Page 27 of Christmas Ransom

“I thought you might be onto something when you first mentioned her,” James said. “When I asked who had delivered Carla’s tray, it turned out that one of the aides had volunteered to take it to her, saying she felt sorry for Carla after what had happened at the bank.”

“Sounds like a red flag to me,” Davy said.

“Her name is Debra Anne Watney. She’s been there more than two months now and is a model employee,” James said. “Apparently it’s not unusual for her to help out in any department, and she’s very compassionate with patients.”

“She seemednice,” Carla said.

“And her name doesn’t start withJ,” James pointed out unnecessarily. “But like I said, the tattoo could be about an old girlfriend.”

Davy shook his head. “I felt like there was something off about her. I’d like to find out more about her.” He told him about what they’d learned at the local tattoo parlor. “Big John thinks it might have been inked by a woman named Samantha Elliot at Sam’s Pit in Butte.”

“The tiny heart at the bottom might be her trademark,” Carla said.

“I think you need to tell the feds,” James said.

“We wanted to talk to her first,” Davy said.

“Might be better to let them follow the lead. If it came from Carla and it pans out...”

“You think it might get Grover off my back,” she said and James nodded.

“And if they don’t take it seriously?” Davy demanded. “I think we should make sure and then tell the feds. If it turns out to be another dead end, Agent Grover is going to be even more suspicious of Carla.”

“You make a good point,” James said. “Still, I’d call up there and make sure the tattooist hasn’t taken off for the holidays. Hopefully the woman will be able to help you. In the meantime, Willie said he’d help, but he had a ride-along down at the sheriff’s department. Tommy’s on a stakeout. I’ll see what I can find out about Debra Anne Watney.”

“Willie really is going to become a deputy sheriff?” Davy said, shaking his head.

James nodded thoughtfully. “I hope he knows what he’s doing.” He quickly changed the subject. “Lori called earlier. She and Bella are asking about our plans for the holidays. They were thinking Christmas Eve out at the Worthington Ranch and New Year’s Eve to at least begin at our place,” James said. “They’re delighted Carla will be coming. But we’d also like to have you guys out to our house for dinner one night as well.”

Davy looked over at Carla. “You game?” He hoped he didn’t have to remind her that she’d promised to stay with him for a while.

She hesitated only a moment before she nodded. “Sure. Thank you.”

“Definitely Christmas Eve at Bella’s,” Davy said and smiled, thinking of their last Christmas together. Now he and Carla would be spending Christmas together again—just not the way he’d often dreamed.

CARLACOULDN’THELPbeing disappointed that the hospital employee list hadn’t been fruitful. But it had been a long shot. J could have a friend who worked there, although she couldn’t imagine the sort of person who’d agree to put a note like that on her tray. Surely that person would know through Lonesome’s grapevine that she’d been through enough trauma with the bank robbery. No way would anyone think the note was funny or just a harmless prank.

James was going to check out Debra Anne Watney, but Carla thought that too would be a dead end. She didn’t see it leading anywhere since there had been nothing threatening about the blonde aide. Nor did the woman’s name begin withJ. Carla would have been much happier if they had more of a lead on J.

She’d been thinking about another possible way to find him. She stepped into the conference room and called her boss, president and manager of the bank, Larry Baxter. After he’d asked how she was and said how glad he was that she was out of the hospital, she asked him for the favor she’d been thinking about.

“I know it’s against bank privacy rules, but I have a feeling that the man who attacked me at the bank might have come in recently for a loan,” she told him. “If I could go through the latest requests that I’ve had to deny...” She could hear her boss trying to let her down easy. “If not all of them, then any whose names start with the letterJ.”

“WhyJ?”

“I saw the man’s tattoo. I believe his name begins withJ. I know this request is unorthodox but—”

“I’ll tell you what,” Larry said. “I’ll go through your files and pull out all the ones starting withJ, first and last name. I’m sure you told the federal agents this so they’ll be asking for the same information at some point. But,” he said, lowering his voice. “Because of the circumstances, I’m allowing it for your eyes only, and this stays between the two of us.”

“I think it would be best if you let me know when you have the list ready,” she said. “No need to send it by email. I could meet you at the coffee shop down from the bank.”

“You’re beginning to think like a criminal,” he joked.

“I wish that were true. Then maybe I’d know what the man will do next.”

“How about coffee this afternoon? Two?” Larry asked and she quickly agreed. They wished each other well before he disconnected.

“I need to do some Christmas shopping” she told Davy, knowing he was going to try to stop her. “I don’t have anything for your family.”

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