“Which could be on camera,” Clay said.
She sighed. “Fine. I’ll figure out what I want to say and email them. For now, let’s go see Rory.”
17
MAKING THE ROUNDS
Rory opened the door to two angry Ridgeway men and an annoyed Gale.
“Come in,” he said. “Gale, you look ready to throttle your brothers.”
“Because they are being unrealistic,” she said.
“You don’t want her to stay alone?” he asked Ford.
“It’s not our preference, but she’ll do what she wants.”
He could offer for her to stay here, but he didn’t think either of the men in this room would like hearing that.
Nor did he have a weapon to defend himself. Something he’d have to talk to Ford about.
Did he think he’d need it? Probably not, but didn’t like not having the option either.
“She can stay on the farm where I can watch her,” Clay said. “If you don’t like the cabin, stay at the ranch with Meredith and me then.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not Reenie who had an abusive ex after her, nor Meredith, with a creepy ex and neighbor causing problems. I know how to take care of myself. Everyone knows me around here. I’ve got eyes on me all thetime. I’m good. You know it. And if I’m not, my little friend Colt can make an appearance.”
Rory lifted his eyebrow at her sarcastic tone about the gun in her purse that he hadn’t been aware she’d carried before today.
“I’m not going to get into the middle of a family fight. It’s on the table on a paper towel.”
He wasn’t leaving it on the floor where it could move around and pick up dust or be stepped on by anyone. He’d lifted it in the corner with a tissue, then laid it on fresh paper towels.
Ford and Clay walked toward the kitchen table, read the message and both swore.
The two of them coming at you in daylight would have most scared, in the dark after threatening their sister... whoever this was better take cover because Rory was going to be right next to them.
“Gale said someone broke into your car?” Ford asked, lifting the paper and bagging it.
He wasn’t so sure he wanted this to be officially on record. He didn’t trust many in this area. Not even the Ridgeway brothers as much as their sister.
“It was a couple of nights ago. I thought it was kids looking for loose change. I’m pretty sure I locked my doors, but the back door wasn’t shut all the way. I don’t know. My mind has been on a lot. Inside, things were moved around in the console. I had some change in there that is gone, which is why I thought that. Nothing else is missing.”
Ford handed the bag to Clay.
“My brother is having that sent out off the record,” Gale said.
“It’s not that I don’t trust my department,” Ford said.
“But you don’t,” Rory said, crossing his arms.
“I don’t know and that is all I’m saying,” Ford said. “I’d rather not worry about people running their mouths. This was big newsfor years and it’s already making the rounds again. It’s best not to feed the ugly beast.”
“Someone wants to shut us up,” he said. “I’m not going to be silenced. This shit just tells me someone is worried what I’m going to discover. Will it lead to Rene’s murderer? That’s the question. I’m not saying it will.”
“That’s what I said,” Gale said. “My brothers want me to request camera footage around my building to see who could have been in it.”
“I can’t believe that if this is tied to Rene’s murder, and the person has kept whatever knowledge they’ve got secret for years, they would be stupid enough to get caught on camera.”
