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“Ralph Grace’s half broth
er. ” She nodded.
“Just what I need,” he growled as he made another turn and hit the interstate. “Wenden Frakes pissed off. That’s just gonna round out my day. ”
Wenden Frakes wasn’t pissed off. And he didn’t end up pissed off. He was feeding cattle when they arrived and agreed to talk to them after a careful silence.
His answers were cautiously worded, his expression disagreeable, but he didn’t give them any trouble. Didn’t like that little bastard Johnny, he declared. Everyone knew he was Chandler Mackay’s kid because everyone knew Nadine Grace was doing the nasty with her brothers. Not just one brother, he stated, but both Chandler and Dayle Mackay.
When they left the Frakes farm, the sheriff heaved a hard sigh. “We’re going to the Mackay Marina, aren’t we?”
Chaya almost felt sick inside. “I don’t have a choice, Sheriff. ”
Sheriff Mayes shook his head. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing. ”
She didn’t. She only knew the list, the questions, and the vague sense of disquiet slowly stealing over her. Timothy had plotted out each person to question and the order of the interviews. He knew something; he was pushing someone, and she just couldn’t figure out whom. She knew she was growing more and more concerned though. And by the look Natches had flashed them as they passed him, he was growing angrier with each visit they made today.
As the sheriff turned into the Mackay Marina, Chaya drew in a slow, control-restoring breath. Natches had guessed where they were headed, too, because there was Rowdy Mackay at the front of the marina office, his wife standing beside him.
They watched as she and the sheriff stepped from the car and Natches drew the jeep into the parking space beside them. Chaya paused. She had no intention of fighting him over this one.
“What are you doing, Chaya?” His voice was harder now, suspicious.
“My job. ” Turning to him, she tried to push past the ache in her chest as she saw the suspicion in his eyes. “They’re just questions, Natches. That’s all. I swear. ”
“Why?”
“Clarifications. Making certain DHS has everything. Timothy isn’t targeting Ray Mackay; I can promise you that much. ”
“Who is he targeting?” Ice formed in his tone.
She shook her head, aware of the sheriff watching them in interest. “I don’t know. All I have are the questions. That’s all. ”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment. His arms crossed over his chest as he glanced to the marina, then back to her. “Just questions? Or accusations?”
“Questions, Natches. And the questions aren’t in the least accusatory. ”
He glanced to the marina office again, and she followed his gaze. Ray Mackay stepped outside, his broad form powerful, his gaze piercing, and his expression confident. Everything about him the same as she remembered from the year before. This was the man who had practically raised Natches, the man who had sheltered him through what had obviously been a hell of a childhood.
“He’s a good man,” she said softly, turning back to the angry man watching her. “I would never take that from him. And I wouldn’t let Cranston do it either—not without warning you first. Not without fighting him every breath of the way. ”
He finally nodded, his arms uncrossing before his fingers curved around her arm and he walked her to the marina.
“You young fools. ” As they reached him on the stoop, Ray shook his head before smiling back at Chaya. “Nadine’s done called everyone in the county, spitting out poison. I figured you’d be here sometime today. ”
“Hello, Mr. Mackay. ” She extended her hand in greeting, pleased when he took it in a firm grip. “I just have a few questions if I may. Alone, please. ”
“Not a chance in hell,” Rowdy objected.
“Son, I don’t need you watching my back. ” Ray glared back at his son with fatherly reproof. “Put your back down, and keep Natches and the sheriff here company. Me and Miss Dane here will just have a little chat in the office. ”
“Damn it, Dad—”
“And don’t curse in front of the women. I taught you better than that. ” Ray glared back at him before turning to Chaya and inviting her into the marina office. “Come on in, Agent Dane. These boys can stand out here in the sun and let off some steam while we talk. It’s the best thing for them. ”
She liked him. She had liked him the year before, the few times she had seen him. He was protective of his son and his nephews. He had protected them as well as he could when they were children, and he continued to do so after they were grown.
Ray Mackay, for all intents and purposes, didn’t have just one son, he had three.
