by Barb Han
“Makes sense,” he said when he thought about it. “It’s part of separating from parents, evolution. Plus, most of the people you interviewed had committed, were suspected off or had ties to criminal activity.”
“When you put it like that, it’s true. Most of the people I deal with have secrets.”
“Which is a good point. What if Clara and Alexandria uncovered someone else’s secret?” A picture was starting to emerge. One he didn’t like but couldn’t rule out. By the way Leanne’s gaze narrowed, she couldn’t, either. She compressed her lips, and that usually meant she was onto something. Now that he’d spent time with her, he was starting to pick up on her habits. Habits he probably shouldn’t have allowed himself to notice.
“A secret worth killing for,” she said. “Leads me to believe there would be a trail. You know. I mean we have no real information from the past. It doesn’t sound like the sheriff did much investigating with your friend’s case and obviously, the trail froze up years ago. It’ll be harder to make a correlation between the two.”
“Maybe not. Doesn’t it depend on what they had in common? I mean, when we find out what it is.”
“How are we going to do that?” There was frustration mixed with exacerbation in her tone.
“Sawmill thought he had the right person. I was supposed to be the last person to have seen Alexandria alive. I was going through a rough patch personally and she’d threatened to break up with me if I didn’t stop partying. Then, when I found out what happened I was in too much shock to say what I needed to. That I was innocent. I felt like it was my fault because of the problems we’d had,” he admitted.
“And you still do,” she said so quietly he almost didn’t hear her over the wind. She shivered and rubbed her arms as though to warm them.
“What makes you say that?” he asked. She couldn’t possibly know him well enough to read him, and he was certain he’d done a damn good job of stuffing his emotions down so deep that even he didn’t think about them anymore.
“Because this situation with my niece is going to haunt me for the rest of my life if I don’t find out who killed her and bring him to justice. And even if I do, who knows if this weight will lift,” she said in that same small voice.
“This is the first hope I’ve had in fourteen years that there could be a breakthrough in Alexandria’s case. I haven’t given life much thought past finding her killer.” Was she telling him there was no escaping the demons? There had to be a way to put them to rest, because all his hopes were riding on finding out who killed Alexandria. If that didn’t bring him peace, there was no hope. “Is it time to bring in a professional?”
“A professional investigator?” she asked.
“Why not?”
“I’ve thought about bringing in someone who could be more objective than me. We’ll alienate the sheriff even more. Believe it or not, he’s our best chance right now at getting at the truth. He has resources even a pro wouldn’t have. Then there’s my job. I have to consider the consequences if I get caught interfering with a murder investigation. I’ll do whatever we can to find out on our own without stepping on the sheriff’s toes. We don’t want to end up hurting things when we’re trying to help,” she said after a thoughtful pause.
“We’re facing the same problem with your case as I did with mine. The sheriff already ruled this a suicide in his mind. Even though he said he’d look into as a murder investigation his heart isn’t in it,” he said.
“On the surface, it’s an easy assumption.” Leanne compressed her lips. “But Sawmill arrested Gary and got a search warrant for my sister’s house. He has something and he has a solid reputation. I asked around.”
Dalton issued a disgusted grunt.
“He’s learned from the mistakes he made early in his career,” she admitted.
“I hope so. For all of our sakes.”
Leanne opened her mouth to speak but his cell’s ringtone rang out and she clamped her mouth shut instead.
“What’s going on, Dade?” he asked his twin brother.
“I’m guessing you haven’t seen the news coverage,” Dade said and the ominous quality to his voice sent up a warning shot.
“What is it?” Dalton asked.
“Check your phone and then call me back. Let me know what help you need,” Dade said before exchanging goodbyes.
Dalton pulled up the internet on his smartphone and thumbed through headlines reporting local news. Dread wrapped around him as he read.
“Dammit.”
Chapter Nine
“The reporter?” Leanne asked, grabbing his wrist to reposition the phone so she could get a better view.
The picture was damning because the reporter was able to get enough of Leanne’s face in it to identify her. The pair were caught in an embrace while standing underneath the tree where her niece had been murdered less than twelve hours prior to the picture being taken. Okay, this looked bad. From this photo, no one would buy the fact that this had been staged. The headline read, Dallas Detective Brings Death to Cattle Barge.
“First of all, I didn’t bring anything and especially not that.” She pointed at the word Death with a shaky finger.
Leanne would have a lot of explaining to do. First, to her sister who could interpret the entire situation wrong while under duress. Complicating their relationship further wasn’t exactly on Leanne’s agenda, and her heart rate climbed thinking about the fallout. Dealing with the sheriff was going to be a whole other issue that raised her blood pressure up a few notches. There was no telling how he would look at this, and he could misconstrue her and Dalton’s relationship and, worse yet, cut her completely out of the process.
And then there was her boss. She’d told him that she needed time off to be with family after losing her niece. How was this going to go over?
So, not only had this reporter violated her privacy but he’d done it in a way that could have her ending up in the unemployment line with no way to care for her daughter. Being fired from one law enforcement agency would make it impossible to get a job in another one due to civil service laws.
