Sharon as the culprit came to mind, but the princess was inept with guns. However, if she’d pawned one piece of Callen jewelry, she could have hired someone to do the deed.
Sam’s mom raced in from outside. “Vince? What happened?”
Aunt Victoria would fuss if he let her examine Mandy. “Can you find a towel for us?”
“You bet.”
As she hustled off, Vince placed Mandy facedown on the sofa. He sat at the foot of the sofa and lifted her leg. The blood had mostly caked, implying the wound wasn’t too deep. “It’s just a scratch.” The wound was oblong. While he wasn’t about to probe the area for a bullet, it appeared as if she’d only been grazed.
“It hurts.”
“I’m sure it does, darlin’.”
The porch door banged open. Jenny rushed in. “How is she?” The medical student knelt in front of the sofa and studied the injury. “I’ll get the med kit.”
Accidents happened at a ranch, and every owner had a decent-size kit. His aunt returned with two towels, one wet and one dry. She handed both to him.
“What happened?” His aunt worried her hands together.
“I’m not sure.”
To clear the excess blood, he swiped the wet towel over Mandy’s leg, but more blood bubbled. Immediately he placed the dry towel on top and applied pressure. She whimpered.
Vince stroked her head. “Easy, darlin’.” He looked up at Aunt Victoria. “We were about to watch the bull riding competition when Mandy was hit. The crowd noise from the corral muffled the report.”
“Do you think it was an accident?”
He shrugged. Voicing his opinion about the off chance someone might want to harm Mandy would only scare his aunt.
Jenny came back with the kit. “I need to clean her calf.” She lifted the towel and more blood oozed out. “Press on this while I get out the iodine and pads.” She glanced up at him. “Did you call the paramedics?”
Mandy waved a hand. “I don’t think it’s very serious.”
For her sake, Vince wasn’t about to disagree. An infection could occur. “No. Should I?”
“Let me examine her first.”
Footsteps sounded. Cam arrived. “Holy shit. What happened?”
“Mandy’s been shot.” Vince raised his brows.
Cam knelt and stroked her back. “How are you doing, angel?”
“I’m fine,” Mandy said with her forehead resting on her arms.
Cam looked at him, and Vince nodded.
“I came to tell you Sharon’s here. Thought you should know.”
His gut soured, but he wasn’t ready to accuse her of something this terrible. “What’s she doing here?” His aunt wouldn’t have sent a personal invitation, not after how she’d treated both him and Cam.
“Said she came to donate to the cause.”
“Damn. You think she had anything to do with this?” He kept his voice low as he nodded to the wound.
Mandy lifted her head but dropped it down. “You’re scaring me guys. I’m betting it was a random shot. Maybe someone’s gun just fired.”
Vince rubbed her back. “That’s not how it works, darlin’.”
Cam chewed on his lip. “Could tell the direction from the sound?”
“I heard nothing.”
“You think the shooter used a silencer?”
“That’s my guess.”
“Where were you standing?”
His tone wasn’t accusatory. “Next to Mandy. In fact, we were heading to the gate to watch more of the bull riding when she was hit.”
“Could they have been after you and hit Mandy instead?”
He didn’t care for that scenario. “Anything’s possible. Whoever it was, he was a lousy shot if he meant to kill one of us.”
Jenny placed tape over the gauze pad. “All set. Mandy, the bullet only grazed you, so no surgery necessary. Try to keep off it for a few days. Cover it when you shower, at least until tomorrow.”
She nodded.
Vince helped her sit and didn’t like her ashen coloring. He glanced at Cam. “Call Will Sutton.”
“What can the sheriff do?”
“Find the bullet. It’s a long shot to match it to someone’s gun, but he needs to try.”
“I’ll call Will, but how about if I stay with Mandy and you see if you can find it? You’ll be a better judge as to its location.”
“True.” Vince got off the sofa. He didn’t want to leave Mandy, but she’d be in good hands. “Keep her here.”
