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Fiona frowned. “If this is true and he really did kill someone and hide the body on the Triple R, it’s not going to look good, to put it mildly. Self-defense is his only hope.”
“But how would he even prove that?” Jake asked, refusing to allow the utter hopelessness of the situation to creep into his voice. “That was long before the days of modern technology. It would simply be his word against the evidence.”
Fiona didn’t comment. He figured he knew why. Sometimes, if there was nothing good to say, it was better not to speak at all.
“I just learned I had a father,” he said. “I’ve barely even begun to get to know him. If he goes to prison now...” He couldn’t finish the sentence. Since his mother had died so long ago, he’d never get the chance to develop a relationship with her. The Coltons were the family he’d never known he had.
“Are you sure you’re in the mood for company?” she asked. “If you’d rather have some time alone, I get it.”
Incredulous, he shook his head. “I need to be with you. I was hoping we could go for a long walk. Fresh air helps me think. There are a lot of trails out at the Triple R, if you don’t mind going back to the ranch with me.”
“Trails?” she asked. “Do you ride? I’m betting Ace wouldn’t mind loaning us a couple of horses. The Triple R has some amazing riding trails, or so I’ve heard. We could ask one of the ranch hands.”
He liked that idea. If his still-healing ribs could take it. Which, as long as they kept the pace slow, he felt confident they could. Before he could think too hard about it, he pulled over to the shoulder of the road and dialed Ace’s cell. As soon as he relayed his request, Ace agreed.
“We’ve got several horses we use just for taking guests on trail rides,” he said. “I’ll have Jarvis or one of the ranch hands get them saddled up for you two. He can give you some info about where to go. Sierra and I would join you, but we’ve already made other plans. We’ll be going out in about an hour.” He gave instructions as to where they should go and promised to have the horses brought up and ready immediately.
“Thank you so much,” Jake said. “We should be there in about ten minutes or so.”
“Perfect. When you pull in, drive straight to the big white barn. The horses will be tied up inside. When you’re done riding, a couple of the ranch hands will come get them.”
Ace hung up. Jake passed along all he’d said to Fiona while he drove.
“I haven’t been riding since I was a teenager,” Fiona said. “Is it weird that I’m really looking forward to this?”
“Not at all.” He smiled at her, right before they turned onto the road that led to the Triple R. The enormous house sat high on a hill, surrounded by acres of fenced land and well-maintained barns and storage sheds. A beautiful and prosperous ranch, with the mountains as scenic backdrop. Sometimes he wanted to pinch himself.
All the years he’d missed... But then again, he wouldn’t wish his actual childhood on anyone, especially not Ace.
“I wonder if my mother liked to ride,” he said. “It feels awful not to know anything about her, other than the photo album Payne shared with me.”
“Maybe you should ask Ace to share some of the photos she took,” she suggested. “Didn’t Payne mention she was some sort of amateur photographer? If so, I bet there are a ton of pictures. You might see a lot of her in the way she framed her images.”
Her insight made him love her even more. Swallowing past the sudden lump in his throat, he nodded. “Good idea. I’ll ask him later tonight or tomorrow.”
When they drove around to the barn and parked, Jake saw that Ace had been true to his word. Two ranch employees waited with two horses, already saddled.
But just as Jake and Fiona got out of the truck, the sound of several vehicles driving too fast on the gravel road had them turn to look back in the direction from which they’d come.
Several Mustang Valley patrol vehicles pulled up in front of the house. Jake cursed. “Selina must have gone to the police.” He took off running, then remembered Fiona couldn’t keep up due to her knee injury. Instead, he motioned for her to get back in the passenger seat, and they drove back.
They reached the house just as Ace opened the door. Clearly dressed for his night out, he wore a dark blue suit and tie. He glanced back at Jake and Fiona before focusing on the police. “Can I help you, Officers?”
“We have a search warrant.” The man in front ceremoniously handed it over, waiting while Ace read it.
“You want to search the house?” Ace asked, clearly taken by surprise.
“No.” The detective, an older, graying man, scratched his head. “Sorry, but we’re just going to do some digging on your property.”
Digging. Jake met Ace’s gaze and swallowed. Fiona took his arm and held on tight.
“Have at it,” Ace finally said. Sierra came up behind him, her expression troubled. Behind her, Ainsley frowned. Ace filled them in. Then they all stood watching while the police officers got in their cars and drove over to a small, unused pasture near the edge of the property.
“Exactly where Selina told them to dig,” Ace said. “Payne showed me the spot earlier.”
“Hush,?
?? Ainsley chided sharply. “I’m putting on my attorney hat now. No more discussion of any of that, do you hear me?”
