Page 81 of Space Oddities

She simply has a warrant out for her arrest in relation to a felony theft. After an additional bit of searching, I found that for theft to be considered a felony the stolen items have to be worth more than a certain amount.

Now, I was only in her trailer that one time, and true, I wasn’t in the best mindset, but it wasn’t like it was bedazzled in diamonds. It doesn’t sit right, thinking of Trish as a thief.

I’ve also made a call to Gary Ranos. Turns out heisa private detective out of Georgia. He’s willing to talk just as soon as the wire transfer I sent him clears. Makes me wonder how ethical the guy is if he’s willing to reveal confidential information as long as the price is right.

“It’ll be just a few more minutes, Mr. Kincaid.” I look up at the dealership receptionist, Dale, who pokes his head into the waiting area. “Can I get you more coffee?” He nods at the empty mug at my side.

It’s surprisingly good coffee. But as my leg is already bouncing a mile a minute, I think I better cool it with the caffeine. “I’m good, but thanks.”

My phone, still in my hand, rings, and with my coffee jitters I nearly drop it. “Hello?”

“The money cleared.” Gary Ranos’ voice comes through distant, as though it’s a bad connection.

I stand, nodding. “Good.” Not wanting to be overheard, I make my way to the front doors of the dealership. “Tell me who hired you.”

“Chad Mitchell.”

I push back on the glass doors, a wave of afternoon heat hitting me, Houston seemingly forgetting that it’s fall. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”

“He’s the son of Judge Randall Mitchell, the one who accused Patricia Anne Garrett LaRue of stealing.”

A judge. Great.

“Mitchell hired me to find Patty and ask her to return to Georgia with me.”

It takes me a second to realize Patty is Trish. “Not to help arrest her?”

“No, sir.” Between Ranos’ muffled voice and a loud smack, I realize he’s chewing. “He specifically told me to keep the police out of it.”

I think back on everything Jules told me about the encounter she had with the private decretive the night Gary Ranos came knocking on Trish’s door. “Then why did you mention the police when you went to the trailer?”

“Well, ah, truthfully…” Ranos clears his throat. “You see, in my experience women are more likely to comply when the authorities are mentioned.”

In other words, he thought he could frighten a single woman all alone into doing what he wanted. I take a breath but let the curse words bubbling up my throat settle back down.Focus.

“Did Mitchell tell you why he wanted Trish to come back to Georgia if it isn’t to arrest her?”

“Nope.” Ranos takes another bite. “Didn’t even tell me about the warrant.” Swallow. “I found that out myself when I did a simple background check on her before setting out to find her.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, the pain helping to keep my annoyance at bay. “What did he say when you told him you’d found her?”

“He was pleased.” Smacking followed by a belch. “But then pissed when I said she’d disappeared again.”

Mentally I cross my fingers. “Have you found her since she moved?”

“Nope, but I figure she’s still in the Houston area. That clunker truck of hers doesn’t look like it’ll make it out of town.” Chewing. “That’s how I found her the first time. Apparently, it was her grandfather’s truck. Doesn’t look like she can make herself get rid of it.” He snorts. “Sentimentality always gets you caught in the end.”

I want to both punch Ranos and hug Trish. It’s an interesting war of emotion.

“But what with the Wests’ security team following Julie Starr and her friends around,” Ranos continues, “I haven’t been able to get close or find out where she’s crashing.” Swallow.

That pulls me up short. Holt’s having the girls tailed by his security team, huh? I bet Jules wouldlovethat little piece of information.

“How thorough is this background check of yours?”

“The best.” The slurping of liquid through a straw has me moving my phone from my ear. “But it’ll cost you.”

I pinch harder. “I’ll wire double what I just paid you if you can email it to me ASAP.”

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