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His mouth quirked briefly at the wry humor in Laredo’s remark. “Back in Montana, I assume.”
Laredo nodded. “The services will be held at your ranch. The closest town is a place called Blue Moon. Does that ring a bell?”
“No. What else did you learn?”
“I saw your daughter. Fortunately she doesn’t look anything like you. She’s slim and petite with black hair and green eyes, somewhere in her late twenties to early thirties. They call her Cat.” But there was nothing in Chase’s expression that suggested to Laredo he remembered any of this. He went on to describe the son-in-law and former daughter-in-law Tara, then explained about the death of the son Ty, the wife and twins he left behind, and the assumption that Ty’s widow would take over the ranch’s operation. When he finished, he paused a beat then shrugged. “That’s about it, I guess.”
“You never mentioned Calder’s wife.” He still found it difficult to think of himself as Chase Calder.
“No one else mentioned her either, and I couldn’t think of a way to ask about her when I claimed to know you. But I think it’s safe to say that she probably died some years ago. But if your daughter looks anything like her, she must have been a beauty.”
The names whirled through his head—Ty, Cat, Jessy, Trey, Laura, Tara—every one of them meaningless. He threw a challenging look at Laredo. “You still think I’m this Chase Calder?”
“I didn’t hear anything to cause me to change my mind,” he replied evenly.
“You mentioned that my son was killed. Do you think there is any connection between his death and the attempt on my life?”
“There doesn’t appear to be,” Laredo answered. “But you are the only one who can say for sure about that.”
“And I don’t remember.” The frustration of that was galling.
“I think you have answered all the questions that you can from here,” Laredo stated. “If you want to learn anything more, you’ll need to go to Montana.”
“I agree.” He also knew it was the only way to find out whether he was really Chase Calder. But how would he get there—without tipping his hand—when he was flat broke.
“That pickup has some high mileage on it, but I think it will make it to Montana.” Laredo eyed him with quiet interest.
“You aren’t suggesting that Duke try to drive there in his condition, are you?” Hattie looked at him aghast.
“No.” Laredo didn’t blink an eye. “Actually I was thinking along the lines of driving him there myself. What are the chances of you getting someone to do your chores for you, Hattie? I would feel a lot better if you came along with us. I know Duke is on the mend, but . . .” He let the word trail off.
His proposal caught her off guard, but nothing ever threw Hattie for long. Her dark gaze made a critical appraisal of her patient.
“That wound will need to be watched closely for infection these next few days,” she murmured, half to herself. With the matter settled in her mind, she made an abrupt pivot and strode to the door. “I’ll call McFarland. I did his chores while he and Joy Ann went to their son’s wedding in Phoenix. He owes me.”
For a long moment Chase simply looked at Laredo. Finally he said, “You don’t have to do this.”
“I know.” A slow smile spread across his mouth while the look in his blue eyes remained serious. “But it’s the only way that I’ll find out how the story ends.”
“I can’t pay you yet,” Chase said, thinking of the ready cash that would be needed to pay for gas, meals, and lodging.
“I have the feeling you are good for it.” Laredo straightened away from the railing, coming erect. “We might as well start throwing some things in a suitcase. The road to Montana is a long one. The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll get there.”
PART TWO
A shifting wind,
It hides his face,
But no one can take
A Calder’s place.
Chapter Four
The morning breeze ruffled the black bunting that draped the front of The Homestead. The movement of the fabric created a sound that was like a sighing moan. It matched the pall that hung over the entire Triple C Ranch.
Jessy felt the heaviness of it as she climbed the veranda steps. Her glance touched on the black wreath that hung on the front door, signaling a house in mourning. She paused at the top of the steps and turned to sweep her gaze over the sprawling Triple C headquarters.
