Gordon frowned. “Tell me what happened.”
When Val finished with the story, the FBI agent scowled. “Mason was the decoy and he’s still on the loose. We need to apprehend him.”
“He’s a scared rabbit,” Val said. “Someone made him do this. It was an ambush.”
“Who ordered this hit?” Gordon asked. “That’s the real question.”
“I’ll bet it was Downing,” Griff said. “Did he somehow figure out Val discovered those bales of marijuana yesterday?”
“We don’t know.” Gordon glanced at the cruiser pulling out to head back to the sheriff’s department. “We’ll start interrogation on these two right away. I’ll ask Deputy Garner to send someone over to Zach Mason’s apartment to arrest him.”
“Better idea is to send a cruiser down this dirt road,” Val said, pointing toward it. “We don’t know if he’s got wheels or not. If he doesn’t, then he’s walking and this is the only road leading to the highway.”
“We found car keys on one of the assailants,” Gordon told them. “I’ll get someone to scour the area for a vehicle. We don’t know if Mason is still hanging around or if he has a second set of keys.”
Val shivered in the cool night air. “Gus was in bed before we left. I wonder if the ambulance siren woke her up.”
“There were no lights on in the house as we drove by,” Gordon told her. “And we didn’t use the siren. She’s probably still asleep.”
Nodding, Val said, “I want to drive back to the house to make sure. Griff and I can come into town after that and fill out the police reports.”
“Sounds good,” Gordon said. “I’ll have hot coffee waiting for you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“WHY CAN’T THE law indict Downing?” Gus asked at the breakfast table after hearing of last night’s escapades.
Griff glanced across the table at Val. They’d been at the sheriff’s department until three in the morning, then grabbed a few hours’ sleep just in time to wake up and tell Miss Gus everything. She sat there, her silver hair brushed, wearing her usual Levis, boots and a long-sleeved red blouse. Because the mornings were cool, she wore her favorite cream-colored cardigan over the blouse. Griff thought she was taking the information with amazing calm. “The deputies picked up Zach Mason at his apartment,” he said. “According to Cade, the two men apprehended at the boat ramp are telling the same story independent from each other.”
“What?” Gus snorted, salting and peppering the eggs Val had just scrambled for her. “That some mysterious, unnamed gent paid them to kidnap Val?”
“That’s the story they’re sticking to. The plan was to kidnap me,” Val said, not really feeling like eating.
“Makes no sense to me!” Gus gave a shake of her head. “Why kidnap you?”
Val shrugged. “There’s conjecture it was the Garcia cartel. They kidnap a lot of people for money. But Cade and the FBI agent think Downing’s behind it, even though there’s no proof.”
“Cade had a photo array of known felons in the area,” Griff added. “And when he showed them the photos, they fingered the same man. A dude named Earl Henderson.”
“Never heard of him,” Gus said with a frown.
“He’s a freelance criminal who contracts other criminals,” Val said. She pushed the eggs around on her plate. The seriousness of what had happened last night was really taking hold of her. Val knew that if Griff hadn’t been with her last night, she’d have been kidnapped. And then, probably killed. She’d seen enough such crimes in her days as an intel officer. She gave Griff a warm glance and the tender look Griff returned halted her terrible thoughts. She loved him and couldn’t wait to tell him. She had to find the right time and place to talk to him.
“I still think,” Gus said, “that Downing’s the puppeteer behind it. Val, you said there was a trapdoor to the basement below the tack room. What if Downing had it rigged with an alarm? That could tip him off you were in there, right?”
“Yes, that’s entirely possible. I looked for any wires or an alarm device before I opened it.” She shrugged. “That doesn’t mean, with today’s advances in technology, that there wasn’t some sort of silent alarm I didn’t discover. And yes, if that’s the case, Downing would know. And he would come after me.”
“And it would explain why he assembled those goons and Zach to set you up,” Gus said.
