“That, and I’d also like your Bar Wars name.” Jack took the moment to take in the memorabilia. Huh. Interesting a place like this would be popular in Montana.
“My name’s Chet Reeves. But here, it’s Jabba the Hutt.”
Jack chuckled. “You’re kidding.”
Chet burst out laughing, and Jack joined him. The guy seemed friendly enough, and Jack hoped he could get some good intel.
“Yeah, I’m kidding. I’m Boba Fett.” Chet placed a replica of a Star Wars laser kind of gun on the counter.
Jack hated to admit he wasn’t a Star Wars geek, but he still knew a few things. He snapped his fingers repeatedly. “He’s . . . he’s . . . no, wait, let me get this one. He’s the bounty hunter.”
“And a Mandalorian.”
Whatever you say. “Should I call you Boba or Chet?”
“Take your pick.”
“Okay, um . . . Boba.” No, wait. He couldn’t have a serious conversation like this. “I mean, Chet. Who is Mark Hamill or Luke Skywalker?”
“The owner. The owner and his wife founded this place probably thirty years ago. It started out western-styled, and eventually they added more pop culture, then shifted to the Star Wars theme.”
“After that actor moved here, I’m guessing.”
“Yep.”
“And where are they now?”
“They come in now and again.”
“They own it, but they aren’t hands on when running it?”
“She is. Oh, she’s here to make sure the stuff is arranged just so. They collect all this Stars Wars stuff at shows they attend.”
“Who is she?”
“Princess Leia?”
“Um . . . yeah, who is she really?” Jack could discover that information himself, but he found this conversation fascinating and it got Chet talking.
“Mabel Porcella. Dirk is her husband.”
“Dirk, who goes by Luke here at the bar. So, is there a Darth Vader?”
Chet laughed again. “We could go on and on, ya know? But I have a feeling you didn’t come here to talk about the Star Wars collections or names.”
“I came here to talk about Blevins.”
Chet stilled. His face might have paled a few shades, but it was too dark inside for Jack to be sure.
“Just tell me about the guy who took his place.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Well, I could just wait around until Billy Dee gets here and find out then.”
Someone pushed through the door and entered the bar.
Chet leaned forward and relayed the information in such low tones, Jack almost didn’t hear him. “Tonight at ten-thirty, the guy who took Blevins’s place will be here. You can ask him yourself when you see him. Why so interested?”
I’m following up on all information connected to two murders. Jack suspected Chet had probably figured that out, but he kept it to himself. He shrugged.
“There’s something more, and this might be the best part,” Chet said.
“I’m listening.”
The news Chet shared definitely intrigued him.
“Thanks for the information.” Jack left a big tip as he bid his new friend goodbye and headed through the back, amazed at just how many collectibles could be displayed on one wall.
He pushed through the exit door and found himself in a back alley facing the back entrance to the museum.
FORTY-FIVE
Tension corded her neck. Terra needed to rein in her focus if she was going to get caught up before her early dinner with Alex and Erin so they could head out to the memorial together.
After leaving Jack at the diner, Terra had stopped by the museum, but it was closed on Mondays. She’d then driven into the district office and spent the rest of the day catching up on paperwork on her various investigations.
Case Haymaker approached and leaned against the edge of her desk. “Terra, how’s it going? Haven’t seen you in too many days.”
“Hey.” She glanced away from the computer to smile at him and saw the deep concern in his eyes.
“What?”
“I’m glad you made it out of the Maverick fire alive,” he said. “That had to have been terrifying.”
So that’s what they’d named it. She exhaled slowly. “It was, at that. I’m relieved they contained it before it reached Stone Wolf Mountain.” Though so much forest had been lost. “Listen, it’s good to see you, but I have a lot to get on top of here.” She couldn’t afford to fall behind.
“I understand, so I’ll leave you to it.” Case made to leave, then hesitated, turning back to her. “Watch your back, Terra. It seems like you’re caught in the crosshairs a lot lately.”
