Page 22 of Truth is the Ultimate Weapon

“I don’t know about handsome,” Devyn made a sour face, “But you aren’t a secret like Tommy either.”

“I second that, and I’m sure Dillon and Cut would agree if they were here.” Coy confirmed, “We’re proud to call you brother.”

“Well, I guess we can at least put part of the mystery around here to rest now,” Nash interjected, shifting the topic, seeming uncharacteristically uneasy with being the center of attention. “Not exactly the kind of break we were looking for, but at least part of the chaos is over. It would have been nice if it was related to the rest of the case we’re dealing with.”

“We’re making progress on those shell companies so we can keep following the money.” Devyn shared. “These companies and holdings are so buried, I wouldn’t have been able to get as far as I have already without the help of your colleagues. Whoever set all this up knows what they’re doing, burying the trail like they have. But, we’re getting there, and soon we’ll be able to retrace Mama’s steps and follow the money –– maybe even make sense of all this.”

“I just wish Uncle Glen had light to shed on that issue, too.” Kenzie chimed in. “Having him drop in like he did and solve the mystery behind the remains was a one-time blessing, it seems. We wouldn’t have ever been able to piece that together like he did.”

“Very grateful for what he did share, though. But I agree. I wish he had more insight into what Mama was doing around here. The land, the wills, the trusts, and bogus companies. It’s pretty telling when she kept the secret even from him. Until his passing, Glen and George were her most trusted confidants. Of course, now we know why they were all so close and looked out for each other.” Coy said.

“Let’s not get too far off track.” Rip intervened. “Knowing the history with Tommy and getting close to the legalities behind the assets and trusts still doesn’t tell us why there were two men –– dead men –– on the property, why Kenzie was attacked, and let’s not forget what started it all.”

“Devyn getting shot at.” Coy finished.

Nash nodded with a shrug, acknowledging the gravity of the situation while also providing an alternate perspective, “Nothing has happened since the guys in the garden, though. Maybe that’s some sort of victory in and of itself?”

“After all, those two could have been behind all of it leading up to that moment.” Kenzie agreed. “The problem could have taken care of itself.”

“You make a good point,” Rip chimed in, expanding upon Kenzie's idea, “Especially since they, along with the others, haven’t been seen in town since.”

“So, all of the violence was related to those plants?” Nash inquired, his tone tinged with a mix of sorrow and perhaps guilt.

Coy sighed, contending with the weight of Nash's question, torn between wanting to spare him pain and the necessity of honesty. “Very well could be, brother. Until we know more, let’s keep Cut and Nora right where they are and away from here for a while longer. I hesitate to let our guard up too prematurely. Just until we’re certain it’s safe.”

“We still have Mama’s will and transactions to figure out anyway,” Devyn agreed, “I still think Ellis Steels is our guy, and there’s a lot more to unbury there.”

Kenzie nodded in agreement, “He definitely knows something, and if provoked, who knows what he’s capable of.”

“Well, you heard Glen –– he doesn’t really know much about Steele, but he feels the same way. Something off about the guy rubs him the wrong way.” Coy added.

“And let’s not forget Owen Bridges.” Nash chimed in, “He said nearly the same thing.”

“Uncle Glen said he’d look into him, see what he can find out.” Kenzie shared with a chuckle, “I think he misses the job a little.”

Rip leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, intertwining his fingers while he shared with the group a theory he’d pieced together, “What if Steele is running some kind of scam, targeting older retirees, or in your mother’s case, the sick?”

“Interesting idea. Go after assets of the vulnerable, maybe?” Coy agreed.

Devyn sighed, “I’m going to go back over that will again with a fresh set of eyes and this new information. See if anything stands out.”

“If Rip’s theory has any merit, Glen, a new retiree, would be perfect prey for Steele.”

“Does Glen have anything substantial, financially, to appeal to the scheme, Kenz?” Coy asked.

“I don’t know about retirement accounts or life savings, of course, but he did just buy that fancy boat he takes out on the ocean and the ranch, of course.”

“Ranch?”

“Yeah. My dad left him half the ranch. We hold equal stake.”

Rip snorted, “And if anything happens to one of you?”

“The trust is set up so that we are each other’s benefactor.”

Coy let out a slow, low whistle, his breath escaping in a soft exhale that carried a mix of surprise and frustration. “You’re kidding me. Who set up the trust?”

“I-I don’t know.” Kenzie stammered, acutely aware of the concern rippling through the group.

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