A shiver flowed through Val. She didn’t want to upset Gus and yet she knew her grandmother was probably right. “Well, thanks to Griff, I was safe and sound.” Val reached out and patted her grandmother’s hand to reassure her.
“Unless one of those three guys in custody can identify Downing,” Griff said, slathering strawberry jam across his toast, “he’s off the hook.”
“Val, what about those bales you found in his tack room?” Gus asked, frustration evident in her voice.
“The FBI agent can’t search Downing’s ranch without proof. The judge needs to see a photo, or a law enforcement officer has to have seen it before a search warrant can be issued. I’m not in law enforcement, so it doesn’t matter what I saw. Right now, everyone’s hands are tied. It confirms Downing is involved in drug smuggling, however. And because of what I saw, Agent Gordon has received authorization from FBI headquarters to bring an agent into Jackson Hole to try and prove Downing is a regional drug kingpin.” Val shared a look of relief with Griff. The new FBI agent would take over. Josh Gordon had officially released Griff from his duties as a spy.
Buttering the toast, Gus asked, “Do you think Downing still has the bales at his ranch?” Gus asked. “If he’s behind this, don’t you think he’d have gotten rid of them by now?”
“Absolutely,” Val confirmed. “If he had a warning device, he knows law enforcement would come down on him in a heartbeat. He didn’t know my camera didn’t work or that I didn’t take photos with my cell phone. Downing is smart enough to realize if I had photos, a search warrant would have already been issued by the sheriff and they’d be coming to find those bales. My experience as an undercover operator tells me those bales are gone and that basement is not only cleared out, but he’s gotten rid of the odor of the marijuana. I did see some huge fans against one wall, probably for that very purpose.”
“I wonder if Downing has some kind of infrared camera in place down in that basement,” Griff pondered.
“It’s possible but I didn’t see it. My sense tells me he knew I went down there and wanted me kidnapped so I couldn’t testify against him in court.”
“You would be the only witness to the marijuana stashed there,” Griff agreed, giving her a grim look.
Gus shook her head. “This is all conjecture, though.” She gave Val a concerned glance. “Do you think Downing will try to get to you again?”
Val wanted to dispel her grandmother’s uneasiness. “No, I don’t think so. Like most drug lords, he doesn’t want to keep things stirred up. My gut tells me Downing hired Zach and the other two men. And chances are none of them even know he was behind the orders. A guy like Downing would have others do the dirty work so no one can point a finger at him.”
“You think he’ll stop using his ranch as a place to stash those bales until they’re ready to be transported?” Griff asked.
“Yes. More than likely he’ll shift to another storage area but it won’t be anywhere near his ranch.”
“Like Gordon said, drug lords are forever creative and flexible.”
She nodded at him. “Far more mobile and inventive than law enforcement. In the Middle East, I was continually amazed at their ability to shift and move drugs. We were always playing catch-up and so is the FBI on this case.”
“Sounds like the FBI is gonna have to wait until another time to try and nab Downing.”
Val gave Gus a sad look. “I’m afraid you’re right.”
“
But you think he’ll leave us alone?”
“I think so. People who have something to hide don’t want to stir up a hornet’s nest where they live. They want it quiet. He’s smart enough to let it go and focus on where to put his incoming drugs. He’ll see soon enough law enforcement isn’t coming knocking, so he’ll realize they can’t touch him.”
“And,” Gus said, “this kidnapping attempt might have failed, but Downing is probably hoping you got the message and will keep your mouth shut.”
“Right. Downing, I’m sure, doesn’t realize I found the bales on purpose. He probably figures I was just wandering around and stumbled onto them by accident. He’ll just chalk it up to a stupid woman being nosy and that’s all.” Val tried to give them a slight smile. “He’ll make changes at his ranch and he’ll figure the kidnapping attempt will scare me enough so I’ll never say anything to anyone.” And shortly after things calmed down, Val would call Downing to tell him she’d changed her mind about buying an endurance horse right now because her cash flow wasn’t what it needed to be. That way, she closed all the loops with him.
