The Dangerous Gift (15 page)

What he saw at the ranch angered him. He clenched his long fingers around the camera as the screen showed an image of a man and a woman in a tender embrace. The image wobbled and blurred. When Ryder refocused the lens, the couple was gone. He noticed a movement at the French doors on the upper floor and remembered Jennie’s bedroom had French doors. They allowed the powerful lens an uninterrupted view of the couple, now in the throes of unfettered passion as they discarded their clothes and gave in to their animal urges. His hands shook uncontrollably at the tableau of love laid out before him.

Ryder furiously clicked the camera’s button. Later, in the silence of his sanctuary, he would relive the experience and torture himself for not preventing it. Jared had fucked Jennie, unaware he tampered with destiny. Jennie denied Ryder was her soul mate. Why didn’t she feel the magnetism he felt between them? She was a deceitful whore.

The sound of bone meeting a hard surface echoed in the silence. Ryder stared at the ground. Drops of dark red blood stained the dusty track. His gaze flicked to his bloody, bruised hand. The pain didn’t register, obliterated by the painful thump of his heart and the red fire that coated every thought in his aching head. Whatever it took, Ryder must ensure Jared and Jennie met their fate. A low, eerie howl of anguish echoed in his head. They would pay for his pain. It was no longer about the land or even the oil. It was personal. He would punish them until they accepted that they didn’t belong to each other but to him and Darleen.

The sound of cattle lowing and horses jostling forced Ryder back to the present. He needed to get away from here before he was recognized. He whistled for his horse, and the pinto trotted out of the group of horses feeding in the paddock on the edge of the Unicorn’s ranch complex. He picked up the camera and vaulted onto the horse’s back. He closed his fingers round the reins, and the horse moved swiftly away in the direction of the Pegasus. Fortunately, the horse knew the way because Ryder sat unseeing on his back, too lost in his hate to guide it.

Chapter 14

Jared

The sheriff took a long swig from the cold beer Jared had given him and stretched his legs out in front of him. Jared passed Jen her mineral water and snagged a beer for himself.

“It’s good of you to come over on your own time, Dan. Tomorrow would have been fine.” Jared sat on the swing seat, and Jen sighed as his leg brushed against hers. He would much rather be in bed with her than sitting here with the tired sheriff, who seemed settled for the night.

“I was close by, and this beer’s a real lifesaver after today.” Dan removed his Stetson and ran his fingers through his thinning hair, apparently unaware of the sparks arcing between Jared and Jen.

“Was it a bad accident?” Jen frowned.

“Over ten cars were involved but thankfully no fatalities.” Dan rubbed his chin, which was smudged with grime. “Now about the plane crash investigation, Jared.”

Jared’s grip tightened on the neck of the beer bottle, and he consciously relaxed his tense fingers. His father was not to blame, whatever the investigators decided. “So what’s the verdict, Dan?”

“There were traces of bomb components in the cockpit. It’s inconclusive, but the most likely cause is sabotage.” Dan clenched his beer bottle, his gaze serious.

“Someone planted a bomb on our plane? Where did it happen, at the airport in the city?” Jared’s mind whirled as he considered various scenarios. None of them offered any comfort.

“Unlikely it was at the airport. Their security is top-notch. Most likely it was planted when it was here on the ranch.” Dan took another swig of beer. His gaze didn’t waver.

“The plane was kept in a large barn in the centre of the property, miles from anywhere. Are you suggesting someone from the ranch did this?” Jared stood and paced the deck, his footsteps a repetitive tattoo.

“It’s a possibility.” Dan finished his beer and placed it at the side of his chair, his expression guarded.

“Jared, stop. Sit down.” Jen’s voice penetrated the red mist clouding his thoughts. He ceased pacing but leaned against the porch rail, too wired to sit. “What about the neighbours on the surrounding properties?” Jen asked. “Presumably they knew where you stored the plane?”

Jen wanted him to tell the sheriff she suspected Darleen and Ryder were behind this. Someone must pay for what happened to his parents, but Jared refused to fire Jen’s bullets. Her reasons for distrusting Darleen and Ryder had nothing to do with this. “Yes, I guess so.”

“So that would be the Pegasus Ranch, then?” Dan’s gaze flicked between Jared and Jen. “I thought you were on good terms with the owners. Darleen and Ryder now, isn’t it?” He smiled slightly; he knew Jared had dated Darleen a few months back.

“Yes, Darleen and I are friends, nothing more.” Angry now, Jared began pacing again; the repetitive exercise stopped him losing it. “Ryder is another story. He’s fixated on Jen. I want you to warn him off officially, Dan.”

