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“Maybe that’s why her involvement in the rescue isn’t in the reports. She wasn’t supposed to help anyone get out,” Van continues. “Her dad might have been pissed that she went in.”
Closing my eyes, I recall pictures and reports that currently litter my coffee table. I desperately try to recall some reason that what he’s saying to me can’t be true, but it’s all there in black and white.
“Natalie was still in touch with Leon when Marcus wasn’t. It’s possible she was sent to Grey Ridge in the first place to keep an eye on her brother. Leon was obviously a smart fucker; I wouldn’t put it past him.” Sighing, Van’s accusatory tone softens. “Maybe she was under duress? Leon seems like a scary guy. He could have been threatening her.”
Van is giving Natalie an excuse and me a lifeline, trying to help me feel like less of a fool. She was sneaking around, meeting Leon Lennox, and conspiring with him about something. Considering she knows exactly what kind of man her father is, it doesn’t look good.
“Is there anything in there specifically about the attacks? Or mentions of Hayley and Leah?” Pinching the bridge of my nose, my heart pounds as I wait for his response.
“No,” he finally admits, “but I haven’t finished looking. Just thought I’d send you those to convince you to cool your jets a bit after yesterday's escapade.”
That he has.
“Consider them cooled.”
Throwing the phone down, I squeeze my eyes shut. Fuck it, anyway. Even worse than finding out she might have been dragged into her father’s criminal dealings is the realisation that I still want her.
“I’m really sorry, Chase. Last time we spoke, I got the impression she’s grown on you.”
Van thinks I’m done. That this will put a halt to whatever shine I’ve taken to her. It won’t. Now I have to figure out not only who is responsible, but also prove for certain that she wasn’t involved. This is why investigators are supposed to remain impartial. That ship has long sailed.
All it makes me want to do is throw her over my knee and spank her ass red for whatever trouble she’s gotten mixed up in. I refuse to believe she helped Leon willingly, but there’s only one way to find out. A sick part of me can’t wait to get my hands on her and put an end to all of this.
“Chase, don’t do anything stupid. Give me another 24-hours, and I’ll have the rest. I’m going through this Toby guy’s records. Wait until we have all the info. That’s what you’d tell me to do.”
A strange feeling of joy washes over me. Good or bad, I’m close to getting to the bottom of what’s going on.
“Right,” I reply, my tone neutral, and Van sighs in relief. Except he’s assuming that, just because he’s right, I’m going to do what he says. I’m not. The thing deep inside of me is demanding answers, and it wants them right now.
Debating whether to call Natlie and ask her to meet me privately, I finally decide against it. After our last encounter, she would know I’m not inviting her for a casual coffee.
No, I’m going to find our woman and get the truth. She told me she couldn’t tell me what happened, and it seems that’s true only because she’s up to her neck in it.
I’m practically buzzing with excitement when I get to the bed and breakfast for the barbeque, itching to get Natalie alone. I go through the motions as my sisters introduce me to friends and family I haven’t met yet. Yet, despite my best intentions to give them a chance, I can’t get Natalie out of my head long enough to hold a proper conversation.
Setting down my untouched beer, I pace, unable to eat for the first time in my life.
“What is wrong with you?” Leah hisses when I get some curious glances from Leila, who sits in the corner with her feet up, nursing the biggest newborn baby I’ve ever seen. Marcus, a carbon copy of Mitch, stands protectively in front of her, as though my tense mood is going to hurt her.
When Hunter fusses, I use him as an excuse to get some fresh air. Volunteering to head outside for a quick walk around the property to settle him, I strap him to my chest, and the girls stare at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“What are you looking at? I like babies - they can’t talk yet.” I grin as Hunter wraps a tight little fist around my offered pinkie.
For a tired and sleep-deprived looking Cooper and Hayley, my explanation is enough. They gladly take the opportunity to eat with two hands and sit for five minutes while they can.
Hunter calms instantly, the heat and movement of my body quickly lull him to sleep. He really is cute. Instead of going back inside, I climb the hill at the back of the house, stopping to touch the tree with the bullet hole punched in the gnarled bark. The crime scene pictures are burned into my brain and, not for the first time, I retrace Hayley’s path from that night.
Cooper definitely didn’t come this way, but I’m starting to realise it doesn’t really matter. It only matters that he found her and brought her back alive.
From the side of the house, a large shadow emerges and catches my attention: Marcus. He’s a mountain of a man. Those Lennox’s are certainly built differently, but Marcus has a calmer energy than Mitch, who’s a walking ball of frustration. I feel at ease with Marcus, maybe because I feel like I know him after pouring over every detail of his life.
“I hear you’re bothering my sister.” His voice is deep but measured.
I bark out a laugh.
“You heard about yesterday?”
He nods, almost hiding his amusement perfectly.
