Page 49 of Guarded Secrets
Keeley was relieved Owen took the lead in relating what they knew about Pam Demaris’s death.
She still couldn’t believe it.
Why would Pam have stolen her purse? It didn’t make sense.
God knew teachers weren’t the best paid of the professions, but they weren’t in a dire enough situation they’d need to steal.
Maybe Pam had been involved in something that had led to desperation. That might explain the need for money, but not why she’d specifically target Keeley.
“I’m so sorry that woman is dead.” Abby pulled her jacket closed with shaking hands. Keeley worried the news had rattled her mother. “I can’t imagine why she’d target Keeley.”
“I was wondering the same thing,” Keeley said. “Here’s a thought: What if she had an addiction to illegal drugs or gambling? Or was in debt to someone who was a threat to her and she needed money fast? Add in jealousy, if Yousef is right, or that she’s never liked me. She decides to resort to crime to pay her illicit debts so she targets me because, you know, two birds, one stone.”
“That’s as good a theory as any, other than that she didn’t use your credit cards,” Owen said. “Could be she hadn’t had time before she was killed.”
They tossed around some other theories, but in the end, that’s all they were, theories.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Keeley sat on her couch, her feet curled under her with her laptop propped on her knees as she searched for lesson ideas for the beginning of the school year. In a couple months she’d be starting a new job teaching a special day class at Sierra High School, and she needed to start preparing.
Owen had headed home for a shower and a change of clothes. Maybe he’d take a nap as he hadn’t gotten any more sleep than she had.
He’d insisted she take the night off from work, but then given further orders she was to report to him if she planned to leave home.
Being bossed around was getting old, but late that afternoon she dutifully texted she was going out. He’d immediately responded.
McHunk: Where to?
Keeley: I’m not a teenager.
McHunk: Definitely not. Where to?
Keeley:Lone Pine Ranch. Shane + Emery = BBQ
McHunk: Ok.
Keeley: Thanks, Daddy.
McHunk: Don’t even.
Hours later and feeling better after her own nap, she turned onto the long dirt road that wound through the foothills of Payback Mountain to Lone Pine Ranch.
She was driving “legally” since the detectives from Sacramento had sent her wallet via messenger service. They’d kept the rest of the contents of her purse as evidence, but at least she had her driver’s license.
Wearing jeans, a flannel shirt partially unbuttoned over a white tank top, and cowboy boots, Keeley parked her CRV near the barn. She’d always loved the rustic charm of Lone Pine Ranch with Shane and Emery’s log cabin house and the wide-open spaces framed by the gorgeous peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Shane’s dog Bruno trotted up to her, with Walker’s homely mutt Bud following close behind.
Keeley dropped to her knees. “Hey there, Bruno. Hey there, Bud.” She gave both dogs the lavish welcome they deserved, Bruno rolling onto his back for a belly rub. “Oh, aren’t you a handsome boy?” she crooned as his tail swished in the dirt. A pair of jean-clad legs came to a stop next to her. Rising to her feet, she brushed her knees.
Owen stood with his hands in his pockets and an unreadable expression on his face. With his long legs encased in faded Levi’s with white paint splattered on one leg, the sleeves of his navy blue Henley pushed up to his elbows, and worn work boots, he looked ruggedly masculine in a way that lit a fuse low in her belly.
On top of that, his scruff was growing sexily scruffier. The fuse burned even hotter.
“I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Emery called to invite me. Jen is tending bar tonight with the new guy as backup.”