Case disappeared through the door and left her to think on his words. Wait. What had he heard? How much did he know?
Case . . . Case was about six feet tall, wasn’t he? Terra rubbed her temples. Every six-foot-tall man couldn’t be a suspect. She was grasping at proverbial straws. Anything to keep the investigation from turning toward Leif, and by default, her brother.
She stared at the cell on her desk and itched to call Jack to find out if he’d learned anything more. Also, to hear his voice. She hadn’t meant to rush out of the diner—especially after that breakfast he’d ordered for her—leaving him in the wake of her frustration.
And she was still distressed, struggling to focus on her other cases while this investigation looked to potentially expand around the globe. She was waiting to hear from Jeremy about the Middle Eastern piece. He’d offered to try to identify it. No sense in notifying other agencies—like the FBI Art Crime Division or Homeland Security—until she had solid information to share.
Terra made a list of more people to talk to. She wanted to speak with Jim’s daughter, Abbie, again, and Neva’s family as well. She tucked the list away for later before heading to Gramps’s to quickly change and then to the restaurant to meet her longtime friends.
Heart pounding, Terra rushed into Fazzori’s Italian Restaurant, where the hostess greeted her. The aroma of garlic and basil and cheese made her mouth water. “I’m here to meet—” Erin waved at her from across the crowded restaurant. “Oh, there they are.”
Terra left the hostess and weaved through the tables, finally plopping down next to Alex and across from Erin, who smiled. With silver hoops dangling from her ears and her long blonde hair stacked on top of her head, her friend looked elegant as always. And Alex flashed his roguish grin. Terra had always thought Alex could model for GQ, and that hadn’t changed. He wore a crisp white button-down shirt, and his thick brown hair was neatly trimmed and his gray eyes serious.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Erin said.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
“I was afraid you got caught up in something work-related. No such pressure on me.” Erin angled her head at Alex.
Alex quirked a grin but said nothing as he picked up his menu and seemed to bury his head in it.
Terra took a calming breath and a sip of water from the glass placed before her. “It feels good to finally be here. We don’t get to do this that often anymore, since you guys have both moved away.” And even if they lived closer, would their busy lives prevent them from getting together?
Erin laughed. “You’re one to talk.”
Her friend referred to Terra’s time living in Colorado.
“Well, I’m back now.” Terra grabbed a menu and stared at it.
Would they share their secrets like they used to, or hide behind menus and Italian food?
“And since I’m back, I’ll say that I hope you both will move back too,” she added. “That would make things so much easier to keep in touch.” They’d been her lifeline for so long, after all.
Well, shoot. She shouldn’t put pressure on them like this.
“I admit that I miss living here,” Erin said. “I would be closer to Mom. But I’m not sure I could find a job with the locals as a criminal psychologist. Nor would I want to, consid
ering Nathan’s a detective here. I don’t think I could work with him.”
Erin gave Terra a look over her menu. Terra knew exactly where Erin’s mind had gone—straight to Terra and Jack’s current joint investigation. “That stinks, Erin. I’m sorry.”
“Instead, I’ve been trying to get Mom to move out to Seattle to live with me.” Erin closed her menu and placed it next to her plate.
Oh? Terra hadn’t known about that. Disappointment crept in.
Alex still perused the offerings.
“What about you, Alex?” Erin asked. “What are you up to? I don’t even know who you’re working for these days.”
Alex set down his menu. “I’ve decided what I want.”
“Oh, I get it,” Erin said. “Your job is classified. Secretive. You always said you—”
He lifted a hand. “I don’t need you psychoanalyzing me, thank you very much.”
“I’m not psychoanalyzing, but I get it. You can’t talk about it.”
He leaned on folded arms. “I’d prefer not to talk about work tonight, all right, ladies? Now, what I’m really wondering is why you two gorgeous women aren’t married yet.”
