Page 42 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
“Were you friends?” Belmont asked.
“Nope.” Austin folded his arms. Any conversation about Pete tended to put him on the defensive.
“Why not?” Belmont took out his notebook and pen.
“In part because he had a thing for Cinnamon,” Austin said.
“She was your high school sweetheart, correct?” Belmont thumbed through his pad. He knew all this, so why he had to ask was beyond Austin.
“We were best friends and then became boyfriend and girlfriend,” Austin said.
“Was there any other reason you didn’t get along with Pete?” Belmont asked.
“Sure,” Austin admitted. “He was the kind of guy who thought he was better than the rest of us, especially anyone who thought being a rancher was a good way to make a living. His parents were divorced and he lived here with his mom who had married a man who worked at a neighboring ranch. Pete hated it and couldn’t wait to get the hell out and go work for his dad. That’s exactly what he did. He’s used money and power to get whatever he wants.”
“Is it safe to say that you and Pete have butted heads for as long as you’ve known him?” Belmont asked. “And have you been in any physical altercations with him?”
“It’s common knowledge that we don’t like each other and yes, we’ve been in a few brawls both in high school and once right before he and Cinnamon married,” Austin said. “Can you please tell me where you’re going with this?”
“Not yet.” Belmont glanced up. “Does Pete know Tom? Or did he know Charity?”
Austin thought he’d been prepared for this question, but hearing it made the acid in his stomach lurch to his throat. “I don’t believe so.”
“But is it possible?” Belmont set his notebook aside.
“I suppose. However, I don’t see how or why,” Austin said. But he did. Only, he wasn’t willing to be the one to verbalize that thought. That needed to come from someone else.
Ted leaned forward. “Are you suggesting that Pete could be setting Austin up to take the fall for Charity’s disappearance? Is there something I need to know to help my client navigate this new territory you’re heading in? Or is there new evidence I should have?”
“Even if that were the case, you know I couldn’t express that as the lead investigator in this case. Not while actively asking the questions.” Belmont tilted his head.
“Should we break out a beer and chat like old buddies?” Ted lowered his chin.
“Right now, everything I’m thinking is based on hunches and half information,” Belmont said. “Remember, my boss is gunning for Austin, but I’m taking a little different approach. Please let me do my job and have a little faith that I want truth and justice. This is more than wrapping up a case and getting it off my desk. I don’t want to see an innocent man go down for something he didn’t do. But I also don’t want to rush anything.”
“I can live with that,” Ted said. “But you’re forcing us to fly blind here, and I don’t like that. Austin has been through enough.”
“I agree.” Belmont sighed. “Now, I really need to speak with Cinnamon and I know she’s inside.”
“You’re not doing that without me present,” Ted said. “So, I need to have her hire me.” He stood. “Let me go take care of that. In the meantime, Austin, don’t answer anything else officially.”
“I know the drill.” Austin leaned back and watched Ted stroll across the porch and into the house. A theory formed in Austin’s head, and he didn’t like it one bit.
10
Cinnamon resented that Austin couldn’t be present. He’d become her rock. Her safety net. She felt like she could get through anything when he was around. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in herself. Being home had given her strength. Her family had wrapped their loving arms around her without question or judgment. She knew she could continue on her path because she had the support she needed.
Austin added a different element to her world. He was her future. A partner in life. Someone she could confide in. Trust. Love.
She fiddled with her fingernails and glanced between Ted and Belmont. Ted told her that he’d remain quiet unless necessary.
“I only have a few questions for you,” Agent Belmont said. “Did your husband ever mention Charity or Tom’s name to you?”
“No,” she said, taking the advice of Ted and keeping her answers direct.
“Did your husband travel for work?”
“He did,” she said.
