Tiff didn’t know what to say. Any kid would feel betrayed in a situation like that. But he still hadn’t explained why he hadn’t told her the truth.
“Bookkeeping isn’t my strong suit,” Kenny continued. “It wasn’t until a few days before you came home that I realized we had a problem with the accounts. I got scared, and, I’ll admit it, a little irrational too. I figured you’d find out about my dad and just assume I’d taken the money. I wanted to find the mistake in the accounts first, so I could prove I was innocent.”
“Is that what you were doing in the office late on Tuesday night?”
“You knew I was here?”
“Couldn’t sleep, so I was wandering. My brother’s bedroom has a perfect view of both your cabin and the office.”
“Guilty as charged. I grabbed the bank statements so I could study them at night and try to find the problem. I figured if I could prove money had started going missing before I was hired, I’d be in the clear.” He rubbed his hands on his thighs, as if trying to rid himself of an unseen stain. “But I put in hours and still couldn’t figure it out. Today I decided there was nothing left to do but come clean. So here’s the truth, Tiff. The money’s missing but I swear to God I didn’t take it.”
“I believe you.”
“You do?”
“The bank got me access to the older records today and I was able to trace the missing money back to well before you started working here. It looks like Ed had been siphoning off one or two hundred dollars every month since my father died and he took over. After twenty years, the figures started adding up.”
“You’re sure it was Ed doing the skimming?”
“Yes. The discrepancy between the accounts and the investment account was getting so large, he must have been afraid he was about to get caught. And so he quit.”
“The bastard.”
“No kidding. This is going to kill my mom and aunt. They trusted Ed implicitly. If he’d asked for a raise, they would have given it to him. But to find out he was stealing from them...” She left her papers and went to sit beside Kenny on the sofa.
“I’m sorry for your family. But I’m incredibly relieved you’ve cleared me of any wrongdoing. I like it here, Tiff.”
“Don’t be angry, but for a while, I wondered if you and Riley had been having an affair—if maybe you’d gone into town to meet up with her that night she was killed.”
“That damned piece of pink underwear... I didn’t want to say anything—it felt ungallant—but Riley did come on to me that night she was killed. All the other workers had gone and she’d stayed behind to take a shower. I was grappling with paperwork, figured she’d drive off when she was done like she usually did.”
“But she didn’t?”
“She comes in here, totally naked, carrying those panties in her hand. Goes straight to the sofa and asks if I’d like to join her.”
“And you...?” Was he tempted? From all accounts Riley had been a pretty woman.
“I told her if she valued her job to cut that shit out. And no messing around with the crew either. She backtracked fast. Said she was trying to show me she was grateful for the job. I told her I didn’t work that way.”
“She sounded pretty messed up.”
“She was used to dealing with people who expected her to give them something for everything she got. She figured I’d given her a job and I would expect payback. It’s pretty damn sad.”
“Or maybe she was seeking a distraction. She must have been nervous about the meeting she’d set up with Will Sparks later that night.”
Kenny nodded slowly. “Yeah, that could be it.”
Tiff had been watching him closely as he talked, realizing with some surprise that not only did she believe his explanation for not coming clean about the missing money, she also didn’t find him nearly as obnoxious as she once had. “It is sad. Riley was so young...she had lots of time to turn her life around.”
“I’m glad your mother and aunt are going to give her a proper burial.”
Tiff nodded. “Then maybe we can put this behind us...and you and I can have a fresh start. I’m sorry I’ve been acting like a spoiled brat.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. You’re protective of the farm and your family. That’s a good thing. I’m glad you’ve figured out I’m not such a bad guy, though.”
“Maybe we could have another Dark and Stormy one night.”
“I have a feeling it’s going to be a long winter. Maybe we’ll have more than one.”
Tiff had a pitcher of draft beer on the table when Zak made it to the Dew Drop shortly after six that evening. The place was already busy with local ranchers and townspeople celebrating the end of the work week. And it would get a lot more crowded shortly.
Zak walked in sporting a big grin and sat with a sigh of satisfaction. “Thanks for saving a table.”
