by Asha Daniels
“Don’t go off half-cocked. That’s what everybody seems to be waiting for. Besides, I have an idea in the back of my mind, but I need to check the facts. Still, why does this deputy keep insisting that Savage killed someone else?” When neither man answered, she stomped on the porch. “Tell me what really happened. Please.”
“A story that Savage needs to tell you, Georgia. But I promise you, Savage is a good man. Best in the world.” Josh gave her a stilted smile. He inched closer, a waning smile on his face. “Georgia, we appreciate what you did, and I know Savage does, but if this is a setup, then the only person who might be able to help is Richard. Somehow, I doubt he’s going to be willing to help three strangers.”
She cocked her head, gazing into both their eyes. They were honest men. Sincere men. And her heart was falling for them as well. “Trust me. I want you to do something for me. There has to be someone, your attorneys or another person who knows the names of the witnesses who pegged Savage.”
“You think you know and this plays into the explosion?” Toby asked, a sneer on his face. “You do, don’t you?”
“I don’t want to raise any hopes, but if I’m right, the information will exonerate Savage.” As well as destroy a man. Georgia’s entire body was shaking as adrenaline flowed, mixing with her heightened frustration. How far did the Senator have his hooks into Richard?
Toby exhaled, allowing the breath to elongate. “I’ll see what I can do. I chatted with the attorney who handled my case the other day. Not a bad guy.”
“Mine’s an asshole. I flat out asked him on several occasions who pinned the shit on Savage. He refused to tell me. Bastard,” Josh snarled.
“Just be careful how you ask. I need to go but I’ll come by later and let you know what I find.” Backing away, Georgia’s emotional swings were riding high, driving her anxiety to an excruciating level. She didn’t want to leave, had no desire to confront Richard, but there was nothing else she could do. Even without additional information, her instinct told her she was right.
She gathered he would be at the scene of the fire and she was right. As she pulled into the parking area, she couldn’t see any signs there’d been a fire. There was a single vehicle, the decals indicating a Fire Marshall remained on the scene. No engines remained. There was also no police presence, something she would have thought would be the norm. She glanced over at the laptop. There’d been no way to print what she knew would be damning information. This was going to have to do.
Easing out of the car, she blew a long stream of air as she gathered her nerves, holding the laptop against her chest. At this point, the man might not even want to see her. There was no doubt he’d heard about her exclamations to the deputy. However, she was going to learn the truth, one way or the other.
The front door was locked, a sign posting the lodge was closed, so she walked around the side, able to see Richard standing with an official looking man, no doubt from the fire department. From where she stood, she could see the damage, one giant hole in the back of the building and from what she could tell, the explosion had occurred in the management offices. “Jesus.” At least the fire had been contained to what had to be a fraction of the lodge. Still, with so many guests, they would need to get up and running quickly or lose an entire set of reservations.
What was she thinking? If her job wasn’t in the toilet by now, it certainly would be after her discussion with Richard.
“Hey. Are you here to help clean up?” Sheila wiped soot from her face as she headed in Georgia’s direction.
“I came to talk with Richard first, but absolutely I’ll help. How bad is everything?”
“The water damage might be worse than what happened from the fire. At least there was a sprinkler system,” Sheila said then sighed. “Damn shame. Richard is devastated. Now, I wish I hadn’t been off last night. How could someone intentionally set a fire?”
“You know how terrible people can be.” She could have sworn she’d seen Sheila during the evening’s festivities.
“Yeah, I do.” She darted a hard look at Georgia. “I don’t know what to believe. Do you think Savage had anything to do with this?”
“No.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t. You offered an alibi. More than I would do.”
“Interesting how news travels so fast around this place.”
Sheila blushed. “You know how people talk. Big news.”
Big news. This wasn’t bumfuck Wyoming. This was on the outskirts of Cheyenne for God’s sake. She was growing weary of the information network. “Not a lie, Sheila. I was with all of them last night. We went up to the lake and enjoyed the fireworks from there.” She didn’t need to look into the girl’s eyes to know Sheila either didn’t believe her or was convinced she was telling a lie to protect them.
She smiled. “Well, at least Richard can rebuild because of the insurance money, bigger and better too, unless he wants to sell out. People would buy this place as is. Then he could retire. He’s certainly old enough.”
Georgia cocked her head, a nagging thought settling into her mind. There wasn’t enough damage to worry about rebuilding. “He does have options. You’re right.”
“Well, I’m just glad no one got hurt. We should be able to block off the area and get back to work. Thank God, because I can’t be without a job.” She laughed nervously.
“I understand.” As the person from the fire department walked away, leaving Richard alone, she gave Sheila a polite nod. “I’m going to talk to him. If all goes well, I’ll come inside to help.”
“Okay. I’ll be looking for you.”
Georgia watched as Sheila walked back into the lodge, the girl stopping and studying her before moving away from the door, as if she knew more than what she was saying. There seemed to be far too many secrets in this town. Willing her feet to move, she moved toward Richard.
