The Indigo Brothers Trilogy Boxed Set

by Vickie McKeehan

  Anniston heard the crackle and pop of a fire and breathed in the smell of the wafting smoke.

  Tanner’s voice cut through the magic. “Do you guys plan to stay over there all night and cuddle or join the rest of us?”

  “Ah, civilization intrudes, or in this case more like a loud bear,” Garret said with regret. He unwrapped his legs from around Anniston, swung them to the ground and stood up. “It was nice while it lasted. You need help getting out?”

  “Probably, unless I want to end up on my ass.”

  “Can’t let that happen. It’s such an exceptional ass.” Helping her out of the swing, he ran a hand seductively over her rear end, then swatted it with a light rap. “Oops. I thought I saw a bee. I got it just in time, though, before it took a bite out of you.”

  With his parents a few feet away, she batted his hand off her bottom and tried to wrap her hair back up into its twist. There was a snort from him as they walked over, hand in hand.

  Garret left her momentarily to haul over two more chairs from around the side of the house. “Nice to have the crowd finally leave.”

  Lenore let out a tired sigh. “Yes, but I’m glad they all came. Everyone said such nice things about Livvy and the kids. Although Dandridge didn’t show his face here today. I guess he knew better.”

  It was the perfect opening for Anniston to say what had to be said. She looked out over the faces glowing in the firelight. “Tell me, are you still bent on meeting with Boone and the others? If so, there are a few things we need to go over.”

  Lenore and Tanner exchanged looks. It was Lenore who nodded. “It makes my stomach curl knowing there has to be a reason he didn’t want anyone searching for them. I want to ask him why.”

  “That’s just it. You can’t be upset when you get in his face. Bringing emotions into it is a recipe for disaster. Furious only takes you so far,” Anniston explained. “You could let me do it.”

  Jackson rolled his eyes. “We’ve been all through this before.”

  Lenore agreed. “I thought we’d settled this already. We can’t let you be the judge on this, Anniston. We can’t. No one knows Boone like Tanner and I do.”

  Raine nodded. “That’s the way I feel, too. I know Carson better than anyone here. I’ll be able to tell if he’s lying.”

  “Same goes for Dandridge,” Tanner said. “I want to watch that bastard squirm.”

  Anniston held up her hands. “Okay. Okay. I had to try. I told my dad you wouldn’t give in on this one point. This may not be the time or the place, but I want you to hear me out. This afternoon I came up with a list of standard questions and a script to follow. But halfway done, I decided to trash what I had and start over, go another way. I don’t think asking the same stuff will work. So I revised some of the points and tailored the questions to each man. It’ll be up to each of you to gauge their reactions to the various points. Watch the body language, the eyes. Is he evasive or straightforward? Does he squirm in his seat or meet the question head on?”

  “You could go with us,” Tessa suggested.

  “No, after thinking about it, that would put these guys on guard. This way they think they’re just having a conversation with people they’ve known forever, casual-like. And besides, I have a better idea. I hope you’re all good at acting.”

  Mitch grinned. “Now we’re talking.”

  “Since you’re all determined to do this, there are certain topics you need to bring up to each of the respondents. Since we have a timeline as to when Livvy was last seen with her kids, pose that to all of them. Ask if they knew anyone who wanted to do harm to the family. Plus, it’s imperative you bring up the golf course deal. Make them think that’s why you’re there.”

  Tessa grinned. “So Jackson and I shouldn’t let on to Baskin that we know he’s in debt to Royce for gambling losses?”

  “Everyone seems to be in debt to Royce for something. And I’d like it if everyone brought up Ryan in the conversation. I’ll email each of you a copy of the script. If you have to, act as though you think I’m a total idiot and you’ve been disappointed with my job performance. Make them believe you’re hoping to get better results yourself. Tell them you can’t rely on my talents as an investigator. Use any excuse, as long as you get them to talk. Even if it means you dupe them into believing you’re doing this investigation on your own so you need to start from scratch.”

  Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “You might as well put Wendy Hollister on that list. Tessa and I have decided to talk to her, mainly because we aren’t sure Nathan left town under his own power. Until we know for certain, we need to find out what Wendy knows.”

  Anniston blew out a breath. “Wendy’s another wild card, though. Personally, I don’t think you’ll get her to open up. That’s my take anyway.”

  Tessa considered that. “Maybe we should wait. Give her more time and see if she makes mistakes.”

  “All right,” Jackson said in agreement. “We’ll let her play out this scenario and see where it leads.”

  “Okay then. You should know I stopped in at the bank earlier. Nathan’s coworkers practically tossed me to the curb. And speaking of Nathan, that’s one of the names I want each of you to throw out. Plus, I’d like everyone to record the meetings.”

  “Wear a wire?” Even Mitch raised his eyebrows at that. “Isn’t that illegal?”

  “In Florida it’s a two-party consent. But we won’t be wiretapping a phone, or going into anyone’s personal space. We’re not having a private conversation by intruding into their offices or homes. If we pick a public place where the casual conversation might reasonably be overheard, you’re okay recording them.”

  She speared a finger at Tanner. “Don’t even think about talking to Dandridge on church premises, though. Engage him anyplace but there. Pick a nice, highly visible spot. Pretend as though you’ve accidentally bumped into him at the coffee shop he frequents, or one of the places he likes to eat.”

  Anniston turned to Raine. “Don’t approach Carson at his own doughnut shop. Try to get him into The Blue Taco, on your turf, or somewhere he likes to hang out.”

  “That might be tricky. Carson doesn’t like tacos.” When Mitch let out a laugh, Raine turned to him and smiled. “It’s one reason I stopped returning his calls.”

  Anniston went on, “You’ll figure it out. As for Baskin, buy him a beer at his favorite watering hole.”

  “That would be Mattito’s,” Jackson said.

  “I think I’m getting the hang of this,” Mitch admitted. “I like it. But why record these people?”

  “Because I want to send the tapes to a voice analysis expert I know. He’ll use the recordings to measure stress points in their responses, maybe tell us which ones we should eliminate altogether or which ones require digging further into their backgrounds.”

  “You’re saying this voice analysis indicates who’s lying?” Garret clarified.

  “Yep. Better than a polygraph. That’s why it’s an investigative tool Interpol uses. I figure if it’s good enough for them, it ought to benefit us. And it might cut through a lengthy process of elimination.”

  Tanner crossed his arms over his chest. “Where was this tape recorder when Royce waltzed in here trying to peddle his BS? I’d like to have had that analyzed. Does anyone really believe Royce didn’t know what Walker was into?”

  Garret cut his eyes to his brothers. “I would’ve said no before talking to Wayne tonight.” He repeated what he’d learned about Walker and Hugo Reiner to those who’d missed the conversation.

  But Tanner was stubborn. “I refuse to believe Walker actually thought he’d find a bunch of gold. Surely he wouldn’t be dumb enough to believe that old geezer knows anything about finding it.”

  Mitch’s back went up. “I hate to break this to you, Dad. But I find gold and other stuff that’s quite valuable by following leads; leads that often originate from people just like Hugo. I like to think I’m pretty good at weighing in on the ones bullshitting me versus tho
se with viable information.”

  “That’s just it, that’s the difference. You check them out, verify the lead,” Tanner said. “Would Walker have the sense to do that?”

  Mitch lifted a shoulder. “A rank amateur could get carried away. If Walker was desperate enough, thought he was invincible enough, he could bypass the verification part and go straight to the land of fantasy.”

  Garret patted his brother on the back. “Yeah, you have enough skepticism inside you that I doubt you’d take anything for granted. Are we suggesting Walker might’ve reached out to Dietrich?”

  “Hey, Royce might have brought Dietrich in as one of his golf course buddies for backing. But who else would be dumb enough to wave a hunt for gold in front of Dietrich, known treasure hunter? Because if it sounded plausible enough he’d simply bring the Patagonia Pike up from South American waters to look for it himself. And since the crew is definitely here…I think Walker approached Dietrich with some kind of deal. And it got his family wiped out,” Mitch stated.