Great. Terra hadn’t wanted to get into those issues, because that could lead to talking about working with Jack. But leave it to Alex to cut right to the more sensitive topics. And she’d wanted them to share their secrets, hadn’t she?
Terra gave Alex a friendly arm punch. “I beg your pardon. Why is it that we’re supposed to be married already? What about you? You’re a real catch, Alex. Bad attitude and all. You’ve got so much more going for you than that six-pack underneath your button-down shirt.”
He eyed her. “And how would you know about that?”
“It’s just a guess. You’re in great condition, and it’s easy to see you work out. You have to stay in top form for your job. Am I right? Or am I right?”
The waiter brought a basket of bread and seasoned olive oil for dipping, took their orders, then left. Alex cut a slice of bread, dipped, and chewed. Terra figured he had no intention of answering her.
But he finished chewing, then surprised her. “I’m no catch. The truth is, after what happened to us, seeing families torn apart in one swift tragedy, seeing the brutal world out there, I’m not sure I want to suffer through the pain. You guys, you’re my best friends. You’re all I need.”
Terra wanted to scoff a laugh. “And as your friends, we know that we are certainly not all you need.”
She considered Erin and Alex the closest people to her, but the truth was that life had torn them apart. Alex especially was becoming a stranger to her. Kind of like Owen had when he left. She felt helpless to do anything about it.
The waiter reappeared and set steaming plates of lasagna, spaghetti Bolognese, and chicken parmigiana before them. The aroma was heavenly.
“Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you. I think we’re all good,” Erin said as everyone nodded in agreement.
Terra cut into her lasagna to let it cool while Alex didn’t seem to be bothered by a hot dish and started right in on his chicken.
“You know what,” Erin said. “I feel like we’re not as close as we once were. As close as we could be.”
“It doesn’t take a psychologist to see that.” Alex frowned. “Look, you two are the sisters I never had and my best friends. Let’s say you’re my only friends. The only two people I can completely trust. I look out for you the best I can. Call when I can. And like this weekend, I took off to come out here for Owen’s welcome-home party and for a visit to the memorial.” He hung his head. “I’m sorry if I’ve been a little preoccupied and somewhat disconnected. Maybe I can talk about the reasons some other time. And who knows, maybe life will bring me back to live closer to my two favorite people.”
Terra’s heart warmed, then it turned stone-cold when she spotted the man who approached the table.
She knew that look in Jack’s eyes, and he brought no good news.
FORTY-SIX
I’m sorry.” Jack approached the table where Terra sat with Alex and Erin.
He should have waited. Why didn’t he wait? Three sets of confused eyes stared up at him. “But I thought you’d want to know.”
“Know what?” Terra’s chair scraped the floor as she stood. “Is it Gramps?”
He shook his head. He’d caused unnecessary concerns with his approach. Jack took a seat next to Erin, and Terra sat down too.
Jack leaned in so only they would hear. “The memorial to your family members has been vandalized.”
“What?” The three shared glances.
“I knew you had planned to head that way this evening, and I wanted you to know before you got there.”
“Thanks for giving us a heads-up,” Erin said.
“Well, ladies,” Alex said, “looks like our dinner plans have been waylaid. Unless you want to finish eating.”
Terra stared at half-eaten lasagna. “I’ve lost my appetite.” She lifted her gaze to Jack. “Can we look at the damage?”
“Yes.”
“Will you take us there?” Terra asked.
Terra knew the way, of course, but Jack wouldn’t refuse. “Sure.”
“Well, what do you say, guys?” Terra glanced at her friends.
Erin nodded as the waiter approached. “Can we please get the check and this food to go? Something has come up.”
“Give me a few moments.” He turned around with the tray and disappeared into the kitchen. Erin pulled out a few bills, as did Terra and Alex.
Erin shrugged. “I figure, why waste the money? At some point tonight we’ll be hungry again. Or we can eat the leftovers for breakfast tomorrow. You guys head on over with Jack. I can wait for the food.”
