Chapter 28 #2
“He’s a liar,” Ronan said, his gaze locking on the sheriff’s. “He’s a criminal, and his so-called traveling companions are his gang members. He’s spent years traveling across the country and terrorizing innocent people, and it’s hardly going to stop here. He’s the one who abducted all of us.”
Sheriff Bothwell looked to Conrad. “And what’s your part in this?”
“Ambrose and I have been doing business together.” Conrad shrugged. “I trust his opinion when it comes to this Ronan Thorne. I’ve had nothing but tense interactions with him, and nobody in town knows anything about him or where he comes from, other than the fact that he inherited his ranch.”
Ronan sucked in a sharp breath, blowing it out. Maybe it would’ve been best if he’d gone into town and talked to others. Perhaps if people had gotten to know him at least a little, they might have been willing to trust him.
And now his suspicion and his desire to be alone had put the most important people in his life in danger.
“He’s a liar!” Cressida shouted, looking between all of them. “Ambrose is nothing but a liar, and Conrad is lying right along with him. They’re the ones holding us hostage here.”
Conrad sighed and shook his head, walking over to Cressida and setting his hands on her shoulders. “She’s mistaken. Her sister fainted, and the stress of it is getting to her.”
“It’s not getting to me, you condescending—” Cressida started, but Conrad barked out a laugh and cut her off like it was the funniest joke he had ever heard.
“See?” Conrad rolled his eyes before crouching down in front of her. “I know you’re still a little confused, but we were the ones who brought you both here, remember?”
“Funny words for someone who sent for the sheriff to save my life! And now you’re standing here and trying to weasel your way out of this like the coward you are.
” Cressida’s lips pressed into a thin line, hate filled her eyes before she turned her attention to Sheriff Bothwell.
“Please. You’ve known me since I was a girl.
You have to know that I would tell you the truth. ”
Sheriff Bothwell scrubbed a hand over the lower half of his face. “I have known you a long time, but something about this doesn’t line up, Cressida.”
“Of course, it doesn’t because your mayor is as crooked as they come.” Cressida shot another glare at Ambrose.
Conrad chuckled and shook his head. “You’re starting to sound like Mrs. Agatha. I think it’s time that we get you some rest. As soon as Ronan is taken away, everything will be fine.”
“Before you take him,” Ambrose said, stalking forward like a predator, “he has something that’s mine.”
“I don’t have anything on me other than the gun on my hip and some coins in my pocket,” Ronan said, leveling his gaze on Ambrose. “Feel free to search me, but whatever it is you think you’re looking for, you’re not going to find it.”
Sheriff Bothwell sighed. “All of you are going to the jail for the night. Maybe then you’ll all start talking and trying to sort out what this problem seems to be. Untie those three. They can stay here.”
Ambrose nodded to his men. “Be good and help them. Ronan has put us through enough tonight.”
“Rather interesting that one man was able to keep you all held here,” Sheriff Bothwell said, suspicion in his voice. “There’s something not right here, and all of you are going to talk.”
Conrad sighed. “It is tragic, isn’t it? We were just trying to protect the Lockridge sisters, but then he came storming in here with a gun and put it to Etta’s head. What else were we supposed to do?”
Cressida stood and looked at Ronan for a long moment, like she was trying to wade through the lies and figure out what was true. She studied him like she had never studied him before.
Ronan hated that he had given her reason to doubt him. “Cressida, you have to believe me. I had nothing to do with what happened to Etta. I didn’t even know what happened.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “I don’t know who to believe right now, but I do know that I want you all out of my house.”
There was a broken look in her eyes, like she was barely holding it together. One more push, and she would fall apart. He could see it, and he wouldn’t be there to comfort her.
Not that she seemed to want anything to do with him anymore.
Ronan hung his head, looking at her, trying to commit her face to memory because he doubted he was going to see it again after that night.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice breaking when he looked at her again, watching more tears roll down her cheeks. “This isn’t what I wanted, and I hope one day you want to hear my side of the story, but if you never want to speak to me again, I wouldn’t blame you at all.”
Cressida said nothing, her fingers pressed to her lips. She nodded once before turning and going over to Etta, pulling her into a tight hug.
Conrad grinned as he stood beside Ronan. “Seems to me that you’re going to have a nice night in jail.”
“Out of my house!” Cressida yelled, whipping around and glaring at Conrad. “Enough! You’ve done enough, and now it’s time for you to leave!”
The sheriff turned to Conrad. “You’re coming with us, too.”
Her gaze found Ronan’s once more, leaving him feeling like his heart had been ripped from his chest as he was escorted out of the house.