thank you. I appreciate the compliment.” She took a couple bites of breakfast and chewed slowly, trying to get her mind around the reason for the investigator’s presence. How could she ask without soliciting too many details in front of the children? “So, you’ve found me. What’s next on your agenda?”
“Well, I don’t rightly know as yet. We’re waiting on some files from my office and a phone call or two. Michael isn’t willing to accept my story at face value.”
She sent a grateful smile Michael’s way and tried to keep the conversation light. “You should be thankful. At least you’re being treated to breakfast by one of the best cooks in the province.”
He patted his stomach. “Yep, best meal I’ve eaten in a long time.” He turned toward her stepmother. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Winnie nodded in acknowledgement.
Leah finished eating and rose to get a cup of coffee. She poured her own and brandished the pot in the direction of the table. “Anyone want a refill?”
All four men did, so she filled their mugs before returning to the table. “Are you from B.C.?”
“Yes, my office is in Vancouver,” Trent replied.
“Did you drive all this way?”
“Not exactly. Roddy dropped me off down the road.”
Leah tensed, choked, her coffee spewing out in front of her to the twins’ amusement.
“It’s all right, darlin’. Michael’s men should have him anytime now.” Her father passed her a napkin and patted her back.
“What?”
“As soon as Trent filled me in, I arranged a little surprise for Kendall,” Michael said, an evil smirk on his face. “None of my guys are on his payroll. Guaranteed!”
“So it’s over?” she asked hopefully.
“Not yet, but soon.”
She breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief. “Thank you, Michael. Th
ank you all for standing by me. Have I told you lately how much I love you guys?”
“Nope, but I wouldn’t mind hearing it again,” Michael teased.
The twins giggled outrageously, and Zakia shooed them away from the table. “You’ve both finished eating. Now go play.”
“Can we go outside?” asked Cammy.
“Later,” said Luke.
A hushed silence filled the air as Leah watched the boys scamper from the room.
“I think Winnie and I should keep an eye on those rascal grandkids of ours. What do ya say, luv?”
“You go. I’ll help clean up and join you in a few.”
“All right.”
Winnie and Zakia made short work of cleaning up the kitchen while Leah sat waiting to know what was going on.
“Sorry to keep you hanging, Leah, but I didn’t want to say too much with the twins little ears perked up.”
“I know, Michael. That’s why I tried not to ask questions either. And Trent, thank you for understanding.”
“Hey, no problem. I have a niece and nephew that I think the world of, so I’m used to watching what I say when I’m around the wee folk.”
Trent was a good-looking man, some might even call him handsome, especially when he smiled. “So, how did you end up working for Roddy?”
“He called my office, made an appointment, and hired me. That was about six years ago. I’ve located a few people for him since, but Michael’s been filling me in on what’s happening. I can’t say I like being used by Roddy in light of the information I have now. In all my dealings with him, I’d never heard a word against him. It came as kind of a shock really.”
“Roddy already knew I was here, so why would he hire you?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. He dropped me off and told me to look for your car.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe he just wanted to verify that you actually were here.”
“Maybe.”
A car pulled up beside the house, and Michael rose to look out the window. “Charlie’s here. I’ll let him in.”
Leah rose to her feet, anxious to hear the news.
Charlie’s grin went ear-to-ear. “We got ‘em, boss. All three of them. Loaded them in separate vehicles to transport them to jail, but they weren’t armed like you said.”
Trent cleared his throat. “His bodyguard always carries a Derringer and a knife in his boots. The driver probably does, too.”
“Damn! Call it in, boss. I’m after them.”
Michael palmed his phone and hit speed dial while Charlie ran to his vehicle. He hit the road in mere seconds, lights flashing and siren wailing. Luke came to stand beside Leah, placing an arm around her shoulders.
Michael snapped his phone closed. “I’m going after them. Trent, for your own safety, stay put.”
“So, I’m not under arrest?”
“No, but you’re as good as dead if Roddy thinks you ratted on him,” Michael said as he pulled on his coat and boots.
“Be careful, Michael,” Winnie said, nervously wringing the dishtowel in her hands.
He nodded and took off.
“Come on, Winnie. Let’s join Lucas and the boys,” said Zakia as she slung an arm around the older woman and left the room.
Leah turned to Trent. “Please, stay. I don’t want anyone else hurt because of me.”
“Anyone else? I don’t think I have the full story yet, do I?”
She smiled. “Probably not.”
“Are you going to fill me in?”
She smiled again. “Probably not.”
“Then tell me this…did Roddy really murder someone?”
“Yes, three people that I’m aware of.”
“Can you tell me their names?”
Luke nodded. “Go ahead, Leah. I can't see what it would hurt. I’m going to the office to check and see if Michael’s fax came in yet.”
“Okay. Have a seat, Trent. I think I’ll have another coffee. Want one?”
“Sounds good,” he said.
She sat and took a good swallow of coffee before retelling the story of Alex’s murder. “He kept me prisoner until I managed to escape a few days ago. Roddy also hired a hit man who killed a sheriff, then dressed in his uniform to arrest me and either kill me or take me back to Roddy. Either way, I’d be dead.”
“And the third?” he asked.
