At Wolf Ranch (27 page)

Chapter 31

E
lla stood, staring down into her uncle’s bruised face. His broken nose had been set and taped at the hospital. He looked ridiculous breathing through his mouth, sitting in the chair across the metal table from her in the police interrogation room with an air of confidence and arrogance that defied the situation. She’d remedy that right now.

“Ella, dear, you look tired.”

“I am. Tired of you. But this will be the last time we speak or see each other.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. You’ll be tucked away where the only people you can hurt are locked up behind bars with you.”

“I’ve got the best lawyers in the city.”

Ella shook her head. “No. I have the best lawyers in the city. The ones you hired with my money were arrested last night too.

“You underestimated me and Lela. You thought you could get away with everything, but in the end your web of lies unraveled because of a man’s conscience and cattle.”

“What?”

Now she had his attention. “The man you coerced into sabotaging my father’s plane stole the broken fuel gauge and black box and hid them away from you all these years, grieving what he’d done and the loss of his wife.” She grabbed the sealed plastic evidence bag and placed the photo of Marjorie Finney, tied and gagged in a chair, on the table. She pointed to his reflection in the glass of the framed picture on the wall. “The woman you murdered. He went to Lela and told her everything and gave her the evidence to take you down. She found the records my father gathered before his death. The ones he planned to use to fire you and have you arrested. The reason you had him killed. Since I didn’t know what Lela discovered, I started digging into the company records. You’ve been stealing from the company for a long time.”

“You can’t prove that.”

“That was the easiest thing to prove. Records, or lack thereof, don’t lie. The deposits to your Cayman accounts don’t lie. The payments to your girlfriend Rose’s apartment and for her rehab don’t lie. The payments to Detective Robbins and your other coconspirators don’t lie. The FBI was quite thorough in their investigation.

“It would have been much harder to prove you killed that auditor for the company. Mr. Reiser, who died in a tragic mugging. Let’s not forget Marjorie. A picture speaks a thousand words, but it’s not conclusive you shot her. Except you kept the gun used to shoot both of them. By the way, that’s another charge against you. Illegally possessing unregistered firearms.

“Proving Mr. Trahan’s car accident was murder might have been impossible if you hadn’t depended on Detective Robbins to dispose of the vehicle you used to run that auditor off the road. You really don’t like auditors. Unless they work for you, that is. He kept it, by the way. The car. In a cousin’s garage in Jersey. Locked away all these years. Insurance that you never double-crossed him. I suppose he probably would have blackmailed you for money for years if your crime spree hadn’t kept him busy all these years, and you didn’t pay him monthly already.

“Lela’s murder would have been harder to prove. Even though I saw you murder my sister, it was still my word against yours, and you had people in your pocket all over this city. Well, not anymore. You may have wiped down the gun, but you forgot to wipe down your prints on the bullets and clip. Plus Detective Robbins copped to falsifying the report that says my prints were on the gun. Oh, and he told them you killed Lela. His account backs up mine. You also gave him Lela’s jewelry in the handkerchief you used to wipe your face. They haven’t had time to test it yet, but DNA doesn’t lie.”

Uncle Phillip stood and rounded the table to come after her, despite the handcuffs keeping his hands behind his back. Ella raised her foot and slammed it into his balls, kicking him back into his seat.

“Sit down. I’m not done talking.”

He leaned forward and gritted his teeth against the pain. His face and ears turned red with rage. “Fucking bitch.”

“You have no idea,” she yelled.

Gabe burst through the door behind her. “I’m okay, honey.” She gave Gabe a reassuring smile.

“Ballbuster.” He shook his head and laughed.

“Damn right.”

Gabe backed out of the room again, glaring at her uncle. She loved him for letting her do this her way. The cops weren’t happy about it either, but Sam fought for her to have this time alone. After all, she’d uncovered several corrupt cops in the department. They owed her.

“What the hell are you doing with that rancher?”

“He’s a better man than you will ever hope to be.”

“Whatever. It doesn’t matter what you think you have on me. My lawyers will keep this tied up in court for years.”

Arrogant, but the cracks in his confidence made his words hesitant.

“I’ve had a judge freeze all your bank accounts. Based on the evidence, and how much you’ve stolen from me, when I’m done with you, you won’t have a penny to your name. In fact, you owe me quite a bit. Which I will collect with every day that you spend in a cell wasting away as your life passes you by.”

“You can’t do that.”

“I already did. So this is how things will go.”

“You can’t tell me what to do,” he spat out.

“You’re right, I can’t. So here are your options. You choose. Plead guilty to all charges, and I will pay for a top attorney to represent you and make a reasonable deal with the state and federal prosecutors filing charges against you. You’ve been a very bad man and you are facing some serious charges and the rest of your life in prison.”

