Gage leaned forward, intently listening to Sandoval now. This was it, he could feel it in his gut. Whatever Sandoval knew, it was the key to finding out who really killed Steven Dawkins and clearing Suzanna’s name.
“What kind of deal?”
Sandoval motioned for the two men who’d stood sentry ever since Gage had gotten there, and they quietly exited the room.
“What I’m going to tell you is for your ears only. I will not testify in open court, and I sincerely doubt that a prosecutor would sanction me as a credible witness.”
“I understand. What did Blackthorn say?”
“He wanted Steven Dawkins dead. It had to happen before the public launch of the microchip. Once Dawkins was out of the picture, he felt it would be easy to manipulate Suzanna Dawkins into signing over controlling interest in the company to him. Blackthorn was aware Dawkins would leave everything to his wife in his will. Once the will was through probate, ifhe couldn’t convince Suzanna to give him controlling interest, well, let’s simply say she wouldn’t be around to cause him any problems. After that, the ‘glitch’ with the microchips would miraculously be fixed, and he’d coordinate the launch of the biggest technological breakthrough since the home computer. And lucky him, all the money would be flowing into his pockets, not Dawkins and certainly not his wife’s.”
“I knew that little weasel had something to do with Dawkins’ death.”
Sandoval pointed to a large envelope lying on the coffee table. “Inside there is all the evidence you’ll need to take down Blackthorn. Dates and times he met with the person he hired to kill Dawkins. Proof that both Dawkins and his wife were drugged with strong sedatives the night he died, which is why she didn’t wake up when Dawkins was being killed. There is proof of the hitman being paid twenty-five thousand dollars to take out Dawkins.”
Sandoval handed the envelope to Gage. He couldn’t stop staring at it, afraid to open it, because it seemed too good to be true.
“Why are you helping?”
“That’s a hard question to answer, Mr. Newsome. We both know I am not a good man. I have done many, many horrible things to get to where I am today. While I am not ashamed of where I come from, what I am, I would have liked to be a better man. Maybe if I’d met people like your Boudreaus, things might have turned out differently. But, I’m trying to make amends in small ways while I can.”
“While you can?” Suddenly, Gage knew. The pallor, the brackets of pain around his mouth. Sandoval was dying.
“You have guessed correctly. I am dying. As I said, I have not always been a good man, but I do not wish to leave this world allowing another bad man to get away with hurting an innocentwoman, simply because of greed. I understand greed, have given in to its sweet seduction far too many times. Suzanna Dawkins deserves to see justice for her husband, and Donald Blackthorn deserves whatever penalty the United States government throws his way and more. But I am not God, and I will not be the one standing in judgment. All I can do is provide you with the evidence and the truth. It is up to you to use it as you see fit.”
“I’m sorry, Sandoval.” Gage tapped the envelope against his hand. “And I give you my word, I’ll make sure Blackthorn doesn’t get away with hurting anybody else.”
Sandoval stood and offered his hand. “Then our business here is finished, though I have the feeling you haven’t heard the last of me just yet, Mr. Newsome.” He walked to stand in front of the fireplace, his back now to Gage. “My men will make sure you are returned to Shiloh Springs.”
Gage turned and walked toward the door before stopping, his back now to Sandoval and uttered the two words he never thought he’d ever speak to the man.
“Thank you.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Idon’t thinkthis is a good idea.”
“I swear, Ranger, between you and Bas, I’d never take a step outside of the Big House if you had your way.” Suzanna smoothed down her skirt, wondering why she felt so nervous about seeing Elizabeth. She’d barely slept the night before, tossing and turning, the thought of Donald and Elizabeth breaking up saddened her. For the years she’d known them, while things hadn’t always been perfect, she couldn’t imagine Donald seeing another woman. Especially his administrative assistant, Cheryl. She and Elizabeth were polar opposites, both in demeanor and looks.
“Tell me again why Mrs. Blackthorn didn’t want to meet at a restaurant?” Ranger’s hands on the steering wheel were relaxed as he drove through downtown Dallas traffic, headed for Highland Park and the Blackthorn home. Elizabeth had asked Suzanna to meet at her house, saying it would give them some much-needed privacy to talk about Donald and his paramour.
“Elizabeth and her husband are having a few personal problems, and she said she’d feel more comfortable if we discussed things without public scrutiny.
“Ah, she thinks he’s having an affair.”
“How’d you figure that out?”
Ranger huffed out a brief chuckle. “Not my first rodeo. I’ve worked for Carpenter Security Services for a long time. We not only protect people, we have to do investigative work for ourclients. Cheating spouses isn’t just a cliché. You’d be surprised how many men step out on their wives…and vice versa.”
“That’s sad. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I believe in happily ever after.” As soon as she said it, Suzanna’s thoughts went to Gage. Not Steven. And that saddened her, because she knew that while she’d probably have stayed married to Steven for the rest of her life, it wouldn’t have been the soul mate, bound by eternal love match that she’d secretly craved. When she thought about Steven, it was with a fondness of shared friendship, not the soul-stealing passion where you couldn’t stand to be apart from the person you loved.
Ranger smiled, the look of tenderness and yearning on his face apparent. “I believe in happily ever after too. I’m in it for the long haul with my Sarah. We had a bit of a rough start, and, yes, I was a jackass, but I realized she was the love of my life. Still is.”
“I’m glad you found your one-and-only. Most of us don’t.”
They drove in silence for a few more miles, finally pulling into the massive driveway of the Blackthorn home. Though she’d been there just two days before, Suzanna felt a chill come over her when she stared up at the mansion. Call it a premonition, or maybe Ranger’s suspicions rubbing off on her, but she suddenly didn’t want to walk through those doors. She started to tell Ranger she’d changed her mind, but before she could, the front doors were flung open, and Elizabeth stood in the opening, the gaudy backdrop a stark contrast to her black-on-black silk pantsuit.
“I’m telling you, Suzanna, something feels off about this whole lunch meeting. Stay on your toes, and if you get even an inkling of anything squirrely, we are out of there. Got it?”
