Chapter Nine

“How was she when you saw her?” Aiden asked as he and Frank sat down in the small diner. He couldn’t help wishing they were back at Bracken Ridge right now. Even the coffee tasted better over there.

Frank sighed. “I’m not gonna lie to you, son. She didn’t look good.”

Aiden’s heart sank a little deeper.

“She was sobbing her heart out when we got there. Didn’t notice us at first,” Frank went on. “Said she had a cold or something, but we knew that wasn’t the case. Pretty girl, too.” He took a sip of his coffee.

“Yeah, I think so.” Aiden’s gut wrenched as he thought of Maggie’s soft curves and that beautiful face. “I really like her, you know?”

“Yeah, I see that,” the older guy confirmed. “Judging by how upset she was, I’d say she likes you, too.”

“I don’t think she does right now,” Aiden told him ruefully. “I’ve really hurt her, you know, Frank?”

“Yeah, I know, son.”

“I went back to her place. It was damp. You could see it on the walls. Makes me wonder how people can actually charge rent for places like that.” He seethed as he thought about it.

“So what happened? Josie said you asked her to come do some work for you last night?” Frank looked at him curiously as he took another sip of his drink.

“Josie and I thought we’d found a way to give her some extra money without it looking like a handout,” Aiden answered him, and he went on to explain the whole debacle.

“Ouch.” Frank winced when he’d finished. “I can see that must have hurt.”

“It wasn’t supposed to. I couldn’t just give her money. No way would she accept it.” Aiden knew it sounded feeble. “But she really knows her stuff, Frank. She wrote this book on social niceties—you know, how to entertain guests and things like that. Even how to fold a napkin. I took a look on the Internet. It sold millions.”

“Hmm, that’s why Rossington stayed with her, I suppose,” Frank mused.

“What I don’t get is, why did she stay with him?” Aiden took a sip of his drink as he shook his head.

“Maybe she didn’t think she had a choice,” Frank offered. “Has he got some kind of a hold over her?” He frowned.

Aiden was sick to the pit of his stomach. “God, I hope not.” The thought hadn’t occurred to him before. “I don’t know. She didn’t say, but then, she wouldn’t.” He was sure of that. Maggie Welch was a proud woman and wasn’t about to start telling folk about her problems. Heck, she hadn’t even told him what Rossington had done to her.

Frank shook his head. “No, I don’t suppose she would,” he replied thoughtfully.

They both looked up as Sheriff Shearer strolled over to their table. “Well, it’s not great news, but it’s not all bad either,” he said as he sat down. “The incident was recorded as a burglary, but it seems no fingerprints were found at the scene. It went down as unsolved.”

“Well, at least that’s something.” Frank’s optimism was a great relief to Aiden, who had immediately feared the worst.

“So what exactly does that mean?” Aiden hardly dared ask.

“It means that, according to the county records, there was a burglary committed at the premises, but there’s not much to go on by way of evidence.” Dyson frowned, deep in thought.

“So we can legally look into the case and make inquiries about what was done—or not done—about it. If it turns out the police officers were negligent in their investigations, Maggie will have the right to sue. Either way, Maggie—or her legal representatives—can take action for misconduct,” Frank explained.

Aiden’s heart surged a little. It seemed there was hope, and right now that was all he could wish for.

“The investigating officer was a guy named Campbell Taylor,” Dyson told them. “Not the friendliest of folk, if I remember correctly, but he’s been on the job a long time.”

Frank stood up and shook the sheriff’s hand. “We’ll be careful,” he replied with a smile.

* * * *

Almondine was a real busy town, not like Pelican’s Heath. This place was much bigger and the volume of traffic running up and down the main street made Aiden’s head spin. He certainly hadn’t expected it to be this rammed on a Sunday. Everyone seemed to be rushing about all over the place, and there wasn’t a friendly face in sight.

“What are we gonna do, Frank?” He frowned as he watched the old man take in the scene before them. They were both being jostled by the busy townsfolk as they stood on the sidewalk contemplating their next move.

“We’re just on a fact-finding mission for now, son. Don’t mention anything about Maggie or the missing money. Let’s just see what this guy’s really like.” Frank looked toward the sheriff’s office then his eyes fixed on a small diner not far from it. “Looks like a good place to start,” he muttered, half to himself.

Aiden followed him over. He could see he was certainly going to get his fill of coffee today.

The diner was busy and rowdy, but not in a good way. It wasn’t friendly chatter like they were used to back home. These folks all seemed grouchy about something or other, not least the time it took to get a cup of coffee.

“You harvesting the coffee beans yourself, Ellen?” a scruffy-looking dude moaned over the counter as the guys stood in line.

“I’ve only got one pair of hands, Seth Painter, and you well know it!” The older lady was pouring out some drinks and grimaced at the sarcastic remark.

After that, the woman proceeded to slam down every pot and cup she was using, clearly irked by her customers’ attitudes, which did nothing to welcome the strangers into town.

“Good day, ma’am. I’d like two cups of coffee when you’re ready, please.” Frank tipped his hat and smiled at the woman who stared back at him, agog.

