She was planning to leave earlier, but I asked her to stay. Im sure shell be leaving in the morning.
Hud nodded. She could tell he would be glad when
Stacy was gone. Dana couldnt blame him. Her sister had hurt them both. But she desperately wanted to believe Stacy had changed. For Ellas sake.
Unfortunately, like her husband, Dana had a niggling feeling that Stacy wasnt being completely honest about the real reason shed come to the ranch.
EXHAUSTED, JORDAN WENT BACK TO his cabin, locked the door and fell into bed with the intention of sleeping the rest of the day.
Unfortunately, Deputy Marshal Liza Turner had other plans for him.
What do you want? he said when he opened the cabin door a little after eleven oclock that morning to find her standing outside. He leaned a hip into the door-jamb and crossed his arms as he took her in.
What do I want? Sleep, more money, better hours, breakfast.
I cant help you with most of that, but I could use food. Ill buy.
She smiled. I know a place that serves breakfast all day. We can eat and talk.
No murder talk until Ive had coffee.
Agreed.
Liza drove them to the upper mountain. The huge unpaved parking lots sat empty. None of the lifts moved on the mountain except for the gondolas that rocked gently in the breeze.
Its like a ghost town up here, he commented as they got out of her patrol SUV.
I like the quiet. Good place to talk. Most everything is closed still. Fortunately, there are enough locals that a few places stay open.
The café was small and nearly empty. Liza led him outside to a table under an umbrella. The sun was low to the south, but still warm enough it was comfortable outside. A waitress brought them coffee while they looked at the menu.
Jordan ordered ham and eggs, hashbrowns and whole wheat toast.
Ill have the same, Liza said and handed back the menu. As soon as the waitress was out of earshot, she said, You didnt mention last night that you and the victim were no longer friends at the end of your high school years.
So you spoke with Hud. He looked toward the mountains where snow dusted the peaks, making them gleam blinding bright. It was a stupid disagreement over a woman, all right? Just high school stuff.
She nodded, not buying it. What girl?
I dont even remember.
Lizas look called him a liar, but she let it go. Im still confused why he contacted you. He must have had other friends locally he would have talked to.
Obviously he must have talked to someone locally. One of them knew where he was going last night and killed him. Jordan said nothing as the waitress served their breakfasts. He picked up his fork. Look, do we have to talk about this while we eat? I feel like I got him killed.
You cant blame yourself, or worse, try to take the law into your own hands. She eyed him for a long moment. Why would I suspect thats what youre planning to do?
He chuckled. If you talked to my brother-in-law he would have told you that Im not that ambitious. Anyway, youre the deputy marshal. Im sure youll find his killer.
She took a bite of toast, chewed and swallowed before she said, You contacted Tanners girlfriend from his senior year in high school.
Jordan took her measure. Why, Liza, youve been checking up on me. I contacted Shelby before I went up to the falls last night. She said she had nothing to say to me about Tanner. That was high school and so far back, she barely remembers.
You didnt believe her? Liza asked between bites.
Jordan laughed. High school was Shelbys glory days. Just check out our yearbook. She is on every page either as president or queen of something. Not to mention she was dating Tanner Cole, the most popular guy in school. She was in her element. Id bet those were the best days of her life and that nothing she has done since will ever compare.
Liza considered that for a long moment before she asked, So you talked to Shelby before last night. Before the only word Alex got out after he was shot was her name?
Like I said, she and Tanner dated.
When you talked to Shelby, did you mention Alex or where you were meeting him?
He gave her an exasperated look. Do you really think Im that stupid? Alex was acting terrified. I wasnt about to say anything until I talked to him.
And yet you called Shelby.
Yeah. I just told her I was in the area as if I was here for the twenty-year reunion and worked Tanner into the conversation. I didnt realize then that anything I might do could put anyone in danger, including her.
Thats so noble. But I thought you didnt like her. In fact, I thought you were instrumental in breaking up her and Tanner.
He shook his head and took a bite of his breakfast. Youre determined to ruin my appetite, arent you?
Is it true?
I couldnt stand Shelby and that bunch she ran with. But youre wrong. I had nothing to do with breaking her and Tanner up, no matter what Hud thinks, as Im sure thats where you got your information.
Liza lifted a brow. You werent the one who snitched on her?
Wasnt me. He met her gaze. Why keep questioning me if you arent going to believe anything I say?