He had his head down but seemed to sense someone’s presence. When he lifted his gaze, his eyes had a faraway appearance, swollen, as if he’d been crying. “Georgia.” He narrowed his eyes as he noticed the computer.
“Mr. Marshall.” She could see some of the interior, the charred remains. A shiver trickled down her spine.
“You don’t have to say anything. I know what you did. Talking to the sheriff’s office. Thank you.”
A thank you she wasn’t expecting. “Savage didn’t sabotage you. I hope you know that.”
“I can only hope. I just don’t know what to think. I keep going over the fact that Savage called, trying to get a job here. Why do that?”
“Sir, Savage didn’t call about a job here. An old friend of Josh’s approached him in a store. Told him there were three positions available and encouraged him to have all of them apply.”
He gave her a long stare. “That’s interesting and not what I heard, but either way, the evidence is horrific. There’s a portion of the bomb with Savage’s fingerprints. They were easy to pull and even easier to identify.” He rubbed his forehead, an agonizing sound pushing past his lips.
Oh, no. This was getting to be a huge mess. She noticed the man’s shaking hand, a quiver in the corner of his mouth. She took a gamble. “Be honest with me. You wanted Savage here. Isn’t that the real truth?”
“I beg your pardon?”
There was no other choice. She opened her laptop lid, waiting until the screen came on. “I was curious and went searching. Took me a while to find this since you obviously tried to make certain the connection was hidden. I pieced some things together, but I know I’m right.”
Blinking, he darted a glance at the screen then up to her face. “What are you trying to do here, Miss Taylor?”
“I’m trying to keep an innocent man from being falsely convicted and my guess would be again. I’m also trying to make certain that he learns the truth about his life. Please tell me if I’m right, and if I am I have a distinct gut feeling I know who really set fire to the lodge.” She held out the laptop, refusing to shake or budge. “I know you’re being bul
lied by Senator Sampson. I also know that you two share a past together.”
“I…” He shook his head. “I knew I couldn’t run from the past forever.”
“Then help me.”
After a full minute, he took the laptop from her, scrolling through the pieces she’d put together.
She took a step back, giving him some time, her heart racing. When he cleared his throat and moaned, the sound full of anguish, she exhaled. “The truth?”
“Please allow me to explain.”
“Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think I’m the one you need to explain anything to.”
He nodded several times. “You’re right.”
Savage sat crouched in the back of the cell, staring at nothing. At least he’d been placed into a holding cell by himself. He was bitter, the anger having returned, but his thoughts centered on Georgia. He snickered thinking about the way she’d jumped into Dylan’s face. She was a tiger all right. If only they’d had an opportunity to talk. Then again, she might not have come to their defense so easily.
He was intelligent enough to realize that evidence had been planted, no doubt a timing device used for the explosion. Even with her testimony and her alibi, her words wouldn’t matter. As a second time offender, he’d get the maximum. Well, he had to face facts. There was no sense in fighting the system. He wouldn’t win. This wasn’t how life was supposed to go.
His thoughts drifted to the phone call again. The asshole wasn’t giving him a warning, but goading him, knowing his personality. Maybe someone had found out he was looking into the company’s financial records. Spending a couple hours before the party had solidified enough to know money was being kited, no doubt placed in a dummy account. Whoever had completed the transactions knew what the hell they were doing.
Hearing footsteps coming down the hallway, he bristled, anticipating the worst. The deputy was one who’d been at the cabin, along with Dylan, only this time his face held a conciliatory expression.
The deputy unlocked the door, swinging it open. “You got friends in high places, buddy. They posted bond for you. You’re free to go. For now.”
“Who?”
“Does it matter? Let’s go.”
Savage pushed up from the floor, swaggering toward the door. When the deputy shoved him all the way out, he only smiled. The games were similar to what he’d experienced years before. Only this time, he refused to show any negative emotion. He was led to a window, another deputy grabbing the envelope of his things, tossing them onto the counter. There was no one waiting for him and he could only imagine that Georgia posted bail. He would whip her ass for doing so. Another snicker formed in his throat.
“Don’t get into any trouble. We’ll be watching you.” The deputy sneered as he pointed toward the exit sign.
“Sure thing, officer,” Savage said, adding enough of a burly husk to give the deputy a second then third glare. When he walked out, hitting the bright sunlight, he blinked several times.
“Hello, Parker.”
Shading his eyes, he took another step forward, surprised at the person calling his name. “Richard. You’re the last person I thought I’d see. Did you post bail?”
“I did.” Richard studied him for a solid minute before walking closer. “Don’t look so shocked, son. I’ve lived a long life and I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of. You always believe you have time to right certain wrongs, be a better man. Just doesn’t seem to be happening. The fire was merely a wake-up call. I think it’s time for you and me to have a conversation.”
“Why?” Savage remained guarded.
“Because at the end of the day, I can no longer look at myself in the mirror. My reflection only highlights a haunted man.”
“I didn’t torch your place but whoever is stealing money from you might have.”
Richard didn’t act but so surprised. “I knew you’d find evidence. Sad thing is the offices were torched, along with whatever you found. And for the record, I believe you.”
Savage had no idea what the man was trying to say. “You knew you had an enemy.”
