Vince waved them over to the bar just as Richard and Suzy came around the corner from the office. The three of them knew Chloe, of course, and everyone exchanged handshakes and hugs. But it was their first time meeting Jade, and Chase could not have been prouder as he introduced her as his fiancée. When asked, she happily showed them her engagement ring, and there were congratulations all around. No, no date was set, yet.
“Have you seen a Detective Derek Brevard?” Chase asked Vince, knowing this was where they were supposed to meet and hoping they hadn’t missed him.
“Yes, as a matter-of-fact, he said to tell you he’s here,” Vince replied.
“We shot some pool earlier,” Richard said.
“They each won a game, so they’re tied,” Suzy said, looping her arm through Richard’s. “That’s saying something because Richard is the pool king.”
Motioning to someone, Vince said, “Here comes Derek now.”
“Wow!” Chloe gasped. “Oh my God! Jade, you didn’t tell me how handsome he is.”
Jade laughed. “I really didn’t notice. Sorry.”
“I get it. You’re lovestruck and forgiven,” Chloe said and nudged Chase in the ribs with her elbow. “Don’t introduce me.”
“What?” Chase asked in surprise.
“Chase,” Derek called, nearing them. Reaching them, he shook hands with Chase and then said, “Miss Taylor.”
“Please, call me Jade,” she said.
“She agreed to become Jade Cooper tonight,” Chase said, and when he held up Jade’s left hand, she wiggled her fingers.
Derek congratulated them and said, “I haven’t found the right girl, yet.”
Chase half expected Chloe to jump out and introduce herself. But instead, she had eased behind Cash, so he introduced his brother first. The men shook hands, and then, taking hold of his sister’s elbow, Chase tugged a rarely shy Chloe into view. When he introduced her to the detective, Chloe blushed like a schoolgirl. It was the first time Chase saw Derek Brevard smile.
Mostly addressing Chase and Derek, Suzy said, “Something tells me you have business to discuss. You’re welcome to use the office.”
“Derek?” Chase asked, letting him decide since he’d called the meeting.
“That would be much appreciated, Suzy.” Indicating Chase and Jade, Derek said, “Just the three of us for now?”
“You can fill me in later, Chase,” Cash said.
“We’ll commandeer a table,” Richard said. With Suzy’s arm still looped in his, he offered his other arm to Chloe. With a nod, he said, “Come on, Cash-man.”
“Here, Chase.” Vince reached across the bar and handed Chase a key.
“Thanks.” Chase led them down the hall. “The last time I was in here,” he began as they entered the office, “I had no idea where Jade was.”
“Richard, Suzy, and Vince know or can find out most anything in this town,” Derek said as they took chairs around a table in a corner of the office.
“I’ve known Vince and Suzy my whole life,” Chase said, easily imagining the discussions that had gone on around the table. “Richard has been a good friend for years. He’s the reason I got the address.”
Reading between the lines, Derek said, “That address being the Spatafore compound.”
Chase nodded. “What have you found out since being at the ranch, Derek?”
“I’ll tell you about Ragsdale first. Granted he’s a lowlife punk, but no police record until I arrested him.”
“Yeah,” Chase nodded. “We do background checks before we hire a ranch hand, and nothing turned up on Ragsdale.”
“He flew under the radar until he hooked up with Franco.”
“How’d you locate him?” Chase asked.
