“A painting has gone missing from Pat’s house. It was hanging at the top of the stairs. Do you know where it’s gone?”
Dave’s face flushed bright red. “You think I took it?”
“I’m not saying that.”
“You don’t have to. Just because dad owes a lot of money, it doesn’t mean I’d steal your painting.”
Brett stuck his hands on his hips. “I’m not accusing you of anything. I know what it’s like to live in the shadow of someone else’s life. All I need to know is whether you moved it or took it somewhere.”
Dave crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I haven’t moved any painting. You should know me well enough not to ask.”
“You’re not the only person I’ve asked. I called Hannah last night and spoke to Pat and Mrs. Bennett this morning.”
“They don’t have a father who’s been harassing them for money.”
Brett slipped his hands into his pockets. “No, they don’t. But that’s not why I asked you. If we don’t find it, I’ll have to call the police.”
Dave scowled something fierce. “I guess you’ll be calling the police, then. If that’s all you wanted to ask me, I’d better leave. I’ve got things to do.” He threw down the rag he’d stuffed into his back pocket and left the barn.
Brett ran his hand around the back of his neck. Hopefully, after he’d cooled down, Dave would understand why he’d asked him about the painting. If not, he didn’t know what he’d do. Dave needed to be on the ranch as much as Brett did. It gave them both a sense of pride and achievement, something that neither of them had found with their families.
He picked up the rag Dave had dropped. Hopefully, his conversation with Thomas would be a lot better.
***
By three o’clock that afternoon, Dave still hadn’t returned to the ranch. Brett called his cell phone again, but didn’t bother leaving a message. If Dave’s family weren’t being harassed, he wouldn’t have been so worried. But if someone was willing to send threatening emails, they could be willing to do a lot worse.
Instead of staying at the ranch, Brett had driven into town. He still needed to ask Thomas and his family about the missing painting. If they didn’t know where it had gone, he would call the police.
He stopped his truck outside Thomas’ home and studied the single-level house. Christmas lights sparkled from the windows and a blow-up snowman decorated the front porch. Someone had been outside, shoveling snow off the path that led to the front door.
Five years ago, Thomas’ dad had left Bozeman. For a while, Thomas had gone off the rails, mixing with the wrong crowd and finding trouble around every corner. Working on the ranch had given him stability, somewhere to burn off the anger he’d buried deep inside himself. Over the last year, he’d lost interest in the friends he’d made after his dad left and was making an effort to be part of his family.
Brett lifted a basket off the front seat and opened his door. If it weren’t for the police program, Thomas and Dave would have ended up on the streets, mixing with the wrong people and making bad choices.
Before he was halfway up the brick path, the front door opened. He smiled at Laura. “Do you always answer the door?”
She frowned. “Mom said you would be here soon. Don’t you want to come inside?”
Brett sighed. That was twice in one morning that he’d said the wrong thing. Hopefully, he wasn’t about to make it three times. “I’d like to come inside and I’m glad you like answering the door.”
Laura looked at him uncertainly. “Mom’s in the kitchen.”
“Thanks.” He wiped his feet on the mat and followed Thomas’ sister into the hallway. Lavender and Lily were playing in the living room. They’d strung sheets over the furniture, making a large playhouse in the middle of the room.
“Hi, Mr. Forster,” Lily said. “Do you like our castle?”
“It’s amazing.”
Lavender’s head peeked out from a gap in the sheets. “We’re princesses and Panda is my baby.” She held a black and white bear in the air. “We’re going to fight a dragon.”
“That’s going to be Thomas,” Laura said with a grin. “Only he doesn’t know it, yet. Come on. Mom’s through here.”
They maneuvered around the girls’ castle and walked into the kitchen. Thomas’ mom was standing at the stove.
Brett smiled. “Hi, Cathy. Thanks for seeing me at such short notice.”
“You’re welcome.”
