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I nodded then mentioned, “He can’t go to the station.”
“I know. I’m not going to the police station.” Cadence shuddered. “We’ll go to Leroy’s. He needs his inventory system updated whether he likes it or not.” She held out her hand. “Help me up.”
I hauled her to her feet and she started down the steps. “Pants,” I reminded her.
She immediately turned around, muttering, “Pants, right,” as she went back inside.
***
“You’re sure you’ll be alright?” I asked and Cadence huffed.
“I’ll be fine!”
“Ok, if you’re sure.”
“I’m positive,” she groaned, giving me an exasperated stare. “You’re worse than an old grandma.”
She wasn’t wrong, but she didn’t realize she was the only one who brought out this insane overprotectiveness. “If you need anything, just give me a call.”
“I will,” she promised, waving the phone I’d given her at me. “You know Leroy. I’m pretty sure he’s the shoot first, ask questions later kind of guy.”
“He is,” I agreed, not wanting to admit I just didn’t want her out of my sight. “I shouldn’t be long.”
“Take your time. I have a feeling Leroy is going to be a tough sell.”
“Good luck with that,” I said sincerely as she got out of the car, Nico flying to the gas pump, his head practically on a swivel.
Cadence ducked her head back in, giving me a swift peck on the cheek. “Knock’em dead, March.”
“Be safe,” I reminded her and she saluted me. “And don’t leave,” I added under my breath, but she must have heard me.
“I’ll be here when you get back.” She smiled. “You owe me dinner, after all.”
***
“What do you mean, he’s gone?” It took everything I had to control the urge to shout, but this wasn’t Janet’s fault.
She threw up her hands. “He’s not here. He’s not answering his phone. I sent a patrol car by his house and they said no one was home, but it looked like someone had tossed the place.”
“But you talked to him this morning?”
“If you mean the ass crack of dawn, yes. He wanted me to run a name through the system. I did and after I told him what I found, he got real quiet, then he hung up on me.” Janet shrugged. “When he didn’t show up this morning, I got worried. After I talked to you, I got real worried. That’s when I sent the patrol car.”
“Shit,” I muttered, rubbing my hand over my face as I sat down. “He’s going to go after her.”
“Who?” Janet questioned. “Cadence?”
My chest tightened when she said Cadence and I gave her a sharp glance. “How did you know her name?”
“That’s the name he had me run.” She reached over and grabbed a sticky note with two names scrawled on it. “Cadence Hart and Cadence Morgan.”
“Hart?” I questioned. “Hart like Leroy Hart?”
“Yep, but the only hit I got was on Morgan.”
I debated for a heartbeat. “What came up?”
“Not much. Something about a stolen bird.” Janet shrugged, crumpling the note. “Nothing major.”
“Did you call the mayor?”
“Yeah, but his secretary said he won’t be back until Monday. A conference supposedly, but we know he’s golfing all weekend.”
My mind was spinning as I wondered what Uncle Cal was planning and how I was going to keep Cadence safe. “Cancel the warrant on Clutch and put one out for Rob,” I finally said, figuring I could right one wrong at least. I stood up. “If you hear from my uncle, call me immediately.” Janet nodded, eyeing me curiously. “Cadence Morgan is in extreme danger as long as my uncle is out there.”
“As soon as I hear anything,” she promised, catching my arm as I was about to leave. “We won’t let anything happen to her.”
I nodded, but couldn’t say anything. I knew my uncle and it was only a matter of time before he came after Cadence. I just wanted to be between them when he did.
***
As much as I wanted to go by and check on Cadence, I knew I needed to get the autopsy report to Clutch. I’d promised him and if there was any chance they could link my uncle to Cash Hayes’ death, I had to know.
I called Cadence as I drove to the Hayes enclave, knowing that would be where Clutch would go as soon as he pulled into town. “Hey,” I murmured when she answered.
“Hey, yourself. I’m fine,” she reported before I could ask. “A motorcycle stops by to get gas every five minutes. I don’t think there are any motorcycles left in the state that need gas by now.”
“Don’t knock it. They’re paying for this fancy newfangled stuff you’re doing.” I heard Leroy gripe in the background. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
Cadence exhaled. “Yes, old man, now let me do what I do best.”
“I’m still here if you were wondering,” I commented and Cadence chuckled.
“Sorry, we’ve been having a battle of wills over the new software.”
