“I really don’t know.”
“What’s next?” Laramie asked.
Hill exhaled. “The Moore Ranch. Friday night.”
Rawley stood, fists clenched at his sides. “Exact time,” he demanded.
“I’ll have to let you know,” Hill whispered.
“You’d better.” Rawley’s stare pinned him to the chair. “If you’re lying, I’ll see you in a cell first.” He pulled a business card from his wallet and handed it to Hill. “You can reach me at any of those numbers or text if you need to.”
“Will I be able to get a deal?”
“I’m not promising you anything until I arrest the others.”
Hill nodded, rose, and walked out into the office area, leaving Rawley and Laramie alone with burning questions, then he headed for Dave’s office again to tell him the details.
****
Skylar jerked awake, her heart pounding, and sat bolt upright on the sofa. The moonlight filtered through frosted windowpanes. She glanced around to see Cosmo curled on the windowsill, tail flicking as he watched drifting snow. On the thick rug before the dimly glowing fireplace, the dogs lay curled in slumber. When a distant rumble cracked through the hush, their ears pricked and they leaped up, paws thundering on the hardwood. In an instant they were at the door, sitting expectant with hopeful eyes.
Outside, gravel crunched under the weight of Rawley’s truck as it rolled into the driveway. Skylar’s gaze flicked to the clock, almost six. She rose and paused when the engine died, then she opened the door and inhaled the cold air drifting in. Snow spiraled down in lazy whirlpools, coating the porch in glittering white.
The dogs dashed down the steps and ran to Rawley, tails wagging like windmills. He crouched, hand buried in thick fur, laughing as they nearly toppled him. Skylar smiled despite the knot tightening in her chest.
“They think you abandoned them,” she teased.
He looked up, brushing snow off the shoulders of his coat. “They know better than that.”
“They’re so well behaved.”
“Yeah, after they shredded every pillow in my house as puppies.” He shook his head.
“How was your day? Did that guy show?”
“He did. He said every time the money came in, they wanted more.”
Skylar’s throat tightened. “Greed is one of the seven deadly sins.”
She noticed him looking at her suitcases.
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning. I have to go soon or I won’t.”
Rawley removed his hat, shrugged off his coat, hung them on the hall tree, then looked at her.
“I hate that you have to, but it will be safer for you. They’re only after me, not you. They’re just scaring you because they know it will piss me off.”
She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Mind if I take a shower?”
“Go ahead.”
“You could join me.” His voice dropped to a whisper.
Skylar’s pulse fluttered. “I’d love to.”