“You bet.”
Vince ran outside and scanned the crowd, his gut souring. It wasn’t so much Mandy’s injury that troubled him, as she’d heal, but the fact someone might want to harm her. That frightened the shit out of him.
Other than possibly Sharon, Mandy hadn’t been in Intrigue long enough to have any enemies. His only conclusion was someone from Denver was after her. But who? Cam told him she was divorced, and from the tan line, the separation hadn’t been long ago.
On his way to the corral where the festivities hadn’t slowed, he ran into Sam. She stopped him. “I thought you were riding.”
“I already did. Mandy’s been shot.”
She grabbed his arms. “Oh, my God. No. How? When?”
He explained the circumstance. “She’s fine, but I want to look for the bullet.”
Sam looked around. “There’s Ian. He can help.”
While she went to speak with her younger brother, Vince headed to the area. He wasn’t a great judge of injuries, but the depth was deeper on one side. From the difference, he guessed the bullet grazed her from right to left.
He moved to the scene. Mandy had been a step behind him. Damn. If he’d had his arm around her, she’d have been safe.
Ian ran over. “Sam told me what happened.”
He nodded. “We need to find the bullet.”
A ton of people blocked the area. He didn’t want to cause a panic. “Let’s see if we can find something to rope off this space.” He showed Ian the approximate area they needed. “When the sheriff gets here, he’ll have an easier time finding the bullet, if we don’t locate it first.”
For the next half hour, he and Ian managed to get people out of the way and secure the scene without too many questions asked.
The sheriff arrived with his deputy. “Cam gave me the lowdown, but go over it again. Retelling the story can often spark something new.”
Vince went through the whole story again, but nothing new occurred to him.
“We’ll take over,” Will said. “Thanks for clearing the way. Cam said the girl is okay?”
“Yeah.”
Now that the case was in the hands of the law, he thanked Ian and rushed back to Mandy. During the time since the incident, he’d formulated a plan and hoped she’d go along with it.
* * * *
Mandy’s leg throbbed, but not as much as her heart. Cam had asked if she’d spoken with Sharon since the encounter at the house, and she’d assured him she hadn’t.
Her number one suspect was her ex-husband, but would he want her dead? Maybe, if he’d been arrested for fraud. He’d probably assume she’d either spoken to the authorities or planned to. Keeping a secret about her past was one thing, but if the shooter failed this first time, he might try again.
Vince barged in. “You doing okay, darlin’?”
“I’m still a little shaky.”
Jenny had brought her a glass of water and insisted she drink several glasses today. During the last half hour, no less than ten people had come in and out of the house. Some she didn’t recognize, but others Cam said were family members. With each bang of the door, her heart skipped a beat. Her gaze shot to their hands in case they were holding a weapon.
She clasped Cam’s hand. “Could we go someplace private? I might know who shot me.”
“You serious?” Cam jumped up and grasped her palm.
She stood. When she stepped, her calf screamed. “Ouch.”
Cam swooped her up in his arms
. “We don’t need the wound to reopen.”
“Bring her into the office. Uncle Josh is outside.”
Being carried embarrassed her. On the other hand, she hadn’t been with Cam in weeks and loved resting against his strong chest. Once in the office, he placed her on the sofa in the corner of the room. The office was actually a library with two walls lined with books, and a third wall containing a large picture window that overlooked the mountains in the distance.
Vince and Cam pulled up chairs and sat opposite her. “We’re listening,” Cam said.
She inhaled her courage. “I wanted to keep the past in the past, but it appears as if something or rather someone has caught up with me.”
Vince leaned his elbows on his knees. “You’re running from someone?”
“Kind of.” She wasn’t sure where to start. “Five years ago I married the man of my dreams—or at least who I thought was the man of my dreams.”
Mandy left nothing out, including how he insisted she leave the job she loved, the fact he told her he wanted children then changed his mind, and how he made millions legitimately, but wanted more.
