Chapter 24
Because I’d been taken to the hospital, I missed the final takedown. But I heard about it afterward. John had been arrested in the middle of the rodeo competition and taken into custody by the FBI. When they’d searched his house, they found Monica unconscious in her bed and barely alive with an empty liquor bottle in her hands and a half empty vial of pills by her side. It’s almost like she knew the end was near.
They’d chased Pete down to Nathan’s daddy’s farm. He’d been working as if nothing was amiss in the world. Dan had been hauled out of the bank in handcuffs.
Federal charges of robbery, kidnapping, murder, and attempted murder awaited all of them. Each would be going away for a long time.
I’d spent my time wasting away in the hospital waiting for a doctor to wrap my ankle. It had been a sprain just like I thought, but it took an x-ray before Nathan and the doctors were convinced.
I’d been relieved of the bag containing the robbery money. Only six hundred thousand out of a million had been recovered. Maybe one day when the wind died down, I might go snooping for the remainder if they hadn’t spent it.
Back at Nathan’s house, I resigned myself to the porch, staring out at the equipment in the field. My leg was propped up on the swing, taking up the length of the cushion as I faced the open field.
The entire family missed the benefit because of everything that happened. Mildred went in their place. I was sure the town would understand when word got out. It was like the Murrays had to mourn Jenna all over again.
Nathan moved my leg and sat down next to me, putting my foot in his lap. He kissed me. “The FBI needs me to report in.”
“I figured.” I smiled up at him and laid my head on the back of the swing. “I’m not leaving just yet. Your dad said I could stay as long as I wanted.”
Nathan caressed my hair. “You know I was serious about you and me being an actual thing.”
“Describething,” I teased just as the porch door opened.
William Murray came strolling out with Amanda. She sat on the railing and hugged one of the beams. She was wearing the shiny new belt buckle she’d won from competition.
William took a seat next to dad, who I don’t think had moved from his seat the entire time I’d been in town.
William leaned in and handed Nathan a leather-bound book. “That was your mom’s. It’s got the names of everyone she helped disappear. Keep it safe, son. If Dan knew about the book, there’s no telling if he told anyone else. It’s no longer safe on the property.”
“What’s going to happen to Marty?” Amanda asked.
“He’s eighteen years old and a good kid. He’ll probably go stay with his aunt,” Nathan said.
Amanda frowned. Sadness filled her eyes.
“You know, long distance relationships can work. I’m sure you’ll even see him at other competitions and rodeos,” I said trying to offer more hope.
“I guess,” she said as she met my gaze.
“Don’t worry, Amanda Panda. I’ll make sure he’s taken care of and not lost in the shuffle, and I’ll tell you where he lands. He didn’t have anything to do with our mom’s death. He shouldn’t be penalized for who his father is,” Nathan said.
A little bit of hope shined through her hazel eyes.
Nathan and I stayed on the swing most of the day, doing nothing more than talking and being with each other. We’d bonded, and I’d fallen for him. We’d gone from almost dying together, to saving each other, to solving a murder. We were a fantastic team. How in the heck we’d make any type of relationship work, going forward, I hadn’t a clue. But now I understood Amanda’s stance.
Nathan had packed and pulled the suitcase onto the porch. His dad had the keys in his hand and patted his son on the back before he grabbed the luggage. Nathan closed the distance between us. He leaned down and kissed me. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
I cupped his cheeks and kissed him. “That’s probably good. I don’t know where I’ll be, you know…in case you’re interested in finding me.”
“Cassie, I love you.” His words were a whisper before he walked off.
He left me speechless on the porch, staring after them and the dust being kicked up as they drove away.
“That boy knows how to go in for the kill, just like my daughter, his momma,” the old man announced.
My head reared back at the sound of his raspy, little used voice. “And here I thought this whole time that you were William’s daddy.”
“Nope,” he said matter-of-factly. “Jenna’s first husband was a sorry piece of dog crap, and she told me she was going to run because he hit her. She hid it for a long time until one of her friends realized what was going on. This was a long time ago, but that’s what started us down this crazy path. She just had to find the will to leave, and no way was I letting my baby girl go running off without me. Although I offered to kill for her, she wouldn’t let me do it.”