“Don’t talk to me like a child.”

“Why not? You’ve acted like a spoiled brat, taking things that don’t belong to you and lashing out at those who don’t give you what you want.

“If you don’t plead guilty to all charges, you can take your chances with a public defender.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Grow up and face the consequences of what you’ve done. What I’m offering you is fair and just, and a hell of a lot more than you deserve. You killed my family!

“You killed my mother. She confronted you at the estate and called you out about my father’s plane crash and your obsession with her. You wanted her, but all she wanted was my father back.”

He slammed his shackled fists on the table. “She refused me. She tried to kill me.”

The anger didn’t completely mask the anguish behind those words he’d torn from his heart. He as much admitted to killing her mother. She didn’t commit suicide and leave Ella and Lela on their own.

Ella shook her head, her heart heavy in her chest. “She loved my father. Not you. You killed your own brother to get him out of the way, then you made her pay for refusing you. You hung her, and it made you just a little bit happy because how dare she want another man over you.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No? I think that’s why you slept in her room, all those pictures of her staring at you. You loved her, but you felt guilty that it made you happy to kill her. Maybe that’s why you found a woman desperate enough to play your games and turned her into Rose. You wanted to have the fantasy you created in your mind. You needed her. Without her, all you had was the guilt that you killed the only woman you ever loved, and killing her made you feel good.”

Silence. He couldn’t even look at her anymore. Strange, she felt a weight lift from her and a soft touch, like her parents’ and Lela’s hands on her shoulders, letting her know she’d done all she could for them.

She turned for the door.

“Where are you going? We aren’t done here.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “I’m done.”

Chapter 32

G
abe stood at the windows in Ella’s penthouse, staring out at the park. He stuffed his cell phone back in his pocket, his mind on the call with Dane. After a week, things at the ranch were settling into a routine. The men Ella hired with Dr. Potts’s help were doing a good job. Several of them had moved into the bunkhouse on the property.

Ella’s hands ran up his back to his shoulders. She squeezed and kneaded, massaging his muscles. “Longing for the great outdoors?”

She read him so well. The city and massive amounts of people were closing in on him. Claustrophobic, he longed to be out in the wide open spaces of Montana again, atop his horse, breathing the fresh air.

He pulled her around him to lean against his side. “I just got off the phone with Dane.”

“How’s the ranch?”

“Well, Miss Wolf, your cattle are getting fat and happy. The friend you sent to move me and unpack the contents of the storage lockers back into the house is all finished. Blake delivered Angel and Belle two days ago. They are settled in their stalls and under his spell. I think he means to horse-nap them.”

“You’ll break his nose if he tries, right?”

“Anything for you, darlin’.” They’d come to a silent understanding these last days, keeping things light, neither of them discussing or even hinting that their time together was drawing to an end neither of them really wanted, but was inevitable all the same.

“How about something you want?”

Interested, he leaned down, nuzzled her neck, and whispered in her ear, “I always want you, honey.”

She giggled, a genuine show of happiness. Closure with her uncle allowed her to find her comfort zone, running the company her way. She smiled more often, and it did his heart good to see the joy come back into her eyes.

“I’m taking you out tonight.”

“You are?” he asked, surprised.

“To meet my friends.”

“I heard there’s something going on today.” He dipped his hand in his pocket and pulled out the charm bracelet he bought her yesterday. He held it up and let the ruby heart charm catch the light. On either side of it hung a gold E and an L.

Ella gasped and covered her open mouth with her hand. Tears filled her eyes and spilled over.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart.” He held the bracelet up and tapped the red heart. He’d already given her his, but this one she’d wear, a reminder of him and their time together, because soon all they’d have were their memories.

“Gabe, it’s beautiful. It’s perfect.”

Ella held out her hand. He secured the bracelet around her wrist and kissed the back of her hand.

“Thank you.” She leaned up and kissed him. “I have something a little different for you.”

“What? No jewelry?” he teased.

“Come upstairs. We need to get ready to go.”

“Honey, if I take you upstairs, there’s no way we’re going anywhere.”

She pulled his hand and he followed her to the stairs. Smiling over her shoulder, she said, “We’ll leave after we do that.”

“What?” he asked, still teasing her.

She turned back to him before taking the stairs up and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. “We don’t have much time, but take me to bed, cowboy.”

“You city girls sure are bossy.” But it was his pleasure to do her bidding, keep her in his arms as long as possible, because soon his arms would be as empty as the days stretching out in front of him.

She opened her mouth to protest his jibe, but he shut her up with a deep kiss and walked right up the stairs and into her bedroom. They landed on the bed in a tangle of arms and legs.

