Page 47 of Murder at Rescue Ridge

Was she still talking about the bruises and cuts?

“Yes, ma’am,” Nikki said, figuring that went for Beau if his story about the deal turned out to be true. It was unsettling that Lukas Wayne had disappeared.

“Be careful,” Sandy warned.

“I will,” Nikki said. “Did you mean what you said about making sure Conrad could get out of that ankle monitor?”

“Yes, why?”

“No reason,” Nikki said. “It sucks that he’s being treated like a criminal when he’s one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.”

“He has an assault record in Colorado,” Sandy reminded.

“I know,” Nikki said. “Things aren’t always what they seem on the surface.” She should know. Her mother had learned the lesson the hard way, getting married and having a child with Nikki’s biological father. Thinking everything would magically work out had been the downfall.

It dawned on Nikki what the deputy might have hinted about. Would one of Heath’s workers take it upon themselves to do away with Harrison? Her entire nervous system reacted to the thought. Did that mean it was true?

“I’ve only spoken to him a couple of times,” Sandy said. “Sheriff Barrett thinks the world of his soon-to-be brother-in-law, though.”

“Do you trust the sheriff’s judgment?”

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Sandy admitted.

“All right then.” Good to know.

“If you think of anything else you’d like to say or if any details come back to you, call dispatch,” Sandy said. “They’ll know how to get hold of me or another deputy on duty.”

“Will do.” Although going to the law hadn’t proved useful yet.

“If you change your mind about pressing charges, call me.”

“Will do,” Nikki said.

Sandy nodded, looking resigned the call would never come.

“Thank you for stopping by,” Nikki said.

“My pleasure.”

As Sandy walked away, the notion that one of Heath’s workers could be responsible for Harrison’s death and Conrad’s setup resonated more and more. Could she confront Heath about the theory without causing a blowup?

She turned around as the light in the office cut off.

Conrad opened the front door two seconds later. “We need to talk.”

16

“What are the chances your stepfather is involved in Harrison’s murder?”

The question had to be asked no matter how much it might hurt Nikki. A theory had emerged as Conrad had replayed events in his mind.

“Directly?” She shook her head like she couldn’t even consider the possibility. “None. But I was just speaking to the deputy about the probability one of his workers decided to impress him. My stepfather hasn’t made a secret out of wanting to adopt me.”

“Wait,” Conrad said. “Why?”

“The ship has sailed for my mother to have more children after a hysterectomy five years ago,” she said. “I’m Heath’s only chance at a daughter or son.”

“Would that change your last name?” he asked.

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