Page 52 of Ambush

“Aw, man.” Isaac wrinkled his nose before going back to pick up more paper clips off the desk.

Blake touched her back to guide her toward where Jenna sat at her computer, and his touch made her pulse hammer in her throat. When this was all over, she wanted to drive out to the very tip of Fort Morgan Road and stick her toes in the sand while they talked for hours. She wanted to hear everything about the years since she’d left him, and she wanted him to hear the things she’d never spoken to anyone else.

The job in front of them was daunting and required all their attention, but how she wished they could grab a lazy day and unravel the tangle of misconceptions and misunderstandings that had wrecked them back then. They couldn’t go forward without backing up and releasing the pain they’d been through. Clear it all out and start fresh.

She gave her head a slight shake and refocused. After a quick peek at the kids, she pitched her voice low. “How’d the employee interviews go today, Jenna?”

Jenna turned from the computer and beckoned them closer. “There’s a key missing. Evan can’t find his.”

Blake’s hand fell away from Paradise’s back. “What did Evan have to say about it?”

“He laid down his key ring after unlocking the barn door andforgot about it until the next day. When he went back, it was gone.”

Paradise struggled with the rising animosity she felt at Evan’s name. He lived in her old house, and she still wondered about his involvement in the murders even though the old sheriff was almost certainly the killer.

Her animosity was irrational, but she couldn’t help it. “When was this?”

“Four days ago. And he took some vacation time for a few days right after. Today was his first day back at work, and he came in my office first thing to ask if anyone had turned in his black key.”

Black meant access to all the gates. Whoever had his key could go anywhere on the property. Paradise was tempted to talk to him herself. She hadn’t done that since she started work here.

“And there’s no camera back there,” Blake said.

“Oh, your new cameras came today.” His mother pointed to a pile of boxes just inside the front door.

He glanced that direction. “I’ll install them today. Did you get any sense that Evan knew more than he was saying?”

“Not at all, especially since he came to me before I could ask about his key.”

“What about the other employees?”

“No one gave off suspicious vibes. Any one of them could have taken it and used it, even gift shop employees with no top access. All they had to do was grab it and keep their mouth shut.”

Blake glanced at Paradise. “You went radio silent. Was it the mention of Evan? You want to talk to him yourself?”

He knew her so well. She hadn’t been sure he remembered her suspicions. Paradise nodded. “I’d feel better if I finally faced him. We’ve somehow managed to miss each other on this big place.I haven’t come face-to-face with him yet. Maybe it’s time to lay that suspicion to rest.”

She glanced over at the boys. “But first, I have a promise to keep.” And it didn’t hurt her a bit that the delay would give her time to form what she wanted to say to Evan.

***

The jaguars were the first big cats on the predator side of The Sanctuary. The distinctive nasal grunting they used to greet the keepers rumbled from the big black jaguar, and Blake expected Paradise to flinch. When she paused and glanced that way, she grabbed her shoulder as though it had begun to ache.

“You okay?” he whispered.

She swallowed and nodded, but she didn’t move closer for several long moments. Her feet finally shuffled toward the tall fence with the wire canopy confining the big cat. “Hello there.” Her brow creased, and she glanced at Blake. “I’ve forgotten its name.”

Levi stepped forward. “Darth is a boy. Mom says he’s handsome. I love his shiny coat. And you can just barely see his jaguar spots in his black fur. He’s my favorite.”

Blake blocked the boys from getting closer. “Remember not to poke your fingers through the fence.” He wanted to help Paradise make this first move, but he couldn’t force her.

“He’s very handsome.” Paradise took a couple of steps closer, and the color came back to her face. She gave her shoulder a final rub before she dropped her right hand back to her side. “Hello, Darth. Maybe we can be friends.”

The jaguar’s greeting rumbled again like a saw, and his taillashed the air before he turned and went to the door into his shelter.

“He’s done with us,” Blake said. “I hear Tigey calling us.”

Paradise’s smile had returned, and he put his hand on her back and leaned in close. “Good job. How do you feel?”

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