He only cared what Gale thought. The emotions she’d let loose only added more onto his overloaded plate.
At any other point in his life, or any other circumstance, he could focus on her more. But he had to stay sharp for what was happening.
Not just for himself and Rene, but Gale also.
“I didn’t want that to happen.”
“We can’t always control that shit.”
He went to his room and threw some clothes into a bag for a few days. He hadn’t decided how long he was going to be there, but he’d be prepared. If anyone came back, they’d see his stuff for now. It didn’t seem to him they were too interested in confronting him face to face.
“I think this guy is a coward,” Rory said. “Your thoughts?”
“Agreed, but why do you say that?”
“Because he’s been hiding for years. And now he’s scared and comes out, but everything he’s done is when no one is around. He’s watching and waiting, then making his move when he thinks he can get away with it. Do most criminals do that? Sure. But this is different. It’s escalating, but he’s still keepinghis distance at the same time. Paper notes, breaking in and only going after paper again, then tampering with my brake lines.”
Ford had said it was done here at his rental cabin. They’d seen some fluid that he hadn’t noticed. His guess was it was done last night, and since it had rained again before this morning, there were no footprints anywhere.
It gave them somewhat of a timeline. Maybe. He was in bed at midnight, but his bedroom was in the back, so he might not have heard anyone in the front, but the lights were on. The rain started around three.
It didn’t matter much and he wasn’t sure why he was fixated on that over other things. Or maybe it was his injured pride that this guy had gotten so close to him when he was right inside. Twice now.
“Anyone who preys on women and kids is a coward,” Clay said.
Rory picked up his bag and went to the bathroom, threw some things in there and walked out. Clay was looking around the living room. “I’m set. My laptop is in your truck.”
When they were back in Clay’s truck, Gale’s brother turned to him. “Does it bother you being this close to what happened to your sister?”
“Yeah. But not enough to give up. If this person thought that, they’re mistaken. Be honest, you would have come back long before me.”
Clay shrugged. “Doesn’t matter what I would or wouldn’t have done. I don’t know myself. But I know I wouldn’t rest until I had answers.”
“I’m not either. I can’t. I can’t leave here now without finding this person.”
“Is it only that or Gale that is keeping you here?”
“I don’t know. I want to say they are equal, but it’s hard to tell.” The frown on Clay’s face didn’t deter him. “You mightnot like knowing your sister isn’t first, but you understand that putting her first might put her at risk. I’m balancing that too.”
“Been there and done that,” Clay said. “We’ve got her back.”
“Then you’ll convince her to stay at the cabin next to you while I’m there?”
“I’ll be shocked if she stays more than tonight. She really hates the place.”
It made him wonder what he was getting himself into.
“I don’t need her ticked off at me for being there,” he said.
“She’ll get over it.”
They pulled onto the Ridgeway property, drove past the barn, the cafe, Gale’s parents’ house and a cluster of trees, then a ranch he was assuming was Clay’s, more trees and a dirt driveway that led to a small cabin. Rustic was an understatement.
Tiny, right up there with it.
“Who used to live here originally?” he asked.
“I think my grandparents started here before the ranch and then the farmhouse. Or it was a hunting cabin for guys since my grandmother didn’t care for many people in the house.”
