“Outbid him on a deal to buy a cluster of moly claims. Claims turned out to be very productive, worth way more than we paid for them. Ray wasn’t happy.”
She looked back down at the list. “Rance Decker, Tank Rosen, and Butch Steel.”
“Guys in the gang I ran with after I dropped out of high school. They were pissed when I reformed, went back to school, and left them behind.”
“Even more pissed, I imagine, as you became more and more successful.”
He just shrugged. “Probably.” He flicked her a sideways glance. “Like I told Nick, depending on how you look at it, I’ve probably got an army of enemies out there.”
Jenny studied the list. “I don’t see Barton Harwell’s name. Your former partner couldn’t have been happy after you bought him out and then found molybdenum on the claims he sold.”
“I haven’t seen Bart in years. Last I heard, he was somewhere down in South America. Besides, the price I paid him at the time was more than fair. Bart was happy to take the money.”
“His name should still be on the list.”
“Fine, if that’s what you think, write it down.”
Jenny took a pen out of her purse and made a note on the paper.
“I see Ryder Vance’s name.” Steel Cobras was typed in parenthesis beside it. “Your run-in with Ryder happened after King was stolen.”
“True, but this is a list of my enemies, and I think Ryder would consider himself one of them.”
She nodded. “Couldn’t hurt to have him checked out.” She looked back down at the list. “What about women? Maryann Whelan, your former employee, is the only female on the list.”
Cain’s gaze sliced to hers. “I try not to make enemies of the women I spend time with.”
“I don’t think that’s possible. There are bound to be a few you’ve slept with who felt used or betrayed, some who might want to take revenge for being dumped.”
Cain sighed. “Let me give it some thought.”
Jenny didn’t press him. There had to be a string of women who were pissed when he ended their affair, brief as it might have been. It wasn’t hard to imagine herself in that role. She wouldn’t be angry, she realized. She would be brokenhearted.
Since it was bound to happen sooner or later, Jenny shoved the depressing thought away.
For the rest of the trip, the scenery kept her entertained. Before they reached Prescott, Cain made the turn north toward Kirkland. As the Jag drove through the rolling desert hills, the miles slipped past. Up ahead, she could see the green, irrigated pastures of the ranch. The Jag turned down the narrow lane toward the sprawling Spanish-style house, and Maria came out on the front porch to greet them.
Cain stopped the car, turned off the engine, and both of them climbed out.
Maria smiled as they approached. She wiped her hands on the yellow apron tied over her jeans. “Welcome. You are just in time for lunch, Señor Cain.”
“Great. I’m starving. You remember Jenny?”
“Sí.Welcome back, Señora.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to see you again.”
“I will set places for you both in the sun-room.”
Cain grabbed the small overnight bags they had brought, carried them into the house and down the hall to his room. Jenny wandered the house, ending up in an intimate glass-walled space filled with plants, some of them overgrowing their colorful pots. It was the perfect room for a day like today, sunny, but tinged with a sharp October chill.
The table was set with bright-colored place mats and pottery plates. Maria walked in, carrying a tray laden with bowls emitting the delicious aroma of chilies and brazed meat.
“That smells delicious,” Jenny said.
Maria flicked her a glance. “So the two of you are still together.” She took the food off the tray and set the bowls in the middle of the table.
“You didn’t think we would be?” Jenny replied. “Well, neither did I.”
