Page 38 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
Last night should have marked a new beginning. A fresh start. Their love was even deeper than before, yet this black cloud hung over his head, waiting to be unleashed. There had been only two other times that Agent Belmont showed up without a story popping up in the news. The first time there had been an anonymous tip that someone had seen Austin dumping what looked like it could have been a body. There was absolutely no truth to it and after Belmont investigated, it turned out to be nothing. According to Belmont, that piece of information was going to be kept from the press and for about a month, therewas no talk of it. But someone leaked it and Belmont had to comment.
It made Austin look as though he’d done something to Charity because of the close proximity to the ranch, but no body had ever been found. However, people still talked.
Which didn’t help Austin in the court of public opinion.
The second time was when some random woman came forward, stating she saw Austin driving Charity’s vehicle near the same location. That was damning because this woman was adamant and had a clear description. But there was not enough evidence to bring Austin up on charges.
Yet.
His cell buzzed. He glanced at the screen.
Tom.
In the last few months, they’d become friendly.
“Hey, Tom, what’s up?”
“Have you gotten a visit from Belmont?”
“I’m expecting him this morning, why?” Austin asked.
“I know we don’t always see eye to eye on things, but I have a bad feeling about this.”
“I take it you’ve spoken to Belmont.”
“He paid me a visit last night and asked me all sorts of questions like if I knew about any connections Charity might have had with a Pete and Cinnamon Thompson.”
“What the fuck?” Austin dropped the phone. He bent over and picked up, hitting the speaker button and planting his butt on the steps. “Are you shitting me?”
“Nope. He asked me if Charity could have been speaking with either of them.”
“That’s fucked up.” Austin swallowed. “But is it possible she could have known Pete?”
“When I look back on the last few months of the affair, I wonder why she moved there with you. I begged her not to.Please don’t take this the wrong way and I don’t say it to hurt you.”
“We’re past all that, Tom.”
“Okay. Okay. She kept complaining to me about how much she didn’t love you and hated the idea of living there. Once she got to the ranch, it was even worse. I didn’t understand why she did it if she wanted to be with me. She kept saying she owed it to you and I thought, not if she didn’t love you. So, if this Pete guy wanted to take you down for some reason, and she knew it, anything is possible.”
“Holy shit.” Austin jumped to his feet and raced into the house. “Cinnamon, I need your cell.”
“Cinnamon’s there?” Tom asked.
“Yeah. It’s a long story, but if my suspicions are right, there’s a timeline, and we might finally have some answers. Can I call you back?”
“Please do, but also, watch your back. And for the record, I’m sorry if I did anything to perpetuate this vendetta against you. I’ll also do whatever it takes to help.”
“I might just have to take you up on that,” Austin said. “I’ll be in touch.” He stared at Cinnamon who stood in the kitchen wearing his old football jersey and boxers.
He groaned.
“Why do you need this?” She placed her phone in his hands.
“Did you delete anything from Pete or from me over the last year and a half?”
“You told me not to in case we needed it in the divorce or his criminal trial.”
“Good girl.” He batted her nose. “I can’t believe I didn’t see this sooner.”
