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“Wren Tillman.”
“Tillman?” he asked, laughing as he shook his head. “You’re certain that’s her last name?”
“That’s what she told me.”
Gage sighed as he scratched his chin. “I know you don’t follow politics, but you have to know who her father is.”
I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out what he was talking about. Then I sucked in my breath. “Not that pompous son of a bitch who thinks he’s God.”
“If I’m right, then you might just get your ass handed to you. He’s one gruff, belligerent man.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m one badass man. He’s trying to set her up with some old guy, as in an arranged marriage. That’s just shit if you ask me.”
“Wow. You like this girl. I can tell when your possessive streak comes out.”
“Very funny.” I hadn’t realized I’d bristled when talking about the plans her parents had for her. “She just doesn’t deserve that shit.”
“Uh-huh. You like her. Lie to yourself all you want. Oh, and by the way. You’re an old guy.”
He took a step away as if I’d punch out his lights. “Asshole. Don’t remind me.”
“No. I’m wrong. You’re the bad boy of Missoula just like all those years ago. At least some things never change.” His expression hardened. “Now, tell me about the fire in Billings.”
“Not much to tell. It was man made. There’s no doubt about that.”
“You’re still thinking arson?”
“It’s not a popular opinion with the Billings boys, but that’s what I think. I caught a whiff of gasoline, but not enough to confirm my suspicion. Still, with the bodies, I think they were dumped, the fire started to cover up the murders. Why?”
“Did you check if there were any reports of missing people or abductions?” he asked.
“What are you getting at, Gage? Did something happen while I was gone?”
“A ranch burned. Shadowland.” He allowed the information to settle.
“Shit.” They were some of the nicest people in town, still talking to the wayward kids who’d nearly torn Missoula apart.
“Yeah, I know. Fortunately, it was contained by the firefighters quickly, but there were four casualties. Only two people live there. Did you realize I knew the owners my entire life?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“God-fearing people, the husband a friend of my father’s from a long time before. Hell, they bought the house from Pops when we moved into the new place.”
I could tell he was putting some pieces together. If my memory served me, his parents had moved after Gage had gone overseas in the Army. There was a hell of a lot I didn’t like in the world, but coincidences were close to top of the list.
“I didn’t hear anything from the captain about any missing persons reports, but I came in on the tail end when they thought the wind was going to shift. I can give the man a call and ask what he found out about their identities.”
“Yeah, do it. I’d be curious,” he said as he stared down at the horses again, his jaw clenched.
“So, the fire was suspicious.”
“Second one this week.”
“There’s been a hell of lot of suspicious fires over the last few months. From what Captain Hansen mentioned a few days ago, the percentage is up by eighteen percent,” I told him.
“Yeah. Then this.”
I was sickened from the thought of losing the animals. My gut told me their deaths had been sent as a warning. But to whom?