“I’m aware, Savage and no doubt more than one. Something I don’t like to think about, but it’s time to put everything into perspective. Past time. The lodge can be repaired. Lives can’t be.”
He could only nod.
“By the way, you have a very special lady in your corner. She confronted me in no uncertain terms.” Richard laughed. “I tell you what, Georgia has spunk. Been here two days and she managed to dig through all the bullshit. I hope to keep her around. I’m sure you do as well.”
Savage had no idea what to say, but his heart was breaking, longing to see her. “Is she all right?”
“She’ll be fine. Tough lady.” Richard exhaled. “Enough stalling. Let’s take a ride to a favorite spot of mine.”
Hesitating, he finally nodded.
“Come on. I’ll drive.”
There was a distinct tension between the two men, as if words were far too arduous to comprehend. Savage wasn’t surprised the destination was off the ranch. Whatever Richard had to say seemed gut wrenching to admit. When the drive took them around the same lake where he’d enjoyed a night with Georgia, going to what appeared to be an unmarked location, he became more curious.
Richard parked his truck, tapping the steering wheel before opening his door. “Take a walk with me.”
Savage trailed behind the man as they moved through a patch of trees. There was no lined path, no obvious signs that anyone had gone this way for some time. As the forest yielded to a patch of green grass, wildflowers dotting the terrain, he was taken aback. “Where are we?”
“This is still part of the Lone Wolf, although I paid a pretty penny to make certain the lake in its entirety was included in the purchase.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“This is just another plot of land; a location that I honestly hope is never developed. But it’s special to me.” Richard walked closer to the shoreline, his gaze pensive.
He held back for a few seconds, finally following the older man, flanking his side yet keeping his distance. “Whoever torched the lodge directed the explosion in the offices.”
“Yes.”
“They wanted to eradicate the files, the financials,” Savage said with confidence, even though he was forcing the pieces of the puzzle together.
“You are correct. While I had various reports on the cloud, just as I told you, I kept certain files hidden. They were in the files left in your office.”
The lump in Savage’s throat curtailed his breathing. He clenched his fists but calmed his anger. “I don’t know you, Mr. Marshall, not really. But I do know that whoever is trying to sabotage you, your life, and the ranch has a personal vendetta. I think the money aspect was more of a cover up.”
He was shocked when Richard burst into laughter, his face almost beaming with… pride. This was completely not what he anticipated. “You knew.”
“I anticipated. However, I hoped that I was wrong. The person I believe to be responsible used to be a good friend, a long time ago. My family is from Cheyenne. I already told you that I grew up here. My father owned Lone Wolf, taken over from my grandfather. My father was so proud his son was taking over the family business. When I left, he wanted nothing to do with it. Sold it to the highest bidder and as you’ve already heard, the ranch fell into disarray. Broke my father’s heart. I honestly think the situation led to his death.”
Savage had no method of comforting him, no understanding of why he was being told something so personal.
Richard darted a look in his direction. “Well, enough of beating around the bush. Georgia has certain evidence that my brother not only is the cause of the fire, but that he railroaded you and your friends three years ago. I’m still coming to terms with the betrayal, but she has enough information that I can see what I’m faced with.”
“Dylan.”
He nodded several times, sighing as he wrinkled his brow. “Breaks my heart.�
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“Why would he do such a thing? Why?” Savage thought about the fact the deputy had been hanging around the ranch and certainly didn’t like intruders of any type, but what did the man have to gain? He closed his eyes, allowing memories of the night at the bar to flow into the back of his mind. A flash of the deputy’s face filtered into his mind’s eye. “Dylan was there the night of the fight.”
“Yes, he was. I’ve read every report, talked to everyone involved, including Senator Sampson. That was my big mistake, talking to that alligator in expensive clothes. See, the Senator has a beef with me. Long standing. The man holds a grudge and the day I left town, he made a promise that one day, he would destroy anything that mattered to me. I blew it off as testosterone, an angry man fueled by heartache and tequila. I had no idea that he’d make good on his threat.”
“I’m sorry and I’m confused.” Savage had no way of knowing what the man was talking about.
“As you should be.” Lowering his head, he let out a long breath before turning to face Savage. “You ever hear the saying lies beget lies?”
“Yes, sir. Know it well.”
Chuckling, he walked closer. “Story of my life. Time to break the cycle of deceit. You have to know that this is terribly difficult for me. I had no idea, or I would have come back sooner. When I did find out, you’d just been arrested. And I’ll admit to you, I didn’t handle the situation well. What am I saying? I was an asshole, fearful of what might be said or how the news would impact my business. Ryland Sampson was the other bidder on the property. He almost got Lone Wolf. I had to beg, borrow and call in every favor to get enough capital to make the down payment. Another thing the man was pissed about.”
Savage held his tongue.
“Anyway, when you were about to be released, I made a plan, including luring you and your friends to work here. I figured if I just approached you there’d be no way you’d consider working here. You’re a lot like me, stubborn as they come.” Richard smiled but his eyes held intense sadness, even fear.
“You had someone approach Josh.”