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“Of course. He’s told me.” It was a good segue to the questions Hannah wanted to ask, so she took it. “How much do you know about Thomas’s friends?”
Mandy shrugged. “He’s popular. Or was popular before Julie’s murder. Lots of political events, which is how he and Bruce connected. Thomas liked money. I never understood why he became a small-town doctor when he could’ve made two or three times the income working for a major hospital. I suppose Julie had a lot to do with it. She convinced him it was easier to have power and influence in a small town. Of course, my daughter used her connections to raise money for charity. Thomas…” Her gaze drifted off. “He was shallow. He wanted people to notice him when he walked into a room.”
It wasn’t the first time someone had mentioned that trait. Hannah had heard it several times from Julie’s friends. “I know this has come up before, but I need to ask again. Can you think of anyone Thomas was close to?”
“No. He was a user. Thomas liked you, but only if he could get something from you. He didn’t have any real friends.”
Ryker leaned forward. “What about his attorney, Jose? What was their relationship like before all of this happened?”
Mandy shrugged again. “Good, I suppose. Come to think of it, Thomas, Jose, and Bruce used to travel together from time to time. They all liked deep sea fishing. They’d take their wives too. I remember Julie talking about how sick she got on the boat once. It was upsetting because Thomas didn’t seem to care.” Her mouth pursed. “I kept my mouth shut. Julie would tell me these stories and I’d be fuming, but didn’t say a word. He was her husband, and several of my friends warned me that keeping the peace with my son-in-law was better for the family. Why on earth did I listen to them?”
“Because your daughter was a grown woman capable of making her own choices.” Hannah hated hearing the grief and regret buried in Mandy’s voice. “You did what you thought was best for her. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.”
She wiped a tear from her cheek. “I still blame myself. That won’t change.”
“I hope someday it will.” Once again, Hannah placed a hand on the older woman’s arm. “Julie wouldn’t want you to stay sad for the rest of your life. If there’s anything I’ve learned while working this case, it’s how much your daughter loved you. She’d want you to be happy.”
Mandy breathed out and patted Hannah’s hand. “Thank you for saying that, dear. And for everything you’re doing to get justice for Julie.” She offered Ryker a watery smile. “You too, Ranger Montgomery. No matter what happens, I know you both did your best. You will always be in my prayers.”
Hannah’s chest tightened. She was touched beyond words. From the look on Ryker’s face, so was he.
Together, they walked Mandy out to her car. She drove off, her headlights winking in the darkness before disappearing. A faint breeze lifted the strands of Hannah’s hair and crickets resumed chirping. Oliver, the ranch dog, nudged her hand, looking for a pat. She obliged him by giving an ear rub.
“Did you know Bruce, Jose, and Thomas used to go on fishing trips together?” Ryker asked.
“No, but the news doesn’t surprise me. Bruce owns a boat and often entertains on it. I’ve been invited a time or two, although I haven’t gone. Since Thomas and Jose donated to Bruce’s campaign during the election for District Attorney, it seems reasonable he’d invite them for some deep sea fishing.”
Ryker grunted. “It’s a thread to pull anyway.”
Shock vibrated through her. “You can’t believe Jose and Bruce are both part of Thomas’s drug scheme? That’s… ridiculous.” She turned toward him, hands planted on her hips. “Not everyone is a criminal.”
“Maybe not, but I won’t eliminate someone just because the person is a respected member of the community.” He pointed down the road. “Do you think Mandy imagined her daughter would be murdered, let alone by her own son-in-law?”
“Of course not, but—”
“There is no but. Don’t you get it? Whoever is behind this won’t stop until you’re dead. I’ll do anything to prevent that from happening, even if it means taking a hard look at every person in Thomas Anderson’s life. I don’t care that Bruce is the District Attorney. If he has something to do with this, then I’ll take him down.”
Hannah opened her mouth, but the words died on her tongue. Ryker was right. They couldn’t eliminate anyone as a suspect. Nor should they. It would be a disservice to the oath they took to uphold the law fairly and equally. But she also recognized that a huge part of what was fueling Ryker was fear.
He didn’t want anything bad to happen to her.
Problem was, he didn’t control that. She didn’t either. Both of them could do everything right, and still things might go badly. Ultimately, God was in charge. They had to put their faith in His divine wisdom.
Hannah stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. He was rigid for a moment and then relaxed into her touch. She laid her head on his chest, taking comfort in the steady beat of his heart. “I know you want to protect me, but there are some things outside of your control. We can’t guarantee Thomas will be brought to justice for killing Julia. Or that we’ll catch Dusty. Our best is all we can offer.”
Ryker sighed long and low. “I have trouble accepting that. Our limitations, I mean.”
“I know.” Hannah tilted her head up and brushed her lips across his. “Prayer might help.”
He nodded. Then Ryker cupped her cheek, the warmth of his palm sending a delicious wave of heat through her. The rough pad of his thumb trailed across her bottom lip. Desire tangled with worry in his eyes. He cared about her. Hannah felt that down to her bones, but their relationship would fail before it started if fear got in the way. She refused to step back. Ryker was working through his issues. She’d give him the opportunity.
He tilted his head and captured her lips. Hannah’s heart kicked into high gear as her hands rose along his broad chest before lifting to his neck. Her fingers threaded into the soft strands of hair at his nape. Everything about this man pulled her closer. His bravery. His caring. The way he loved his family and tried so hard to do the right thing. The kiss deepened, stealing the last of her breath.
A piercing beep broke the intimate moment. Ryker immediately stiffened and pulled away, but kept one hand on Hannah’s arm. Cold night air replaced the warmth of their embrace. He yanked his cell phone from his pocket. The intensity in his expression sent a river of worry arcing through her.
She shivered. “What is it?”
“Get into the house. Now.” Ryker pulled her toward the front door. “Someone’s breached our security system.”
