Page 32 of Tango
Maybe in addition to ‘plugging into computers’ as Dylan says, I’m solar-powered. The thought brings a smile to my face, as does Tango’s hopeful brown gaze.
“All right, boy, you’ve worn me down. Come on.”
He jumps up as I do, then stares at me, almost annoyed, when I pause in the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
I’ve been at this for sixteen hours and barely even surfaced for food. Even then, the only reason I ate is because Mom brought me a plate and practically force-fed me breakfast. Since it’s nearly four in the afternoon, I imagine she’ll be coming around again soon—this time to make sure I don’t skip dinner.
The air is warm, the sun still bright overhead as I make my way out onto my porch. From here, I can barely see the round pen just off the back of the barn where Nova, Elliot’s wife, is working with one of our newest horses.
She’d been a homicide detective before washing up barely alive in our creek a couple of years ago. Now, she’s a valued member of our team, a sister, and an expert with troubled horses. Even more so than the rest of us. She just has that touch, I suppose.
I take a seat on the porch steps as Tango runs around, doing what I call a “puppy freak-out” as he rolls in the grass and retrieves a stick to run around the yard with it. There are no fences, but he remains close.
As I’m sitting here, Bradyn comes over the hill on the back of his horse, Rev. He offers me a wave then guides Rev over toward me before dismounting and tethering his horse to the post in front of my house.
It’s a new addition, something we added a few months ago in front of each of our homes, so when we’re out and about, we can swing by for a restroom break or a quick drink.
“Hey,” he greets, coming to sit in the chair beside me.
“How’s the ride been?”
“Good. I found some loose fencing in the southeast pasture. Got it tightened up.” He removes his leather gloves and sets them beside him. “Any update on the video?”
I take a deep breath. I hate that I haven’t made any progress. Anything that will put Alice in the clear. “No. But I’m telling you, Bradyn, I just don’t see her as a killer.”
“I know you don’t want to,” he says. “But she could be lying.”
I shake my head. “I feel it in my gut.” As of now, Alice is currently sitting in a holding cell in the Pine Creek sheriff’s station. She hasn’t been booked but agreed to be held there until we could be sure she’s not a threat to us or our families. Her parents were less than thrilled, but we told them that we were hoping to get her out within twenty-four hours.
A clock that is quickly running out.
At least there, she’s under constant guard by Gibson Lawson, Pine Creek’s newest sheriff, and someone we’ve known since we were kids. He’ll keep her safe and out of the system until we know what we’re dealing with.
She’d gone willingly too, in exchange for a chance to sit at my computer and pick apart that video on the off chance I couldn’t prove it to be a fake.
“You really think she’s innocent?”
I consider. “I really do, Bradyn. You should have seen her the night they came for her parents. She was terrified after what happened in that alley.”
“Truly terrified or a really great actress,” he adds.
“No. Because if she were acting, she wouldn’t have dropped the front. She’s moved past the shock and into anger. For her friend, her parents, her life—I just don’t see a killer behaving this way. There are tells, you know? And Alice has none of the tells.”
“We can’t hold her forever,” he tells me. “Eventually, we’ll have to make the call. I’ll leave it up to you.”
“I’ll go pick her up today. I’ll offer to let her stay in my guest room. Then we can monitor the exterior of my house to make sure she doesn’t leave.” Since her parents are currently occupying the only extra studio cabin we have for our ranch hands, and I don’t trust her enough to let her stay in my parents’ guest room, mine is the next best option.
“Sounds good. But you need to watch your back too. I don’t want you getting so close to this that you’re not thinking clearly.”
Since I can read between the lines, I arch a brow and look over at him. “I’m not romantically interested in the woman,” I tell him. “So there’s zero chance of getting distracted.”
He doesn’t even try to hide the fact that he doesn’t believe me. “No? You seem awfully interested in clearing her name.”
“Because I believe she’s innocent. I’d be doing the same if it were anyone else in her situation. Just because you, Elliot, and Riley all found love on the job doesn’t mean I’m the same. I have no interest in a relationship—of any kind.”
Bradyn shrugs. “Fine. I’ll drop it. Let me know if you find anything, okay?”
“Will do. You guys are monitoring Web Safe’s movements?”
