Page 44 of Lone Star Hostage

“I own it. It’s no longer a fire station, but I bought it about a couple of years ago with plans to turn it into a work studio. My father loved that place, and I didn’t want to see it torn down.”

Bingo.

Presley and she stood. “When’s the last time you were there?” Presley asked.

“Months,” Joe said on a rise of breath. “You really think they could have taken Victoria there?”

“We need to find out,” Presley said.

Joe gave a shaky nod and went across the room to one of the kitchen drawers. He pulled out a key and handed it to Presley.

“Thanks,” Presley said. “Is there a security system?”

“No. It’s been broken into a couple of times over the years, but there’s nothing to steal. There’s nothing inside it.”

Billie was hoping otherwise. Obviously, so was Presley because he was already heading for the door, and she was right behind him.

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Chapter Fifteen

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Once again, Presley found himself having to shove away thoughts. Of Victoria. Of Olivia.

And now Joe.

His biological family. But he couldn’t think of any of that now. Couldn’t even try to imagine how they might fit into his future. For now, he just had to focus on finding out if Craig and Ellis had had an accomplice. A boss. Because if they did, then Victoria, Billie, and he could still be in the path of a killer.

“I won’t ask if you’re okay,” Billie muttered as they drove out of Joe’s neighborhood.

“Good.” Because he wasn’t.

Maybe it wasn’t the kidnappers’ plan for him to go to the fire station. It was possible he’d never been expected to consider it as a holding place for Victoria. But Ellis and Craig sure as hell had sent him to his childhood home. An emotional twist of a proverbial knife.

So, it was possible this location was meant to do the same thing.

Which led him back to Jesep or Ari.

Jesep, especially since he had personal knowledge of the fire station.

That reminder caused Presley to curse. “Jesep is the one who dumped me,” Presley muttered. “I’ll confront him about that, eventually. Maybe I can do that if he’s arrested.”

“You’re liking Jesep for the kidnapping,” Billie commented, and it wasn’t a question.

“I am. I just don’t know if that’s because he’s actually guilty or if it’s because I want him to be.”

“It could be both.” Then, she paused. “But if Jesep intended to eliminate Victoria and any of her children, he’d have to go after Olivia, too.”

Yeah, Presley had already considered that. “Jesep might have believed Olivia would never learn about Victoria being her mother. No knowledge of it, no claim on Victoria’s vast estate. So, Jesep would inherit everything.”

“True. But that doesn’t let Ari off the hook. He could benefit from a wealthy stepmother, and you, dying if he thought he’d somehow get his hands on Victoria’s money.”

Yes, he could benefit indirectly since he would likely inherit it when his father passed away.

Presley considered that while he continued the drive to Saddle Creek Road. He didn’t need the GPS for this particular destination since he’d come here several times. In fact, he’d driven here on his sixteenth birthday. He’d had a junker car back then, and he’d come to see the place for the first time. Since then, Presley had made two other trips.

Why, he didn’t know.

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