Cardwell Ranch Trespasser - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,50
you were going with me.”
“If we both went, it would look even more suspicious. Anyway, she’s accomplished what she set out to do. Dana and I are hardly speaking.”
“I hate seeing you like this,” he said, and kissed her. “It’s going to be all right. I know you’re worried about Dana. But we’re going to get this resolved.”
She nodded. “Hopefully before something horrible happens.”
“Hilde, I don’t think Dee is through with you, so be careful.”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
She smiled and leaned up to kiss him. “I’ll be careful.”
“I’ll call you from Oklahoma as soon as I know something. I won’t be gone any longer than I have to. I’m going home to pack, but first...” He swung her up in his arms. “I don’t want you to forget about me while I’m gone.”
“Like that could happen,” she said with a laugh, as he carried her into the bedroom.
* * *
COLT TRIED TO get on standby, but the earliest flight he could get on was that afternoon. He hated leaving Hilde. Last night he’d managed to talk her into letting Ronnie open the shop and man it until he got back. It had taken some talking, though. Hilde was one determined woman.
He tried not to speculate on what Dee might do. When he’d called Annie at the office, he’d told her he was flying to Denver to visit his brother. Of course, she knew he’d been suspended.
“Mrs. Savage was in earlier,” Annie told him in a hushed whisper. “She and the boss had a row over your suspension. Seems her cousin has booked a flight to New York City for Saturday.”
That had been news. Saturday was only two days away. If Dee was telling the truth. “I suppose there is no way to find out if she really did book that flight,” he said to Annie.
She chuckled. “I’ll see what I can do.”
After he hung up, he wondered if this meant Dee was giving up. Maybe she’d realized that Hilde had her fingerprints and DNA, so it wouldn’t be long before they knew who she really was. Best to leave town before that happened, huh, Dee?
His plane landed in Salt Lake City with a short layover before he flew into Oklahoma City, where he rented a car. It was too late to drive to Tuttle, so he got a motel. When he called Hilde, she sounded fine, anxious, but staying in the house. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“Try to get some sleep,” he told her. “I won’t know anything until tomorrow at the soonest.” He didn’t sleep well at all and early the next morning set off for Tuttle.
The town had once been a tiny suburb. Now the buildings along the former main street were boarded up. It was one of many small, dying towns across the country.
Colt stopped at the combination grocery and gas station and wandered inside. A fan whirred in the window near the counter behind an elderly woman who sat thumbing through a movie magazine.
“Can you believe all the divorces they have out in Hollywood?” She looked up at him over her glasses as if actually expecting an answer.
“No, I can’t.”
She closed the magazine, studying him. “You aren’t from around here.”
He shook his head. “But I’m looking for someone from around here.”
Her eyes widened a little. “I figured you were just lost. Who are you looking for? I know most everyone since I was born and raised right here.”
That had been his hope. “Maybe you know them, then. Richard and Camilla Northland?
The woman’s expression soured in a heartbeat. She leaned back as if trying to distance herself from his words. “Well, you won’t find them around here.”
“Actually, I’m looking for their aunt, the one who raised them after their parents died.”
“Didn’t die. Were murdered.” She shook her head. “What do you want with Thelma?”
“I have some news about her nephew.”
“There isn’t any news she’d want to hear except that he’s six feet under,” the woman snapped.
“Then I guess I have some good news for her.”
* * *
HILDE TRIED NOT to go down to the shop the next day, but Ronnie called to say there was a problem with the new sewing machine invoice and the deliveryman wasn’t sure what she wanted him to do.
“I’ll be right there.” She was thankful for the call. Sitting around waiting to hear from Colt was making her all the more anxious. She was also thankful that the sewing machines hadn’t arrived before Dee vandalized the shop.
Once at the shop after taking care