Page 46 of Reckoning with the Cowboy
“Are you talking about the biker who’s working for Cordell at the hotel?”
She nodded. “He’s bad news.”
Max studied her for a long moment. “I’m sure you tried to talk to your sister about him.” He nodded at the face she mugged. “Didn’t go well, huh?”
“I’ve never seen her more serious about anyone.”
“You know I can’t arrest him until he breaks the law. I checked like you asked. He’s not on parole. He’s out free and clear. But if you’re right about the man and since he’s only been out of prison for a short time, I wouldn’t be surprised if he went back pretty fast.”
“Doesn’t it bother you that he was at the same prison as Roger Grimes?”
The sheriff sat back in his chair. “What are you suggesting?”
Max hadn’t been the same since what had happened with Roger Grimes and the man Grimes had hired to try to terrorize his stepsons, Josie thought. She blamed it on Max being wounded and almost dying. Something like that could change a person. She had to come to grips with the part she’d played and knew so had Cordell. But the two of them were built differently from Max.
She wondered if it didn’t run deeper than Grimes, since Max had made no effort to get Goldie back into his life. In fact, from what Goldie had told her, it was just the opposite. For Max, their love affair was over.
“What if Shane knew Roger Grimes in prison, maybe got information from him, targeted my sister? Roger found out everything he needed to know about this town and the people in it through his pen pal Esther. Doesn’t it seem possible that Shane Wagner is doing the same thing?”
“For what purpose? Grimes was looking for Cordell and me. What connection does the biker have to Dry Gulch?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “Maybe only my sister.”
“Josie, that prison is huge. The chance the two men even crossed paths is rare,” Max said.
She shook her head, unable to put her fears into words. All she knew was that Shane Wagner was going to do something terrible that involved her sister. “The man scares me. He’s trouble and I’m afraid he’s going to hurt Amy Sue and not just break her heart.”
The sheriff sat forward, clearly anxious to go home and put the day behind him—Shane Wagner with it. “My hands are tied until he commits a crime.” He got to his feet. “Sorry. I can’t believe your sister would be interested in a guy like that. I’m sure it won’t last.”
“My sister has no idea what kind of man he is.”
“But you do,” Max said, eyeing her closely. He let out a curse. “If she’s as enamored as you say, she won’t listen and I’m sure he’ll make excuses for his past behavior and swear he’s a changed man. That’s how Roger Grimes convinced my mother that he was the answer to her prayers.” He picked up his Stetson as he rose. “If I were to talk to him, I promise you, it would only make matters worse. Just try not to make it worse. Cordell and I told our mother what Roger was doing to us and she refused to believe it—right up until probably the moment he pushed her down the stairs and killed her.”
“Max, that makes me feel so much better,” Josie said sarcastically.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
As she was leaving the sheriff’s department, Josie almost collided with Cordell.
“Hey!” he said, grabbing her shoulders to keep her from falling. “I was just thinking about you.” She was in no mood, still bristling after their so-called dinner date. “I’m guessing you’ve met my new employee, Shane.”
“I really wish you hadn’t hired him,” she cried.
He held up both hands. “He’s a good worker. What’s the problem?”
She sighed and brushed a lock of hair back from her face as she fought tears. “Have a few hours?” She’d been joking, but he immediately took her up on it.
“I have all night. Why don’t you come over to the hotel with me. We can talk there. I’ll order us something to eat. I bought a bottle of wine with you in mind already.”
He’d bought her wine? She eyed him suspiciously. How far was he going to take this game he was playing with her? Right now, she was in no mood for games. But she really needed to talk, and he was offering. “You’re on.”
They walked the few blocks to the hotel, and he led her inside. She could see that he’d done more work. Once he had rooms available, it appeared he could open. “It looks really good in here.”
“Don’t sound so surprised. Sit. I’ll get the wine.”
She took a seat in one of the deep leather chairs he’d added in front of the fireplace. He returned with the wine and two glasses and took a chair across from her.
“Tell me,” he said as he poured her a glass and then one for himself.
