Page 6 of Murder at Rescue Ridge

One look exchanged between them told her everything she needed to know. They were going to tackle this together.

“Thank you for stopping by,”Conrad told Deputy Combs, clasping his hands together.” If there’s nothing else you need from me, I’d like to get back to work.”

“I have your statement,” Sandy said. “I’m not judging you as a flight risk. However, be warned that I’m not only putting my reputation on the line by not arresting you, but I’m putting my boss’s on the line, too.”

She didn’t need to spell it out. Conrad was painfully aware his actions reflected on the acting sheriff.

“Understood,” was all he said before shifting his gaze to Travis, who nodded.

After a quick round of goodbyes, Conrad was alone with Nikki.

“I’d ask for a list of people who don’t like my father or who might have had a disagreement with him lately, but I’m afraid the list will be too long,” Nikki said, taking a seat opposite the desk. There were two leather chairs on the other side of the massive oak desk. An executive chair sat prominently behind the oak. It was expensive leather. The kind of chair that reminded everyone who entered the space who was in charge. Aside from the desk and chairs, a trophy case lined the back wall. Beaumont had believed in winners and nothing else.

“Our fathers had a lot in common,” Conrad said, sighing. “But something you said has been bothering me.”

“What’s that?”

“You asked who might want to set me up,” he said.

“I was angry,” she admitted, “throwing out the first words that came to mind.”

“Doesn’t mean you weren’t right.”

Nikki leaned back in the chair. Her dark brow furrowed. She resembled a younger Lily Collins. Conrad had seen the actress in an airport once. Nikki was even more beautiful with her long, silky, raven-colored hair. She put her elbows on the armrests and steepled her fingers as she sank deeper into the chair. The wordsdeep in thoughtcame to mind as her gaze unfocused.

A second later, Kade knocked on the open door. He was the oldest of the siblings. Beaumont had given Kade the most responsibility in the will. However, Kade wanted nothing to do with the ranch or taking his “rightful” place at the helm. Changing the ranch’s name had helped convince him to stay on while they made final decisions. Making room for underperforming or injured racehorses to live out their lives in peace instead of being destroyed had also helped convince Kade to stick around. Most of the siblings were eager to sell the place at the will reading but needed a unanimous vote. Their half-brother Beau had been the holdout. Conrad hadn’t made up his mind yet. There hadn’t been a whole helluva lot of good times growing up here. But just like injured horses, he wasn’t ready to chunk the ranch. Instead, he wanted time to figure out if the place was redeemable.

Kade’s gaze shifted to Nikki almost immediately. Recognition dawned. “If this is a bad time to talk, I can come back.”

“Come in,” Conrad said. It was almost dinner time. His stomach picked that moment to remind him of the fact.

“I’m Nikki.”

“I know,” Kade said. “Don’t get up.”

“It’s been a long time,” she said.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Kade stated. Having a family had softened some of his older brother’s rough edges.

“Thank you,” Nikki said.

“How are you holding up?” Kade asked, shifting his focus to Conrad.

Conrad grimaced. “As well as can be expected.”

“I know we can’t collect on any of the inheritance, but I have a little money saved in case you need bail.” Kade shook his head; a look of frustration darkened his features. “The twins are on their way back to the ranch.”

“Is that necessary?”

“The family wants to rally around you,” Kade said.

They’d learned to have each other’s backs growing up under Beaumont’s abuse, but each family member had gotten the hell out the minute they’d turned legal age and/or graduated high school. Chloe, the only female in the family, had taken off at seventeen.

“I appreciate it,” Conrad said.

“I’d like to be involved in the investigation on the Sturgess side,” Nikki interjected.

Kade lifted an eyebrow. “Thanks for the offer, but we—”

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