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“Hi, Mom. How are you and Dad?”
“We’re fine, darling. The point is, how are you?”
“I’m well, but I’m on a new case and have gone undercover.”
“Oh, Cyril—we never see you anymore.”
He knew his mother worried about the career he’d chosen, and she never failed to complain about it. But right now he didn’t give her the chance.
“Sorry about that, but it’s the nature of the job. I promise I’ll leave messages to let you know I’m all right.”
“I guess that means you can’t come to the engagement party we’re planning for Beth and Tom on Sunday night.”
“I wish I could, but I’ll have to wait to see them after this case is solved.” He had to solve it. “Give everyone my love. I promise to call you soon.”
Cy hung up and lay back again, letting out a heavy sigh. His sister was marrying Thomas Adamson in six weeks. He was an up-and-coming attorney in the law firm Cy’s great-grandfather had established in Dripping Springs. Cy was meant to join the business, but law had never held any interest for him. He preferred law enforcement.
After high school, he’d gone the rounds with his father more times than he could count. To make matters worse, halfway through college he’d broken his engagement to a young woman whom his parents really wanted him to marry. He wasn’t anyone’s favorite son.
Cy fell back to sleep until the phone rang again. A look at the caller ID showed Bronco Parrish. It was Kellie’s father. She was calling from the ranch. He clicked on and said hello.
“Hi” came her slightly breathless greeting.
“Are you coming home now?”
“Yes. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“I’ll be waiting and open the garage door for you.”
“Thank you. See you soon.”
It was a long ten minutes. Unable to stand it any longer, he hurried through the house to the garage and opened it while he waited for her. His pulse picked up speed when he saw her drive in next to his Subaru SUV and turn off the engine. She got out of the car and walked toward him with a look that led him to believe she was relieved to see him.
He was relieved, too. Night had already fallen.
Chapter Four
“How’s Trixie?” Cy asked after Kellie walked past him into the kitchen.
“Happy to be home. We had a good ride.”
He shut and locked the door. “Have you eaten dinner?”
She swung around. “Yes.” Her eyes searched his. “Any news yet?”
“Why don’t we sit at the table? I have something to show you.”
Kellie swallowed hard and sank down onto the nearest chair. He sat opposite her and pulled a paper out of his pocket. “The sketch Jim made was run through the IAFIS criminal database. This is what resulted.”
He unfolded it and placed it in front of her. Her gasp filled the kitchen’s interior. “That’s the man! But his hair is longer here and he looks a little thinner than I remember.”
Cy pulled out another paper and unfolded it. The second he put it in front of her, she jumped to her feet. “This one is exactly like I described to you and the artist. His hair is short here.”
“There’s no doubt in your mind?”
She stared at him. “I’m positive both photos are of the same man who approached me in Pendleton.”
“That’s all I need to know.”
