Page 83 of One Final Target

Before she turned out the lights, she looked around at the cozy studio. Cozy, yes, but still a prison.

CHAPTER45

“YOU LOOK BEAT YOURSELF,”George said to Sam after he closed the door. “Not sure you’ll ever get the wrinkles out of those pants.”

“Yeah, they’re my only good pair of suit pants left. I was tired, but I think I’m getting a second wind.”

“Still, you should go home and go to bed. You’ll need the rest.”

“I will. First, a question for you: do you know anything about Jonah Bennett?”

“The Realtor?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s a pretty ruthless businessman but a canny one. He sells a lot of property on the mountain.”

“He was a cop at one time.”

George’s eyebrows rose. “Really? His son died of a drug overdose as I recall. Where was he a cop?”

“Long Beach. He got fired, but I don’t know why. Any way you can check around and find out? I know you have contacts.”

“I do. Janet Masters, the chief down there, just had my company install a security system for her parents’ home in Rialto. I’ll find out right away.”

“Thanks.”

“You think Bennett has something to do with what’s happened to Jodie?”

“He’s one of the names on my list. So are Mike King, Ian Hunter, and Tara Corson. Maybe ask about them as well?”

“Casting a broad net.”

Sam shrugged. “I like to be thorough.”

Sam left George’s and went home to change. He wasn’t lying when he said he felt like he’d gotten a second wind. He needed to visit someone. Dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, Sam left for Lake Arrowhead. His mom was off today, and he hoped to catch her at home. The late snow from the weekend had already melted and if he knew his mom, she’d be out trying to get her garden ready for the real spring.

He lucked out. When he pulled into his mother’s parking pad, her car was there. Her house was on the hillside overlooking Lake Arrowhead. She was on a south slope and got a lot of sun, so most of the snow was gone. She enjoyed a breathtaking view from her back deck. He glimpsed her on the side of the deck in her gardening gloves with a bag of soil and a hand spade.

She heard him park and turned and waved at him with the spade.

He got out, walked to where she was, and gave her a hug.

She patted his back and spoke into his ear. “I’m glad you stopped by.” Stepping back, she held his gaze. “I saw the news. I was going to call you, but I didn’t want to interrupt anything important.”

“You’re never an interruption,” Sam said, and he meant it. His mother would never be called a hover mother. She cared, but she also treated him as an adult. As a prayer warrior, she prayed for him daily, and she trusted the Lord where he was concerned. Her calm, sure faith after his accident and Rick’s death helped Sam get through a hard time. It always served to remind him of the importance of prayer. He could pray when he couldn’t move and when everything hurt, especially.

“Do you need any help?”

She nodded. “I do. There are a couple bags of potting soil in the back of my car.” She pointed. “Could you get them out and put them on the deck?”

“You bet.” Sam did as asked and ended up helping his mother with her gardening. When they were finished, Mom made lunch.

“So I’m guessing you want to tell me something. You don’t stop by unannounced unless something’s on your mind.”

Sam nodded as he chewed his sandwich. Once he swallowed, he took the time to bring Mom up to date on how crazy his life had been since he’d seen her last. It seemed like much longer—but it was barely a week ago she gave him a ride to work. He left nothing out; his mother could handle it all. Sam’s dad had been a forest ranger, and his grandfather, an LAPD detective. Leslie Gresham was used to law enforcement and the danger inherent in the job. She was never given to hysterics and Sam often relied on her counsel.

She listened without interruption as he finished. “Wow, youhad quite a week. This Long Beach officer, Jodie, do you believe she’s safe now?”

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