Chapter 10
10
C innamon resented that Austin couldn’t be present. He’d become her rock. Her safety net. She felt like she could get through anything when he was around. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in herself. Being home had given her strength. Her family had wrapped their loving arms around her without question or judgment. She knew she could continue on her path because she had the support she needed.
Austin added a different element to her world. He was her future. A partner in life. Someone she could confide in. Trust. Love.
She fiddled with her fingernails and glanced between Ted and Belmont. Ted told her that he’d remain quiet unless necessary.
“I only have a few questions for you,” Agent Belmont said. “Did your husband ever mention Charity or Tom’s name to you?”
“No,” she said, taking the advice of Ted and keeping her answers direct.
“Did your husband travel for work?”
“He did,” she said.
“Did he ever travel to Boise?” Belmont asked.
“A few times a year.”
“What about Twin City?”
“He went there too,” she admitted.
“Does your husband have a second cell phone?” Belmont asked.
Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. “I believe so. I mean, I’ve seen him with one and when I asked him about it, he told me it was none of my business.” She rubbed her cheek. “And then proceeded to hit me.” She decided tossing that piece of information out there was okay.
“I’m sorry that happened to you.” Belmont’s expression softened. “Could your husband have gone places and done things you wouldn’t have known?”
“Absolutely.”
“Can you please explain to me how that is possible?” Belmont asked.
In the past, her shame would interfere with her ability to be honest, but not anymore. “It was an abusive marriage and Pete was incredibly controlling. When he left for work in the morning, he shut down the internet, then took the car keys and all my credit cards. I’ve left him, which is why I’m here.”
“Was he always like that?”
She shook her head. “The first few years weren’t horrible. It wasn’t until after our daughter died that things changed. It was difficult for us, and he didn’t handle it well.” She held up her hand. “I’m not making excuses for what he did, especially considering how bad it got. However, it was a slow progression and I found myself trapped in a situation I didn’t know how to get out of.”
“That’s usually how it happens.” Belmont nodded.
Cinnamon glanced at her watch. It was still before noon. All she could focus on was Pete’s hearing. She should be more concerned about this visit from Belmont and what that meant for Austin.
And she was. The last thing she needed was more drama or for something bad to happen to Austin.
But she couldn’t deal with the idea that Pete could be released from jail. He believed he was above the law and wouldn’t hesitate to return to Buhl to collect what he believed was his property.
“Cinnamon, is it safe to say that your husband would do anything to ensure Austin was out of your life?”
“Not just Austin, but my family too. He didn’t like how close we all used to be. Pete did whatever he could to cut me off from them and sadly, I allowed it.”
“What about Gage?”
“Gage?” She tilted her head. “What does he have to do anything?”
“I’m not sure. However, I understand he had a soft spot for you and hated Charity.”
“I wouldn’t know anything about Charity. I never met her, but yes. Gage and I have a special bond. I was quite close to his daughter, Alyssa. She was on the spectrum—like Gage—and got bullied a fair amount in school from the popular crowd.”
“Did Pete bully her? Austin told me they dated in high school.”
Cinnamon laughed. “I’m not sure you could call it that. Pete hung around her as a way to get close to me. He had it in his head it would make me jealous. It didn’t. If anything, it made me mad because I never once believed he cared for her. After the fire that killed her, her two brothers, and her mom, Pete did his best to use that to console me, but I had Austin.”
“I read the fire report. It says that a cigarette started it in one of the boys’ rooms,” Belmont said.
Cinnamon closed her eyes. “I’ve always found that hard to believe. Her older brothers chewed tobacco but they never smoked.”
“But her father did, is that correct?” Belmont asked.
“He’d quit a year before and I’ve never seen him light up after that. No one has.”
Belmont flipped through his pad. “Pete stated in his interview that Alyssa confided in him that she’d not only seen her father smoke, but he’d gotten drunk and had a horrible fight with her mother that day.”
“Gage has never raised his voice in all the years that I’ve known him,” Cinnamon said. “And he’s not a drinker. He might have a beer or a glass of whiskey with the crew, but never more than one.”
“I’m seeing an intriguing pattern in this questioning,” Ted spoke for the first time since the interview began.
She’d almost forgotten he was there.
“It’s as if you’re implying two things,” Ted said.
“And what’s that?” Belmont arched a brow.