Gabe kissed his
way up Ella’s back. She lay on her stomach, her pretty face buried in the pillow. She didn’t open her eyes, but rolled over, grabbed him by the back of his head, and kissed him long and deep, reminding him of last night and all the fun they had both in bed and out.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

Ella stared up at him, a soft smile on her face. “Hi. Did you sleep well?”

“I guess.” After making love to her again, he spent most of the night staring at the ceiling, holding her close, and dreading what he had to do this morning.

“We had a late night, huh?”

“Well, that’s what happens when you go out with a wild party girl.”

After he made love to her yesterday evening, she’d rushed him through a shower, ordered him to put on dressier Western wear, and dragged him into a limousine that took them to a country bar she’d rented out for all her and Lela’s friends. She stood onstage and gave a lovely tribute to Lela, telling stories about them together growing up as kids. Friends stood up with her and each one started with “Remember the time . . .” and told one story after another. Most of them were filled with fun and happiness, a few more poignant, but the thread throughout remained the kind and loving woman had left her mark on each of their lives and would be remembered as a true friend.

Ella made the last toast, making everyone tear up. Then she introduced the band, told everyone Lela would want a celebration, not a funeral, and she downed the shot of vodka like it was nothing. From that moment on, the drinks flowed, one of his favorite bands rocked the place, rattling the walls, and Ella and her friends had a blast.

Happy in her element and with those closest to her. By the end of the night, one thing was clear. Ella adored her friends, and they loved her. Not just friends, but family. She glowed. He’d thought Ella beautiful and strong from the moment he met her, but now she was thriving.

She belonged here. After all she’d lost, no way he could take her from everyone she loved and isolate her on his ranch in Montana. It would be too unfair. As much as he wanted her by his side, he wanted her happiness more.

She glanced at the clock beside the bed. “Why are you up so early? Come back to bed.” She reached for him, and he willingly leaned down for a kiss, but pulled back far too early for her liking. “What’s wrong? You’ve got a strange look in your eyes.”

He desperately wanted to make love to her again, close out the world and the inevitable, but restrained himself, trying to make himself get what he had to say out.

“It’s time for me to leave, Ella.”

“Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“Now.”

“I’ve got a seven o’clock flight.”

She sat up, the sheet tucked under her arms and draped across her chest. Sadness and fear lit her eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“Yes, you do. Just like me, you knew my coming here was temporary. As much as I hate to leave you, I have a ranch in Montana to run.”

“So, what? This is it?”

“This is where we were always headed, city girl. You knew that as much as I did.”

“I’m caught between angels and cowboys. The city and the country. Work and you. I owe my family for everything I have.”

“You don’t need to make excuses for doing what you need to do, Ella. They left everything to you because they knew you’re strong and capable and smart enough to carry on all they started and hoped Wolf Enterprises would become. I know you’re going to be a huge success. I am so proud of you for everything you did to avenge your sister and parents’ deaths.

“You’re an amazing woman, Ella Wolf. You’re going to do amazing things with the company you now run. I’ve heard you talk about the projects you want to implement and the excitement in your voice about the launch of the new cosmetics line. You’ve found your place here, and that’s okay. This is where you need to be.”

“So, what, you don’t want me anymore?” Tears glistened in her beautiful green eyes, making his gut go tight and his throat ache.

“I’ll always want you, but I won’t ask you to live a life you don’t really want. I did that once, and it ended in disaster. I won’t let what we shared turn into fights and resentments and anger and hate because we can’t live with each other and have what we really want. I won’t do that to you, to us, knowing in the end you’ll hate me for it.”

“Gabe, no, I just need more time to settle things here. We can be together.”

“Ella, you and I both know your life is here, at the company and with your friends. This is where you belong, where you are your best, not on some isolated ranch in Montana. Even if we never said it, we both knew this day would come.”

“We can make it work. I don’t want this to be the end.”

He tried to ignore the tears in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. He hated to break her already battered heart. She had to know that every one of those tears he caused tore his soul to shreds.

“We’re partners in Wolf Ranch. Like you said, you’ll always know where I am, but we have to face reality. You and me and forever was never meant to be.” The words came out gruff, but he forced himself to swallow the agony and misery those words and the outlook of his bleak future caused.

He did the hardest thing he’d ever have to do and walked out the door, knowing he couldn’t ask her to be someone she wasn’t, and he couldn’t be a different kind of man. It didn’t bring him any comfort to know he’d done it for her, for him, and that it was the only way he knew how to preserve the love they’d shared.

The emptiness settled in his gut and spread through his heart and deep into his soul. The ache throbbed with every beat of his broken heart.