Born to Be a Cowboy Read online

  “How dare…” Whatever words she’d been about to say died in her throat as he backhanded her, causing her head to snap back. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

  Before she could recover he reached beneath his seat and straightened.

  She stared with a look of horror at the object in his hand.

  He was holding a gun, pointed directly at her head.

  Finn pulled into the bank’s parking lot and felt a wild sense of relief when he spotted the ranch truck parked among several vehicles. He dialed Jessie’s phone and waited as it rang and rang before going to voice mail. Frustrated, he disconnected.

  When Ben had phoned to say that he was busy delivering a prisoner to the state police offices and would hurry over as soon as possible, Finn had driven like a madman, determined to stand beside Jessie when she confronted Wayne Stone. The last thing he wanted was for her to face her aunt’s tormentor alone.

  He walked into the bank and headed directly toward the manager’s office. A family photo on the desk showed the heavyset man and his wife with their toddler between them.

  Finding the room empty, Finn crossed the lobby to ask a bank teller where the manager was.

  She looked up from her ledger. “I believe he left for lunch after ending his meeting.”

  “Was there a young woman at the meeting?”

  She nodded. “Yes. And the police chief and an older gentleman.”

  “How long ago did the meeting end?”

  She shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe fifteen minutes or more. Can I help you?”

  Finn nodded. “Do you know if the woman went to lunch with your manager?”

  She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was busy with a customer, and didn’t see any of their party leave.”

  “Where does the manager usually eat lunch?”

  “There are only two lunchrooms in town. Annie’s, just up the street, and the All Day Pancake Place on Second.”

  “Thanks.” Finn stalked up the street and was relieved to see the man in the photo seated inside the little diner. Disappointment washed over him when he saw no sign of Jessie.

  As he approached the manager’s table, a waitress cleared the remnants of lunch and placed a slice of mile-high coconut cream pie in front of him before topping off his coffee.

  “Michael Dumont?” Finn stuck out his hand, forcing the man to set down his fork.

  “That’s me. And you are…?”

  “I’m Finn Monroe, Jessica Blair’s lawyer.”

  “Chief Tyler told me about you.”

  Finn nodded toward the dessert. “Sorry to bother you at lunch, but I’d hoped to be with Jessie when she met in your office. I see her truck in the parking lot. I thought she might be having lunch with you. Do you know where she is?”

  “Having a nice visit with her aunt, I guess.”

  “She’s gone to her aunt’s place? Why did she leave her truck?”

  The manager shrugged. “She went in Wayne Stone’s truck.”

  “You’re certain?”

  Michael Dumont nodded. “I was watching from my office when she and Wayne and Chief Tyler parted in the parking lot.” He chuckled. “Your client was pretty insistent upon seeing her aunt. I’m afraid Wayne felt obligated to take her with him.”

  “The documents naming him co-signer on Nola Blair’s accounts have been signed and notarized?”

  The manager gave him a pleased smile. “I saw to them myself.”

  “Despite our suspicions about the man in that photo we gave you?”

  The bank manager eyed the slice of pie before saying tiredly, “Chief Tyler told me all about your conspiracy theory. Believe me, Wayne Stone doesn’t look anything like the man in that photo.”

  Seeing Finn’s look of surprise, he went on smoothly, “The elderly gentleman who came to my office today was a great guy. Both the chief and I were impressed with his credentials.”

  “His credentials?”

  “He’s a wealthy businessman. Owner of WS Industries, employing scientists working on improving animal feed. He’s about to provide jobs for hundreds of our citizens. I’d call those pretty impressive credentials. And now…” He picked up his fork. “I’d like to finish my lunch before I return to work.”

  Finn knew he was being abruptly dismissed, and would get no further answers from this man. “Thanks for your time.”

  He turned away and hurried out of the diner before heading toward the police station.

  When he arrived, Ben was just pulling up. Finn quickly filled him in and they stepped inside and crossed to the chief’s office.

  Though it took only seconds, to Finn it seemed an eternity.