“That Pete might have had something to do with the fire that killed Gage’s family and that he could have had a hand in the disappearance of Charity,” Ted said. “Why are you being so cagey about this? Austin has never done anything but cooperate with this investigation. Cinnamon is now doing the same thing. I would appreciate a little color here.”
“All I have is a working theory with absolutely no facts to back it up.” Belmont held up his hand. “I need a lot more information before I can even call Pete a person of interest. The only thing I have is that the tips come from a phone in Boise.”
Ted sucked on his teeth. “Why didn’t you tell Austin this?”
“Because I can’t have him go off half-cocked, and we both know that’s exactly what he’ll do,” Belmont said.
“Not with me here, he won’t.” Cinnamon stood and planted her hands on her hips. “We have a second chance and he’s not going to do anything that will jeopardize that. Pete has a hearing in three hours. If he?—”
“Trust me. I’m aware of that hearing and here’s the problem. I’m told the judge overseeing that case doesn’t have a stellar reputation—as in he’s taken bribes before—but it’s never been proven. I’m on a time crunch here to raise a flag that Pete could be involved. I know Austin and I can’t have him getting in my way.”
“Keeping shit from Austin isn’t the way to do it,” Ted said. “Or me for that matter. You need to use us.”
“I can’t. That will taint the case. I’ve already told you too much.” Belmont tucked his notebook into his suit pocket.
“I’ve got an idea.” Cinnamon inched toward the picture window. She stared at Austin who paced in the yard by the oak tree. “It’s going to take a lot of convincing to get Austin to go along with it, but if Pete is behind this, he’s arrogant enough to tell me about it.”
“Excuse me?” Belmont said.
She turned. “Pete has always used fear to control me. After our daughter died and he started hitting me, I told him I would leave. I was stronger back then and wasn’t going to stand for it. I had even packed my bags. But when Pete came home from a business trip, he’d brought something that belonged to Georgia Moon. He told me that if he could slip into her room at night and steal that, he could do whatever he wanted.”
“Jesus,” Belmont muttered. “He admitted to breaking into her home?”
Cinnamon nodded. “Pete threatened to ruin—or hurt—my family. It started as little things. Exposing family secrets. Or making up lies that he’d make stick. He beat me down emotionally and physically until I believed everything he told me. Plus, I knew his threats were real.” She blew out a long breath. “He once told me he was the one who made all the horses sick at Whiskey Ranch when Austin first started working. There were other things too, like feeding Bella—JW’s ex-fiancée—information about him to use against him after they broke up. If I stayed with him, he promised to leave them alone. I had minimal contact with my family, so I hadn’t heard the stories or read the headlines until Pete showed them to me each time I threatened him that I would leave. I didn’t even know Bella existed until after JW dumped her.”
“What exactly are you suggesting?” Ted asked.
“If he gets out of jail, let him come. He’ll enjoy telling me what he did to this family. And if he did set fire to Gage’s house, I’ll get him to admit that too.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m the only one who can get him to admit it.”
“All while he’s beating the crap out of you.” Ted jumped to his feet. “Not only won’t I let you do this, but Austin will go ballistic.”
“It’s not Austin’s decision. It’s mine.” She held Ted’s gaze.
“And if he’s not released?” Belmont asked.
“I’ll go to him,” she said. “This is not up for debate. It’s the only way to find out if he had any connection to Charity or to Gage’s family. We all want answers. Let’s get them.”
“No fucking way. Nope. Not happening. Over my goddamned dead body.” Austin stood in the kitchen and stared at Cinnamon with shock and horror in his heart. “You’ve lost your mind.”
“I’m thinking clearly for the first time since my daughter died.” She held his gaze with a fierce determination that he hadn’t seen in years.
Austin turned and raked a hand through his thick hair.
“Brad said?—”
Austin interrupted Cinnamon. “You called my brother-in-law?” He turned on his heel and pointed to Ted. “Did you know about this?”
Ted nodded. “I suggested it.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” He took in a slow calming breath when all he wanted to do was put his fist through a wall. He should have known something was up the second Belmont asked him to walk him to his vehicle and then told him absolutely nothing of importance. “It’s one thing to call the bastard, but I’m not letting him walk onto this ranch, much less spend any time alone with you. It’s insanity. Hell, it’s a death wish.”
Cinnamon eased closer. She rested her soft hand on his forearm. Her touch calmed his soul but didn’t ease his fears. “The one thing Pete wants more than anything is to control me. In order to do that, he needs to make me believe he still has power over me. That he can hurt me. The only way he can do that now is to prove to me he’s already done horrible things and will continue if I don’t return to Idaho Falls.”
