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Each man wore a white apron and carried a platter.
Cookie carried a large platter with a giant ham in the middle and garlic-roasted potatoes all around the base.
Tinker’s platter was filled with a medley of vegetables—broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and squash.
The men set the platters in the middle of the table and hurried back to the kitchen, returning quickly with baskets of dinner rolls, pitchers of tea and lemonade.
Everyone settled in seats around the dining table. Chelsea urged Breely to take the one beside her. Moe claimed the seat on Breely’s other side.
Platters were passed, food dished out onto plates and glasses filled. When everyone had what they wanted, Breely spent the next few minutes taking the edge off her hunger with the best ham and roasted potatoes she’d ever eaten. Seasoned to perfection, the ham melted in her mouth.
“This so good, Cookie,” she said. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”
“Aboard a Navy ship and then at the White House,” he responded.
Breely glanced around at the people gathered for the meal. “Is anyone at this table an ordinary person? I feel like an underachiever.”
“You’re anything but. I don’t know many women who can work a ranch, much less have done it for years,” Stone said. “You didn’t say anything about the work you do for the Brantt Philanthropy Foundation.”
“That’s right,” Kyla said. “I got online and did some research. Your work with the foundation has helped so many people. You’ve shown hungry families with little to their names how to grow food and raise livestock as well as trained them in specific trades they can earn a living with.”
“You should be proud of what you do,” Stone said. “Your work in Venezuela has opened eyes and spawned a movement they’ll have a hard time repressing.”
“Their current president has control of the military,” Breely reminded them. “He can and has ordered the police and the military to arrest people who speak out against the current regime.”
Stone nodded. “We spoke with your father about the death threats he’s been getting. They appear to have started around the same time as the election campaign got ugly.”
Bubba nodded. “Brantt said that the last time he was in the country, he met with the opposing candidate, Jesus DeVita. The media captured a photo of Brantt shaking hands with him. It’s been all over the news and tabloids. The poor people the foundation has helped are spreading the word that Brantt is backing DeVita and government reform.
“DeVita is showing a strong lead in the polls,” Kyla said. “If he wins, the cartels playing Salazar like a puppet will be out. Or they’ll have to take out DeVita. It would be easier if Salazar’s opponent were eliminated or debunked before the election takes place.”
“What if the death threats and the attempted kidnapping have nothing to do with what’s happening in Central or South America?” Breely asked.
Stone’s brow dipped low. “Then we need to know about everyone who could have a grudge against you or your father. Anyone who has looked at you cross-eyed.”
“It could be anyone,” Breely said. “My father is a very wealthy man. Anyone who kidnaps me could ask for a lot of money for ransom. The motivation doesn’t have to be personal. Money is a very tempting motivation.”
“True,” Stone said. “But let’s eliminate grudges and payback before we throw the net out further.”
Breely nodded. “Okay.”
“After dinner, I’d like us to go over to our headquarters in the barn and get on a video conference with Swede and Hank.” Kyla laid her fork on her plate.
“You’re not finished, are you?” Stone asked.
Kyla stared at the plate of food she’d left untouched. “I’m not hungry,” she said. “I want to get started collecting data and digging into the people around Robert and Breely Brantt.”
Breely had eaten enough to satisfy her hunger. “I’m ready. The sooner I give your computer guys all the information you could possibly need, I’m going to soak in that clawfoot tub until my skin shrivels.”
“That sounds…nice,” Chelsea said. “All except the skin shriveling part.” She laid her fork on her plate. “I’m done. The three of us can wander over to the loft and get started with Swede. You guys can catch up when you’re done eating.”
“I’m going with you.” Moe tossed another dinner roll on the plate, covered it with a napkin and pushed to his feet.
The ladies were a little slower making their way to the war room, first carrying their plates to the kitchen and loading them into the dishwasher.
Moe leaned against a counter and continued to eat, one eye on Breely at all times.
Finally, Kyla led the way through the lodge and out a back door. A path of paving stones led to the barn at the back of the property.