His voice was calmer, gentle, as if concerned she might fall apart with the telling.
“Delores Ramey, another dancer at Roddy’s club. She helped me get away. I’m not sure how he found out, but he did. She was stabbed to death in her apartment.”
“Good Lord! So his wanting to find you is nothing to do with breaching a contract?”
“No, I fulfilled the terms of my contract. He threatened to sue if I didn’t.”
“What a bastard! Pardon my language.”
“That’s all right. I’ve heard worse.” She took another sip of coffee, her hands wrapped around the mug in an effort to control their shaking. The telling never got any easier. When she thought of how close she’d come to dying at Roddy’s hands, she shook uncontrollably.
“Are you okay?”
She tried a smile, felt it wobble. “Yes, but the remembering is difficult. I’d rather forget any of it ever happened, but that’s impossible.”
“In my work as an investigator, finding and reuniting people, the jobs usually end happily. I find it hard to understand how I could’ve been so far off base working for Roddy. I guess I must have allowed his power and reputation as an honest businessman to influence my decisions. I certainly never clued in to him being a serial killer, of all things.”
“Roddy tried very hard to maintain his image as a successful businessman, but honest? No.” She shook her head decisively. “Ruthless would be a more accurate description. He was very possessive of the things he considered his…including me. He loved to watch men as they watched me dance. Got a real kick out of it, but Alex died because he touched me. All he did was reach out and tuck a tip in my costume, but Roddy didn’t like it and poor Alex died because of it.”
“You sound guilty.”
“Aren’t I? Wouldn’t you feel that way if someone died because of you?”
“No, Leah. Alex died because of Roddy’s need to possess. It wasn’t because of you or your job. The responsibility lies solely with Roderick Kendall. No wonder you came home. At least here, your family has you well protected. I’ll stay on too, if you wish.”
“You might have to stay for your own good, but thanks for the offer. Michael and Luke, my brothers, are in charge of security. You’ll need to speak with them.”
“I’ll do that. Both of them are your brothers?”
“Michael’s mother married my father, so yes, we’re all family.”
“Ahhh, I kind of got the impression that Michael hoped for more.”
“Geez, I hope not! I have enough problems.” She laughed, the sound in total disharmony with the murders they’d been discussing. “Michael’s a great guy and all that, but I don’t think of him that way.”
“Then there’s hope for me yet,” he said, smiling so brightly his green eyes twinkled.
“Sorry, But after escaping Roddy’s clutches, I certainly have no plans of entering a relationship anytime soon.”
“Understood, but if you change your mind…?”
“If I change my mind, it’ll probably be because of an old beau here on Thunder Creek.”
“Ah, darn!” His hands came up as if to grasp hold of his heart. “I finally meet my one true love, and she’s taken.”
“Don’t be silly.” This time she did laugh. “We barely know each other.”
“Sometimes, it doesn’t take long. I think I fell in love with you on sight.”
“Now you really are being foolish, but thanks for lightening the tension. I needed a good laugh.”
“You need someone to love you as you deserve to be loved.”
“Deserve…what a funny word when applied to me.”
“Leah?”
She heard the question in his voice but chose to ignore it. “I had it all once, and I walked away. I’m not sure I deserve a second chance.”
“Well, if he’s too much of a fool to realize what he’d have in you, I’ll be waiting.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind, but you’d be better off to keep looking. The right woman is out there, somewhere, but I’m afraid it won’t be me.”
“Thank you for your honesty. Now, do you have a deck of cards? I play a mean hand of gin rummy.”
“No problem.” She reached behind her and grabbed the cards out of the hutch drawer. Glad to have something to do, she dealt the first round.
* * * *
The wind had picked up while he snoozed, so Cal dug out the plow to clear the snowdrifts. There were a few things needing fixed in the barn and the bunkhouse. He’d talk to Luke about it when he finished plowing and take a run into town for supplies. Maybe Leah could come along for the drive. She would be safe enough with him.
If Michael allowed her to go.
Cal thought he was taking this protection business a little too serious. He didn’t have to stick to Leah like glue. If he had to guess, his mind said Michael was hoping for a chance to win her favor…or at the very least, bed her. He’d seen the looks Michael cast her way, and he didn’t like it one little bit. Last evening was heaven. To enjoy her company without her watchdog breathing down his neck had been nothing short of remarkable.
Speak of the devil. He cleared the end of the driveway only to watch Michael give him a jaunty wave as he pulled in. Where had he been? He didn’t notice Michael’s car gone from the yard. Had he jailed that trespasser?
Damn! He should’ve gone to the house to see Leah before starting to plow. No help for it, he turned and retraced his path, widening the driveway on his way back. He parked the tractor in the barn and grabbed a shovel to clear the walkways. Maybe he’d catch her in the office again. He smiled as he worked, but she wasn’t there. Instead, he saw her through the rear facing window, talking, laughing, and playing cards with the stranger. What the hell? Did she know him? Had he been one of her conquests in Vancouver?
He finished shoveling and went back to the bunkhouse. Repairs could wait. He wasn’t in the mood to work his ass off today. Tomorrow would be soon enough.
A Cowgirl's Pride Page 10