Austin ran his thumb over her cheek. “Hasn’t he caused you enough pain?”
“He’s done that to all of us,” she whispered. “But I’ll have the upper hand. I won’t be alone. Brad will have this place bugged. Or wherever I end up meeting him. He will have his people there and Belmont promised he’d have some of his men—people Pete doesn’t know—there as well. He won’t be able to lay a finger on me and I’ll be able to get him to tell me everything.”
“Why can’t I do it?” Austin asked.
“Because you won’t be able to control your temper,” Ted said.
“Not to mention he doesn’t want to control you and keep you to himself.” Cinnamon ran her hand up and down Austin’s arm. “I’d be more afraid he’d kill you than me.”
Austin audibly growled. “I don’t know about that. I saw what you looked like the night you showed up here.”
“That’s because I filed for divorce. Because I said I was coming back here and he knew you were single and still living on the ranch. If he believes there’s a chance I’ll come back to him or that he can win, he’s not going to do that kind of damage.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “If he killed Charity and is trying to frame you, it’s all about getting you out of the picture. I’m the trophy and he won’t hesitate to put you six feet into the ground. It’s time to beat him at his own game.”
“She makes sense,” Ted said. “It’s not the perfect plan, but if he’s released from jail, we all know he’s coming here anyway. We might as well be prepared to nail his ass to the wall once and for all and end this.”
Austin pulled Cinnamon to his chest. “I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost you again.”
“Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m worried about Gage, though. What if he did something to him? The timing of when he left to go see people he hasn’t seen since his family died and when Pete showed up is unusual to say the least.”
He kissed her temple. “Belmont is looking into it. So is JW.” He squeezed his eyes. “I will go along with this plan, but only if I can be part of it.”
“Brad isn’t going to like that,” Ted said. “But I did get him to agree to make sure you were in on everything, and he wouldn’t dare ask you to sit on the sidelines simply because he wouldn’t if this were his wife.”
Austin had to love his brother-in-law.
“I need to get going,” Ted said. “Call me when you know what’s going on and Cinnamon, make sure this guy keeps his cool.”
“I will.” She pulled from Austin’s embrace. “Thank you for everything.”
“I’m looking forward to getting to know you better once all this is over.” Ted smiled. “I’ll see myself out.”
Austin reached for a mug and made his third cup of coffee for the day. “Would you like one?”
“I’ll float away if I have more.” She climbed up on one of the stools.
While he didn’t feel great about the plan, he knew it was the only way. However, his heart still remained firmly wedged in his throat. The mere idea of her confronting Pete made his skin crawl. Worse, the fact that he could have been responsible for Alyssa and her brothers’ deaths made him want to strangle the man himself. Poor Gage had been accused of killing his family. He’d lived with the stares and cruel looks from the town for years. Even he’d wondered if he’d been sneaking cigarettes and never told anyone out of shame. But he knew him well enough that he would have owned up to it and not allowed one of his boys to be blamed for an accidental fire.
“I’m exhausted and it’s not even two in the afternoon yet,” Cinnamon said.
“I know what you mean.” He leaned against the counter. His mind continued to mull over everything he’d learned or pieced together in the last two hours.
“I missed a whole day with the babies and will probably have to miss tomorrow since I won’t want to wait there for fucking Pete to show up.”
“Nope. We will want to ensure we put as few people as possible in the line of fire.” He raised his cup to his lips and sipped. “I still don’t like this ridiculous plan all of you came up with behind my back.”
“Austin, it wasn’t like that.”
“It feels that way to me.” He set his mug on the island. “But I suppose I can be stubborn and I might have reacted even worse when it was first discussed.”
“You have to know this was totally my idea.”
He nodded. “While I still don’t like it, I do love that you’re regaining your confidence and voice and standing up for what you want.”
“I will never let another man control me again.”
“I guess I came on kind of strong, but all I want is for you to be safe and free of Pete.”
“And you want me here with you.”
Austin ran a hand over his face. “Isn’t that what you want?”
“There are so many things I want and I do know I can have many of them once I’m out of the clutches of Pete. It will take some hard work on my part, but I can turn my life around.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I need to go to counseling. I need to have a little time and space to heal.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“I love you.” She eased off the chair and made her way around the island.
