Page 36 of Caleb's Cause
“Remember when I told you I had a dash camera installed in my car? It faced out the front, and the back, and it was voice activated?”
“Yes, what about it?”
“Whenever it indicated the small card was activated, I would pull it, stick it in an envelope, and insert a new one. That envelope is beneath the carpet under the passenger seat.”
“Where is the car?”
“In Lyle Anderson’s barn, covered with a tarp.”
“Who is Lyle Anderson?” Kevin asked.
“My mother’s boss. My mother is a defense lawyer, and Lyle is the best in LA county. He took my case pro bono because of who I am. Oh shit, what about Mom? Do you know if Grayson would go after her now? Is she in danger?”
“Would you mind if I went there to gather the information and check on her?” Kevin asked. “What’s her name?”
“Ilsa Miller. She never took Larry’s last name of Mason when she married him. She said she didn’t come with me because she wanted to see if she couldn’t gather more incriminating evidence against him.”
“Would that even work?” Lloyd asked. “Why would your mother give Caleb’s father any information. She might think it’s a trap.”
“I could give him the word we used when I was younger. It’s what we would use if any strangers tried to say they were friends with Mom’s and were there to pick me up. That happened five times, and not once did they have the correct code word. I kicked them in the shins and ran when they said the wrong words. It turned out they were some bad people she was trying a case against, and they tried to get to her through me.”
“Good for you, but, Mr. Lassiter, I can’t ask you to do that. This was my fuck up, I should do it.” Duane sighed heavily.
“And play our hand with you being back in the area?” Clark snorted. “No, I’ve heard a lot about Kevin from Ryan over the years. If Ryan trusts him, I trust him. Besides, he’s a cop, and he would be vigilant of his surroundings.” Clark looked at Kevin sternly. “Make sure Katherine’s mother is safe, bring her back here if you have to. I don’t care if it’s kicking and screaming, but bring her here.”
“Understood. Do you mind if I take the tour with you, get something to eat, then head to the airport?”
“Do you mind if I book you a flight?” Katherine asked. “Also, I can get you into a hotel within a mile of Mom’s house.”
“That sounds good,” Kevin said as he stood and started to reached for his wallets, but Erin yelled for him to stop. They all looked at her, and she looked at Clark.
“Do you have the ranch’s card on you?”
“I do.”
“Book it through there. We don’t want any traces to individual people.”
“Smart,” Clark said as he pulled a black credit card and passed it to Katherine.
“I’ll have the information for you when you get back.” She turned to Jake. “May I continue to use this secure computer?”
“Yes.” Jake nodded, and as the men left, leaving all the women, Katherine got to work.
Caleb walkedbeside his father and couldn’t take his eyes off him, when Kevin turned to give him a scowl, he grinned. “Sorry, I just never knew I’d miss you so much. How have you been doing?”
“Good? What about you?”
“If you can wait until after the tour, I’m sure we’ll have time to sit and talk.”
“Okay,” Kevin said with a nod and followed his son over to where Ryan stood with a woman.
“Kevin, this is Prudora, my fiancée. Prudora, this is my brother-in-law, Kevin.”
“Hi,” they both said as they shook hands, and Pru looked at him with a frown. “I’m going to apologize right now. I have a case of TBI, and sometimes I don’t remember things. If I forget your name, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. I will take no offense.”
“Thank you,” she said, and then she opened the door to the back of the truck. She looked at Ryan. “Have Kevin sit up front with you. I’ll sit in the back with Caleb.” They got into the truck, and as they pulled out, Ryan explained about the different ranches, and what each one did. He also explained they were their own separate entities, but were on the same property. Ryan talked until they got to the rise and he stopped to put the truck in park and only pointed out the front windshield.