“You bet. I’ve been dying to talk to you. Mom and Aunt Marsha are still in shock—neither one can believe Will Sparks would do something like this.”
“I don’t believe he meant to kill Riley. But he’s a strong man with a bad temper. We’ve arrested the right man, I have no doubt about that.”
“I agree.” Nadine, approaching their table, had obviously overheard his last remark.
Zak had seen her enter the bar, and had watched as she scanned the room, checking his natural impulse to wave her over. He still wasn’t sure where he stood with her. The hectic pace at the office today had afforded them zero time to talk.
“Hey, Nadine, I hear you’ve had a busy day,” Tiff said.
“It was pretty crazy,” Nadine agreed.
“Want to join us for a beer?” Zak asked.
After the briefest of pauses she shrugged and said, “Sure.”
Zak signaled Mari to bring another glass. “Tiff was just telling me how shocked her family is about Will Sparks’s arrest.”
“I’m new to the community,” Nadine said. “But from what I’ve seen the guy strikes me as the type used to getting what he wants and willing to bend the rules if it’s of benefit to him.”
“Good assessment,” Tiff said. “I just feel so awful for Derick. His parents no doubt bullied him into this plan. Do you think he’ll be charged, too?”
“I doubt it, especially if he agrees to testify against his dad.” Nadine thanked Mari as the server filled a new glass with some lager from the pitcher.
The three of them raised their glasses.
“Here’s to—” Tiff drew a blank. “I’m not sure what to drink to on a day like this.”
“Survival?” Nadine suggested.
Zak grinned. “We made it through the day. Yeah, here’s to survival.”
“I could use a change of subject,” Tiff said, turning to Nadine. “When I was a little girl I dreamed about being in the rodeo one day. I’d love to hear what it was like to be a champion barrel racer.”
“Periods of great excitement and adrenaline rushes followed by long stretches of hard work, travel, boredom, and loneliness.”
“That’s quite the nutshell. I’ve watched some of your races on YouTube. You and your horse had an amazing connection.”
Sadness seeped over Nadine’s face. “Mane Event is the only thing I miss about those days.”
“I’m sorry.” Tiff put her hand briefly over Nadine’s.
“More than anything I wish Mane Event could have lived to enjoy the retirement she’d earned. But getting a job in law enforcement—I think it was a smart move for me. It’s been an adjustment in a lot of ways. But I like the work. Even this pokey town is growing on me.”
“I hated the remoteness when I was a teenager. But Lost Trail has its charms. The scenery for one. Old friends for another.” Tiff smiled at Zak.
He returned the smile. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed his old friend until she’d moved back. “This town needs people like you.”
“Thanks, Zak.”
Mari came around then, and they ordered another pitcher of draft as well as
burgers and fries.
“Hey, my farm manager Kenny Bombard just came in.” Tiff got up from the table. “Mind if I ask him to join us?”
“Go right ahead.” Zak watched as she went to greet the tall guy standing near the entrance, weighing his options in the crowded room. With his messy dark hair and scruff of a beard, he looked a little rough for Tiff. But who knew?
“Hot guy,” Nadine commented, confirming his total lack of understanding about what women wanted in men. “You jealous?”
Zak shook his head wearily. “You still gnawing on that old bone?”
She laughed. “Maybe it’s time to let it go. You’re a lot more complicated than I thought, Zak Waller. I can’t figure you out.”
“I’m just a simple guy, living a simple life, in a simple town.”
“Hah! I might have believed that about you at one time. But no more.” Her gaze turned probing. “You totally solved this case, Zak.”
The admiring look she gave him made him uncomfortable.
“And yet you’re not taking any of the credit.”
“Drop it, would you? I’m not looking for credit.”
“That’s the part I can’t figure out.”
He shrugged. “It’s not complicated. I like my life the way it is.” That was no longer totally true. But until he figured out what he did want, it would be his official position.
“I’m not sure I believe you. But one thing’s going to change going forward.”
“Oh?”
“I won’t underestimate you a second time.”
They fell silent as Mari came to deliver their burgers. From the other side of the room Tiff and Kenny began to make their way to their table.
“Thanks, Mari.” Zak lifted the top off his burger. Yup, onions. He began picking them off.