Even if that didn’t happen, say that was the worst case, at the very least her credibility had just taken a huge hit. Her reputation was on the line.
Leanne felt sick.
“This jerk is going to sabotage the investigation and my career,” she said, adding, “I need a minute to catch my breath.” She took a few steps away from the handsome cowboy. She didn’t need her superiors knowing that she was in Cattle Barge investigating in the first place, but how else could she explain herself? She’d worked long and hard to make detective before age thirty and she needed a steady career even more now that she had Mila. Being a single parent was difficult enough without being jobless to make matters worse.
Being with Dalton could hurt her own investigation, and his friend’s case had gone so cold her fingers would become frostbitten if she touched the file—which, by the way, no one was going to let her do and especially not now.
She needed to perform damage control with her boss and with Sawmill. Where would she even start?
“I know what you’re thinking.” The low rumble of a voice came up from behind her, sending all kinds of inappropriate sensations skittering across her skin. He was close enough that she could hear him breathing and for a split second she wanted to lean back against his chest and absorb some of his raw masculine strength.
Instead, she turned around. Her body moved slower than she expected, as though turning too fast would overload her senses and she somehow sensed it on instinct. Breathing too much, too fast would only usher in more of his scent—raw, masculine. And all Dalton.
Leanne bit back a yawn, fighting against the tide of sleep that wanted to suck her out to sea and spin her around again and again until she gave in.
“You’re not going to want to hear this but nothing
else can be done tonight. You need a warm meal and a decent bed. We have both of those here at the ranch and I think it’d be best if you stayed over rather than risk reporters stalking you at a roadside motel.” He was right. She needed all those things plus a shower and a toothbrush.
But how would she get her mind to stop spinning long enough for any of those normal things again? She’d let Clara down in the worst possible way. Doing something as menial and ordinary as eating seemed...selfish.
He was also right about sticking around the ranch. She wanted to make sure her sister was going to be all right and that someone was available to help with Hampton.
“Does that offer include a hot shower?” she asked, hoping she could clear the dense fog smothering her brain.
“It does.” His blue eyes twinkled in the moonlight.
“Thank you for helping my sister. Part of me acknowledges that you aren’t doing it for my benefit. You want answers and helping us figure out who killed Clara is a means to that end. We find Clara’s killer and you might just be able to put your friend’s case to rest. But something else makes me think your cowboy code would have you offering to help anyway. I appreciate everything you’re doing for us and for my niece,” she said. And she meant every word. No matter how confusing or upside down her life became, she was grateful to the handsome cowboy for everything he’d done and was doing. She knew that would also stop her from cutting him out of the investigation. He deserved to know the truth about Alexandria. It was the only way he’d be able to put his ghosts to rest and begin to think about letting go of the guilt that had obviously eaten at him for almost a decade and a half.
He nodded by way of acknowledgment. Something also told her he wouldn’t let himself accept anyone’s appreciation until he found the killer.
“Let’s get a few hours of sleep and we can start fresh. We’ll put our heads together and figure out a plan for damage control with the media. I’d like to include the family lawyer in that discussion. He’s the best and knows how to spin a story in a better direction,” he said. “Think Sawmill’s finished with Gary yet?”
“Probably not. If he thinks my brother-in-law’s involved in some way he’ll keep him in the interview room all night if he has to,” she clarified.
“Then you might wake up to find this nightmare is all over,” he said, extending a hand to lead her toward the main house. “And you’ll be able to pick up your life where you left off.”
Was that something she even wanted anymore? Her life seemed somehow empty now. But that was silly, at best, to think being with Dalton for such a short time could alter her perspective.
Even at night she could tell the land was beautiful, and she could only imagine how much more enchanting it would be in spring when the bluebonnets were in bloom. But even in this setting she didn’t believe in fairy-tale endings. Her niece was gone and her life would never be the same again.
Leanne had noticed the grandeur of the Butler home when she was getting her sister settled earlier. The house was a sight unto itself. It looked like something out of a resort brochure with its rustic charm and wood-beamed arched ceilings in the main room.
“I’ll heat something in the kitchen,” he said, hooking a left.
“Mind if I take a shower first?” she asked.
He gave her a once-over, which made her feel a little self-conscious before he said, “Hold that thought.”
A few moments later, he returned with a woman trailing behind.
“Hi. I’m Ella. Dalton’s—”
“Sister.” Leanne nodded, smiled and shook the extended hand. Ella had a firm shake and an honest face.
She also had a bundle under her left arm, which she pulled out and held between them. “I wasn’t sure about your size but I think we’re close. These will be better than sleeping in your work clothes.” Ella was a similar height and build to Leanne and that’s where the similarities stopped. Ella had cornflower-blue eyes and bright red hair. Her complexion gave the impression she had some Irish in her.
Leanne had read about the elder Butler’s involvement in charity work, and the woman was striking and seemed to be the genuine article, too. She took the offering. “Thank you.”