“You think Downing will just let this blow over?” Griff asked.
“If these three guys can’t point a finger at him, yes, he will.”
“Hold on a second,” Gus protested. “Is that consarned plane gonna keep landing at our lake?”
“Agent Gordon doesn’t think so,” Griff said. “If Downing is connected with the Garcia cartel, they won’t use the lake anymore because their cover is blown.”
“And if it ain’t, then that plane is gonna land twice a week.”
“If it does,” Val said in a soothing tone, “all we have to do is call the sheriff and they will capture the group and that will be the end of it.”
“Good,” Gus said in a huffy tone, “because I want my peace and quiet back!”
“Oh, I think calm will descend on the Bar H once more, Gus.” She shared a tender look with Griff. “And you’re no longer expected to be an undercover spy.”
“Good, because I was never comfortable about being an untrained mole, anyway,” Griff said, feeling enormous respect for her courage under the harrowing circumstances that had erupted last night. She was cool under fire, there was no doubt.
Gus gave him a look of pride. “You’re a McPherson. Your daddy was a brave man in the Vietnam War. And your grandfather was a hero in World War II. Both earned a bunch of medals. You’ve got the blood of heroes in your veins, Griff. And you sure showed your stuff last night by saving Val’s life.” Reaching out, she patted his hand. “The world needs more heroes like you.”
Embarrassed by the elder’s high opinion of him, Griff said, “I had a lot to pay back in some ways, Miss Gus.” He glanced up at Val. “And I’ve found a home here and I’m grateful.”
Val heard the quaver in his deep voice and understood it. “Well,” she said with a slight smile, “despite all the stuff going on around Long Lake, we still have fence to repair today.”
The phone rang and Griff excused himself to answer it. It was Cade Garner.
Val watched with curiosity, as did Gus. Griff’s voice went low with surprise. He twisted around and stared at them. There was a stunned look in his eyes. He finished the conversation and hung up. “Zach Mason just admitted that he was hired by Earl Henderson to torch your cabins,” he told them, walking to the table and sitting down. “He found out the guy’s name when he picked up the money afterward.”
“What?” Gus said, incredulous. “Iris Mason’s boy doing this to us? I can’t believe that!” and she slapped her hand down on the table.
“Seriously?” Val said. “ He admitted doing it?”
“Yes, Cade said one of their detectives got Zach to trust him and the kid spilled the rest of his involvement in the arson.”
Gus pressed her hand to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. “Oh, my God, this is going to hurt Iris and her family so much. That kid’s goin’ to prison, for sure. Zach’s mother is already there serving time.” She shook her head. “We need to visit Iris, Rudd and the rest of the Mason family. This is just going to be so hard on ’em.”
Reaching out, Val took her grandmother’s hand. “We’ll all go over to see how we might be able to help.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Gus,” Griff said. “I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear.”
“I wanted the culprit caught, for sure. But, Lord Almighty, I never thought for an instant one of our ranch kids would ever stoop so low as to do something like this! Especially Zach! I know he’s been through a lot with that mother of his, but the Elk Horn is the richest and most successful ranch in the valley. Iris dotes on Zach and Regan. This is just too much for that poor family to bear.”
“Cade drove out this morning and talked to the family,” Griff said. “Zach is in jail and the judge denied him bail because he’s a flight risk. He’ll stay there until his trial. We’ve got an appointment with the prosecutor today at—” he glanced at his watch “—two o’clock. Do you feel like making the appointment, Val? We’re both hurting for sleep.”
“Yes, I’ll go in with you. We can get a good night’s sleep tonight.” Val envisioned not only being in Griff’s bed, but finally being able to love him.
* * *
CURT DOWNING HISSED A CURSE. He walked the long aisle of his main barn where his students’ endurance horses were kept. His attorney had just called. The sheriff wanted to talk to him about Zach. Rubbing his jaw, Curt knew there was no link law enforcement could make to him. He’d roll over and play dumb about Henderson coming onto his ranch to hire Zach to burn down the cabins. One of his cronies in Idaho had hired Henderson, given him the money and orders to hire Zach. And it had been Henderson who had hired the kid to move marijuana bales from the float plane. Zach was never taken to his property to know the bales were being stored there. No one knew his tangled web of connection around North America, nor would they find out.
