“Aleron.” Mitch looked at him. “Will you tell us what you saw?”
“I noted a horse’s hooves and footprints. Cody and I agreed it was probably the person who left the poison. The footprints were not big enough to be a man’s.”
Ellen spoke up. “We made a cast of the footprints. There wasn’t anything notable about the boots. They’re a common type worn by many of our women, and to our regret, they are also not an unusual size. The boots were a seven. I suspect 40 to 50 percent, if not more, of our women wear that size.”
“I’m surprised a woman could be responsible for all of these attacks. Why? What might be her motive?” Mitch studied the faces in the room.
“Could Phillip, the butler who betrayed you, have had an affair?” Mother Aileen asked. “I know it would be highly unusual. Our people are much more loyal after marriage than the norm. But it’s not impossible.”
“This is something Nate suggested when I talked with him. He remembers his wife saying the leader had a family. Which would indicate a wife and child, or a mistress and child. The child might be grown. The two may be working together to get revenge for his death.” Mitch paced across the front of the room. “It leaves us with two tribes of suspects. It would have to have been someone nearby. Phillip rarely went on vacation. Still, we also didn’t know of him having any relationships here on the ranch.”
“If there was an affair, someone knows about it. Probably the woman’s best friend,” Nanna added.
Kira stood. “I’m not sure you all know me. I’m Kira Bevyns, Averil’s twin sister. Listening to you all, I get a picture of a woman who can move around on the ranch freely without appearing out of place. Most of the wives visit around the ranch and shop here and in town. But I believe you’d notice if they came to the main ranch house unless they had a specific question or problem. “This woman isn’t a homemaker, at least one of them isn’t. One of them has responsibilities outside of the home. Think about what jobs women fill in the community.”
There was silence in the room after she spoke. Kira sat and waited to hear the response.
“You have summarized our information well.” Mitch nodded to Kira. “I’ll ask our department heads to make a list of all employees and any that may have been off when the attacks occurred. We won’t specify that we’re looking for a woman, not yet. That’s it for now. I’ll call another meeting when we have more information to share. I’d like the leaders, Kira, her parents, Nanna, Mother Aileen, and Elle to stay for a few minutes longer.”
The others began to leave. Hakan and Rex stood. Rex leaned down and whispered in Kira’s ear.
“I look forward to our next meeting and the challenges you give me.”
Hakan added, “Come to our house tonight for dinner. You might see another side of us.”
She glanced around. “The room is almost empty. You’d better go. Thank you for the invitation, but…”
“Don’t answer now. Think about it.” Hakan handed her a card. “My cell phone number is on it. Call me later.”
Kira watched them leave. They looked much alike, and yet they were very different in personality. She was tempted by them. But was she ready to accept their invitation? Her life would be changing after she announced who she was, and starting a relationship might be one too many complications. She needed to shift and have time to think.
“Kira.”
Hearing her name brought her attention to the front of the room. “I’m sorry, Mitch. My thoughts were elsewhere.”
“It’s understandable. There’s been so much going on. I had a few questions for you and Lann. Lann, when will you announce you’ll no longer be the leader of the third tribe, and that you’ll be leaving to go to Texas?”
Lann looked over at Kira. “Shortly after she tells the people who she is, and that she’ll be the head of all three tribes.”
“Do you have an idea of when you’ll tell our people?” Mitch asked Kira.
“I had planned to talk with you all about this. I’m thinking I have to come forward to allay some of the fear and confusion. They need to know that I’m working to find the enemy. But will this be too much of a shock for them with all the rest that’s going on?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Bevyns, how do you feel about her coming out of hiding?” Mitch looked across the room at them.
“We’re concerned for her. Her anonymity has been important to Kira. This will be a radical change. But since we know what her special talents mean to the tribes and who she really is, we agree she must let our people know they have extra help with this problem.” Her mother stood and moved over next to Kira to hold her hand. Her father sat on Kira’s other side.
“Then we will call a town meeting for tomorrow afternoon. We’ll meet in the large open area next to the circle of trees. We must move fast on all of this. Our enemies are most certainly already making plans for their next strike.”
Chapter Two
“Go for a ride. Bring some of the poison with you. Meet me due west in the large wooded area in an hour. Do you know the place I’m talking about?”
“Of course, I live here. You just visit. I’ll wait thirty minutes before going to the barn to saddle a horse. You go ahead, now.” Gala shut off her cell.
What was she going to do? Seeing all the innocent people sick had upset her. Her original plan had been to kill the ones who caused her father’s death. Then Pearce reminded her, her father wanted them to finish the job and take control of the tribes.
Some of my grief and anger has lessened. I’m not sure I want to be part of Pearce’s plan. But how can I avoid it? Pearce can and will identify me if I don’t work with him.
Gala paced around the small area of her bedroom. She watched the clock, and as soon as it was time she headed for the barn. But she wasn’t going to bring any poison with her as he’d demanded. Hopefully neither Justin nor Sahale would be around to ask questions about where she was going.
