Page 30 of Protecting What Is Mine

Ahh, shit.

“It’s been a little while ago now. He came to the hospital one night to check on Chet…”

“He what? Well that’s news! Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“Sorry dude, I must have forgotten I needed to report back to you every time I have a conversation with someone.” I roll my eyes as I clear my throat. “As I was saying. It was after my introduction to Mollie’s cousin, and it turns out Leo knows him.”

“Figures,” Gabe mumbles.

“Well, it seemed crazy to me at the time, but he wondered if maybe Chet’s accident wasn’t so much an accident. You know? Like, someone trying to get back at Chet—or our family—or whatever.”

“If so, it’s probably for something Leo did—arrogant little prick.”

“Well, I blew it off it at the time too. And I sort of accused him of pretty much the exact same thing. But now…I don’t know. Is it all just a coincidence? This guy coming back into Mollie’s life at the same time as Chet’s accident?”

Gabe shrugs. “I don’t know, man. I want answers too, but that seems like a stretch if you ask me. But if you really think there might be a connection, you and Mollie should go in and talk to the sheriff. They’ve turned just about every stone out here and haven’t come up with much.”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. Go and tell him what? I’ve got a bad feeling about my girlfriend’s scary ex-con cousin?”

“Well, you make a good point. But, if he’s on parole, he’s got to keep his nose clean anyhow, right?”

I stare at the mountains as I consider Gabe’s advice. “So, the sheriff’s been out here and hasn’t found anything?”

Gabe cocks his head but accepts the change of topic and rolls with it. “Not the sheriff, but one of his detectives. And yeah, except to say that the section of fence was definitely cut. The guy said it could’ve been someone trespassing—hunting out of season or whatever—who ran off out of fear when they accidentally shot Chet. Or it could be something more nefarious. Like that’s any help at all.”

“God damn. Well at least they’ve narrowed it down.” I shake my head. “Anyway, you done jabbering? I’m sweating my balls off here and we’ve got a job to finish. Plus, I’ve got a life to get back to.”

Gabe laughs as he readjusts his baseball cap on his head. “After you, princess.”

The rest of the day passes at a snail’s pace. Gabe and I split up to cover more ground, and I never hear back from Mollie, leaving me with all the worries, no answers, and no one to talk to for a distraction. By the time I climb in the truck to head home, I’ve barely got enough time to stop by the house and shower before heading back to the hospital…especially if I’m going by Belle’s to track Mollie down and make sure she’s okay.

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