“Coming right up.” She seemed amazed at having a well-mannered customer and clearly wasn’t used to being spoken to so politely.

“Thank you kindly, ma’am.” Frank tipped his hat again as he took the tray from her and turned to where Aiden indicated a vacant table.

“I sure am glad I don’t live here,” Aiden confided once they were comfortably sitting by the window with their drinks.

Frank snickered. “I think it takes a certain type of person to live in a hectic place like this,” he agreed.

They spent a short while soaking in the unpleasant atmosphere. The air was heavy with smoke, and it seemed that Ellen had burned some toast earlier. The food that was carried through from the steamy kitchen looked grease-laden and totally unappetizing, and most of the customers were complaining and groaning about the service—or lack of it. The poor waitress was rushed off her feet, flustered and bad-tempered, and Ellen wasn’t much happier.

A large guy in a deputy’s uniform grabbed Aiden’s attention when he pushed his way right to the front of the line, demanding today’s special. The other customers seemed resigned to his lack of manners, and Aiden guessed this must be normal behavior for the sweaty dude.

“I’ll be sitting over here.” The guy indicated a table next to where the men were sitting, and they watched in horror as a young girl quickly vacated the table for him, despite not having finished her meal.

Aiden caught Frank’s eye and noticed that he was also watching the guy with interest, but they said nothing.

“Any news on my stolen horse, Deputy?” A portly man in an ill-fitting business suit approached him as he stared out of the window. The deputy didn’t even glance up. “I’m on lunch!” he snarled, and the businessman scurried away, muttering a hasty apology.

When the waitress arrived with his meal, the guy only managed a grunt of acknowledgment as he tore his eyes from the street and picked up his fork.

Something told Aiden that this had to be the man they were searching for, and he continued to watch surreptitiously as the guy gobbled down his lunch. His clothes seemed starched and crisp, but his sandy-colored hair was lank and hung in thin strands around his shoulders. His face wore a constant sneer as he occasionally glanced around the diner, mentally daring anyone to interrupt his break. His eyes were small and mean-looking, and thick gingerish stubble peppered his chin. The atmosphere seemed even more uncomfortable and edgy while the guy sat there, and Aiden noted how many people left the diner. The room became much quieter and even Ellen seemed a little more careful with the dishes, although no less sullen in her expression.

Aiden quickly finished his coffee as he caught Frank’s indication that they should leave, and he stood up to follow him out. On their way past the counter, Frank dropped a bill in the jar and was rewarded with a surprised smile from Ellen as she wiped down the coffee machine.

“Excuse me, ma’am.” Frank leaned over the counter to speak quietly to her. “Is that guy the local law enforcer around here?” He cocked his head in the direction of the scruffy dude, and Aiden watched the woman’s face fall into a disparaging leer.

“Yup, that’s Deputy Taylor,” she confirmed with a nod. “He’s all we’ve got, I’m afraid, but don’t expect too much from him.” She rolled her eyes, and Frank chuckled.

“That’s kinda what I thought. Thank you, ma’am.” Frank gave her a conspiratorial grin and tipped his hat politely. The woman afforded him an appreciative smile as they left.

* * * *

“One of the horses has escaped from the bottom field,” Ben told him when Aiden eventually got back to work.

He frowned. “How in hell did that happen?” He was already pulling on his gloves as he followed his brother toward the stables.

“I’ve no idea. Jeremy’s already checked the fence. It’s all secure. Gate was still bolted, too.”

“Any sign of the horse?” They each mounted and set off toward the south of the ranch.

“Jeremy thinks it must have gone over onto Rossington’s land—or, rather, Parry’s.” Ben didn’t look happy.

“Let’s hope he doesn’t notice. Frank reckons he might not have even sobered up yet.”

Ben frowned. “He sure put away a few drinks last night.”

“Probably more like a few bottles, if anyone was counting.” Aiden shook his head.

Jeremy met them at the gate to the south field. It housed twenty-five thoroughbreds, twenty-four of which were grazing happily in the half-light of the setting sun. “Looks like we’re okay, boss. Sam and Ashley have caught up with the horse. They’re bringing him back now.”

Aiden felt a surge of relief. The last thing he wanted was to spend the night searching for a horse, and he wasn’t too sure how amenable Rossington would be to them riding over his land—or, at least, Parry land.

“Did it get far?” Ben looked relieved, too.

“Seems it had gone a fair few miles,” Jeremy told them.

“Damn! It had to be Rossington’s land, of all places.” Ben grimaced.

“You sure everything’s secure here?” Aiden couldn’t help wondering if it was just coincidence.

“Yup. I’ve no idea how it got out,” Jeremy said, frowning. “I double-checked the fences myself. I can’t find any damage or rotten wood.”

“Let me just triple check,” Aiden offered as he dismounted.

The foreman was totally right. There was no sign of any damage or wear on any of the fence panels, and the gate was secure and intact.

“Have the veterinarian check out the horse as soon as they get it back here,” Ben instructed when Aiden returned empty-handed.

“Yes sir.”

“You suspect foul play?” Aiden muttered as they headed back.

“I dunno.” His brother pursed his lips thoughtfully. “But something sure doesn’t add up around here.”