Luck was with her, and the barn was empty. Gala saddled a mare she’d ridden before. Then she headed north before looping around to the west and riding toward the rendezvous point. When she got to the trees, she slowed and entered the forest. Cooler air and the scent of pine greeted her.
“Over here,” Pearce called out.
Looking to the right, she saw the figure of a man and horse deeper in the woods. Slowly, she maneuvered her horse in his direction.
Pearce got off his horse, and when she got to him, he helped her down. “We’ll be more comfortable sitting on the pine needles and talking.” He spread his jacket across the ground for her to sit on.
“How have you been doing?” Pearce asked.
“All right, but I’ve been thinking. I don’t want to kill a lot of my people. I want the ones responsible for my father’s death, that’s all.” She thought she saw anger flash in his eyes. Then a strange odor overpowered the pine and fresh-air scent she’d noted when she first rode into the forest.
“What’s that smell?” Gala scrunched her nose up.
“Probably the breeze blew across a dead animal. But back to what you just said. We agreed we’d take control of the three tribes and become their leaders.” Pearce leaned closer to her.
“You and I, king and queen.” His mouth brushed across her cheek, and he lightly kissed her lips. “It’ll all be over soon, and then you and I will marry and reign, as will our future children.”
He was a handsome man, and she’d only been kissed once before. Warmth curled deep in her abdomen. She gasped when his hand cupped her breast and rubbed the tip of her nipple through her blouse.
“You and me, Gala. We’re almost at the finish line. We can’t weaken now.” His tongue invaded her mouth and ravished the tenderness.
When his hand clenched her breast harder, moisture flooded her panties. Her heart pounded, and it was hard to think straight.
His dark-brown eyes appeared black as he stared down at her. A smile curved his lips, but it was more sinister than friendly. Gala shivered.
“Com
e back to this spot this evening. I’ll show you how a real man treats his woman,” Pearce whispered in her ear. “And bring me some of the poison this time.” Then he kissed her again, and his hand slid down her body to her most private area. She was shocked when his cupped her mound, shocked and dazzled at the feelings rushing through her body.
“I don’t get off until six.”
“We’ll meet at seven.” He kissed her lightly again. Then he stood and pulled her up. He brushed the pine needles from her clothes. Cupping his hands, he gave her a boost up into the saddle. “Until tonight, my love.”
* * * *
Gala waved and rode off. Pearce waited a moment and followed. He had to find out where she kept the poisons. He’d follow her all day. When he knew where she’d hidden them, he wouldn’t need her anymore. She was becoming a liability. So she’d be the next victim.
He waited outside her home. She changed and headed to work. Keeping back far enough so she wouldn’t notice, he continued to keep an eye on her.
At the main ranch house, she went in the front door. He rode around to the back and hid in the circle of trees. Pearce tied his horse’s reins to a low-hanging tree branch, and then he sat to wait. The time passed slowly, but he’d learned to be a patient man. He was rewarded when Gala came out the back door and headed to the greenhouses. It was four o’clock. Was she on break, or did they grow their own vegetables? He noted which greenhouse she went into. She returned in about fifteen minutes, and her hands and arms were empty. It must have been her break. As soon as she’d gone in and closed the door, he crept along the edge of the trees, and then darted across to the greenhouse she’d gone into.
Pearce walked slowly around the plants and flowers. He sat for a moment on a bench situated where the person could see and enjoy the best part of the gardens. A disturbed piece of ground caught his eye. A large rose bush, planted in a pot, had been recently moved to cover the spot.
He pulled the rose bush aside and quickly dug into the loose dirt. His hand touched a bucket, and it had something in it. He laughed softly. Luck was with him again. This was her hiding place. Pearce got the bucket out and hurried to his horse. Now he’d find his own hiding place. Tonight, when they met, he’d take care of his biggest problem.
* * * *
Kira checked the ER. There’d been no new admissions. She got a list of the names and addresses of the victims of today’s attack. She’d decided to visit them individually and ask questions. The tiniest bit of information might crack the case.
She started first with the couples who had both drank the tainted punch. As she went from house to house, people told her the same story. They got the punch and didn’t see anyone hovering around. But one family gave her new information.
“My friend and her husband drank some of the punch earlier than us. Tina told us it was good, and she’d been able to get her drink from the smaller punch bowl set to the side and back of the grounds. There were long lines at the other refreshment tables. That’s why we walked back, and sure enough there was only one other couple, and they were leaving.
“But my point is, Tina and her husband didn’t get sick. The poison must not have been in the bowl at the time they got their drinks.”
“Do you know what time that would have been?”
“No, but they live across the street. I’ll call her and see if she can come over.”
Tina agreed and soon arrived. “Hi, I’m Tina. I haven’t met you.”
“I’m Kira Bevyns, the bride’s sister.”
“Oh yes, I remember now. You walked down the aisle beside her. You have a question for me about when we got our punch?”
“Do you remember what time you and your husband went to the small bowl?”
“It was pretty soon after the wedding ceremony that we got to it. The other lines were long, and we walked off. We just happened to see the smaller bowl. We each got a cupful and sipped on it while we ate.”
“And you never felt a twinge of sickness?”
