A lawyer? she repeated. Since Hoyts call in the barn, shed tried to keep busy and think about anything but her own horrible suspicions.
Why would you need a lawyer? Hoyt asked.
Colton rubbed a hand over his jaw. To make a long story short, theres at least one law enforcement officer in the county who thinks I killed Jessica Granger.
Hoyt froze, fork in hand. What? I thought she left town.
Emma noticed that her husband had gone very pale.
Apparently, she planned on leaving but I dont think she made it. Neither does the deputy now scouring a spot not far from here for her remains, Colton said, pain in his voice.
I dont understand why they would think someone killed her, Hoyt said and Emma found herself studying her husband. Of course hed be upset about such an allegation against his son, but when he set down his fork, she saw that his hand was shaking.
A bad feeling lodged itself in her chest as Colton proceeded to tell them about a lost letter, finding Jessicas purse buried under a tree root and calling the Sheriffs Department.
Halley Robinson? his brother, Tanner, asked with a smirk. Isnt that the girl that you used to
Shes the new deputy, Colton said, shooting his brother a warning look.
Emma waited for Hoyt to jump in. When he didnt, she felt as if her world had suddenly shifted on its axis and nothing was as it had been just hours before.
Isnt it possible the girl isnt even dead? They havent found anything yet, right? she asked.
Colton shook his head. She wouldnt have left without
her purse.
What does the sheriff have to say about this? Hoyt asked.
From what Ive been able to find out, the sheriff is busy in federal court on another case. This one has been turned over to the state crime team, but a fourteen-year-old possible murder isnt going to be at the top of their list of investigations. Even if the sheriff was in town, Im not sure it would keep Halley from trying to railroad me.
Well, youre just going to have to change this Halley persons mind, Emma said and saw her husband give her a sympathetic smile at her naiveté.
Emmas is one approach, Hoyt said. Well also get you the best lawyer money can buy, just in case you cant convince this woman that youre innocent. I take it the two of you have some kind of history?
You could say that, Tanner said.
His other brothers had been feeding their faces, but now joined in. Wait a minute, Zane said. Thats not that little dark-haired skinny girl
She isnt so little anymore, Dawson said, laughing. I saw her but didnt realize she was Halley Robinson. Shes gorgeous. He let out a whistle.
Emma could see that Colton was at the end of his rope as Logan and Marshall chimed in with similar remarks.
Lets take our dishes into the kitchen and let your father and Colton talk about this alone, she suggested, then stood and gave them each a look that sent the bunch of them quickly to their feet.
Colton shot her a thankful glance as she marched them all to the kitchen and closed the door behind them.
Okay, she said once they were out of hearing range. Tell me about this Halley Robinson.
HALLEY FOUND HER FATHER out in the south forty. He looked up as she came riding in. His face crinkled into a smile at the sight of her and she knew shed made the right decision coming back to Whitehorse, Montana, with him.
Hed missed ranching and she knew the only reason hed left here was because shed been so unhappy. They were the only family they had.
Hey, didnt expect to see you so soon, Geoff Robinson said as he finished tightening the top strand of barbed wire, then pulled off his gloves and turned all his attention to his daughter. Everything all right?
I tried to call you on your cell, she said, swinging down from her horse.
Oh, hell, he said feeling in his pocket. He grinned. Guess I forgot it on the kitchen table. Sorry.
Its all right. I needed the ride anyway. Shed been worried about him when she couldnt reach him and hadnt even thought to check to see if hed taken his cell phone. He hated the damn thing and said one of the reasons hed wanted to come back to Whitehorse was so he didnt have to carry it.
Still it worried her, him being out here alone, even though she could see how happy he was working on this old place.
Should be able to get some cattle soon, he said now, smiling at her. Just a big enough herd to make a little profit and keep us fed. His smile fell. Rough day?
Had to go out to the Chisholm place, she said.
Chisholm, huh.
Colton Chisholm called the Sheriffs Department because he found his former girlfriends purse buried in a spot the two of them used to meet fourteen years ago. Theres a crime tech team searching for her remains as we speak.
Is that right?
She shot him a warning look.
Sorry, he said, holding up his hands. I know that boy drove you crazy but you held your own and quite frankly, I think
I know what you thought, she said, cutting him off. Her father had told her she had to learn to fight her own battles. And she had. She knew he believed it had made her stronger, being raised like a son instead of a daughter.