  Frank Tyler confirmed what the bank manager had already said. “Miss Blair left with Wayne Stone to visit her aunt.”

  Frustrated, Finn pressed him. “Do you know for a fact that she went willingly?”

  “Do you think I’d have let her go if he’d tried to force her?” The chief’s ruddy face darkened like a thundercloud. “The stranger I met today was a perfect gentleman, who is about to improve the quality of life for many of our people right here in Arvid. What’s more, he’s legally married to Miss Blair’s aunt. It’s obvious that your client feels resentful about his intrusion into her well-ordered life. After all, this marriage has effectively cut her out of her inheritance. But I’ll say it again. The Wayne Stone I met today was a perfect gentleman. And after Miss Blair pestered him to see for herself that her aunt was recovering from a virus, the poor man had no choice but to take her with him. I’m sure he’d have rather returned to his bride alone.”

  “Do you know where they’ve gone?”

  “He said he has a quiet place in the hills where he can take care of his wife without tedious visits from well-meaning neighbors and friends.”

  “Sounds like the perfect place to keep her isolated.”

  At Finn’s words the chief held up a hand. “Now I’ll tell you, Mr. Monroe, just what I think about this whole conspiracy theory of yours. Wayne Stone had all the proper documents needed. Furthermore, he answered all Miss Blair’s questions and remained open and friendly, even though your client was obviously agitated and spoiling for an argument. I certainly hope, after a visit with her aunt, Jessica Blair will be ready to accept the fact that her aunt has moved on with her life. Something her niece, now a grown woman, ought to do, as well.”

  Before Finn could respond, Ben shook the chief’s hand. “Thanks, Chief Tyler. My brother and I appreciate everything you’ve done. We’ll be in touch.”

  With a firm grasp on Finn’s arm, Ben smoothly turned him toward the door and steered him outside.

  As the door closed behind them, Finn wrenched his arm free. “What the hell…?”

  “I have no jurisdiction in Arvid. This is Frank Tyler’s town, and you can see that he’s already made up his mind about this. But you know I always have your back, bro. Come on.” He led the way to his police car and drove Finn to the bank to retrieve his truck.

  As he drove, Ben’s eyes narrowed in thought. “As a police officer, I have no choice but to work through proper channels. I’ll contact the state police and ask them to give me everything they’ve uncovered about Wayne Stone. And I’ll request a copy of the bank’s security video, so we can see for ourselves what this guy looks like. I would have requested it from Chief Tyler, but I could see that he wasn’t about to cooperate. He won’t have a choice if the state police make a formal request.”

  Finn’s temper was on a short fuse. “And in the meantime, we have to waste time going through proper channels. You may be bound by the rules, but I’m not.”

  “You bend the rules too far, you could end up losing your license to practice law. Is that what you want?”

  “My law practice doesn’t mean a thing if Jessie is in danger. I won’t rest until I find her, Ben.”

  When Ben’s police car stopped in the bank’s parking lot, he reached across the seat to grab Finn’s arm before he could step out. “I hear what you’r
e saying. Just remember. You’re not alone, bro. We’ve always had each other’s backs. My being a cop doesn’t change that. See to it that you keep all of us in the loop. You hear me?”

  “I hear you. And I heard what the bank manager and police chief think about this guy. They think he’s the salt of the earth.” Finn’s jaw was clamped so tightly his words were a hiss of fury. “I’m not buying any of it. My gut tells me Jessie’s in trouble.” He shot his brother a fierce look. “Ben, I have to find her.”

  Ben nodded. “On the off chance that we’re wrong about all this, I’ll ask the bank managed to notify me if Jessie returns here to pick up the truck.”

  “Thanks.” Finn slammed the door of brother’s police car and climbed into his truck.

  He dialed Jessie’s number again, and after several rings it went to voice mail. He had to fight to keep a note of desperation from his tone. “Call me when you get this, Jess.”

  He tucked his phone into his pocket and took off in a cloud of dust, his mind turning over every tiny detail he could think of.