“No, we’ve been fine. We were shocked to hear about the others having to go to the emergency room.”
Kira stood. “Thank you both. You’ve been very helpful.”
“I hope you get this crazy person,” Tina said. “I’d like for life to settle down and be peaceful here on the ranch again.”
“We all want the same. See you.” Kira strode to the truck her father had loaned her. Her cell phone rang just as she started to drive off. She stopped and answered. “Hello.”
“I got impatient waiting for your call. I thought maybe I’d encourage you again to join me. Rex has been called out to do an emergency surgery, so you can get used to us one at a time.”
“Hakan, I’m not planning on getting used to either one of you. A relationship gets too complicated with one man. I can’t imagine how it would be with two, especially you and Rex. He alone is more than I want to tangle with.” She heard his soft chuckle.
“I like the idea of tangling. But forget all your reservations about relationships. We’ll take it a day at a time. Tonight we’ll have a good meal, get to know each other, and maybe tangle a little.”
Kira took a deep breath. She liked the sound of his deep, warm voice, and the thought of tangling with him caused a fluttering in her belly.
“I’m saying yes against my better judgment, plus I’m tired and hungry or I’d never consent.”
“Good. Drive straight to the hospital. I’ll take you to our home and drive you back later.”
“No. I like to have some control. I’ll follow you to your home.”
“I have a great sound system in my car with lovely jazz music or easy listening. You’d be totally relaxed by the time we got home.”
“Don’t push me. I may take back that yes.”
“See you at the hospital.” He ended the call, but not before she heard him chuckle once more.
Kira called her mom to tell her she’d be home late, and then drove to the hospital and parked. Hakan must have been watching out the front. He made rapid strides to the truck and opened her door.
“I’m parked in the doctor’s lot right around the corner.”
He put out his hand, but she pushed it away.
“I’m quite capable of getting out on my own. And I don’t need to walk to the parking lot. I’m driving my own vehicle.”
“Don’t you ever let your date act like a gentleman? Come on and I’ll drive you back here. I want you to hear my great sound system.”
“Somehow I never expected you to be so excited over your man toys. All right, but I’m still driving myself to your house.
“Unless I can change your mind.” He walked beside her toward the parking lot.
“That doesn’t happen often. I wait to see if I can trust a man is being sincere before I let him influence my decisions. Most of them haven’t stayed around long enough for me to find out.”
“Why?”
She shrugged. “Who understands a man’s mind? I don’t. I guess I wasn’t receptive to their wanting to have sex because they bought my dinner. I usually had money ready, and when they tried to insist on sex, I told them they couldn’t afford me. Then I handed them the money for dinner and got out of their car.”
“If I’d been nearby I would have punched them in the face for you.”
Kira laughed. “One of them got out of the car and grabbed my arm. I punched him. He fell on the sidewalk. I hurt his pride more than anything. Surprisingly, he never called again.”
“You are one bad lady. I can see you think you don’t need a man, but I’m going to work on convincing you otherwise. Here’s my car. I’ll drive you around to yours.” He opened the door with a grin on his face.
“I better watch you. You’re very determined.” She got in, and Hakan got in the driver’s seat. He put on his music, and then drove around to her father’s truck. “Sure you won’t let me drive you to my house? I promise to behave and bring you back when you ask me to.”
“Maybe next time, we’ll see. That
is a great sound system.” Kira got out and into the truck. She leaned out her window. “Lead the way.”
Shaking his head, he headed for the main road, and she followed behind. Part of her had been very tempted to accept his offer. But the past had taught her to be cautious.
The vast prairie spread out around them, and as they drove, the mountains got closer. She’d left her window down to let in the cool, fresh air. As they got farther away from the center of the ranch, the more she relaxed. She liked the countryside. This was her first chance to explore since arriving.
For a second, she squirmed in her seat. She had lots of work to do to find the enemy, and here she was planning on having a fun evening. But she knew she needed the time to relax and unwind. Tomorrow she planned to find a place to be alone, shape-shift, and have quiet time to think.
Hakan put on his blinker to turn into a long driveway. At the end was a large house. Lights shone in the front windows. Kira got uneasy. I thought he said Rex was gone. So why would the lights be on?
Kira parked and got out. Hakan walked up to her and put his arm around her waist. “Welcome to our home.” He guided her toward the front door.
She pulled away and put space between them. The slightest touch from him or Rex made her shiver. “Why are the lights on?”
“Rex knows I hate coming home to a dark house. There’s something very welcoming about lights shining to greet you. He’d have turned them on when he left earlier to fly to the hospital where he’s operating.”
Hakan opened the door and made a flamboyant sweeping movement with his arm to welcome her. “And may you visit us often in the future.”
Kira stood in the center of the large room. On one side was a television with a sofa in front of it, and on the other side a couple of chairs were set in front of the fireplace. The room was a mixture of modern and Western. “It has a nice karma to it, warm and restful.”
“Thank you. We’ve been happy here. My mother did most of the decorating. She has a flair for it.”
“She’s Nanna’s daughter.”
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 2
