Page 47 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
A knock at the door startled her and she jumped, knocking the basket to the floor. “Shit,” she mumbled.
Half the contents tumbled out, making a massive mess. Chicken bones, mustard, and the potato container opened.
“Let me see who’s at the door, and then I’ll help with that.” Austin squeezed her shoulder. “I know you’re stressed, but this is not a big deal.”
She sighed, bending over, then snagged the bones and tossed them in the garbage.
“Austin? Are you here?” a familiar voice rang out.
“In the kitchen,” Austin said.
“Wonder what JD wants.” Cinnamon took a roll of paper towels and got on her hands and knees. “I can’t imagine he’s heard about the hearing before we have.” Her words were more to herself than Austin.
JD strolled into the kitchen. He smiled, but it was forced. “I just got off the phone with Gage’s brother.”
Immediately, she stopped what she was doing and rocked back on her heels. Her heart dropped to her gut.
“And?” Austin asked.
“Gage hasn’t been in contact with him, much less scheduled a visit.” JD leaned against the counter. “I’ve already called Brad and filed a missing person’s report.”
“Jesus.” Austin sat on one of the stools. “But Gage texted us.” He raked a hand across the top of his head.
Cinnamon leaped to her feet. “Gage supposedly left for his brother’s place about when Pete showed up. I bet he hadsomething to do with Gage’s disappearance. Pete could have sent that text and since Gage hasn’t responded to any call or subsequent text since then, it’s what makes the most sense.”
“Especially since Pete’s been behind bars on and off,” JD said.
Cinnamon planted her hands on her hips and paced in front of the island. “If Pete hurt one hair on Gage’s head, I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.”
Austin stepped in front of her. “Don’t say things like that. Someone might think you’re being serious.”
“What if?—”
He hushed her with his finger. “We’re all thinking exactly the same things you are. That Pete killed Charity. He killed Gage’s family. And now maybe Gage.”
“And he’s setting you up to take the fall.” She glared.
“I’m well aware of what he’s trying to do to me, but he’s not going to get away with it.” Austin lowered his chin. “However, we can’t go making threats of murder because if Pete does wind up dead, and anyone has heard us say that, it can be used against us.”
She blew out a puff of air. “Fine, but I won’t sit around and let him ruin my life anymore. Or anyone I care about. I’ve been a victim for too long and thanks to me, innocent people have died.”
“None of this is your fault,” JD said. “I do have to wonder how he managed to get Charity’s car out here because that timeline doesn’t fit. He was in jail when it showed up.”
“He could have paid one of his employees to do it,” Cinnamon said. “He has a few loyal ones, although he uses fear and gaslighting to control them too. When people quit his company, he destroys them. He had one nice man working for him a few years ago. But because he dared to question the wayPete ran things, he was put through hell in the press. Some scandal with his wife that turned out wasn’t even true.”
“We know he was behind some of the shit we’ve had to deal with over the years,” JD said. “We’ve always had the ability both with money and the fact we’ve never done anything wrong to come out of whatever was tossed our way.”
“But now we’re talking possible murder.” Austin squeezed her biceps. “And not just Charity.” He reached into his back pocket. “This is the call we’ve been waiting for.” He tapped the green button and put it on speaker. “Hey, Belmont. I’m here with Cinnamon and JD Whiskey.”
“I just got off the phone with the DA in Idaho Falls. The judge ruled in Pete’s favor. He’s being released as we speak. He’s been warned he’s not supposed to leave the county except for business, to which he immediately explained he has a meeting tomorrow in Twin City.”
“That’s not too far from Buhl,” Austin said.
“No, it’s not,” Belmont agreed. “I’m forty minutes from the ranch. I want to set it up tonight. I’ll contact Brad as soon as I end this call.”
“You should know that we’ve filed an official missing person’s report on Gage,” JD added.
“I’ve already seen the report and made it part of the FBI investigation. I need Austin's DNA sample as we found blood in the car and on the gloves,” Belmont said.
