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“So she wasn’t a lawyer,” Elisa mused. “We know the other woman who was in town looking for Hale works for a law firm. I’ve got a call in to her. I’m hoping to hear from her in the morning. Have you tried contacting Ms. Atwell?”
“That would be hard. She was found dead in a Denver hotel room two days ago,” Jake said flatly. “Gunshot wound to the chest. She was scheduled to fly back to Houston the next day. The police do not have any suspects at this time. I’m trying to get a list of her clients.”
Hale had paled visibly. “He killed her because she wouldn’t give him that address. Or maybe he killed her after she did so she couldn’t tell anyone.”
He might have to start considering a short stay in the bunker. It looked like he wasn’t going to be able to comfort Hale with what Jake had discovered. He’d hoped it would calm Hale down that they were starting to get some traction in the investigation. He needed to put a positive spin on this. “So we hang tight and wait for the client list. Until then we stick close to the cabin, put in the security system, and be as careful as we can. Now our other option is…”
Elisa pointed his way. “No bunker.”
“Our other option is for you two to go to Dallas,” Hale argued.
“Why would we go to Dallas?” Elisa turned her chair so she was facing Hale. “That makes no sense. I get that you’re scared and you’re worried you’re going to cause pain for the two people who mean the most to you in the world, but your plans to save us have to make logical sense. Can we start there?”
“How about we go back to the cabin and get some rest?” It was getting late and they weren’t going to solve anything tonight. “Nate and Cam are looking for him. Jake and his team will look into the PI, and Elisa should hear from the lawyer tomorrow. There’s nothing else we can do, so let’s go home.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” But Hale sounded tired even as he said the words.
“Come up with another one.” Elisa stood. “But understand I’m not splitting us up tonight. I’m going to grab my things. I’ll see you at the car. Mr. Dean, it was nice to meet you.”
“Jake, please,” he insisted. “I have a feeling we’re going to be family soon.”
She seemed to think about that for a moment, a slow smile crossing her face. “I would like that very much, Jake.”
Hale followed her out, and he was left alone with his brother. Who’d put his whole world on hold for him.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping us.” He moved to stand in front of his brother. He was actually an inch taller than Jake, but there was no denying who the big brother was. “But I need to talk to you about something.”
Jake put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re staying in Bliss. You’re not coming to work for me.”
He hated disappointing his brother. “I love her. She wants to stay here. So does Hale. He’s being overly emotional right now, but he wants what I want. We want to start our family here in Bliss. And I’m switching majors. I don’t like marketing. I like accounting. You already have an accountant. I promise I will…”
Jake cut him off, hauling him close for a brotherly hug. “You’ll pay me back by being happy. That’s all I ever wanted for you. Now give me a ride back to the cabin and then deal with Hale because damn, that morose motherfucker is not handling this well. Has he read none of Serena’s books? This kind of shit ends poorly.”
A huge weight lifted off his chest. His brother wasn’t upset. He seemed perfectly thrilled for him. “I’m going to make this right. I need to get the three of us alone, and we’ll hash this out.”
He would prove to Hale that they all belonged together. One way or another.
* * * *
Hale stood on the porch as Van opened the door to the cabin. He stared across the way at Van’s brother’s place. It looked perfectly quiet inside, the only real evidence it was occupied being the warm glow from the light in the living room. They’d given Jake a ride back and he’d disappeared behind the door, walking into the arms of his wife, who’d waited up for him. Somewhere in that cabin was Jake’s best friend, who had helped her put the children to bed and settled her in after the long travel. Jake had been able to do what he needed without worry because Adam and Serena had handled everything else. It was everything he wanted, and he was so afraid he would be the reason they never got the chance.
