Page 44 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
“I’m seeing an intriguing pattern in this questioning,” Ted spoke for the first time since the interview began.
She’d almost forgotten he was there.
“It’s as if you’re implying two things,” Ted said.
“And what’s that?” Belmont arched a brow.
“That Pete might have had something to do with the fire that killed Gage’s family and that he could have had a hand in the disappearance of Charity,” Ted said. “Why are you being so cagey about this? Austin has never done anything but cooperate with this investigation. Cinnamon is now doing the same thing. I would appreciate a little color here.”
“All I have is a working theory with absolutely no facts to back it up.” Belmont held up his hand. “I need a lot more information before I can even call Pete a person of interest. The only thing I have is that the tips come from a phone in Boise.”
Ted sucked on his teeth. “Why didn’t you tell Austin this?”
“Because I can’t have him go off half-cocked, and we both know that’s exactly what he’ll do,” Belmont said.
“Not with me here, he won’t.” Cinnamon stood and planted her hands on her hips. “We have a second chance and he’s not going to do anything that will jeopardize that. Pete has a hearing in three hours. If he?—”
“Trust me. I’m aware of that hearing and here’s the problem. I’m told the judge overseeing that case doesn’t have a stellar reputation—as in he’s taken bribes before—but it’s never been proven. I’m on a time crunch here to raise a flag that Pete could be involved. I know Austin and I can’t have him getting in my way.”
“Keeping shit from Austin isn’t the way to do it,” Ted said. “Or me for that matter. You need to use us.”
“I can’t. That will taint the case. I’ve already told you too much.” Belmont tucked his notebook into his suit pocket.
“I’ve got an idea.” Cinnamon inched toward the picture window. She stared at Austin who paced in the yard by the oak tree. “It’s going to take a lot of convincing to get Austin to go along with it, but if Pete is behind this, he’s arrogant enough to tell me about it.”
“Excuse me?” Belmont said.
She turned. “Pete has always used fear to control me. After our daughter died and he started hitting me, I told him I would leave. I was stronger back then and wasn’t going to stand for it. I had even packed my bags. But when Pete came home from a business trip, he’d brought something that belonged to Georgia Moon. He told me that if he could slip into her room at night and steal that, he could do whatever he wanted.”
“Jesus,” Belmont muttered. “He admitted to breaking into her home?”
Cinnamon nodded. “Pete threatened to ruin—or hurt—my family. It started as little things. Exposing family secrets. Or making up lies that he’d make stick. He beat me down emotionally and physically until I believed everything he toldme. Plus, I knew his threats were real.” She blew out a long breath. “He once told me he was the one who made all the horses sick at Whiskey Ranch when Austin first started working. There were other things too, like feeding Bella—JW’s ex-fiancée—information about him to use against him after they broke up. If I stayed with him, he promised to leave them alone. I had minimal contact with my family, so I hadn’t heard the stories or read the headlines until Pete showed them to me each time I threatened him that I would leave. I didn’t even know Bella existed until after JW dumped her.”
“What exactly are you suggesting?” Ted asked.
“If he gets out of jail, let him come. He’ll enjoy telling me what he did to this family. And if he did set fire to Gage’s house, I’ll get him to admit that too.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m the only one who can get him to admit it.”
“All while he’s beating the crap out of you.” Ted jumped to his feet. “Not only won’t I let you do this, but Austin will go ballistic.”
“It’s not Austin’s decision. It’s mine.” She held Ted’s gaze.
“And if he’s not released?” Belmont asked.
“I’ll go to him,” she said. “This is not up for debate. It’s the only way to find out if he had any connection to Charity or to Gage’s family. We all want answers. Let’s get them.”
“No fucking way. Nope. Not happening. Over my goddamned dead body.” Austin stood in the kitchen and stared at Cinnamon with shock and horror in his heart. “You’ve lost your mind.”
“I’m thinking clearly for the first time since my daughter died.” She held his gaze with a fierce determination that he hadn’t seen in years.
Austin turned and raked a hand through his thick hair.
“Brad said?—”
Austin interrupted Cinnamon. “You called my brother-in-law?” He turned on his heel and pointed to Ted. “Did you know about this?”
Ted nodded. “I suggested it.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” He took in a slow calming breath when all he wanted to do was put his fist through a wall. He should have known something was up the second Belmont asked him to walk him to his vehicle and then told him absolutely nothing of importance. “It’s one thing to call the bastard, but I’m not letting him walk onto this ranch, much less spend any time alone with you. It’s insanity. Hell, it’s a death wish.”
