Page 76 of Home Town Knight

“Yes, she’s here with me. We’re watching the Alpine Hotel tonight. But she’s going to stay quiet.” I held up my finger in front of my mouth, and she stuck out her tongue.

“Very mature,” I whispered.

“I don’t like to be scolded,” she whispered back.

“If you two can save the foreplay until later, my buddy will give you his report.”

Smiling at Gen, I said, “Go ahead.”

There was a pause. Then a new voice spoke. “Sheriff, this is Cole Bailey. Lynx to my friends, and I’m more than willing to count you among them, given what Aiden’s told me.” He didn’t wait for me to respond, instead plowing forward in his gruff, no-nonsense tone. No wonder he and Aiden were close. “The two intruders fled through the woods around to the other side of Refuge Mountain. One was highly skilled, barely left any sign at all. The second was sloppier. The two weren’t used to working or traveling together. Their path out varied from their path in, but I don’t think that was intentional. There were a couple of points that it looked like they disagreed on where to go. The second guy was slowing the first one down. Making trouble.”

“Interesting. Trace Novo said he took a Beretta from one of them. But the other was carrying a big stick.”

“Looked like an M24 on the surveillance video, from what I could tell,” Lynx said. An older military sniper rifle. Which matched the rifle the killer had been carrying in the original video Gen took of Tucker’s murder.

“Maybe the second guy was his spotter?” I suggested. The snipers I’d known in the Marines hadn’t worked alone, but rather with a spotter to provide info and protection to the shooter. In real military settings, the spotter was a team leader. I guessed here, since the two didn’t know each other well, it was a more haphazard arrangement.

“My thought exactly.” Lynx went on with his report. “The intruders had parked a vehicle on one of the national forest access roads. From there, they drove to the highway, moving away from Hartley. I’ve got photos of their tire treads, and I’ll send them to you.”

“Thanks. That’s better than nothing.”

“But they haven’t come near Last Refuge again?” Genevieve asked.

“There’s no sign of that, no.”

She slumped into her seat at his words. “Thank goodness.” I reached for her hand and tangled our fingers.

“They probably came here thinking Genevieve would be an easy target,” Aiden said, “but when the situation proved otherwise, they retreated. She’s still a witness against whoever killed Ace Tucker, but I’ll bet the guy goes to ground. Smart thing would be for the killer to cut his losses and get as far away from Hartley as possible. He knows Genevieve isn’t unprotected.”

“Damn right, she’s not,” I murmured. “Lynx, are you sticking around for a few days?”

“Planning on it. Been a while since I caught up with Solo.” Lynx chuckled. “Aiden, I mean. He promised me good food, and I don’t mind getting out of the heat.”

I remembered Aiden had said Lynx was based in Mexico City, tracking down sex offenders from the states who’d fled south to avoid justice. “If you wouldn’t mind lending your skills again while you’re here, I might have more for you to do. River and I have been working on a new aspect of this case. Something major that could tie to the Rigsbys and to Dawson Witkins. I realize those names likely don’t mean much to you, Lynx, but they will to Aiden.”

“No shit,” Aiden chimed in. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a long story, and we’re still gathering information. River can update you on what he knows so far.” I glanced over at Gen, holding her gaze. “We can thank Genevieve for bringing it to light. Without her, I’d have no idea what was really going on. But trust me, Aiden, I will share everything I can with you and Trace, since this affects you both. And people you care about.”

I couldn’t say outright how Stillwater connected to Jessi and Scarlett. Not over the phone like this without knowing how much to share with Lynx. But if what Gen had told me was correct, Stillwater had helped Jessi and Scarlett’s abusers to commit their crimes. Plus harming countless others. When Aiden and Trace found out, they’d want blood. I’d be right there with them. Starting with the public official who was doing Stillwater’s bidding, whoever that might be.

The fact that Gen could be in danger from Stillwater just hardened my resolve. Maybe she wasn’tminethe way Jessi was Aiden’s, and Trace’s wife was his. But that didn’t matter. I wouldn’t let anything touch her.

“I’ll do whatever I can to help,” Lynx said. “Just let me know.”

We were about to end the call, but Gen said, “Wait. How are Diane and Cece? The mom and little girl who’re staying at Last Refuge. Are they okay?”

“They’re great,” Aiden assured her. “Just saw them this afternoon. The presence of the intruders last night made them nervous, but they were both smiling today. Actually, Cece asked about you. Wanted to know how you’re doing.”

“Tell her I’m with Sheriff Douglas? She said she liked him.” Gen smiled at me. “Tell her I like him too.”

“I’m stuffed,” Genevieve announced. “Want the rest of my fries?”

“Nah, I already ate all of mine. I’m cutting myself off.” I was pretty sure Dean had packed extra fries for me already. I didn’t get to the gym enough to justify eating like this.

We stuck the containers back in the bag, pushed our seats back as far as they would go, and settled in for the long night.Dean had texted me that Ellis had ordered another beer, so he wasn’t going anywhere for a while.

Gen shifted in her seat to face me. “Tell me more about your family. Your dad’s side. The ranchers.”

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