  Garret rubbed his forehead, turned to his dad. “Okay, here’s my take on Walker. He was probably all those things you mentioned. Let’s start with dumb. Absolutely. He underestimated the wrong person, more than likely it was Dietrich. Desperate? Certainly. He was rumored to be in debt and wanted to please his old man. We all know what that’s like. It’s easy to see the gullible side of anyone. What is that old saying? If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Hugo might’ve led Walker into a trap, double-crossed him for some cash. And to tell you the truth, that’s what I saw in Royce’s eyes this morning. Royce is scared, Dad, scared his son got mixed up in something he couldn’t control for the first time in his life. Whatever it was, it got his wife and daughter killed. And since Walker and Blake are still out there, I’d say they ended up like Livvy and Ally. Which brings us to one question. How long do we wait before going out and actively looking for them?”

  Mitch stood up. “I’ll call the crew and get them ready to go out tomorrow morning.”

  “What about locating Hugo?”

  All eyes fell on Anniston.

  “Sure. I’ll add that to my list of other things to do.”

  On the way back to the hotel Anniston noticed Garret had fallen quiet, not exactly a common occurrence. When he stopped to let her out at the front, she angled in her seat toward him. “You want to tell me what’s bothering you?”

  “It might take hours to tell you. I should probably come up and spend the night again.”

  A laugh shot out of her. “Oh, that’s good. You’re good. Women don’t usually play hard to get with you, do they?”

  “Why bother playing hard to get? You know you’ll eventually let me spend the night, a night, I might add, that comes with a slew of carnal benefits.”

  “Carnal benefits? Maybe you should list your specific talents in that area.” After he ticked off two or three, she held up a hand and fanned herself. “Okay. Never mind. I get the picture. You know your way around the female body. No wonder you come highly recommended.”

  “Say what?”

  “Cara. She personally vouched for you.”

  Behind the wheel, he doubled over in laughter. “I guarantee my skill set’s improved quite a bit since high school.”

  “I would hope so. Is it starting to get hot in here?”

  Recovering enough, he cracked a grin and took her hand. “Steaming up car windows isn’t exactly what I had in mind. More like naked bodies, stretched out on satin sheets, while we go at each other and get to know each other…a lot better.”

  “In the carnal sense?”

  “Now you’re getting the picture.”

  “I’m definitely in your corner. I’m even rooting for you. All kidding aside, it sounds like it’s just what we both need to alleviate the pressure of this case. But, let’s be practical.”

  “Let’s not.” He turned her wrist, found her pulse beating in double time, and pressed his lips to the spot.

  His head was bent, almost in her lap. She raked her fingers through his hair, then tipped up his chin to meet her eyes. “Garret, if we do this, promise me it won’t get complicated.”

  “I’ll park the car.”

  Her cell phone lit up, once, then twice, then three times in rapid succession. “Uh-oh, something’s happened.”

  She read the first text message from Dack. At eight o’clock this evening the Coast Guard found a second barrel. They hauled it up and found two bodies inside. Adult male, little boy. On the way to the county morgue now.

  Anniston held out the phone so he could read the messages for himself. At the look on his face, she framed both sides of his cheeks. “At least you don’t have to go looking for Walker and Blake tomorrow morning.”

  Garret pressed his fingers as hard as he could into his temples. “Will this ever stop? I have to tell Mom and Dad.”

  “And I should go see Royce, tell him in person.”

  “How about we tell my parents first, and then I’ll go with you to the Buchanan estate?”

  “That’ll work. I really didn’t want to go there by myself.”

  “Then we’ll circle back to the hotel.”

  “You have that gleam in your eye.”

  “Honestly, I’m about out of gleams since I have to deliver more bad news.”

  “I’ll be there with you.”

  “Then let’s set this plan in motion.”

  But plans have a way of not working out.

  Once they reached the Buchanan estate, the housekeeper had a hard time waking Royce up. She had to go ask Roger Baskin for help. It turned out Baskin lived in the guesthouse behind the main residence.

