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“What do you think happened that night?” Tick shrugged. “Was Eastwood the kind of man who would kill her and then take his own life?” He wasn’t surprised when Tick shook his head. “Then who wanted them both dead?”
The Texan met his gaze. “There was someone else. Someone before she came to Powder Crossing. Someone she was trying to get away from.”
That stopped Stuart cold. “Any idea who they were?”
He shook his head. “Some past relationship that had gone sour, that’s all Rory knew. That night Rory was worried that she wasn’t completely over it. He was afraid that now that he’d quit his job and packed up to leave, she might change her mind. She sounded flaky to me. I figured he was probably making a mistake. I never dreamed someone would kill him.
“If you ask me—” he leaned in and lowered his voice “—I think Leann killed him, ditched his truck, his body and then realizing what she’d done, killed herself. Or, maybe the person from this former relationship killed them both.”
That definitely added a new dimension if Tick knew what he was talking about.
The geologist seemed to remember his beer, drained it as he got to his feet. “Thanks for the brews. I’d appreciate it if you left this just between the two of us. Wouldn’t want to lose my job.”
Stuart nodded as he felt a familiar roiling in his stomach. Someone before him, before Cooper. He and Cooper could have been on a long list of lovers Leann had left. That certainly put her death in a new light.
CJCHECKEDTOmake sure there was no one outside the guest room before he made the call. “Tell me that we’re all set,” he said the moment his party answered.
“I did my part if that’s what you’re asking. You have the money?”
He could hear the recrimination in Treyton McKenna’s voice. He tried to tamp down his anger. “I have it covered. After all, I saved you from a Lees brothers visit. You should be thanking me. Not giving me—”
“Thanking you? This is your mess, not mine. Just like another time as I recall.”
“Old history. This isnow. You’re the one who came to me wanting to be cut in,” CJ snapped back. “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Treyton swore. “Think much of yourself? Let’s not forget what I brought to the table or what I know about you.”
“Okay, we’re business partners. I have enough problems without fighting about this with you,” CJ said. When Treyton said nothing, he asked, “You want out? I’ll have the Lees brothers stop over and give you what you have coming.”
“Don’t threaten me, Stafford. None of this would have been a problem if you had been more careful.”
“You know my sister, but I’m having it taken care of.”
“What does that mean?”
“You don’t want to know,” CJ said. “I’ve talked to our suppliers. They’re ready to get back into business. Isn’t that what we both want?” Silence, only this time he took it for agreement. “Get ready. You’ll have company soon.”
As he disconnected, he thought about the circumstances that made strange bed partners. Now he and Treyton McKenna were in bed together again, so to speak. He could hear his grandmother say, “You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.”
CJ had never really understood the expression, until now. It basically meant he was screwed if things went south. His bond with Treyton had always been risky. But McKenna or not, Treyton was as hungry as he was for power and money. CJ would just have to never turn his back on the man. But if this paid off the way he planned, he would run this river basin.
He rose, walked over to the small refrigerator his mother had put in the guest room for him. After opening the door, he pulled out a can of cold beer. “Thanks, Mom,” he said sarcastically and then heard someone coming down the hall. He realized that he hadn’t locked the bedroom door. At least this time he had remembered to close the curtains.
He’d barely gotten into his wheelchair when the door opened.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
THESHERIFFHADplanned to stop by Abigail’s small house she rented behind the hospital, but to his surprise she was waiting for him on the front steps of the sheriff’s department building when he returned. “You really are excited about going to get a burger,” he said.
She smiled her come-hither smile. “Maybe I’m excited about seeing you.”
Maybe, but he doubted it.
“My car,” she said, pointing to her SUV parked on the street. “My treat today.”
He felt something cold creep up his spine, but nodded, even more curious. What was she up to? This wasn’t about a burger. He was an officer of the law. He was armed. And he wasn’t going to eat or drink anything she’d had a chance to doctor.
Stuart told himself that he should be fine. They would be eating in a café. He would watch her like a hawk. But as he thought it, he was reminded of the empty miles to Baker with few ranches, even fewer other vehicles on the road this time of year.
