Blake tuned out the discussion when movement at the barn caught his attention. Someone was inside the structure. A worker, or something more? He left the women chatting and slipped through the gate. The horses were on the other side of the corral, and he hurried to the barn before the riders came his way.
Sunlight streaming through the windows lit up the dust motes in the air. He walked through the space, stopping at the horse stalls along the way, until he got to the office in the back. He and Roger had chatted many times back here, and he’d never seen the door closed. He twisted the doorknob and a sound came from inside. He eased it open and stared at Lloyd Adams.
Before Blake could react, Lloyd barreled into him and knocked him to the ground. The older man rushed past him, and Blake jumped up to chase him. He caught a glimpse of the man’s blue jeans as Adams exited the back door. Blake charged after him and got there in time to see him leap onto a dirt bike and drive off across the open field behind the paddock.
When had Adams gotten out of jail, and why hadn’t they been informed of his release?
Chapter 29
Paradise wrapped her hands around the hot mug, hoping the heat would seep through the cold place inside her. “Why didn’t they tell us Adams escaped? And what happened?”
Drew reached over and gave her forearm a squeeze. He’d left the sheriff substation to rush to the Dillard Ranch as soon as she texted him. “It’s why Rod called me. I think he wanted to lay out what happened so I could tell you.”
“Let’s hear it.” She wished Blake were beside her. He’d rounded up the boys once Drew got here so he could run them home in case Adams came back. He should be back in a few minutes. Savannah had taken Simon home, and Quinn was in her room.
Abby handed Drew a mug of coffee, and he thanked her. “He was being transported from the jail to prison and had a seizure. He was taken to a small hospital for emergency treatment. Rod now thinks the seizure was faked, but he hasn’t talked to the doctor. Two men with guns showed up and broke him out. This happened the day before yesterday.”
“And we just now heard about it? Why wasn’t it all over the news?”
Her brother shrugged. “Good question. I’m wondering why he came here first.” Drew angled a glance at Abby, who was pouring herself some coffee. “Adams was working with your dad. Did you ever see him here, Abby?”
She joined them at the breakfast bar. “I didn’t. They were cousins, but he always gave me the creeps so I avoided him. Dad knew it too and always warned me if he planned to stop by. And remember, I lived in town until... until I moved here so the ranch wasn’t empty.”
Paradise’s eyes filled with tears at the misery on Abby’s face. They hadn’t talked much about Roger’s death other than right after the gators got him when he tried to escape from Swamp Island, where Blake had left him. Paradise had tried not to imagine the horror he felt in his final moments.
She reached over and took Abby’s hand. “I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I’m not sure you should be here alone with him skulking around.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m a good shot.”
“I think Paradise is right,” Drew said. “You have a bedroom for me if I come hang out a few nights until he’s found?”
Abby’s brown eyes went wide. “The house is huge. There’s plenty of spare bedrooms. But you don’t have to do that.” Her smile betrayed her hope.
“I want to. Blake will still be at the park protecting Paradise and the rest of the family. I don’t like the thought of you all the way out here in isolation without anyone. I’ll grab my things and come over.”
Abby smiled. “You’re the best, Drew. Quinn might drive you crazy. She’s a talker.”
“I like kids. And Quinn.”
A car door slammed from outside. “That’s probably Blake.”Paradise swung around at the doorbell and rose to step from the kitchen and down the hall to the living room. She unlocked the door and let him in. His presence calmed her agitation. Only he would understand how upset she was at the news of Adams’s escape.
Blake embraced her. “Any sign of him?”
“Not that I know of. Rod and his men are combing the area looking for him.” She raked her hands through her hair. “Whyhere, Blake? If he planned an escape, why not get out of the country? What could be so important he had to come here? He’d know the cops would be all over this area looking for him. There must be something in the barn.”
Blake nodded. “I think so too. Let me ask Abby if it’s okay to search the barn.”
Paradise followed him toward the kitchen. “And we want to ask about Warren’s bank account.”
Drew released Abby’s hand when they appeared in the doorway. “Blake, I’m going to run home and grab a few things. I don’t think Abby and Quinn should be here alone.”
“Good plan. Hey, Abbs, do you mind if we search the barn? Adams had to be out there looking for something.”
Abby nodded. “I’ll help too. I was just wondering why he’d be in the barn. Wouldn’t incriminating evidence be more likely to be inside the house?”
“I would imagine the police extensively picked through things in here,” Drew said. “What did your dad do in the barn office?”
“Mostly he met with his old cronies out there, talking politics and selling livestock. A lot of ranch business was done in that office. I rarely went out there though.”
