Page 67 of Silent Deception
Belatedly, he realized what he’d said to a man whose vision was failing, and he added in a softer tone, “I’ve now gone through everything I can find from the last four years—so two of those years predate Nate. I’ve got falsified invoices here. Withdrawals that don’t make sense. Some canceled checks that don’t match the invoices or even their own stubs.”
Clint reached for the file, then his hand dropped back to his side, his jaw working.
“I’ve tried to talk to you about this before, Dad. So what do you want to do about it? Cody Cantrell is convinced his grandpa is a criminal. Since Nate’s death, there’s been gossip about him, and that hurts both the boy and his mom.”
“You’re saying that an accountant, a PI, and a lawyeralllied? You waltz in here, tell me I’ve been played for a fool for years?” Clint’s voice rose, with an angry and defensive edge. “I always go with the sure bet...the opinions of people Itrust.”
Ryan stared back at him, the finality of Clint’s words hitting like rifle fire. Well aimed and deadly. “Then I guess that says it all, Dad.” He pushed away from the desk and rose to his feet. “Youwork on these invoices for a while. I’m going for a long walk to clear my head, and then I’ll work on moving up my own plans. I should be able to get out of here in three weeks, if not two.”
* * * *
CLINT SAT AT THE DESKand wearily rubbed his eyes, knowing he couldn’t work on the books even if he wanted to. Growing old was a terrible thing. Worse yet was to see his independence fading and his world gradually crumbling around his feet.
What if the embezzlerhadbeen Oscar? Ryan was right about the financial mess predating Nate’s arrival, but Clint’s greater worry had been over Garrett.
Clint had let the boy go his own way, giving him free rein with those blasted rodeos and the space and freedom to finally grow up and fulfill all of his promise as a Gallagher. But the boy had been perpetually in debt since the age of eighteen and had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar more than once.
Over the past few years, Clint had grown suspicious, but he hadn’t realized the full extent of the losses until after Nate died. Maybe allthreehad betrayed Clint’s trust, but it was too late to change a thing.
Whatever happened, he knew there’d be no recovery of the money. And either way, the situation illustrated his own appalling, downward slide. The need to hand over the reins of the family corporation before it was too late.
Picking up the phone, he speed-dialed Leland’s local office. After reaching only a recording, he tried Leland’s cell phone, then his main office in San Antonio.
The secretary—an old battle-ax who’d been with Leland longer than she should have—announced that Leland was out of town, but would return the call as soon as he could.
Clint glared at the receiver, fighting the temptation to pitch it against the wall.
So much of his life was changing, he felt as if he were teetering on the brink of an abyss with no one to pull him back, and knew things could go south in a heartbeat.
According to Adelfa, Pastor Anderson had suffered a massive stroke just yesterday morning, and no one in town knew if he was even going to make it. Yet the Sunday before, he’d delivered one of his longest sermons ever, as if he had all the strength in the world. The news had chilled Clint to the bone.
But Clint’s own life would soon get back to normal.
He’d already put in a call to a doctor in San Antonio, who would know where Charlotte could go for more experimental treatments. Ryan, with his insistent notions about Nate and the ranch books, would soon be gone. Garrett was finally coming around to the right way of thinking.
And—in a few months—it would be time to declare for the upcoming Senate campaign and one more term in office.
A man had to take control and make things happen. It was as simple as that.
* * * *
RAEJEAN, NORA, ANDCody arrived back at Cedar Grove Farm just minutes after Kristin showered and dressed on Saturday morning.
Cody burst into the house and dropped his duffel bag on the floor, then flew over to Kristin and nearly tackled her with a good-morning hug. “Wow, Mom. That wassooocool! We went riding, and it wasdarkout. The moon and stars were so bright we could see everything. And then we had a cookout way up on a hill, and we could see the glow of the lights clear over to San—San—”
“San Antonio,” Nora said, stepping into the living room with RaeJean at her heels. “You’ve got quite a cowboy here. Good little rider.”
Cody beamed at Nora over his shoulder. “My horse was Pancho, and hebucked.And I didn’t even fall off!”
“Oh, my.” Kristin hugged him back, savoring his warmth and vibrant excitement, thankful he’d had a good time with his two great-aunties. “Then again, you come from good ranching stock. The Cantrells go way back in this county.”
“Yeah. How many kids have aunts who ride like that? Even AuntRaeJean!”
His incredulity was so over the top that RaeJean laughed. “He’s thinking that a Texas woman can’t be decorative and capable at the same time. Little does he know.”
“So it went well?”
“Every minute.” Nora’s voice turned wistful. “Would have been nice to have a few little cowpokes running around at my spread all these years. You be sure and send him over anytime.”