Curt felt angry he’d been thwarted from showing the Garcia drug cartel he could make things happen. Long Lake, his primary plan, was off the table. The feds and the sheriff were on to the drops. And the burning of the cabins hadn’t scared Gus or Val at all. They were tough, stubborn women. Plus they had that McPherson there to help them out. Halting, he crossed his arms over his chest, the late-afternoon breeze warm. The snort of horses soothed his fractious state. Horses always calmed him.
The Bar H would be off-limits to him. He couldn’t continue to terrorize the women to force them to sell. Most of all, he was going to walk a long circle around Val Hunter. After running the videotape and finding her in his marijuana stash, his plan to have her kidnapped and murdered had failed too. No, he had to release his plans for the Bar H. There would be no retribution because Downing knew the feds were probably bringing in an agent to watch for drug cartel activity. That meant he had to really be careful using his trucking company to move drugs from now on.
Feeling defeated, Curt ran his fingers through his short sandy-red hair. He’d lost this battle. And it had been two women and a wrangler who had stalemated him. They’d ridden roughshod on him. His hatred of Griff McPherson rivaled the feelings he had for his twin, Slade. These were people he could no longer tangle with or try to manipulate. He’d have to find new players who he could move around on his chessboard plan for this valley.
* * *
GRIFF AND VAL SILENTLY ENTERED THE RANCH house close to midnight. Val quietly closed the main door and locked it. Other than the hall light that had been left on, the house was still. Gus was asleep.
Val reached out at the base of the stairs, her fingers wrapping around Griff’s hand. He pulled to a halt, turned and looked down at her. “I don’t want to sleep alone tonight,” she said in a whisper near his ear. Val felt his roughened fingers squeeze hers.
“I don’t either.” He moved close, his hand sliding across her jaw. Looking
deeply into her eyes, Griff asked, “Are you sure?” He searched her shadowed blue eyes intently because this had to be mutual. Was Val’s trust in him strong enough to take this next serious step? His heart pounded with anxiety as he waited to hear her answer.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, Griff.”
With a nod, he removed his hand from the soft line of her jaw. He led her quietly up the stairs and, at the top, pulled her against him. A softened sigh issued from Val’s parted lips as she stepped into his embrace. They stood absorbing one another in the calm of the ranch home. Kissing her ear, the strands of her hair tickling his nose and cheek, Griff said in a low tone, “One last chance to say no?”
She eased back just enough to see his darkened gaze, and said in a teasing voice, “It’s too late to ask, wrangler.”
“What made the decision for you?” he asked, his fingers trailing across her freckled cheek. Her flesh was soft and firm. A flush moved across her face as he continued to stroke her cheek.
“Last night and today.” Her voice thickened with emotion. “Getting grilled by the prosecutor for three hours, and then being pitched around to different attorneys and law-enforcement officials wore me out. I realized through it all, I just wanted you at my side.” She shared a tender smile with him. “You’ve earned my trust, Griff. You’ve done so much for Gus, for our ranch.”
Holding her sultry look, he said, “That’s no reason to love someone, Val.”
“No, but it says something about a person’s character.” She trailed her fingers lingeringly along the hallow of his stubbled cheek. His eyes narrowed and she saw the fire leap within them. “It’s you, Griff. You’re a man with a past who proved that he could rise from the ashes and become a true hero.”
“I’m not a hero,” Griff uttered in protest, leaning down and kissing her brow. Inhaling Val’s scent only made him more hungry for her. “I’m a man who has fallen in love with you, Val.” He pressed his mouth gently against hers. He wasn’t disappointed as she leaned forward, her breasts pressing insistently against his chest, her breath warm and punctuated as she hungrily drank from his mouth.
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