* * *
It was late the next morning when he finally awoke. Jenny lay next to him, still deeply asleep. Cain rolled onto his side and just watched her, enjoying the way her pretty golden-brown curls spread over his pillow. He had never really considered marriage and family. He was extremely self-sufficient. He’d never needed anyone but himself.
Then he’d met Jenny. She’d brought light and love into his life, and Cain finally found something he needed more than his freedom, something he had been searching for without even knowing. Cain needed Jenny. He wanted to marry her. Have children with her.
He wanted them to make a life together.
Cain left her sleeping and went into his study. First, he needed to solve the problems at the Star.
He had phoned Nick late last night and left a message, but hadn’t heard back from him. Nick was digging deeper into Anna Hobbs. Cain was sure he’d come up with something that would prove what Cain already believed.
That Anna Hobbs was behind the trouble at the Copper Star.
Cain made a few more calls before Nick’s return call came in.
“I can’t believe the Copper Star burned down last night,” Nick said, responding to the message Cain had left on his cell. “I hope everyone got out all right.”
Cain spotted Jenny standing in the doorway, dressed in jeans and a dark green sweater, her pretty hair pulled back in a curly ponytail. They would have to go back down to the Star today. It was an ugly reality, but they had no choice.
“We’re waiting for final word. So far it looks that way.” Cain motioned Jenny over. “Jenny’s here. I’m putting you on speaker.”
“Hi, Jenny,” Nick said. “Sorry about the fire.”
“It was really bad, Nick.”
“If there’s anything you need me to do . . .”
“Jenny’s brother was staying in the hotel with his girlfriend last night,” Cain explained. “He’s a firefighter in Prescott. His actions last night saved lives.”
“I’ve met Dylan. He’s a good man. Looks like he’s a hero now.”
“Looks that way.”
“I probably shouldn’t be making any wild leaps here, but after your call last night . . . are you thinking Anna Hobbs set the fire?”
Cain grunted. “I don’t think Anna would want to get her hands dirty. I think she paid someone to do it. I’m expecting Jenny to get a call this morning from the arson squad.”
“So I guess I’m still working the case.”
“Until we know the fire was accidental.”
“If it was.”
“Yeah.” Which Cain doubted. “Tell me you found something on Anna.”
“That’s easy. Anna’s about to go down for the murder of her husband, Arthur Somerset. Turns out the grieving widow bought a box of thallium over the internet a week before poor old Arthur succumbed.”
“Rat poison.”
“That’s right,” Nick said. “No odor. No taste. Just a sprinkle here and there in a cup of coffee or Arthur’s five o’clock martini.”
“Conveniently, he died just a month or so after their marriage,” Cain said.
“Correct,” Nick said. “Right after he’d changed his will.”
Cain flicked a glance at Jenny, who perched on the edge of a chair on the other side of the desk. “I didn’t think you could buy that stuff on the internet anymore,” Cain said.
“It’s hard to get hold of, but Anna managed. Too bad she wasn’t able to erase the record of her purchase.”