  As soon as he appeared in the doorway of the study where they were waiting, he went into an explanation. “Royce takes an Ambien every night to help him sleep. It’ll take some time to get him cognizant enough to know what you’re saying.”

  “Some time” stretched out over two hours. Royce didn’t come downstairs. Instead, they went up to him. His bedroom was massive, decorated much like his study, in dark wood and antiques. He was still in his four-poster bed, dressed in a tan silk robe, propped up by a dozen or more pillows. His eyes were glassy and confused-looking.

  “Are you sure it’s okay to do this?” Garret asked Baskin, who had taken a seat on the loveseat in the outer room. “He still seems pretty out of it.”

  Baskin lifted a shoulder as if he didn’t really care one way or the other. “You’re here now, might as well break the news.”

  “Royce,” Anniston began as she approached the bed. “Remember when I told you I’d let you know if I heard back from the Coast Guard?”

  The old man barely moved his head up and down.

  But Anniston went on, “I heard from them. They found a second barrel. Walker and Blake were inside.”

  Anniston and Garret watched as tears streamed down the old man’s cheeks. She reached for the box of tissues on his nightstand. But he didn’t make a move to take one.

  She jerked one out of the box and dabbed at his cheeks. “Are you okay? Do you want us to call anyone?”

  He closed his eyes and slowly moved his head from side to side. His shoulders began to tremble. She squeezed his hand and realized he was starting to shake all over. The sobs came then, a moaning wail. Taking a seat beside him on the edge of the bed, she watched him come undone and glanced at Garret for help. But neither one knew what to do or how to make it better.

  Chapter Ten - Heat

  The longest night of Garret’s life turned into the morning after, without ever having been to bed. He ended up taking Anniston back to the hotel around five that morning so she could catch a few hours’ sleep. He, on the other hand, played the dutiful son and went back home to be with his family.

  Now, running on zero shuteye, Garret was on the verge of a mental shutdown.

  But since no one else had been to bed either, it seemed like no big deal. Sitting around the kitchen table with his brothers, he loaded up on more caffeine. “This
stuff is actually beginning to make me sick.”

  “Don’t barf on the table,” Mitch warned. “You do look kind of green. I take it you didn’t have the kind of fantasy night you expected.”

  “Fantasy would’ve been Anniston naked and a can of whipped cream on hand. I refuse to consider sitting around watching Royce Buchanan bawl his eyes out part of my fantasy, more like something out of Freddy Krueger.”

  “Feel free to provide details about the Anniston fantasy,” Mitch prodded.

  “My dreams, my fantasy. Seriously, Anniston and I left Royce at three-thirty this morning still crying like a baby. It was tough to watch. Baskin sat ten feet away looking like a damn statue. I’m not sure who was experiencing the greater shock, him or Royce.”

  “Maybe Baskin was shocked because he didn’t expect the second barrel would ever be found,” Jackson speculated.

  “More like the first barrel. I sat there in Royce’s fancy bedroom studying Baskin, or Thornton, whatever the hell his name is, and decided he looked every bit the enforcer. He has a vibe about him that’s like a blank screen. He doesn’t give off any emotions, or let on he has a touchy-feely side.”

  “I always thought he had a rough edge. I remember the time I took that old Datsun we took turns driving to him to get it fixed. I was trying to hide the fact that it needed a new muffler from Dad.”

  Garret nodded. “You ripped off the muffler when you drove over a speed bump doing at least fifty. Almost threw me into the windshield. My life flashed before my eyes. I think I was fourteen.”

  Mitch eyed his brother. “Don’t exaggerate. Yeah, well, that speed bump shouldn’t have been there. I should’ve just taken it somewhere else and saved all the aggravation. But after it happened I panicked and took it to Baskin thinking I could get it fixed with my own money. I’d been saving up to buy Raine a necklace. But Baskin said if I didn’t pay him by the end of business that day he’d find me at school and drag me out of class. Now we know that threatening persona might’ve come from spending time in jail.”