Chapter 19 Marcus
Marcus
The front door to the office opened and Lucas stepped inside. I’d been waiting for him, watching the road from my window. Mrs. Baxter barely got a chance to say hello before I beckoned him inside.
“Take a seat,” I said, pointing to the chair in front of my desk. “I’ve got some questions for you.”
“I figured as much,” Lucas replied, his shoulders tense. “What’s going on, Marcus? Is Xavier in trouble or something?”
I took a seat and stared at Lucas for a long moment, trying to figure out how to approach this.
He was Xavier’s best friend, had known him for years.
If anyone could tell me whether Xavier was capable of theft, it would be him.
But I also had to be careful not to reveal too much about my personal involvement.
“I’m investigatin’ the series of thefts that have been happening around town,” I said carefully. “And Xavier’s name has come up in connection with some of them.”
Lucas’s eyes widened. “You think Xavier is stealing?”
“I’m not saying that,” I replied, though the evidence was screaming it at me.
“I’m just followin’ leads. Xavier has been present at multiple locations where items have gone missing.
He had access to Dolly’s apartment where some expensive items were stolen last night.
His stature fits the footprints found at the scene as well.
I need to know if he would have any motivation to do something like this or a history of theft. ”
Lucas leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “Marcus, I’ve known Xavier for almost ten years. He’s a lot of things. He can be difficult, he’s definitely high-maintenance, and he’s got a sharp tongue. But he’s not a thief.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because he doesn’t need to steal,” Lucas said firmly.
“Xavier is one of the most successful wedding planners in New York City. He’s done events for celebrities, politicians, millionaires.
He charges a minimum of fifty thousand dollars per wedding, and he books at least twenty weddings a year.
Do the math, Marcus. The man makes over a million dollars annually. What reason would he have to steal?”
I felt some of the tension in my chest ease slightly, but I couldn’t let myself off the hook that easily. “Money isn’t always the motivation for theft.”
“I know that,” Lucas said. “But Xavier isn’t the type to steal for thrills either.
He’s a perfectionist, Marcus. Everything in his life is carefully controlled and planned.
Stealing would be too messy, too risky. It would jeopardize everything he’s built.
If there’s one thing Xavier doesn’t risk, it’s his career. ”
I wrote that down in my notebook, though my hand was still shaking slightly. “What about his history? Has he ever been in trouble before? Any financial problems, gamblin’ debts, anythin’ like that?”
Lucas shook his head. “Nothing like that. His only vice is designer clothes and expensive wine, but he can afford both on his salary.” He paused, studying me with those perceptive eyes.
“Marcus, you can’t seriously be thinking Xavier is doing these things.
You two seemed to be getting along so well. ”
I swallowed hard, doing everything I could not to show just how well Xavier and I had been getting on. “Like I said, I’m just followin’ all the leads. I can’t leave any stone unturned when there’s a thief in Sagebrush.”
“I’ll tell you anything I can,” Lucas replied, sitting back in his chair. “But I can tell you right now that Xavier didn’t do this. I’d stake our entire friendship on it.”
I nodded. Lucas was a good judge of character, that much I knew. But I still had to ask.
“Beau told me Xavier is doing your weddin’ planning for free,” I said, trying not to sound accusatory.
“As a gift. But he regularly charges tens of thousands of dollars.” I let the statement sink in for a moment.
“And you said he has a penchant for designer items. Everythin’ that’s gone missin’ is designer or one of a kind. ”
My tone was steady, my words were chosen carefully, and I did everything I could to make it sound like a simple statement. But the moment those words left my lips, Lucas crossed his arms over his chest, and a scowl filled his face.
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing from you, Marcus Webb,” he said, no small amount of irritation in his voice.
“Xavier came to Sagebrush to plan my wedding as a gift, he’s managed everything, he’s thrown bachelor parties, and he’s even gone out of his way to be damn friendly to you since you’re having such a hard time with being yourself. ”
The words stung, there was no denying it. And clearly there were no secrets between Beau and his fiancé. Lucas knew full well what I was trying to hide, and he had every right to be angry.
