Page 60 of Haystacks and Hoaxes

“She’s as beautiful as her mama.” Decker couldn’t have sounded happier about it.

As they stepped closer to the office area, the sound of sobbing reached Mila’s ears. She frowned up the long tile hallway, mentally tracing the sound to the front of the building.

Johnny Cuba skidded around the corner and jogged in their direction. “There you are!” He sounded relieved.

“What’s going on?” Decker instinctively stepped in front of Mila.

“You’re not gonna believe this.” The dark-haired cowboyhalted in front of them, skating the last few steps in his boots on the freshly polished tile. “Troy Bentley’s girlfriend just showed up at the receptionist’s booth. I’ll take you to her.”

Decker’s scowl deepened. “What does she want?”

“To speak with Mila.” Johnny motioned for them to follow him.

“Over my dead body,” her brother snarled. “Where’s Hawk?”

“Here, boss!” The tall, dark Native American hurried down the hallway from the direction of the bodyguard pen. “Whatcha need?”

“To keep my sister safe. What else?” Decker stomped up the hallway, meeting him halfway.

Mila’s lips parted. “Helen of Troy wants to speak with me?” Ever since Johnny had called her that, the nickname had stuck.

“I’ll handle it,” Decker promised.

Hawk bustled her inside her new office, which was right next to Rock’s office. Before he could shut the door, she called out, “Morning, Rock!”

Hawk shut the door and leaned back against it.

A knock sounded on the other side only seconds later.

Hawk shook his head. “Tell your boyfriend to stand down until Decker gives us the all clear sign.

She dialed Rock.

“What’s up, darling?” He sounded engrossed in whatever he was doing, like she’d interrupted something.

“Hawk has me barricaded in my office until Deck says it’s safe to move around the cabin. He politely asks for you to quit knocking on my door until that happens.”

“I’m not the one knocking on your door.” Alarm leaped into his voice. “What’s going on?”

“Helen of Troy is in the building,” she announced airily, “and she’s asking to speak with me.”

“Hoh, boy!”

Instead of waiting for them to answer the door, Decker burst into the room. “I’ve got Helen in the small conference room, and the police are on their way.” He gave Mila a reassuring look. “She’s unarmed. We checked. And she’s still yammering about speaking to you. Only you.”

Mila hastily spoke into the phone. “Gotta go!” She disconnected the line. “I’d be happy to meet with her.” She couldn’t imagine what the woman had to say to her after everything she’d put Mila through. At first, Mila had been livid. These days, she might actually thank her.

“We’re doing this by the book,” Decker returned flatly, “which means you aren’t going into the conference room until the police get here.”

It didn’t take long, and Mila was soon led into the conference room to face the sobbing Helen.

The moment her gaze fell on Mila, she started to stand.

“You need to remain seated, ma’am.” Sheriff Luke Hawling was seated directly across from the woman. He flicked a glance at Mila as he reached over to pull a chair out for her. “As I’ve stated before, you have a right to an attorney.”

“I don’t want one.” More tears gushed down Helen’s face. “I just want to confess…to everything,” she declared dramatically.

Confess? Mila frowned at Luke, but he merely nodded her into her chair.

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