Page 26 of In Colton's Custody (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

She pointed at Asher. “And you have to do something about all those reporters camped out by the gate at the ranch.”

He nodded. They were getting annoying, calling out questions to him every time he pulled into or out of the property.

“I thought that the earthquake would be enough to send them packing or at least give them something else to report on, but they probably just called in reinforce

ments. I doubt a bomb threat is going to help the situation. We can’t keep it out of the press.”

He gestured to the media trucks already lining the road just off the Affirmation Alliance property. “Just like here, I can’t do anything about reporters, as long as they stay off the Triple R or Colton Oil land.”

“Well, your father would do something about it.” Selina slammed on her enormous sunglasses and walked away. Rafe waved and strode toward some of the other employees.

Ainsley was chuckling when Asher shifted back to her. “She sure told you.”

“Well, that ‘official company line’ of hers only confirmed that the story about Ace was true, anyway,” he said. “All the papers and TV reports I’ve seen have reported it as fact. We might as well just address it.”

“Oh, no. I want to stay off Selina’s bad side, so I’m going to stick with the official statement.” Ainsley grinned. “Say it after me, ‘private family matter.’”

Marlowe shuffled back over to them, apparently having convinced their mother that she and her baby hadn’t been blown up at work. Asher shivered at just the thought of that, a reaction he hoped the others missed. They were the ones who could have been killed that day. Not him.

Selina crossed back them. “When do you think we’ll be getting back into the building?” she asked Marlowe. “I’m already getting calls for a statement, and I don’t have my laptop to be able to draft a press release. It will need to be a good one.”

Marlowe shook her head. “I didn’t even shut down my computer or lock my office.”

Asher glanced down at Harper, who was again nodding off on his shoulder. “Hey, everyone, I’ve got to get back to the ranch. Anyone need a ride anywhere?”

“And miss our chance to ride in a school bus for the second time today?” Marlowe said, earning laughs from the rest of them.

But as Asher stepped away, a Mustang Valley Police Department cruiser pulled to the curb without flashing lights or a siren. In his navy blue uniform, Sergeant Spencer Colton climbed out and walked straight toward them.

“Hey, Sergeant Colton,” Asher said as the police officer passed him.

Spencer nodded and kept walking. He stopped in front of Marlowe. This was clearly official business.

“I need to update you on the situation at Colton Oil. Would you like for me to do this privately?”

Selina lifted a hand as if to assert that she deserved to hear the news as well, but Marlowe scanned the group, her gaze stopping on Jace.

“I’ll be right over there.” He pointed to a far bench and started that way.

Marlowe crossed her arms and faced the sergeant. “Okay. What do you have?”

“The bomb squad and the explosive-detection canines have swept the whole complex, including the grounds, and there were no suspicious devices located.”

“You’re saying it was a false alarm?” she asked.

“You mean a hoax?” Selina said.

Spencer shook his head. “Whatever you call it, making a bomb threat, whether explosives are located or not, is a serious crime. If arrested, the suspect will face felony charges.”

“But at least we have determined that there is no active threat, right?” Marlowe pointed out. “When will we be allowed to return to the building?”

The sergeant stared at her. Asher could understand his sister’s need to minimize the situation, if only to calm her own rattled nerves, but their cousin appeared to be having none of it. Spencer crossed his arms just below his shiny badge.

“The building will reopen in an hour or so, but this investigation isn’t over. We not only have to know who targeted your staff but why. We also need to find out if this threat is connected to the attack on your father.”

He paused, as if to let that first part sink in, and then continued.

“Until we know the answers to all those questions, we have to assume that Colton Oil employees and family members as well might be in danger.”

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