“I don’t want to keep you. I’ve been somewhat in your shoes and I know what it’s like to finally get a hot shower,” Ella said. “I’ll just help Dalton in the kitchen. Make yourself at home.”
“I can handle the kitchen,” Dalton defended.
Ella rolled her eyes and laughed. “I was just trying to be helpful. Don’t go all caveman on me.”
Leanne laughed and it felt good. She’d become so used to seeing the dark side of life, it was refreshing to see something so basic as siblings teasing each other good-naturedly. Her relationship with her own sister was complicated. She held up the bundle, wishing her relationships were as easy as what she was seeing between the Butlers.
“And if you’re so capable of domestic duties, why haven’t you brought the tree home yet?” Ella teased.
Dalton shrugged, but Leanne saw something dark cross his features. Regret?
“Thanks, again,” she said to Ella.
“Your room’s this way,” Dalton said with a half smile back at his sister. “I thought you’d want to be close to Bethany and Hampton.”
“Your nephew is adorable.” Ella’s eyes looked like they’d been sprinkled with fairy dust. Leanne recognized that look. It seemed the older Butler sister wanted a baby.
“He’s a handful but he’s sweet.” Leanne was embarrassed to admit how long it had been since she’d seen him. She’d been relying on Clara for updates. Bethany had made excuse after excuse as to why she couldn’t come visit Leanne and the baby.
Leanne wondered how much the excuses had to do with Gary forcing his wife to stay home. Was he sealing her off from family in order to isolate her?
In order to hide what was going on at home?
* * *
THE SHADES WERE closed in the comfortably furnished guest room, blocking out the sun. Leanne stretched. Coffee. She needed caffeine.
It was 6:20 a.m.
There were no sounds coming from the room next door. Was it possible she’d woken before Hampton? Leanne never slept more than five consecutive hours since the baby came. Mila would sleep longer, but Leanne would wake to check on her daughter and make sure she was okay. Having a little girl had changed her in many wonderful ways. It had softened her and made her more sympathetic. It had also put her on guard 24/7.
And, it had also hardened her toward Bethany for her relationship with Clara. Babies were so small and vulnerable that Leanne couldn’t imagine not moving mountains to protect them as they grew and especially after waking every few hours just to make sure her own daughter was comfortable and still breathing.
It was too early to call Mrs. B and check on Mila. She considered firing off a text to let her babysitter know that everything was fine and to respond when she had a few minutes to talk.
Leanne would wait until after she had a cup of coffee in her before trying to communicate with anyone. Her autocorrect had sent a few interesting messages before she was fully awake. Glancing at the clock again told her that Mila would be awake in another hour at the latest, but she’d need to be changed and fed right away.
Leanne sat at on the edge of the bed for a long moment, gathering her thoughts. Life moved fast, especially in her line of work. It was important to take a few minutes every day to slow down and breathe. A solution to a problem often came when she took the time to quiet her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing something would pop into her thoughts about Clara.
It had been thirty-six hours since her niece’s body had been found. With every second that ticked by, the killer took another step away from the light.
Forcing a breakthrough wasn’t working, so she pushed off the bed and headed into the adjacent bathroom. Her and Bethany�
��s rooms were connected via a Jack-and-Jill bathroom so she tiptoed around, not wanting to disturb her sister. Leanne brushed her teeth, washed her face and then wandered down the hall toward the kitchen. The ranch-style layout had been easy enough to memorize. A fact she appreciated this morning with the fog engulfing her brain.
As she neared the great room, she heard voices. One of them belonged to Hampton.
“Good morning,” she said to May.
“You’re up early,” May said, scooting her chair back from the table where she was playing cars with Hampton. “Did you get any sleep?”
“A surprising amount, actually. Thank you for having us,” Leanne responded.
“You’re no trouble at all. It’s nice to have babies in the house again,” she said, rising and moving toward the coffee machine. “I asked Dalton and he said you drink coffee.”
“Yes, but please let me get it myself. You’re already doing too much for us.” Embarrassment heated Leanne’s cheeks. She wasn’t used to letting others do things for her.
“It’s nothing.” May waved her off.
“Really, I insist. It’s the least I can do after you’ve shown so much hospitality.” Leanne was by the woman’s side, urging her to reclaim her seat at the table.
“Aunt Lee-Lee, look,” Hampton said with a big smile. He pointed to a yellow car on the blue track. Even he was in a better mood today, and she wondered how much his mother’s moods were affecting him. Kids were so good at picking up on emotions. And then there was this magnificent ranch. It would be hard to be in a bad mood waking up to this every morning.
“That’s awesome, buddy,” Leanne said, walking over to get a better look. He’d started calling her Lee-Lee when he was too young to say her whole name and it had stuck because Clara had encouraged it, thinking it was adorable. Leanne had to admit her niece had had a point. It was pretty stinkin’ cute. She tousled his blond curls, thinking how much his eyes looked like his sister’s, and said, “Good job.”
May reclaimed her seat and Leanne poured a cup of fresh hot coffee.