  He had no idea where he was going. But he knew he couldn’t sit idly by and wait for a phone call from Jessie that might never come.

  He’d move heaven and earth if necessary. He wouldn’t stop until he found the woman he loved.

  The thought had him gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles whitened. Why had it taken him so long to admit the truth?

  He’d known, almost from the first time he’d met Jessie, that she was different from every woman he’d ever known. Despite her wild story and the fact that nobody had wanted to take her seriously, he’d been drawn into her troubles and had never looked back.

  So much had happened since their introduction. The motel fire, causing him to believe it may have been set in order to frighten her off. The abrupt changes at her aunt’s ranch. A security camera to record anyone who entered. The loyal wranglers fired, and a new, unknown crew hired with orders to keep strangers away. The valuables boxed for shipping out of town. And Basil’s suspicion that a woman in the county offices may be an accomplice willing to pass along information to someone paying her.

  The county offices.

  Finn thought about the horrifying moment when his brakes failed, and Tony Russo, owner of the Haller Creek Gas and Garage, confirmed that they’d been tampered with.

  Why hadn’t he connected all the dots before? Maybe because so many other incidents had crowded it out of his mind.

  Or…

  He slammed a hand against the steering wheel. Because it had been aimed at him and not Jessie. And he’d foolishly assumed that the only ones in danger were Jessie and her aunt.

  For the first time he realized just how well-informed Wayne Stone was. This was no simple cowboy out to snag a lonely woman’s property. It was a carefully planned operation that he’d probably perfected over the years. This con artist had been miles ahead of all of them. While they were still trying to figure out who he was, Wayne had already been following Jessie, hoping to eliminate her before she spoiled all his plans. He would have known about the private investigator she’d hired and had him eliminated. He’d have seen Jessie go to Finn’s office. Maybe that was when he decided he needed to eliminate her quickly. When she’d managed to survive the motel fire, he could have been watching. Had he seen her go home with Finn? Had he actually followed them to the ranch?

  Had Wayne been watching them ever since? With his spy in the county offices, Wayne could have learned that Finn was getting too close. But in order to tamper with his brakes, Wayne would have needed private access to his truck.

  A thought had Finn’s blood running cold. Was it possible that Wayne Stone had been on their ranch?

  The wranglers. The ones with questionable references.

  He snatched up his cell phone and punched in a number.

  When he heard Basil’s voice, he told him where he was and what he suspected. Minutes later, he tucked his phone into his pocket and stared at the expanse of highway to his left and the looming country road to his right.

  Somewhere out there Jessie was riding into danger.

  Chief Tyler had said Wayne Stone had a secluded place in the hills.

  Finn decided to take a calculated risk and try the country road, praying it would lead him to Jessie.

  Was she a willing passenger? Or had Wayne Stone already let it be known that she was now his prisoner and that she would never be coming back?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Ben watched as Finn drove away before entering the bank and asking a favor of the manager. He’d been assured that he would be notified when Jessie returned for her truck. Then he began making phone calls, first to the state police, and then to his family, to alert them of all that had happened.

  He may be bound by the rules of law, but that wouldn’t stop him from finding ways to ease Finn’s burden.

  He touched a hand to the badge on his shirt. He wore it proudly and would never do anything to betray the code of honor. But he knew intimately the pain his brother was feeling.

  If they all worked together, even without the help of Chief Tyler and the Arvid authorities, they could crack this crazy case.

  They had to. From the look of abject misery in Finn’s eyes, Ben knew with certainty that Jessie owned his brother’s heart. If Wayne Stone managed to hurt her, Finn would never be the same.

  At Ben’s urging, Mac put his cell phone on speaker and signaled the family to gather around.

  In a few words Ben told them about the meeting Jessie had in the bank manager’s office. “Chief Tyler said Wayne Stone wasn’t at all like the smooth operator Jessie had described. Instead, he was a successful business owner who promised plenty of jobs for the people of Arvid, and was a genial, grandfatherly type. In his words, a perfect gentleman.”

