“I hope your background is military, because you and I are about the same age.” Her eyes twinkled. “Call me Ellie, please.”
“Hi, Ellie,” he said. “Mr. Crockett, I will have the information you requested by 1600.” Chad excused himself.
“Did you sleep well, Curly?” Wes sighed.
“I did. I don’t think I can say the same for you?” She stopped herself from palming his cheek.
“There was a work emergency,” he said flatly.
She twirled a wisp of her hair. “Is everything alright?”
“Fine. Would you join me for dinner tonight?”
“Yes, I’d like that.” She chewed her lip.
“I’ll pick you up at seven. What’s your agenda today?”
“We’re going to spend time with the animals and, after lunch, go for a ride.” Excitement colored her tone.
Wes’s expression turned dark. “Ellie, promise me this time, as long as Pete says it’s okay, and if so, you won’t ride alone.”
She crunched her brows. “I’ve been riding since I could sit.” She looked into his face and saw a tinge of fear. She’d seen that expression in the face of one other person. She took his hand between hers. “I promise. I’ll see you later.” She gave him a tiny wave.
* * *
Wes forced himself to eat some of the food Eleanor brought him. It had been a long time since someone cared about him like that. He watched her leave.
Once she was out of his sightline, he headed out to his office. Chad Thorn had advised him that all the staff was present or accounted for. The identity of the burned body remained unknown. Until they knew that, a motive was also elusive.
He closed his office door behind him and dialed Tate Webster, head of the DC branch. The training center fell under his command. “Morning. You read my mind. I was going to call you. How’s Troy?” Tate answered.
“Morning. He’s struggling, with one major exception: he’s on point with anything work-related,” Wes answered.
“Then the program will be good for him. New staff settling in?”
“Hmm. Yeah.”
“What’s distracting you?” Tate asked.
“At 0312, a cabin on the south edge went up in flames. Beside it, a stake with a burning body attached. The night operators extinguished the body, and FD put out what was left of the cabin. All staff accounted for. Sheriff’s office and fire marshal are investigating. Zulu Team is finishing their requalification testing. I put them to work. Tango Team is arriving today. Troy is beginning the research.” He told him what Cabe said. “I sent the report to tech on Monday.”
“The forensics unit should be to you any minute. Troy requested it,” Tate chuckled.
“I told you he was on point,” Wes said proudly.
“Are you planning to hold course?”
“Yes. I have no idea what this was about. Maybe tech can sort through Cabe’s files and find something. I’ve increased patrols and housing security. But unless I have a clear reason to shut down, I’m not.”
“I agree. Watch your back. I’m also gonna send you an extra level-three security team. You can use the bodies. Now for the reason I was about to call you: forensics took a hard look at Eleanor West’s accident. There was no evidence of a cow, but there was also no evidence of the Jetta’s tracks.”
“Someone cleared the scene?” Wes asked.
“Likely. And we found her prints, your prints, other women’s prints and other men’s prints. We are waiting on the elimination prints from the deputy and EMS providers.”
“Ellie said she heard another voice before mine. What the hell is that about? Damn, Tate, I’ll send you my report. Have you seen Kieran? I sent him an email and haven’t heard back.”
“He’s distracted. Colin is in Children’s Hospital. They thought it was meningitis, but it’s bilateral ear infections. They’re holding the little guy until it’s safe enough for tubes.”