“What about you, Jennie? Do you think they have a hidden grudge against the Unicorn?” An experienced lawman, Dan wouldn’t be diverted from his line of questioning.

“I don’t know for sure, Dan. I’ve only been back a few days. Darleen and Ryder weren’t running the Pegasus when I left.” Jennie glanced at Jared, her gaze wary. “Annie and Ralf died in that plane crash. The investigators say someone planted a bomb. At the very least, Darleen and Ryder need to be ruled out as suspects.”

“I’ll go there tomorrow. Find out what they were doing a few days before the crash. See how they react.” Dan stood up. “I’ll need to interview all your people here, Jared. I’ll send some deputies over first thing in the morning. In the meantime, I need a list of your cowboys and other staff. I’ll run them through the database to see if anything suspicious turns up.”

“I don’t like this. The ranch hands are like family. They all loved my parents. None of them would have done this.” Jared raked his fingers through his already-messy hair.

“I hope you’re right, Jared, but we have to eliminate them.” Dan patted him on the back.

“I’ll print you a list off.” Jared walked towards the office.

***

Jennie

“Do you really think someone from the ranch could be involved, Dan?” Jennie watched the sheriff closely after Jared had left.

“Gut feeling, probably not.” Dan smiled, his gaze full of sympathy. “Although what we know suggests it must be someone with local connections. They knew where Ralf stored his plane.”

“What do you know about Darleen and Ryder?” Jennie leaned forward.

“Not much at all. I knew their grandparents, of course, and I remember their son from before he went off to college, but he never came back, except for fleeting visits when Darleen and Ryder were small. He got married in the city. His wife was a city girl, and she wouldn’t live out here. I’m surprised—” Dan stopped as Jared returned.

Jared gave him the list of ranch employees. “What have I missed?”

“Jennie asked me about Darleen and Ryder. I don’t know them that well. There’s never any trouble on the ranch, so I’m not a regular visitor.”

Dan’s wary gaze made Jennie insistent. “You will speak to them about the plane, though, won’t you?” she asked as she touched Dan’s arm. She wanted action, not platitudes.

“I said I would.” Dan looked pointedly at her hand.

“Thanks, Dan, we appreciate it. If there’s anything else you need from me, just ask.” Jared rested his hand on Jennie’s shoulder, a gesture of comfort or to prevent her questioning Dan further, she couldn’t tell.

“Okay, I’ll get going. I’ll keep you up to speed, Jared. Nice to see you again, Jennie.” Dan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. She’d overstepped a boundary and dented his professional, not to mention masculine, pride.

Jennie smiled at the lawman. “Bye, Dan, and thank you. I’m sorry if I was overzealous, but the number of accidents and near misses around here worry me.”

“I understand. We’ll get to the bottom of this, trust me.” Dan stood a little straighter. “I want to solve this before the federal authorities get involved. Once the report is finalized, they will be all over this place like a rash. It’s in everyone’s interest to find the culprit and get a confession before that happens.”

“I’ll walk you to your car, Dan.” Jared patted the older man on his back in a masculine show of support. His gaze flashed a warning at Jennie before he followed Dan down the steps into the ranch yard.

Jennie turned away in disgust. She liked Dan, but the laid-back sheriff was no match for a bomber and murderer. Perhaps she could uncover something to help him.

She picked up the laptop from the office desk and sank into the welcoming softness of the couch. She typed into the search engine:

Ryder and Darleen James.

She couldn’t call the federal authorities yet; she didn’t have any proof. Determined, she clicked on the first link associated with Ryder and began to read.

Still reading information snippets from the Internet a few minutes later, Jennie twisted her hair into a rough knot. When Jared strolled into the office and dropped a gentle kiss on her bare neck, she shivered and leaned back to look at him. Jared’s sad smile tugged at her heartstrings, and she leaned back against his rock-hard abs and let him draw her closer.

“Are you okay with the news, Jared? It’s awful that someone did this to Annie and Ralf deliberately.”

“I’m kind of relieved, if anything. At least no one can blame Dad. Move up. I need to hold you.”

Jennie put the laptop onto the floor and scooted across to allow Jared to sit with her. He pulled her onto his lap and rested his forehead against hers, and Jennie stroked the back of his head. Their lips met as a natural consequence of their embrace, and she could taste his pain. Short of breath, she drew back. Jared stared into her eyes, his gaze a volatile mix of anger, desire, and pain.

He needed her comfort. She ought to be working on finding out more about Darleen and Ryder, but she wanted to make him smile, and her love could do that.

