Page 44 of Silos and Sabotage

“A rumor,” Gage repeated. Surely, the man understood that a rumor wasn’t likely to hold up in court.

“Yes, a rumor.” Creston Bolander’s voice grew defensive. “Some gossip surfaced online from Avery Radcliffe’s college years, which she spent in Spain. Gossip that speculates she didn’t miscarry Mick’s baby after their divorce like she claimed she did.”

Gage’s chest grew cold. “Interesting.”

“Eh, there’s probably nothing to it since Mick remarried.” Mr. Bolander slapped the air. “But you know how people are. They jump to conclusions and do stupid things. Ella Lawton could’ve easily laid those rumors to rest if she’d lived to tell the tale.”

“You think she’s dead?” Gage was careful to keep his voice neutral.

“That’s the general consensus.” Mr. Bolander’s jaw hardened. “Believe me, I’ve had private investigators looking into her whereabouts for five years straight. If she was alive, they would’ve found her.”

Gage nodded woodenly. Unless a very wealthy, very powerful woman had been using her resources to hide her daughter from the public eye, even changing her face to make her less recognizable.

Ella’s bank account, however, had been in her name alone. Had someone noticed it when she’d cleared it out and hit the road? Because whoever was paying Billy Bob Bolander to stalk her had somehow figured out that she was still alive. And now that they knew it, it was only a matter of time before others figured it out, too.

Mr. Bolander strode toward the door. “I’ll show myself out.”

Gage stared after him. “You’ll need to sign a few forms to reserve my services as a PI.”

Mr. Bolander paused at the door without turning around. “Send them to my attorney. I wrote his name and number on the back of my card.”

“You didn’t ask about the cost of hiring me, sir.” Gage couldn’t, in good conscience, let the man leave without knowing his financial obligations in the contract.

“I don’t care what it costs. I’ll spend whatever it takes to find my son’s killer, down to the last cent I own.” With that dire pronouncement, he pulled open the door and disappeared down the hallway.

Gage started to follow him, but the phone on his desk rang. Grimacing, he moved behind his desk to yank up the receiver and hold it to his ear. “Yes?” he barked.

It was his boss. “I want to hear everything while it’s hot off the grill.”

So Gage told him, right down to the part about how Creston Bolander didn’t seem to realize he was a person of interest in the very case he was hiring them to work. Or maybe he did.

“You’re gonna have to tell him about Ella,” Gil warned, “sooner rather than later. Keeping her from him will only erode his trust in you when her presence in Heart Lake becomes more widely known.”

Gage’s heart sank. He’d been afraid his boss was going to say something like that. “I’ll arrange an introduction between them if and only if she agrees to it. I won’t compromise her safety no matter whose tail feathers it ruffles.”

“I can’t argue with that.” Gil sounded approving. “As a Lonestar client, her personal security will remain our top priority every step of the way.”

Out of nowhere, a brainstorm hit Gage, instantly telling him what his next step should be. “I have an idea,” he drawled.

There was a pause on Gil’s end. “Should I be worried?”

“Probably.” Gage didn’t bother hiding his grin since no one could see it. “What I have in mind will either move the case forward or start a war.” He quickly briefed him on his plan.

Gil started guffawing.

“Like I said,” Gage repeated, “it’ll either be enlightening, or it’ll blow up in my face.”

The sound of clapping alerted him to the fact that he was no longer alone. He ended the call and swiveled toward the sound.

Johnny was lounged against his doorway. “Isn’t starting wars what you soldiers do?”

Gage glared at him, wondering how long he’d been eavesdropping on his call. “Nah, we leave that part up to the politicians.”

“Good point.” Johnny swaggered the rest of the way into the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Gage gritted his teeth. “Why do you always do that?”

“Because it gets people’s attention. Wakes ‘em up.” Johnny rolled his shoulders to loosen them.

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