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“Him, being her grandfather?”
Joe nodded.
“He’s smooth, and can pretty much talk anyone round to his way of thinking, and I think deep inside him, he loves Bailey. The problem is, she allowed him to take control of her life from day one is my observation, and that never changed. So when she rebelled, it shocked him, and he reacted by cutting off her money. Hell!”
“What?” Joe looked at Clark.
“I just remembered that today is Bailey’s birthday. Damn!” Clark shook his head. “I usually remember things like that.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Joe said. He’d make some calls, and ensure this was a birthday Bailey never forgot.
“Just so you know, Leonard Southby is a strong man who believes he has always had his granddaughter’s best interests front and center in his life.”
“Not so much, is my guess.”
“No, and again I should have seen that, but Bailey never raised any red flags with me, she just did what he asked of her, and showed no emotion doing it. I thought she was incapable of it, until I came here and saw different.”
Joe found a smile. “She’s amazing.”
“She is.”
Joe stuck out his hand, and Clark shook it.
“Take care of her, Joe, and I’ll see if I can sort out this business with her grandfather.”
“I will, and come back in a couple of years.”
Clark laughed, and Joe walked with him around the front to the main street, where his car was parked. They were standing at the curb when Clark squinted down the street.
“Don’t tell me that’s who I think it is?”
“Who do you think it is?” Joe followed Clark’s gaze and saw a long black sedan coming down the main street.
“The only man I know who drives around in a chauffeur driven car just like that is Bailey’s grandfather.”
“We have celebrities here in Ryker.” Joe kept his eyes on the black sedan.
“Let’s hope it’s one of them then.”
“Shit,” Clark whispered. “I recognize the driver.”
“Fuck,” Joe added as no other word fit the moment. “We’ve got her back here, Clark. Remember that for me, will you, and don’t let this asshole make her life hell.”
“Yes, we do, and she’ll need it, Joe. He’s one intimidating man.”
“Don’t you go all chicken on me now.”
“No.” Clark’s mouth thinned. “I’m done dancing to his tune.”
“You too?”
“There must be something in the water here.”
Joe snorted, his eyes once again on the car that was pulling up beside them. The rear tinted window rolled down and there he was. Bailey’s grandfather.
“Leonard.” Clark moved forward. “What are you doing in Ryker Falls?”
He couldn’t see all of Bailey’s grandfather, but what he saw was impressive enough. Silver hair was parted on the side and swept back to settle in a way that suggested to Joe he’d used some kind of product to keep it there. His moustache and beard were also gray, and neatly trimmed, eyebrows the same. Face long and lean, and to Joe’s mind he’d be the perfect King Arthur in the next film—or maybe his grandfather.
