Cain paused on the sidewalk and pressed the phone against his ear. “Nick, what’s going on?”
“New location on Bart Harwell. Apparently, he was making job inquires in Bagdad. That’s a mining town—”
“Not far from the ranch.”
“That’s right. It was three months ago. Harwell didn’t get the job, and that’s the last anyone has seen of him.”
“So he was back in the area before the horses went missing.”
“Well, he might have been. He was there three months ago, but I’m not sure where he went after, or where he is now. I’ll stay on it. The thing is, your old buddy, Ray Aldridge, just filed for bankruptcy. Word is, he’s blaming all his troubles on you. Says you cheated him out of the claims he was buying.”
“That’s a crock of bull.”
“I’m sure it is. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have it in for you. Either of those guys could have stolen those horses. Doesn’t take much to hire the kind of thugs who would do it. Think either of them could be trying to kill you?”
“If you’d asked me that a few months back, I would have said no. Now I guess anything is possible.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” Nick said.
“And while you’re digging, check out Jenny’s cousin, Eddie Spencer. He was in the bar last night. Jenny says he wants money. Thinks he deserves it because her uncle, Charles Spencer, left the Star to her and not him.”
“Charles and Eddie’s names both came up when I was looking into Jenny’s background. I’ll check him out and get back to you.”
The call ended, and Cain tucked the phone into his jeans. He had set up a meeting at the Copper Star. He figured Jenny wasn’t going to be happy about it, but he wasn’t giving her a choice.
By the time he pushed through the batwing doors, the group was already inside, waiting for him. One woman and two men. They were sound and video experts. A guy named Max Bradley was in charge. Mike Stockton and Carrie Garner worked for him.
Cain motioned them over to one of the tables, and they all sat down just as Jenny walked up. He could see Will Price standing not far away.
Jenny gave Cain a warm smile, which he figured wouldn’t last long. “You should have told me you had a business meeting this morning. I could have had everything set up for you.”
“This meeting involves you, I’m afraid. You and the hotel.”
“What?”
Cain introduced the group. Max was bulky, with dark hair and a speculative gleam in his eyes. Mike was red-haired, easy to remember. Carrie was petite and pretty, a brunette who exuded confidence and ability.
“Nice to meet you, Jenny,” Max said for all of them.
“They do technical production in Scottsdale,” Cain explained. “Make commercials, short video clips, documentaries, that kind of thing. Mostly for TV.”
“So they’re here to help with marketing?”
“They’re here to find out what the hell is going on in your hotel.”
“Wait a minute!”
Cain ignored her. “You have the equipment you need?” he asked Max.
“It’s in the van. We’re parked right out front.”
“Get it.” Cain turned back to Jenny. “I assume most of the guests have checked out by now.”
“Yes, but you can’t just come in here and take over like this!”
“They’re going to look around upstairs. If there’s something going on we don’t know about, there’s a good chance they can find out what it is. You want to know the truth, don’t you?”
“Well, I . . .” She turned as the swinging doors opened and the small group walked back in carrying equipment.