His chest tightened. Fear gripped his soul. His world hinged on her words. “Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?”
“There’s not.” She palmed his cheek. “We’ve eased into living together and I haven’t wanted to leave because I feel safe from Pete. You protect me from all the bad things on the other side of the ranch fence.”
“Isn’t that what a boyfriend is supposed to do?”
“Talking out this plan, I realized a part of me doesn’t know how to take care of myself. I need to be able to do that. When this is over, I want to ask JW if there is a space that I can move into—by myself—and spend a little time living alone.”
“What about us?” He held his breath.
“We will still be together.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I don’t want things between us to change, except I can’t live here. Not yet.”
“I understand.” And he did. She’d been only nineteen when she married Pete and became a mom. Nineteen when Pete began to gaslight and control her every move.
Austin had waited fifteen years for her to come to him, he could wait a few more months. He brushed his mouth across her warm lips. “You should live here and I will move into the bunkhouse.”
She jerked her head. “With the cowboys?”
He laughed. “The apartment above it is currently empty. It’s the only place I know that’s available on the ranch and I don’t think you want to live there.”
“No, I don’t. But do you? The cowboys can get pretty rowdy.”
“It will be temporary.” He kissed her nose. “Because I intend to sweep you off your feet and show you what a great catch I am.” He winked.
“I already know that. But what I need to comprehend is that I’m one too.”
“I can be a patient man.” He pulled her close. He would give her the world if he could. Whatever she wanted because she deserved to have her hopes and dreams fulfilled. He'd deal if it meant sleeping alone for a few more months. “I will do whatever you need because I love you and I want you to be happy.”
She sniffled into his shirt.
“Damn, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He smoothed his fingers through her long silky hair.
“Your willingness to let me do what I need to makes me want to change my mind.”
He cupped her face. “A lot is going on right now. You’re in the beginning stages of a divorce. Your husband is facing criminal charges. Not to mention everything we just learned. It’s overwhelming for both of us. Settling into a relationship together too quickly might not be the healthiest move. We have lots of time to date and learn about each other and who we are now. I don’t want you to think this is me stepping back because it’s not. I’m being realistic about the situation.”
“You’ve changed,” she said. “For the better. The old you might have taken this as me having second thoughts.”
“Even if you were—and I know that’s not the case—it would be okay.” He pressed his lips over her mouth. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I can’t sit here and wait for a phone call regarding Pete’s hearing. I’m not that patient. I will lose my freaking mind. So, how about we grab that leftover fried chicken and potato salad, saddle up a couple of horses, and have ourselves a little picnic.”
“Sounds like a perfect way to avoid going stir-crazy.”
“You pack the basket. I’ll go get the horses ready.” He patted her bottom. “I’ll see you outside. He glanced at his watch as he approached the back door. It could be an hour before the phone call came in.
Or five.
In the meantime, he’d call JD. Everyone at the ranch needed to be prepared for the worst. He also needed to get a handle on where and what Gage was up to. He didn’t like that Gage had been MIA. That didn’t make sense and he worried that something had happened.
Cinnamon set the basket on the kitchen table. The picnic had been a nice distraction, even though she couldn’t eat very much. She had tried forcing down as much as possible, knowing she’d need her strength. If Pete was released from jail, she knew he wouldn’t wait long before heading to Buhl. He would view this as a personal attack and he wouldn’t take it lying down.
A knock at the door startled her and she jumped, knocking the basket to the floor. “Shit,” she mumbled.
Half the contents tumbled out, making a massive mess. Chicken bones, mustard, and the potato container opened.
“Let me see who’s at the door, and then I’ll help with that.” Austin squeezed her shoulder. “I know you’re stressed, but this is not a big deal.”
She sighed, bending over, then snagged the bones and tossed them in the garbage.
“Austin? Are you here?” a familiar voice rang out.
“In the kitchen,” Austin said.
“Wonder what JD wants.” Cinnamon took a roll of paper towels and got on her hands and knees. “I can’t imagine he’s heard about the hearing before we have.” Her words were more to herself than Austin.
JD strolled into the kitchen. He smiled, but it was forced. “I just got off the phone with Gage’s brother.”
Immediately, she stopped what she was doing and rocked back on her heels. Her heart dropped to her gut.
“And?” Austin asked.
“Gage hasn’t been in contact with him, much less scheduled a visit.” JD leaned against the counter. “I’ve already called Brad and filed a missing person’s report.”
