Page 41 of Rawhide and Ransom

Annalee smiled at the way Rex’s furry back legs dangled below her daughter’s waistline. “Isn’t he a little big to carry around?”

Miley’s voice wafted back to her as she stepped out the door Hawk had left open. “Carrying him is part of his domestication process.”

Annalee chuckled. “She has an answer for everything, doesn’t she?”

“She’s an amazing kid.” Hawk dipped his head over hers. “Not a surprise, since she was raised by an amazing woman.”

“Thank you. I try.” She leaned into his kiss. It was several minutes before she picked up the thread from their earlier conversation.

“I’d like to test out a theory and call Miley’s old number.” She knew how crazy it sounded, but she hastened to explain her reasoning. “The cell phone company told me the number has been reassigned, but what if the lady who says she took my life as a ransom was the one who requested it? I know how sick that sounds, but we’re talking about someone who’s admittedly trying to step into my skin.”

Hawk’s gaze narrowed as he considered her theory. “It feels like a long shot. A very long shot.”

“It makes a weird sort of sense, though.” She scrambled for a way to flesh out what she meant. “She moved into our home and tried to take over my life, Hawk. If she managed to get Miley’s old phone number reassigned to her, she’s right this second intercepting all kinds of communication intended for our family. Appointment reminders. Calls from friends who don’t yet realize Miley’s number has changed. There’s even the possibility I might fall back on old habits and call the old number.” She paused a beat before adding the point she’d been working her way up to. “Or call it on purpose to interrogate the creep.”

He looked intrigued. “Let’s say she picks up the phone. What’s the first thing you’ll ask her?”

“I don’t know. I’ll think of something. She was pretty dodgy the last two times I tried to speak with her. This time, I mainly want to record a sample of her voice. And if we’re really fortunate, we might even be able to pinpoint her location.”

“Not a bad idea.” He dug out his own cell phone. “My only request before you make contact is to bring Johnny in on it. He’s probably at the office.” He placed a call to Lonestar Security, mashing the speaker phone button so she could listen in.

“Tucker Pratt speaking.” The voice of one of his other P.I. friends boomed across the line. “Oh, hey there, Hawk! Whatcha need?”

“Thought I called Johnny.”

“You did, but the tribal council has him chasing down another lead,” Tucker informed him cheerfully. “Anything I can do for you in the meantime?”

“What I need is some recording equipment and a way to triangulate a call,” Hawk replied.

“I gotcha covered, bro. Wanna meet me here at the office?”

Hawk glanced at his watch. “We can be there about twenty minutes from now.”

“We?” Tucker sounded surprised.

“Me and Annalee.”

“Ah. See you shortly.” He ended the call.

* * *

Annalee was impressedby the beautiful old brick and stone city building they drove up to.

“It used to be a bank,” Hawk explained as he drove into the parking garage. The attendant waved him through without stopping him. He waved back and grabbed the first available parking spot.

He had to swipe his employee badge to let them in through the back entrance.

A rugged cowboy in jeans, boots, and a Stetson was waiting for them. He beckoned them to follow him into a small conference room. “I’m Tucker Pratt, by the way,” he tossed over his shoulder, giving Annalee’s yellow hoodie and cutoff jean shorts an appreciative look that had Hawk bristling.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Annalee Gilbert.” She wished she’d thought to change into jeans before taking off, but it was too late for that. She waved her hands at the maze of electronic equipment piled on the conference table. “Thanks for going to all of this trouble for us.”

“My pleasure.” Tucker grinned at her.

Hawk stepped between them to hold out a chair for her. “You ready for what comes next?”

She found the question endearing. “No, but I’m ready to get it over with. Close enough, right?”

“Then let’s do this.” He turned a chair beside hers around to straddle it. Then he gestured at Tucker. “You’re up.”

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