Page 47 of Protecting Silver
“What about them?”
“Were they before you dated Freedman? Or after?”
Silver grabbed the papers, and flipped through the pages. Several times she looked off into space then swore. “Shit, after. I think I know how he thinks. I bet the thinks because I’m the first one to break up with him, then all the others did too. In the past, he took pride in the fact that no woman had ever broken up or left him. He had always done it.” She looked at him, then fear come into her eyes, and Patch swung around, and gripped her hands.
“We have a plan in place to keep you safe.”
“What? He’s a cop, Douglas, he’ll be able to trace my cell phone wherever I go, even if I take the battery out. He told me that once, that no matter where I was, he could find me.”
“Not if there’s no cell signal, and you don’t take your phone with you.”
“Where the hell would that be?”
“I’ve never been there, but as we speak, Finn took today off from work, and he and Hector are gathering the camping gear to take up to Ronnie’s Meadow.”
“Isn’t that the name of their farm? I distinctively remember a sign with that name on it over the driveway that we pulled into when we went to tell Finn about what my former assistant said about him.”
“And you would be correct. However, there is a trail that leads up to a meadow high up on the mountain. I’ve never been there, but that’s where Finn found Ronnie after she was kicked by the horses, attacked by a mountain lion, and thrown down a ravine. Well, Major was a big help too. This is also the meadow where Ronnie gets all her horses from.”
“Huh? How do you get horses from a meadow?”
Patch looked at her, and grinned. “No clue, but Finn calls her the horse whisperer. It seems every time she goes up there, she comes back with more horses. You’ll see them when we go there tomorrow.”
“Why tomorrow?”
“Because, Finn said to give him and Hector today to get everything up to the meadow, and for us to pack a bag with enough clothes for a week. I’ll drive us there, and we’ll leave our phones and my truck at the farm. We’ll be riding horses up the trail, and camping out for a week.”
“Can you call Finn and ask if we can help take the stuff up there? I can be ready to go in an hour. What about food?”
“Finn said he’d provide everything.” Patch grinned as he rose and began cleaning up the breakfast dishes, but sighed in relief when she grabbed her plate she’d pushed aside earlier when she’d gotten sick after reading what her ex had done to the other women in his life. With her finishing her breakfast, he continued to clean up as he talked to her. “Last night when Finn showed up at my apartment, I had just arrived home after stopping by the grocery store. I had him take most of what I had bought, and he said he’d either keep it at his house, or pack it to take up to the meadow.”
“That was nice of him. Can we go today?”
“I don’t see why not. I take it you like camping?”
“I don’t know,” Silver laughed as she ate. “I’ve never been, but I’ve always wanted to go. I’m assuming that we’re talking tent, and sleeping bags, not a camper.”
“Correct, there’s no way for one to get up the trail. Again, I’ve never been there before, but I’ve heard Finn and Ronnie talk about how narrow it is in spots, but they’ve been camping there before, because that’s where they spent their honeymoon.”
“Oh, wow. I’d really like to go today.” She pushed her plate away, but when Patch went to take it, she pulled it back. “Go call him, I’ll finish up here.” She rose and quickly did that, and said over her shoulder, “Then, I’ll go pack.”
Chapter 23
Patch pulledhis truck into the driveway to Ronnie’s Meadow and parked next to Finn’s truck. He came around and helped Silver down from her side, and by the time they rounded the back of the truck, they were joined by both Finn and Hector.
“Glad you could make it,” Finn said. He studied Silver and nodded only once. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not one to cower or run away, but after reading the report Patch received, I need to get my head clear.” She frowned at her boss. “If that makes any sense.”
“It does. To me it means you’re taking care of yourself. If going off the grid for a week helps you, then I’m all for helping any way I can.” Before Silver could answer, they looked up when they heard a vehicle come down the drive. Silver didn’t know if it impressed her or pissed her off when three men stood between her and the approaching vehicle. When she heard Patch say it was the police, she breathed easier, not realizing how tense she was. The men separated only a few inches from her, giving her the opportunity to watch as the SUV with the sheriff logo on the door approached, then parked beside Patch’s truck.
“Amos,” Finn said as he stepped forward, and put out his hand to shake. “What brings you here?”
“Finn, good seeing you. I’m here on official business. Do you know where I can get hold of Silver Roundtree? I stopped by her place, but she wasn’t there, then I was told at the Foundation that she’d taken the day off. When I asked for you, imagine my surprise when you’d taken the day off also.”
“What do you need her for?” Patch asked, making sure Silver was behind him.
They all watched as Amos rubbed the back of his neck, sighed heavily, then stared directly at Patch, as he answered, “Got a call from the Feds based out of Chicago. They want to come and interview Silver about a case they’re building against the man who allegedly attacked her.”
