Seeing an opening, Rhett stopped walking and turned to him. “Exactly how did they die?”
“I don’t know exactly what happened.” Bowman narrowed his eyes and peered into the distance. “They went to check fences in the north pasture. It had been a warm day and your mother wanted to take a ride. Your grandparents had been down for the weekend and had left with you. A wild storm blew over. We figure they went into the old fishing cabin to take shelter and it was hit by lightning and burned to the ground. Some say it was an act of God, but none of us could figure out how it could possibly happen to a good man like your pa.”
Slightly giddy, finally knowing the truth, Rhett swallowed the bile creeping up the back of his throat. His parents had burned to death in a fire. No wonder nobody told him. It was horrific. When Julie took his hand and squeezed, he straightened and glanced at Carter. The agent stood before a painting of cattle being herded through the open plains with cowboys on galloping horses. The artwork looked like a photograph, the scene an exquisite glimpse into times gone by. Overwhelmed, he turned to Bowman. “I’ve held you up long enough. We’ll take a look around and make a list of everything I need. When I’m done here, if you have anyone available to show me around, I’d appreciate it. Is there a map of the place? I’d like to explore once the ground is drier.”
“I can arrange for one of the leading hands to give you a tour and explain how things are done around here.” Bowman met his gaze. “The cleaning service was arranged by Sam Cross. Maybe they’ll extend their visits or do you prefer someone to live in?”
Rhett shrugged. “I’ll see what’s needed and then talk to Sam.” He smiled. “Thanks for your help. I’m very lucky to have such an efficient manager working the ranch.”
“Well, thank you. I do my best to keep things running smoothly.” Bowman’s forehead creased into a frown. “It’s been my home for a long time. It’s a great place to raise kids.” He turned to leave. “I’ll be in the office when you’re done here.”
As the door closed behind him, Rhett stared back at the painting and noticed more pictures hanging all along the hallway. He indicated to the work of art with his chin. “Is that real?”
“It sure looks real to me.” Carter smiled around his toothpick. “You never mentioned your pa was loaded. He was only twenty-five when he died and had been working the ranch for only a few years. How did he come by his fortune?”
Rhett shook his head. “I have absolutely no idea—but I intend to find out.”
Twenty-Eight
Black Rock Falls
Raven glanced up as Kane walked into the kitchen running a hand through his tousled hair. He’d never seen Kane with a hair out of place. Somehow that man kept himself immaculate most times. Now he carried a worried expression and dark circles under his eyes. “Is Jackson feeling better?”
“Once I dressed him, he fussed. I picked him up and he fell asleep on my shoulder.” Kane gave Jenna a thin smile. “The bath and Tylenol worked. He’s not burning up right now. I put him to bed.”
Raven buttered toast. “He will get hot again unless he gets the meds. Wolfe might give him a shot to hurry things along.” He took in Kane’s exhausted stance. “You look like you could do with more than toast. Anything I can get you?”
“Thanks, but I can manage. Right now, I need protein.” Kane went to the fridge and pulled out the eggs. “Tell Jenna about the new suspect. I’ll get us some eggs.” He went to work.
Noting the evident exhaustion and worry etched in their faces, Raven looked at Kane. “If you have chores, I’m happy to do them. I’m great with horses.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it, but Carter handled everything this morning.” Kane smiled. “He even held Jackson while I took a shower. For a tough guy, he has a heart of gold.”
Raven smiled. “That’s good to know.” He sat beside Jenna and explained his suspicions about Bill Larkin. “The thing is, why would the women in the group speak to him when Dave had already recommended a safe contractor?” He turned to Jenna. “We figured he goes door-to-door looking for work.”
“In that case, he’d have murdered people outside the group as well.” Jenna frowned. “It can’t be a coincidence that three members of the women working on self-defense are murdered in the same week.” She nibbled on a slice of toast and then leaned back from the table as Kane slid a plate of eggs in front of her. “There’s something else linking him to the women, or we’re missing a clue.”
Surprised when Kane placed a loaded plate in front of him, Raven’s stomach growled in appreciation. He had skipped breakfast, his need to speak to Jenna a priority. “Thanks.”
“Okay.” Kane sat at the table and ate a large forkful of golden scrambled eggs glistening with butter. “We need to make a list of who is inside the group’s circle.” He spread butter on a slice of toast. “The women, and you, me, and Rio. Who else showed up at the meetings apart from the list of suspects we already have?”
Raven cast his mind back. “Maya Trent’s grandpa dropped by once or twice and Jolene Hurst’s mom. I’ve spoken to both of them and they are very supportive of the group. I had dinner invitations from both of them.”
“They probably imagined you were a good candidate to date their relatives.” Jenna chuckled. “We have a town filled with matchmakers.”
“Getting back to Bill Larkin.” Kane eyed Raven over the rim of his cup. “Do a background check on him. If he comes up clean, go and see him. Find out where he was at the time of the homicides.”
Raven nodded. “Yeah, as it’s Saturday, there’s a chance he’ll be at home. From what I gather he works from a home office, orders what he needs, and then installs them.”
“That sounds like a plan.” Jenna leaned back in her chair. “Make sure you call in your location if you’re going to see him alone. I don’t like my deputies interviewing suspects without backup.”
Raven nodded. “He lives in town on Fern. I checked out his location and there’s neighbors each side of him. I don’t figure he’ll risk trying to take me down in broad daylight.”
“That’s if we’re dealing with a normal guy.” Kane twirled his cup in his fingertips. “If he’s a psychopath, all bets are off.”
Sipping his coffee and wondering how everything he ate or drank in the house tasted so good, he nodded. “I’m aware and I’ll have Ben with me. He has a great instinct and will act fast if anyone attacks me.”
“I’m assuming you’re wearing one of Kalo’s belt buckles?” Kane raised one dark eyebrow. “I know using a tracker for a guy seems like a cop-out, but it saves lives. There will be times when you can’t get to your phone or radio. In this town, having a tracker is a must and it’s not accessed by anyone unless you activate it, so there’s no privacy issues.”