“Jesus.” Austin sat on one of the stools. “But Gage texted us.” He raked a hand across the top of his head.
Cinnamon leaped to her feet. “Gage supposedly left for his brother’s place about when Pete showed up. I bet he had something to do with Gage’s disappearance. Pete could have sent that text and since Gage hasn’t responded to any call or subsequent text since then, it’s what makes the most sense.”
“Especially since Pete’s been behind bars on and off,” JD said.
Cinnamon planted her hands on her hips and paced in front of the island. “If Pete hurt one hair on Gage’s head, I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.”
Austin stepped in front of her. “Don’t say things like that. Someone might think you’re being serious.”
“What if?—”
He hushed her with his finger. “We’re all thinking exactly the same things you are. That Pete killed Charity. He killed Gage’s family. And now maybe Gage.”
“And he’s setting you up to take the fall.” She glared.
“I’m well aware of what he’s trying to do to me, but he’s not going to get away with it.” Austin lowered his chin. “However, we can’t go making threats of murder because if Pete does wind up dead, and anyone has heard us say that, it can be used against us.”
She blew out a puff of air. “Fine, but I won’t sit around and let him ruin my life anymore. Or anyone I care about. I’ve been a victim for too long and thanks to me, innocent people have died.”
“None of this is your fault,” JD said. “I do have to wonder how he managed to get Charity’s car out here because that timeline doesn’t fit. He was in jail when it showed up.”
“He could have paid one of his employees to do it,” Cinnamon said. “He has a few loyal ones, although he uses fear and gaslighting to control them too. When people quit his company, he destroys them. He had one nice man working for him a few years ago. But because he dared to question the way Pete ran things, he was put through hell in the press. Some scandal with his wife that turned out wasn’t even true.”
“We know he was behind some of the shit we’ve had to deal with over the years,” JD said. “We’ve always had the ability both with money and the fact we’ve never done anything wrong to come out of whatever was tossed our way.”
“But now we’re talking possible murder.” Austin squeezed her biceps. “And not just Charity.” He reached into his back pocket. “This is the call we’ve been waiting for.” He tapped the green button and put it on speaker. “Hey, Belmont. I’m here with Cinnamon and JD Whiskey.”
“I just got off the phone with the DA in Idaho Falls. The judge ruled in Pete’s favor. He’s being released as we speak. He’s been warned he’s not supposed to leave the county except for business, to which he immediately explained he has a meeting tomorrow in Twin City.”
“That’s not too far from Buhl,” Austin said.
“No, it’s not,” Belmont agreed. “I’m forty minutes from the ranch. I want to set it up tonight. I’ll contact Brad as soon as I end this call.”
“You should know that we’ve filed an official missing person’s report on Gage,” JD added.
“I’ve already seen the report and made it part of the FBI investigation. I need Austin's DNA sample as we found blood in the car and on the gloves,” Belmont said.
“That makes me nervous since I lent a pair to Gage and it’s possible the blood could be mine.” Austin rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m aware,” Belmont said. “There is more physical evidence that we have found and we can prove that the car was moved to that location recently.”
“How?” Cinnamon asked.
“Eyewitnesses who saw two men put it there. Unfortunately, they don’t match Pete’s description, but they don’t match Austin’s either,” Belmont said.
“Can you get me a description? I might be able to match them to Pete’s employees.”
“Already have a forensics artist working on a sketch. Once I have that, I’ll let you take a look,” Belmont said. “I’ll be at Austin’s place soon. I suspect that Pete will either come in like a snake before dawn, or he’ll contact Cinnamon between now and morning like the arrogant prick he is. Either way, when he does show up, I want to be ready.”
“So do we,” Austin said. “See you soon.” He wrapped his arms around Cinnamon. “We’re going to get him and put him where he belongs. I promise.”
“I know you mean that, but Belmont is right about him being a snake. He’s gotten away with so many things and I wish I could say I wasn’t terrified.”
JD stood. “You’ve got everyone on this ranch behind you. No one will let him ever hurt you or anyone else again. Trust me on that.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’m just sorry we didn’t intervene sooner.”
“I didn’t let you,” she said softly.
“Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have tried harder.” JD nodded. “I’ll gather the troops and be back here with everyone in half an hour.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Austin shook JD’s hand.
She squared her shoulders, refusing to let the tears fall this time. This was her home. It was where she belonged, and damn it, she would fight for it.