“Going for your usual run Sunday morning?” Nadine asked, reaching past him for the catsup.
“Of course. Want to join me?”
“Count on it.”
Zak paused to study her face. The look she gave him was intriguing. It wasn’t just his career he needed to rethink. He might also have to revisit his no romance at work policy.
Epilogue
On the morning of Riley Concurran’s graveside service, the sun was shining, the Montana sky was a brilliant blue, and Tiff was grateful even the weather was paying its proper respects. Riley’s school-girl friend, Emily Blake, had flown to Missoula from San Francisco last night. Kenny and Tiff had picked her up at the airport and taken her to Raven Farm. Over the dinner table last night Emily’s stories of Riley’s past had given Tiff, her aunt and mother, and Kenny some laughs. They’d also shared a fair number of tears.
Now the five of them stood at the graveside, Tiff between her mother and her aunt, with Kenny and Emily right behind them. While the priest spoke of redemption, eternal love, and peace, Tiff thought about Riley’s life. Thanks to Emily she knew it hadn’t all been hard. But it was sobering to realize how a few bad knocks could send a good person reeling. The death of Riley’s mother had started the downward spiral, proving how important family and a sense of community were to a person.
Despite her losses—and Tiff was very aware of the two gravestones several rows behind her—Tiff felt lucky to still have her mother and her aunt, her friends, and of course the land and the farm.
She glanced at Aubrey, standing on the other side of the open grave, dressed in black, and holding Brody like he was the most precious treasure in the world. Riley’s life had ended tragically, but at least she’d left behind a legacy—her adorable son.
After some consideration Family Services had decided to leave the little boy in Aubrey’s custody. If there had been any other biological family alive it might have worked out differently, but since Aubrey had been totally innocent of the Sparks family’s scheming, she’d been judged the best person to care for Brody.
She and Derick were currently separated, and though he stood well apart from his wife and child, Derick’s eyes, moist with tears, were on them now. His mother stood beside him, shrouded in a black hat and veil. To what extent Jen had played a part in the adoption scheme and Riley’s death, no one knew for sure, though Zak had told Tiff he suspected Derick and Will had made a pact to protect Jen at all costs.
Justin Pittman was also at the funeral, standing beside his father. The two were so different physically, but emotionally they were tight, even more so now that Willow had left Justin in the lurch. Geneva wasn’t at the funeral, but at church last week Sybil had told Tiff the little girl was adjusting well to her new father and living circumstances. All the more credit to Justin.
The service was almost over when Tiff finally spotted Zak. He was standing near the back of the small assemblage. Of course he was. With his hand pressed to his chest, he was listening intently to the service. Or was he? Suddenly he caught her eye and winked.
Though Zak’s name hadn’t been mentioned in any of the broadcasts or news articles about the resolution of the case, Tiff—among a handful of others—knew he’d been instrumental in solving it. Zak was so good at being humble, even she, one of his best friends, hadn’t realized how smart he was.
But she knew now. And she was suddenly filled with a sense of optimism about the future. She no longer looked at her move home a last desperate option—it had also been her best. She was looking forward to growing her business, helping her mother...and possibly enjoying a new romance.
Lost Trail might be a dying town, but it wasn’t a lost cause yet. A new generation was getting ready to take the reins. She was going to be part of that movement. And so—even if he didn’t know it yet—was Zak.
The End
Bitter Root Mystery Series
On the surface Lost Trail, Montana is a picture-perfect western town offering beautiful mountain scenery and a simple way of life revolving around the local ranches as well as a nearby ski resort. But thirty-year old Tiff Masterson and her former school-chum Zak Waller—dispatcher at the local Sheriff’s office—know there is darkness in this town, too, an evil with roots that neither of them fully understand.
Book 1: Bitter Roots
Book 2: Bitter Truth
Coming soon
Book 3: Bitter Sweet
Coming Soon
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author C. J. Carmichael has written over 50 novels with more than three million copies in print. She has been nominated for the RT Bookclub’s Career Achievement in Romantic Suspense award, and is a three time nominee for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award.
Visit C.J.’s website at CJCarmichael.com
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