Page 65 of His Forgotten Colton Fiancee
Chapter 13
Enough of this.
One attempt on Quinn’s life was too many. And now with the attack, West felt certain Tia’s killer would try again soon as she was alone.
Outside Finn Colton’s office the following morning, West paced with restless energy. Right now her business partner was Quinn-sitting until West got home. He refused to take chances and leave her alone.
TakingQuinn away meant she’d be safe. He planned to stick to her constantly and take her to visit Pine Paradise. With Tia’s death, the cabins were empty and the property in dispute with Tia’s heirs.
If he took Quinn there, perhaps it would jar her into remembering.
The door opened and Finn Colton gestured. “Come in, Brand.”
Once inside, Colton pointed to one of two chairs set before thedesk. “Sit.”
I’m not my dog.But he sat, hands folded on his lap, waiting. Watching.
What the hell did Colton know? Did Quinn and Demi’s cousin, the police chief of Red Ridge, hide knowledge of Demi’s whereabouts?
His boss, Mike, thought as much. The Coltons in town were thick, she’d told him. But after living in Red Ridge for more than a month, he knew better. Rusty Colton barelyspoke to his offspring and Rusty was considered the lowlife in town. Finn Colton might be related to Demi, but the man had honor.
He studied the desktop. Clean, neat, photos in frames. Not too many. Files piled to one side, pencil cup holding several pens and pencils. An American flag standing beside the credenza behind the desk.
Colton’s office was functional, no real hint of the steelypersonality.
Colton might be his temporary boss, but when it came to Quinn’s personal welfare, West had decided he was in charge. And he would not tolerate interference.
“I need three days off. I’m taking Quinn out of town.” West tightened his jaw. “She’s not safe here and unless she’s with me 24/7, she’s in danger. Whoever attacked her will try again, and this time, he won’t stop untilhe finishes the job.”
“Let me talk some sense into you.” Colton began to walk around. Brand knew the maneuver, had done it several times himself.
Circled the subject, tossed him off guard, made him sweat, wonder what your next move was.
Moved so he couldn’t read your expression. Power play.
Colton stopped. “Let’s say you do take Quinn away to protect her. In the meantime, you’renot doing your job. You’re a top-notch field investigator, Brand. You came highly recommended by your district supervisor. That means for every day you have away from the crime scene, away from the office, protecting my cousin, it’s another day the killer has to slip further away.”
He’d already prepared for that question.
“Jogging her memory so Quinn remembers everything is pertinent.She’s our only witness. Last night’s attack caused her to remember the unsub smoked cigars that smelled like burned coffee and spice. Details like that are critical.”
Finn said nothing, only kept pacing. Finally he stopped, turned.
“I need to know exactly where you’re headed. Name, contact information.”
Fair enough. “A friend owns a cabin in the canyon, near Pine Paradise Cabins. Secluded,ingress and egress limited from the main road. And there’s an electric fence around the property.” West did not smile. “Problems with poachers on the land.”
Colton’s mouth thinned. “This isn’t a field trip merely to hide Quinn. You’re going to take a second look at Pine Paradise while you’re there. We already checked out the property. You think it’s worth a second look?”
“Yes. A much morethorough look.” He watched his boss, saw Colton mentally size up the idea.
“You don’t have a search warrant. I could get you a bench warrant, but there’s no need.” Colton considered. “I’ll talk to the attorney handling the estate, who gave us the keys to the cabins, have it on the QT that you’re headed there and get you the keys.”
The rigid tension gripping him eased a little. “Do anyof her relatives know why the sale to the Larson brothers went south?”
“They didn’t even know Tia was selling the property. Tia had two brothers, both Realtors in Colorado. They’d planned to stay there for a week in September and do some fishing.” Finn considered. “The property’s been in the family for generations. They were shocked she even considered selling. Her grandfather left it to herin his will because she spent all her summers there growing up.”
And yet Tia was willing to sell it for a fast buck. Tia kept secrets of her own, it seemed. “How well did the Larsons and Tia get along? Other than romantically?”