Vince whistled. “That must have been tough. When did you suspect him of cheating the investors?”
“I can’t give you a date, but little things seemed off. I didn’t think much about it because he was my husband and I trusted him. It was when one of his investors approached me at the club that I searched in earnest for evidence.”
Cam leaned back. “Do you have hard proof he’s pulling a Ponzi scheme?”
“I printed off a lot of the irate e-mails. I’m not sure if any one document is proof, but I’m betting the men who got ripped off would testify.”
“Your testimony would be more damning. I’m surprised he allowed you to divorce him.”
“He didn’t believe I would.” She told them how she accomplished that feat.
Vince bit his nail. “I don’t like it. This Craig Clairbourne seems powerful. How you think he found you?”
Tears brimmed on her lashes, and she wiped them away. “I don’t know. I was careful. I swear.” She told them about using a burn phone, cutting up his credit cards, and selling her car.
Cam shook his head. “You used your real name, though. It’s not a big stretch to check for your maiden name at hotels, and your credit card receipts. Is your bank located in Denver?”
She swallowed. “Yes?” Apparently that was her mistake. She’d debated creating a whole new identity, but without a valid driver’s license, she didn’t know how to get new credit cards.
Vince slapped his thighs. “Thanks for coming clean, darlin’. We suspected something wasn’t right.”
Her chest sagged. “What gave me away?”
He smiled. “Your perfect skin, perfect nails, perfect hands. You name it. You didn’t look like you’d been working in the stables for long or had done many expeditions.”
Now her hands had calluses. “So now what? I can’t go back to Denver.”
Vince smiled. “I have the perfect solution, at least until we find out who’s after you.”
“What?”
“Move in with us.”
Her heartbeat soared. “I can’t do that. I work at the Circle Bar.” Sure she could drive the short distance each day, but it wouldn’t be appropriate.
The office door opened and Sam rushed in. “There you are. How are you feeling?”
“I’m good.”
“She can’t walk very well,” Cam said. “She’ll need to rest. Vince and I believe it would be best if she stayed with us until the shooter is caught.”
“Absolutely. Take as much time as you need. Will found the bullet. Matching it to a gun will be the tricky part.”
She liked the finding the bullet part. The fact Sam was okay with her staying with her cousin worked, too. With the stakes being her life, she’d be too stupid to live if she turned down their offer. “You’re right. I would feel more comfortable not being in the bunkhouse, even if Lilly and Trinity are there.”
Sam nodded. “Not to mention if you’re in the barn by yourself or even riding in the wilderness. You wouldn’t know who to trust. Do you have any suspects?”
Cam interrupted. “Her ex-husband from Denver might have orchestrated the whole thing.” He gave a shortened version of what went down, but he seemed to be leaning toward Sharon.
“If I had to choose between Craig and Sharon, I’d choose Craig. He has the most to lose,” Mandy said.
Cam moved over the sofa and sat next to her. “You really think your ex-husband would try to have you killed?”
She leaned her head back against the sofa and blew out of a breath. “I don’t know. Until a few minutes ago, I would have said no. He liked having a wife who played tennis and who shopped at the high-end stores. I could converse with his big investors, which pleased him to no end.” She wiped her hands on her thighs. “But if he thinks I can bring him down, then maybe yes.”
Cam rubbed her hand. “That woman doesn’t seem like the real you.”
She smiled. “You sound like my dad. You might be right. I love riding horses, learning to shoot a gun, and being outside.” That’s why she played tennis. Fresh air did her soul good.
Cam hugged her. “Don’t worry. We’ll find out who did this. In the mean time, you need to lie low.” He glanced to Sam.
“I agree. You’re scheduled to do a ride along later this week. Do you think you’ll be ready?” She flicked a gaze to Mandy’s leg.
“Totally. I’ve been looking forward to being in the woods.” Now, however, it might be scary knowing someone could follow her and attack at night. Shivers raced up her spine.
Vince stood. “You ready to go home?”