  Zachariah interrupted. “How did our Finnian take that news?”

  “Badly. What’s worse, Jessie left her truck at the bank and is traveling with Wayne Stone to see her aunt.”

  It was Sam who asked, “Do you know if Stone forced her to go along with him?”

  “According to Chief Tyler, Jessie pestered Wayne Stone until he felt he had no choice but to allow her to see for herself that her aunt was fine.”

  Mac exchanged a look with Mary Pat before asking softly, “What’s your take, Ben?”

  There was a pause before Ben’s voice came over the speaker. “I’m with Finn on this, Dad. My gut feeling is Jessie and her aunt are in trouble, and this con artist is so convincing, we’re the only ones willing to believe they’re in danger. There have been too many incidents to think they’re mere accidents.”

  Mac’s voice remained soft, but now there was a thread of steel in each word. “When someone threatens one of us, he’d better be ready to deal with all of us. Tell us what you want us to do, Ben, and we’re on it.”

  “I’m awaiting word from the state boys and Basil. As soon as I have the information I’ve asked for, I’ll let you know. In the meantime, you might want to head on over toward Arvid. I’ve asked the state police to track Jessie’s cell phone. Once we have an approximate location, we can fan out and try to locate this isolated home Wayne Stone boasted of.”

  “You’re still in Arvid? Didn’t you say you have no jurisdiction there?”

  “I don’t. But the state police do, and they’ve asked me to join their team as they investigate. That gives me the power of the law anywhere in the state.”

  Mac nodded his approval. “Good work, son. Keep us posted.”

  Mac trailed behind the others out the door, where they divided their party into two vehicles.

  Zachariah, Penny, and Becca settled into the first truck, with Sam at the wheel.

  Mary Pat, Otis, and Roscoe climbed into the second truck, with Mac driving.

  All of them wore tight, grim looks of concentration as they began the long ride away from their ranch.

  They’d been through so many painful experiences in the past and knew that there was no promise of a happy
ending. The most carefully planned strategies in the world could unravel in an instant.

  Still, they clung to the hope that if they all stuck together, willing to do whatever it took to save Jessie and Nola, they could work a miracle.

  Jessie was no stranger to guns. They’d been a natural part of her life on her aunt’s ranch. But she’d never before had one pointed at her, and it was such close quarters. There was no way he could miss if he decided to shoot. Her initial reaction was absolute terror. Seeing the feral look in Wayne’s eyes, she had no doubt he could kill her without remorse.

  He leaned close and pressed the muzzle to her temple.

  The mere act of swallowing sounded overloud in her ears.

  In one smooth motion he snapped a handcuff to his right wrist, before snagging her hand. She watched in silence as he snapped the other cuff to her left wrist.

  “Just in case you were thinking of bailing on me.” He winked, and for a moment he was that courtly gentleman in the bank manager’s office. Then his tone hardened, and he was instantly transformed into a monster to be feared. “If you try it, I’ll just handcuff you to the truck and drag you along the road until you beg me to put you out of your misery.”

  He put the truck in gear and sent her an icy sneer. “All the way to Arvid I kept wondering how I was going to get you away from town without causing a scene.” He gave a low laugh. “And then you made it all so easy, practically begging me to take you to see your dear old auntie.”

  As he turned his truck onto a dirt trail, spewing a cloud of dust, Jessie stared around, struggling to detect any landmarks. With her cell phone gone and no way to contact Finn, she would have to depend on herself to lead her aunt to safety.

  That is, she thought with a gnawing fear, if Aunt Nola was still alive when they arrived at their destination.

  Ben’s voice was calm, deliberate. The voice of a police professional as he reported to his family over the phone.

  “The state police have tracked Jessie’s phone. It’s stationary. No movement, which says to them that it’s probably been tossed. But at least it gives us a starting point. It’s just a few miles outside Arvid, in an isolated area of high country. No ranches that they know of. There’s some weather coming in, but once it clears they hope to send up a helicopter crew.”