Page 24 of The Cowboy's Justice

“For starters, how did you leave? You didn’t take your other car.”

“I went out the back gate. Did you forget I have a friend who lives out here? Anyway, I’m at her place.”

“I should come and get you. ”

“Hold on, William, she needs me for a second,” Portia exclaimed, hastily touching the mute button. “Devlin, that’s true. I’m close to Helen Rutherford. She married a rancher named Andy Baker whose sister is Annie Baker, the famous country and western singer.”

“I know, they’re friends of mine, but get away from the subject of where you are. Tell him you weren’t feeling very well when you left but you’re okay now, then ask him when he’s going back to Dallas.”

“Okay,” Portia muttered, then taking a deep breath, she unmuted the phone. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem,” William replied. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”

“Better now. I wasn’t feeling great when I left, kind of woozy, but I took a nap and now I’m fine. Don’t you have to get back to Dallas?”

“Yeah, but I wish you hadn’t taken off without talking to me.”

“Sorry. I just didn’t want to get into a discussion about it. When are you leaving?”

“Tonight, but I have some paperwork you have to sign before I leave. Tell me where you are and I’ll bring it over.”

“I don’t want to bother my friend with visitors,” she replied as Devlin suddenly typed something into his phone and heldit out for her. “I’ll meet you at the bar at the Moonshine Campground restaurant in half-an-hour,” she exclaimed, reading what Devlin had written.

“I don’t know that place.”

“Search it on line. It’s very popular with the locals. Helen says they have great pastries,” she added, grinning at Devlin.

“But—”

“I have to go, and I’m sorry I worried you. See you there.” Quickly ending the call, she dropped the phone on the table and let out a breath. “That wasn’t easy.”

“But you were great!” Devlin said reassuringly.

“Now what?”

“We’re goin’ over there, but make sure you check whatever it is you have to sign. He’s up to no good. I can feel it in my bones.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Placing the documents into his briefcase, William strode out to the motor court, climbed into his Corvette, and roared out on to the quiet country road. When he’d searched the Moonshine Campground online there was an endless list of excellent reviews, but all he cared about was Portia’s signature on the Power of Attorney.

He had to come up with a very large sum of money—and fast. His original plan had been to drug her at her country home, then turn into her loving boyfriend and take control of her finances. But suddenly it had fallen apart, mostly because of her reckless accident on the crowded freeway.

Now he saw only one way forward.

Transfer a significant number of shares from her portfolio into his, then sell them and disappear.

Though starting a new life under a different identity was daunting, he’d started making preparations a few weeks earlier when he found himself in over his head. It was when things had gone from bad to worse that hijacking Portia had come to mind.

Now it appeared that route was closing, and he couldn’t wait around to see if he could pry it open again.

One of the senior partners had started asking awkward questions, and a client’s accountant had requested a meeting. Starting over was a challenging ordeal, but it was a whole lot better than facing prosecution for embezzlement and various other white collar crimes.

Turning into the campground he rolled to a stop in the parking area, grabbed his briefcase and walked quickly to the restaurant. But as he opened the door he stopped short. Hecould see the bar, and sitting on a stool next to Portia was the cowboy.

William couldn’t risk trying to sneak in the Power of Attorney with Devlin next to her.

Furious, he marched back to his car.

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