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Savannah’s blood ran cold.
What’s Parker doing here?
He’d never been her biggest fan, but lately he’d been grumpier and questioned everything she did.
Had he followed her down here?
The light switched on.
“So where’s this stuff Mom just had to have tonight?” Max. He’d left hours ago. Why had he returned? And what were they searching for?
Had her conversation with Joseph Abbott prompted them to destroy evidence of their theft?
“Mom had a few of the guys set the pieces she wants aside in the back.”
Blake.
“Wait—do you guys smell that?” Blake sniffed, then glanced around the room. “Someone’s been in here, and I know that scent.”
Savannah pressed a hand to her mouth to muffle her gasp. She was wearing the perfume Blake had bought her. Her heart beat furiously as footsteps crept closer.
Blake made his way through the maze of furniture until he was standing in front of her.
“Savannah, what are you doing in here? And why are you hiding?”
Her knees shook so badly she could barely stand. Blake didn’t offer to help her up, so she braced herself on the wall and climbed to her feet.
“Blake, I’m so sorry.” She could hardly get enough air into her lungs to say the words.
All three brothers stood in front of her.
“I knew something was going on with her.” Parker’s nostrils flared. His entire face had turned crimson. She got a chill from his arctic stare. “You aren’t authorized to be down here. You’re trespassing. You’d better have a damn good explanation for being here or I’m calling the sheriff.”
Max almost looked amused. “Don’t tell me this is how you’ve been spending all those late nights.”
“I’ve never been down here before tonight. I swear.”
“Why should we believe anything you say?” Parker demanded. “And where’d you get these keys?”
“From Maureen’s cart. I recognize her key ring.” The heartbreak in Blake’s voice and the pained look in his eyes were unbearable.
Blake didn’t deserve this. And nothing she could say would fix it.
“What’s that you’re holding?” Max asked.
“They’re mine.” She clutched the photo and notebook, her hands shaking.
“Hand them over.” Blake held out his hand, his voice jagged.
Savannah released a long, agonizing breath. She had no choice. There were three of them and one of her. They weren’t going to let her leave with the notebook and photo. She handed both items to Blake, who handed them to Max.
“That’s it. I’m calling the sheriff. We’ll have them search her. Who knows why she was down here or what else she might be hiding.” Parker gestured wildly.
“Calm down, Park. Why don’t we ask her what she’s doing down here?” Max kept his voice calm. “Maybe Savannah has a logical explanation.”
The three brothers turned to her.
Savannah stared at each of them, her gaze lingering on Blake’s face. Tears stung her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
“I was…I was looking for…” Savannah stammered.
She couldn’t tell the Abbotts the truth. Not until she was sure she had solid documentation to support her grandfather’s claim. Once they learned her reason for being there, they’d surely destroy any potential evidence.
The truth wasn’t an option.
She’d tell them she was looking for info to use in the yearlong celebration of the company’s inception.
“I came down here because…” Savannah snapped her mouth shut, stopped cold by the pain and disappointment in Blake’s eyes.
She couldn’t tell Blake the truth, but she wouldn’t lie to him, either. Which left her out of options.
Savannah turned her attention to Parker. She held out the keys. “If you’re going to call the sheriff, call him. I don’t have anything else to say.”
“Gladly.” Parker pulled out his phone.
“Don’t.” Blake took the phone from him.
“Why not? We caught her stealing irreplaceable archival documents. Who knows what else she’s taken since she’s been here? She’s obviously a thief.” A vein twitched in Parker’s forehead. “Likely a corporate spy. She was probably sent here by one of the Kentucky distilleries.”
“Blake’s right, Park. We don’t need the bad publicity. It’ll counter all the positive press we’re getting now.” Max clapped a hand on Parker’s shoulder. “Most of it thanks to her.”
“All right.” Parker snatched the key ring from her open palm. “But I’m filing a complaint with the sheriff. So don’t think of skipping town until everything has been accounted for.”