Jared glanced at the laptop screen. “Found anything interesting?”

“Not yet. I can pick it up later. Shall we go upstairs?” Jennie saw the heat rise in Jared’s gaze only to be quickly replaced with regret.

“I would love to, but I need to catch Rod up on everything. If the deputies are heading out here tomorrow, I want to let him know.” Jared kissed the top of her head and held her tightly.

“Yes, of course, but tell him to keep it to himself, Jared. However much you trust your ranch hands, the deputies are more likely to get true answers if they have the element of surprise. If the federal authorities get involved, it will disrupt the ranch and may damage the launch of the dude ranch. This needs to be solved fast, with minimum disruption.”

Jennie stroked Jared’s lips, and fiery sparks shot round her body when his tongue met her sensitive fingertips.

Jared nodded. “You’re right, but I don’t care about the disruption if my parents’ killer is found.”

“Sorry, of course that’s a priority. I want justice for Annie and Ralf, of course I do, but the ranch was important to them, and it is to us too. I didn’t mean to sound dismissive.” Jennie hugged Jared and kissed him. The not knowing was dragging her down. She needed the murderer to be found. Afterwards, they could grieve for Annie and Ralf and rebuild their lives and the ranch they both loved.

“I must go—that is, unless you need me here?”

Jared’s sinful smile tempted her. Jennie was amazed by his rapid mood change, but most men were ruled by their appetites rather than their emotions, even Jared.

“Go and see Rod. I’m in the middle of something here.” Jennie smiled and hoped he wouldn’t ask too many questions.

“Still investigating the car crash?” Jared looked worried. “If you find anything, share it with the sheriff. Don’t confront Ryder on your own. Promise me, Jen.”

“Something like that, yes,” Jennie hedged. She didn’t want to share her information until she checked it thoroughly. “I promise not to do anything stupid. Now let me go, Caveman.” She pushed against his arms.

Jared released her, and she fell back against the couch’s soft cushions. “I won’t be long.”

As soon as he left, Jennie picked up the laptop and refreshed the screen. A younger-faced Ryder stared back at her. The image encapsulated the man perfectly, especially the cold, lifeless expression in his eyes. She clicked on the link and read the business feature article in the
Oil Gazette
.

***

When Jared returned at dusk, Jennie was still reading on the couch.

“I can’t believe there’s so much information about what amounts to an insignificant automobile accident so long ago.” Jared pulled a beer from the cooler. His face bore a grayish tinge, making him look pale under his tan.

“When did you last eat?” Jennie had eaten at lunchtime, and that was hours ago. Unless Jared ate with the men, he hadn’t eaten since breakfast, which would explain his pallor. “Are you hungry?”

“Yup. Joanie offered to feed me, but I thought we’d go out to eat, if you’re up for it?” Jared’s stomach groaned.

“Sounds like a good plan. I’m getting a headache from staring at this laptop. I haven’t been reading about the car crash, though. I’ve been checking up on our ranch neighbours.” Jennie stretched. Her body felt rested, even if her mind was beat.

“Did you find anything interesting?” Jared took a swig of the beer.

“Not about Darleen, not really, except her lack of an online presence is noteworthy.” Jennie wound a few strands of her hair round her fingers.

“What about your new best friend, Ryder?” Jared’s gaze hardened.

“There is loads of information about him. Most of it concerns his activities in the oil industry.” Jennie looked up at Jared.

“Really? That’s strange. He never mentioned that. Significant, isn’t it?” Jared sat on the arm of the couch, and Jennie returned the laptop to the desk. “So give me the headlines and then we can go and eat.” His stomach growled to reinforce his request.

“He went into the oil industry from college, following in his father’s footsteps according to some articles.” Jared nodded. “Most of his roles were as a trainee or intern, but his last role is particularly interesting.”

“Go on, spill.” Jared stood up.

“He worked on the acquisitions team of a major oil company.” Jennie grabbed Jared’s arm to stop his pacing. “So now he has a motive of sorts. Doesn’t he?” Jared’s noncommittal expression frustrated her. “Say something, Jared.”

“There’s no way you’re ever going anywhere alone with that man again, Jennie.” Jared pulled her into his arms. “Joe told me you went out this morning and came back exhausted. When I got home, you were surfing the net for information on Ryder’s parents’ crash. You’re not a detective, Jen. What you’re doing is dangerous. If Ryder’s a stalker, he could hurt you. What if he killed my parents? If you dig too deep, he may kill you too. Stay away from him.”