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I was pleasantly surprised, laughing to myself as I headed toward the door, grabbing my jacket as well. “Then let’s go together.” As I stood on the front porch, my chest tightened just from glancing toward the mountains. Sapphire Ridge was two hours away by car. But it felt like he was a million miles away.
“Where’s Daddy’s truck?” Justin finally asked.
Here we go.I took a deep breath and walked down the stairs. “Daddy got called to a fire. He’s going to put on his hero cape and save the world.”
As Chewy scampered around his legs, he contemplated what I was saying. Then he nodded once before returning his attention to the puppy.
Meanwhile, never-to-be-mother-of-the-year was shaking in her boots. Maybe I could do this. How long could it take? Right?
As I allowed them to play for a little while, I thought about what I’d been able to discover regarding the information Phoenix told me about. I’d put a list together as I’d sat in front of the computer, including the name of the dummy corporation. From what I’d been able to find, Blue Waters had been formed several months before. While I’d yet to find the officers on the Montana Secretary of State’s listings, there were other sources I could check later. Fortunately, I had managed to find their registered agent, a name I didn’t recognize. After making Justin and the puppy breakfast, I planned on spending time digging deeper.
I’d learned in my days of being an advisor that people often hid their dirty laundry in plain sight. I’d made it my business to thoroughly check any potential new client against their claims of fortune. That had prevented me from wasting time and money several times.
What I had found was the report on the murder victims in Billings, the two men providing reports on what the resorts would do to the terrain, the forest and wildlife in their hopes of squelching the projects.
The reason they’d been in what had seemed like an unusual location was an easy answer to find. One of the men owned a significant piece of property with a log cabin on it nearby, the place registered as a corporate retreat.
Plus, the area had been outlined as a possible secondary location for one of the winter sports arenas almost proposed in the project. They had personal reasons to hate Blue Waters, which had gotten them killed.
“Come on. Let’s get you guys inside. Time for breakfast.” Thankfully, both came running without me being forced to drag them in. I closed the door, still caught in the thought that there was a missing piece that would thread everything together.
When I’d looked up the land Snake owned, I was confused at first. He only had two hundred acres, which was nothing in comparison to what Phoenix owned. However, it was the position of his property that mattered. It would be smack in the middle of where the developer would likely need to put the main road entering the property given the existing water and sewer lines.
If only I could get my hands on whatever the proposed resort was. Maybe that would provide me with some answers. As I thought about it, I realized that I was missing a golden opportunity. Cammie worked for a law firm who handled real estate transactions. While it was still the weekend, she might be able to find out something on Monday.
I made mental note to give Cammie a call after breakfast. For now, I had to try to learn how to be a mom.
If only for a little while.
* * *
Over five hours had passed. I’d never realized just how exhausting a puppy could be, let alone a kid who could race around me at five hundred miles an hour. So far, Justin had remained happy with the fact I was babysitting him. I’d come to realize the kid was smart, so much so I was surprised so many people had such concerns about him. Maybe I was missing something, but he’d set the table at breakfast, helped me feed Chewy, and even brought his milk glass to me.
Then the perfect little boy had turned into a hellion, but only like a typical kid would do. We’d played a board game. I’d let him play on his gameboard. Then he’d begged me to allow him to watch a movie while eating lunch. At least a peanut butter and jelly sandwich had made him giggle with delight. I wasn’t the best cook and in truth, I had no idea what I should feed him.
Wasn’t I the posterchild for being a babysitter?
Fortunately, I’d been able to make a few phone calls, albeit needing to leave messages given it was a Sunday. Maybe the assessor’s office would have some information. I’d even called the county clerk’s office, giving them details of what I was looking for. And I’d risked contacting the single phone number I’d found attached to Blue Waters, although the recording made it sound like an answering service was being used. At least I’d accomplished something that might be useful.
Or so I hoped.
Sighing, I glanced at the clock, wondering if five-year-olds took naps. I certainly wanted to. After putting the knife in the dishwasher and wiping the counter, I glanced at my phone, wishing it would ring. Another wave of anxiety was setting in, so much so that I started to pace the kitchen, which wasn’t like me.
Something was off. I could feel it in my gut.
“Can I pway in my room, Wrennie?” He’d taken to calling me that, which I thought was cute.
“Sure, you can.”
As soon as Chewy dutifully followed, I grabbed my phone, touching the screen and glaring at it, hoping he’d tried to call, and I hadn’t heard it ring.
No such luck.
I debated dialing him, but my nerves couldn’t take it any longer.
So I did.
When it went to voicemail immediately, I didn’t panic, convincing myself that it was a requirement that all phones needed to be turned off or that he had a locker where he stored his personal items when working. It wasn’t good to panic in this kind of situation, especially when I had my hands full.
