Adjusting his mental state to full on protection mode, he said. "He was out here to look at some paperwork I found in the house."
She rolled her eyes. "You'll have to do better than that. Why wouldn't he tell you to bring some old paperwork into this office instead of coming all the way out here in person?"
"I wanted him to witness where I found it and we took pictures to document it." He improvised.
"I still don't understand why him. I mean thereareother lawyers in town."
She was a wily one all right. It'd be difficult to fool her for long. But he had to make an effort to keep her in the dark as long as possible. To honor her father's wishes; even though he didn't agree with them.
"He was my daddy's friend a long time ago. I just thought he was the best one to call in."
She narrowed her eyes. "What, exactly, was this paperwork about?"
"I can't tell you. You're daddy said to keep quiet about it."
She laughed. "You are so full of it, Ian. This is the worst story I've heard in a long time. And I don't believe a word of it."
Ham stood up from his position by the door they'd come in. His ears twitched forward and back, and his lips raised a bit. Instantly, Ian went on alert. The dog obviously was hearing someone other than the two of them.
He stood up, reaching for Piper's hand. "Come on. Let's head on back to town. I'm sure you've got things to do and I have to meet my mama."
His eyes scanned the area for anyone lurking all the way back to the house. He breathed a sigh of relief when Piper's tail lights disappeared into the red dust of the gravel road.
Someone had been out here listening and watching. He would bet his life on it. If it hadn't been for that darn dog, he might have missed the clues. This couldn't continue if he was going to protect Matt MacKenzie --- and, by extension, Piper. Distraction on his part could prove deadly.
Grimly he set out to pace the perimeter of his land. Looking for evidence of the intrude Ham had heard. Someone sneaking and spying out here would not be tolerated.