She hissed in a breath. “I was supposed to help take the kiddies around on the ponies.”
Sam waved a hand. “No worries. I’ve got it covered. Go.”
Cam helped her up. While her calf was stiff, she wanted to walk to keep it from tightening too much. As long as the wound didn’t bleed, she’d be good.
They exited the front door instead of the porch side, which led to the activities. “I’ll pull the car up. Wait here,” Vince said.
Mandy put most of her weight on her good leg. “I hope we find out who won the competitions.”
“I’m sure we will.”
Vince arrived with the car, and Cam helped her in. “Ready for some tender loving care?”
Chapter Ten
“You want to stay in my room or Vince’s?”
Mandy smiled. “How about a third choice?”
Cam hugged her. “Don’t be like that. You know you’re destined to be with us. Did our lovemaking not rock?”
“Yes, but—”
Vince dragged them apart. “You can stay in my room, and I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“How can your house be so big and yet you only have two bedrooms?” Something didn’t add up.
Cam held out his hand. “One bedroom is now my office, another is Vince’s.”
“Don’t forget you converted two rooms into our weight room,” Vince said.
“Oh.” Regardless, Vince giving up his room wasn’t fair to him. “I’ll sleep on the sofa. You two have jobs to do and need your rest. I don’t mind vegging on the sofa. I’ll be out of your hair in a few days anyway.” I hope. “I’m going into the wilderness. Remember?”
Vince moved in close enough to make her pulse rise. Something about his blue eyes stirred her blood.
“I’m going with you.”
She chuckled. “I’m sure I’ll be safe.”
“This isn’t Las Vegas or New York. Intrigue doesn’t have a sophisticated lab like they have on TV. We might never know who took that shot. He could follow you out there.”
“That’s a terrible thought.” She loved the woods, but if someone were out to get her, she’d never sleep. “You’d really come with me?”
“I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.” Vince tapped her nose. “I happen to have connec
tions with your boss.” He winked.
If they slept in the same tent, it could be quite fun. “Cool.”
Cam waved her suitcase. “I’m putting these in my room. You can share my shower.” He raised his brows almost as if he expected her to object.
If she wanted to get clean, she might have to shower when both men were at work. “Fine.”
As soon as she settled in, Vince headed to the kitchen. “You hungry?”
She hadn’t eaten since before the incident. “Starving.”
He pulled out cold cuts, bread, and condiments. “It’s a make it yourself lunch.”
“That’s the best kind.”
She sat on the stool, chose the rye bread, ham, and cheese, and built her sandwich. “Isn’t Cam eating?”
“We have no set hours. When he gets hungry, he’ll fix something.”
Vince’s cell chimed. He read the display. “What do you know? That was Sam. I won the bull riding competition.”
His grin lit up his face. “Congrats.”
“Thanks.”
“How did you get to be a great bull rider? I thought you weren’t into ranching.”
He sat next to her at the island. “I like finance more. Growing up, we lived on the same twenty-five thousand acre ranch as my aunt and uncle, and I got plenty of practice riding, roping, and shooting. I value those days, but my body likes the computer better.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Were your parents at the party? I would have liked to have met them.”
He shook his head. “Mom and Dad are touring Europe for the month. When they return, I promise I’ll introduce you.”
“Thanks. So what exactly do you do for a living?”
She needed to see how much Vince was like Craig. At first she thought the slick Cam would be like him, but that turned out far from the truth.
“I got my degree in finance from the University of Wyoming. I had a knack for investing, so I worked a few years as a broker in Cheyenne. My father suggested I invest his money. I put it in the market but soon realized it wouldn’t give my dad the long-term stability he needed. Then a pastor approached me and asked if I’d be willing to act as a mortgage broker and lend him money. I agreed and found the consistent rate of return I’d been looking for. Word got out and I began lending money to more churches around the state. Now that’s all I do.”
Diamonds and Spurs [The Callens 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 8