I felt my face flush hot with shame. Lucas was right.
Xavier had been nothing but kind to me, had helped me start to accept myself in ways I’d been running from my whole life.
And here I was, ready to throw him under the bus based on circumstantial evidence because…
if I looked deep down, I was too scared to believe someone like him could actually care about someone like me. There had to be a catch.
“Lucas, I—”
“No, let me finish,” he cut me off, leaning forward in his chair.
“Do you have any idea what it took for Xavier to come out here? He hates small towns. He hates rural living. He’s miserable away from the city.
But he came anyway because I asked him to.
Because he cares about me and Beau enough to sacrifice his own comfort for weeks. ”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “I understand that, but—”
“And you know what else?” Lucas continued, his voice rising slightly. “He’s been happier these past few weeks than I’ve seen him in years. Despite hating it here, despite the lack of everything he loves—he’s been smiling more. Laughing more. And I’m pretty sure that has something to do with you.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. Did Lucas know? Had Xavier told him about us?
“I don’t know what you’re implying—”
“I’m not implying anything,” Lucas said, his expression softening slightly. “I’m just saying that Xavier isn’t the person you should be investigating. He wouldn’t risk his career, his reputation, or his freedom for some stolen items he could buy ten times over without fucking blinking.”
I looked down at my notebook, at all the evidence I’d been compiling. The timeline, the access, the opportunity. It all pointed to Xavier. But Lucas’s words were making me question everything.
“Then help me understand,” I said quietly. “Because from where I’m sittin’, all the evidence points to him. He was at every location. He had the keys to Dolly’s apartment. His shoe size matches the footprints. What am I supposed to think?”
Lucas was quiet for a long moment, then he sighed. “I think you’re looking for a reason to push him away.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “What?”
“Come on, Marcus. I’m not blind.” Lucas leaned back in his chair, his expression sympathetic now rather than angry.
“Do you think I didn’t notice you two snuggling up at the party?
Or that he didn’t come back to the ranch last night?
I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.
And I know how scared you are of anyone finding out who you really are.
But accusing Xavier of being a thief? That’s a hell of a way to sabotage something good. ”
I opened my mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come. Because maybe he was right. Maybe some part of me was looking for a reason to end this thing with Xavier before it got too deep, before I got too attached. Before I had to face the reality of what I wanted versus what I thought I should be.
“And one more thing,” Lucas said, pointing a finger at me. “I know exactly what was stolen from Beau. Xavier wouldn’t know a rodeo belt if it hit him in the face. And as for Dakota’s Cherokee beadwork, that would mean nothing to Xavier. He wouldn’t know what he was looking at.”
“Okay,” I said, putting my hands up in defeat. “I understand.”
“Have you called all the pawn shops to see if the stuff has been sold yet?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Nothing has popped up. But they’ve got a list of things to watch out for.”
“So, let’s make this real fucking simple,” Lucas growled. “Come out to the ranch right now and search Xavier’s rental and his cabin. Whoever has these items hasn’t sold them. So, if they aren’t there, then you stop asking questions about him, alright?”
“Okay.”
“And then you’ll apologize for being an asshole.”
I stared at Lucas, his words hanging in the air between us like a challenge. My throat felt tight, my chest constricting with a mixture of shame and desperation. He was right. If Xavier was innocent, searching his things would prove it. And if he wasn’t...
I couldn’t finish that thought.
“Alright,” I said, standing up from my desk. “You’ve got a deal.”
Lucas’s expression shifted from anger to something that looked almost like relief. He stood as well, grabbing his keys from his pocket. “I’ll drive. You can follow me.”
The drive out to the Turner Ranch felt like it took hours even though it was only ten minutes.
My mind kept circling back to everything Lucas had said.
Was I really looking for a reason to push Xavier away?
Was I so terrified of being happy that I’d sabotage the first real connection I’d had in years?
My hands gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles went white.
When we pulled up to the ranch, I saw Xavier’s rental SUV parked near his cabin. My stomach dropped. He was here. I was going to have to face him, tell him I was searching his belongings because I suspected him of being a thief.