* * *
“I’m notsure I want to see what’s in there,” Emily whispered, dread seeping into her bones.
Because Cameron had put Emily’s name on the safety deposit box, they had no problem getting access once she showed her ID.
“It’s time to find your answers.” Jake put his arm around her shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze.
Emily nodded.It is time.She turned the key and Jake pulled out the box and set it on the table in the center of the room. Emily shivered as she lifted the lid. Why dothey keep this room so cold?
Inside the box, lay a single sheet of folded paper and a thumb drive.
“That’s it?” She took out the paper and read it. Pain filled her chest, and she gasped for air. “He knew. He knew they would kill him.”
Jake looked over her shoulder. She held the paper so he could see Cameron’s scrawled cursive.
I, Cameron Adam Anderson, being of sound health and mind and fearing for my life do hereby leave all my worldly possessions, investments, and wealth to my sister, Emily Anderson.
It was signed and dated the day Cameron was killed. He’d even had it notarized. In a postscript across the bottom of the page was written,I’m sorry, Emmy.
“I’m so sorry,” Jake whispered against her hair as he held her close.
Emily wanted to sink into Jake’s comforting embrace and let him push away her pain. But she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t continue to be the victim. Needing to find the strength to take control of her life again, she picked up the thumb drive.
“Two people are dead because of this?” Heat filled her chest, radiating through her body. What secrets did it hold that were worth the lives of two good men?
As if reading her thoughts, Jake said, “Hopefully, it holds the answer to who killed your father and brother and why. Would you like me to carry it for you?”
Emily nodded. She was all too happy to hand over the thumb drive. Besides, her dress had no pockets and she needed her hands free to maneuver on her crutches.
Jake replaced the box and removed the key. While Emily canceled the safety deposit box and returned the key, Jake texted Robert to let him know they were on their way out.
A sense of foreboding filled Emily as they rode the elevator down to the parking garage. Would the information on the thumb drive lead them to the man trying to kill her before he succeeded?
It’ll all be over soon.Then she could go home and try to pick up the pieces of her life. The thought of leaving the ranch and Jake was almost as painful as losing her brother. But she needed to leave before she got in too deep.
As they exited the elevator and rounded the corner, a large, hooded figure in a dark sweatshirt charged them and shoved Jake to the ground.
Emily watched in shock as his head slammed into the concrete. She teetered, losing her balance. A strong arm yanked her upright before she could hit the ground and snaked around her neck, jerking her back against a solid chest. The cold barrel of a revolver pressed against her temple.
“Jake!” Emily cried out, her voice weaker than she’d intended. Her crutch fell to the floor as the hooded man dragged her backward.
He’s going to kill me.Emily’s good leg trembled, and her breath came in sharp, short bursts. The pulse pounding in her ears muted Jake’s groan.
He staggered to his feet, shaking his head. “Stop!”
The hooded man halted their backward motion. “Stay out of this, and you won’t get hurt.”
An icy chill snaked up Emily’s spine. She’d heard that voice before, from the back of the SUV. This was the man who killed her brother. And he now pointed his gun at Jake.
“Sorry, I can’t do that.” Jake pulled the thumb drive from his pocket and held up his hands, palms forward. “I’ve got what you want.”
The rock-hard chest pressed against Emily’s back rumbled with a growl.Did the big ox honestly expect me to be carrying the thumb drive?
“Let her go, and I’ll give you the drive.” Jake’s voice was hard as flint.
Emily had never heard that tone from Jake before. All gentleness was gone, replaced by anger and something else. Fear, maybe?
Her eyes never left Jake’s face as the tension in the ox’s body shifted while he weighed his options.What are you thinking, Jake? Please don’t do anything stupid.