Terra squeezed Erin’s shoulder. “We’re in this together, so we’ll wait.”
A few moments later, the waiter returned with each dish stored in a separate delivery bag, and the friends handed him enough cash to cover the check, plus tip.
Jack had assumed when Terra requested that he take them, he would be driving them, but they each climbed into their own vehicles and followed him out of town and all the way to the memorial near the base of Stone Wolf Mountain.
When Jack had received the news and went to investigate, he hadn’t known how best to break the news to Terra or Owen. He’d made the drive to the ranch and explained the situation. Robert had suggested that Jack deliver the news to the three friends who were having dinner. According to Robert, Owen had been invited out to dinner with them but had chosen to meet with Leif.
Awkward didn’t begin to describe how Jack felt walking into the restaurant to find Erin, Alex, and Terra staring at him. When he and Terra were together as a couple, he’d always felt like an outsider when it came to her friendship with Alex and Erin. Still, their bond had been created when their hero parents died on that mountain. That wasn’t a friendship circle Jack would ever fit into, considering his own unheroic ancestry.
At the trailhead parking near the memorial, he waited for Alex to park. Terra and Erin got out and headed over to meet Jack. Good thing they were both wearing slacks and comfortable shoes.
Jack turned and headed up the trail.
Terra caught up to him and grabbed his arm. “Wait, Jack.” She looked at her friends, then back at him. “Can you at least prepare us? I should have asked about the damage. How bad is it?”
How did he word it? The weight of it pulled his heart down to his gut. “Bad enough that I wanted to tell you in person.”
Shadows chased away the light in her eyes, darkening her already somber demeanor.
The memorial was only a quarter of a mile in, and they slowed as they neared it. Crime scene tape marked off the area. No visitors were allowed. A couple of deputies, a ranger, and a forest service LEO remained.
Jack crossed his arms and stood back to watch the trio. Terra started to walk under the tape.
“Terra, no. We’re still hoping to find even a small piece of evid
ence.” Crimes against persons and property fell within the county sheriff’s jurisdiction, otherwise Terra might investigate. Except in this case, the vandalism was linked to her.
And that’s what worried him.
Was it deliberately linked to her?
Terra, Erin, and Alex walked around the edges of the tape. Grief carved into her features, Terra made a full circle, leaving Erin and Alex standing on the other side, while Terra joined Jack.
“Who and why, Jack? I don’t understand. Random vandalism? Is someone sending a message? If so, what’s the message? I just don’t get why someone would do this. Why now?”
Why now, indeed. Jack’s chest constricted. Terra’s mother’s plaque had been obliterated as if someone had taken some kind of vengeance against it. He had no answers. This could be a distraction to pull her focus from her current investigation.
“We’ll find whoever was behind this,” he said. “In the meantime, stay focused on your investigation.”
Her eyes held his. “You think this is about our investigation?”
He leaned closer and caught the scent of vanilla in her hair. “I didn’t say that. But all possibilities are on the table.” He peered at her beautiful face, saw the hurt mixed with anger, and Jack wanted to hold her. Tell her it was all going to be okay. Since he’d given up his undercover work, he was done with lying or putting on a facade. “I’m concerned about you.”
Her lips revealed the smallest of smiles. And something in her eyes—trust. Something he’d longed to earn again from her, though he hadn’t realized it until this moment.
“Then I have nothing to worry about if you’re concerned,” she said. “That means I can trust you to find who did this.”
She didn’t understand that he’d failed in the worst kind of way before. How did he tell her? He couldn’t bring himself to open up about it any more than he could tell Aunt Nadine. So he admitted the truth to himself.
He’d been wrong.
He was still a liar.
FORTY-SEVEN
Back at Stone Wolf Ranch, Terra, Erin, and Alex finished off the reheated leftovers, then moved to the sectional in the living room.
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