“Loud and clear.”
Climbing from the SUV, she met Elizabeth at the door.
“I’m so glad you came.” Elizabeth stared at Ranger, and Suzanna knew she was taking in his dark good looks, his militarybearing, though she knew Elizabeth couldn’t see the handgun tucked into his waistband, covered by his shirt. Ranger took his bodyguard duty seriously, staying close enough he could react to any threat, yet far enough away to give her the illusion of privacy.
“Elizabeth, this is Ranger Boudreau. He’s my bodyguard. Don’t worry, he’s a professional, and won’t repeat anything he might overhear.”
Elizabeth ushered them into the front parlor, motioning for them to sit. Suzanna did, while Ranger moved to stand by the window, edging the curtain out of the way so he could keep watch outside and still watch the doorway.
“I can’t believe you need a bodyguard. It’s all so James Bond-like. Somebody really tried to kidnap you in New Orleans?”
“Yes. It was terrifying. He pushed his way into my hotel room right as I was leaving. I don’t know if he was lying in wait outside my door, of if he just happened to be there at just the right time. He demanded money. Lots of money.”
“I don’t know what I would have done. You’re always so together, so brave. I’d have fallen to pieces, been a total mess.”
Suzanna’s attention was caught by Ranger, who’d pulled out his phone and typed in a quick text before turning back to the window. “I was scared, but I really didn’t panic until I saw the gun.”
“Gun? He…he might have killed you.” Elizabeth raised her hand to her mouth, eyes wide.
“Luckily, I had somebody show up who was able to save the day. The gun did go off. Luckily, it was only a scratch. Didn’t even need stitches.”
“You were shot? I swear, if that happened to me I’d never leave my house again.”
Suzanna doubted that. Elizabeth was a social person, loved being around others, and being the center of attention at theirluncheons and charity events. Knowing her, she’d probably have had the kidnapper working for the committee before the afternoon was over.
“Enough about me. Tell me about you and Donald. What’s going on?”
“Oh, it’s a long story. How about something to drink? I made some sweet tea. Lunch will be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
Standing, she quickly moved to a sideboard where a large crystal pitcher filled with sweet iced tea sat, along with matching glasses filled with ice. Pouring three glasses, she passed one to Suzanna and one to Ranger, before taking the final one for herself, and resuming her seat.
“Thank you. Please, tell me about you. I’ve been so worried, ever since you told me yesterday that you think Donald is having an affair. What makes you think he’s cheating on you?” Suzanna raised the glass to her mouth, taking a sip. It was cold and really sweet, far sweeter than she liked, but she drank it anyway, not wanting to hurt Elizabeth’s feelings. From the corner of her eye she saw Ranger take a drink, grimacing at the taste. Yeah, she thought, it’s too sweet for him too.
“I saw them together. At the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Dallas. They didn’t see me. I had a lunch meeting with Ellen Bishop. Donald told me he’d be in the office the entire day. Why else would he be at a hotel in the middle of the afternoon, with his skanky assistant, if he wasn’t sleeping with her.”
“There could be another reason, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Maybe it was an unexpected meeting with a client. That happens. Steven got called to meetings outside of the office all the time, and I know he wasn’t sleeping with anybody else.”
“It wasn’t just that. There are charges on the credit cards for things—stuff—like flowers and jewelry. Trust me, he wasn’t giving me jewelry, and that man hasn’t sent me flowers since we got married. Not even on our anniversary. Oh, I take that back,I did get flowers once on Valentine’s Day. I think that was only because you and Steven were coming over to dinner, and he didn’t want to look bad.”
“That’s still not…not…proof.” Suzanna blinked at the sudden brightness in the room. And was she slurring her words together? She looked over at Ranger and saw him sway, grabbing at the drapes as he fell forward. “Elizabeth?”
“Would you pass out already? Here drink a little more.” She thrust the tea glass against Suzanna’s lips, forcing more of the sweet concoction into her mouth. With the glass against her lips, she had no choice but to swallow. She blinked once, twice, and then her lids refused to open and all she saw was blackness.
Once back inShiloh Springs, Gage headed directly for Rafe’s office. He’d spent the entire ride back from Austin studying the evidence Sandoval gave him. It was definitive proof that Suzanna did not kill Steven Dawkins. She couldn’t have, she’d been drugged, dosed with a powerful sedative. So had Steven. He’d probably never woken up, even when his throat was slit. Explained the lack of defensive wounds.
Sandoval had given him printouts of everything he’d said, along with a flash drive. Gage wanted to see what was on there, but right now he needed to let Rafe know he was safe and sound. Then he’d call Detective Jansen and share the good news with him that there was enough evidence to arrest Donald Blackthorn for Steven’s murder, and to exonerate Suzanna of any wrongdoing in her husband’s death.
The limo let him out in front of Daisy’s place, right by his rental car. While he hated to be indebted to Sandoval, for once he was grateful to the man. Felt bad that he was dying, but at least he was trying to do the right thing as one of his final acts.Didn’t excuse all the horrible, monstrous things he’d done on clawing his way to the top of the heap, but this one counted in Gage’s book.
He’d started toward Rafe’s office when his phone rang. Caller ID said it was Bas.
“Hey, Bas, what’s up?”
“Gage, you hear anything from Ranger?”
A twitch started in the pit of his stomach. “Not since he left with Suzanna, headed toward Dallas. Why?”
“He sent me a weird text a little while ago. I was helping Douglas with something and didn’t see it until a couple minutes ago.”
