Chapter 24
The next day, all the women came to visit her and Violet, just as Caden said they would.
They brought so much stuff that April didn’t think she’d ever need to go shopping again.
Clothes, toiletries, and all the girly things she loved, and Violet was starting to show an interest in.
It filled the drawers and cabinets of Tanner’s guest bathroom, but he didn’t seem to mind at all.
Zara had also sent a huge care package from California, filled with new books and toys for Violet, even after April assured her that Violet had everything that she could ever want living here on Off Rhodes Ranch.
Zara had also insisted on a video chat so she could meet Tanner, and just as April thought, the two hit it off, and were talking and laughing for most of the call.
It wasn’t until that phone call that April realized how important it was for her best friend and her boyfriend - if that’s what Tanner was to her now - to get along.
She had no idea what she would’ve done if they hadn’t, but luckily, it had all worked out and Tanner had extended an open invitation for Zara to visit anytime.
Clearly Tanner had no plans of letting April go, and she honestly loved that he didn’t hide how much he wanted her to stay, and not just Violet.
He wasted no time moving April into his bedroom, but not before explaining to Violet that he loved her aunt very much.
Violet instantly approved, and was only too happy to finally get the family she’d always dreamed of.
Spending her nights with Tanner could only be rivaled by spending her days watching Violet blossom into a happy and well-adjusted six-year-old, playing with her cousin, and being lavished with attention by her new family, and all of Tanner’s friends.
It wasn’t just the women who’d stopped by to see Violet.
The guys had all taken time out of their day to drop by and bring Violet a welcome to the family gift.
Whether it was a carton of her favorite ice cream, a new book or toy, a brand-new pink bicycle, or Violet’s personal favorite, her very own saddle.
Violet was definitely feeling loved, and April couldn’t have been happier.
Tanner had also taken some time off to be at home with his new daughter.
He’d have to go back to work in a few days, but for now, Tanner was enjoying spending most of his awake hours getting to know Violet.
They rode Zeus, played with the baby chickens, and continued to nurse an unlikely friendship with a one eyed, barn cat named Boo that oddly seemed to enjoy the attention.
Every time Violet seemed to get bored and tried to leave him alone, he’d come after her, instigating her to return.
Violet gleefully obeyed, and they stayed entertained for hours playing in the barn or running around the large property.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that old cat take to anyone the way he has to Violet,” Pam said.
“Boo’s always stuck to the shadows, preferring the company of mice over humans.
” It was late afternoon, and the whole family was hanging out in the main house, waiting out a storm that had been lingering all day.
Thunder and lightning rattled the windows, but thankfully, the girls didn’t seem affected by it.
After all the visitors left, they’d spent the better part of the day upstairs in Sienna’s playroom, and were now taking over the family room, watching a movie, while enjoying a snack, and coming up with a new plan of action.
“Violet’s always wanted a pet.” April couldn’t even count how many times Violet had brought up wishing she could have a dog or a cat or a rabbit. Of course, Ned would never allow it, but now she had a ranch full of animals to play with.
“Can we go see Aster next?” Violet asked, overhearing the conversation.
“Maybe a little later,” Pam said. “Those puppies kept her up most of the night. I shut the door to the laundry room so they won’t be disturbed. I think they could all use a nap this afternoon.”
“Puppies need to sleep just like babies,” Violet agreed.
In just the short amount of time they’d been at Off Rhodes Ranch, Violet had become one of the easiest going six-year-olds April had ever known.
Not that she’d ever been a difficult child, but taking her out of that horrible environment at DynaTech had made her more open and happier, and it showed.
April smiled. “Aster is such a good mom, and I’m glad she trusts us to keep her and her babies safe.”
Sienna brought a few of her dolls downstairs and the girls were busily giving them new outfits and hair dos when April noticed how quiet Tanner had gotten. “What’s on your mind?” She asked him.
“I was just thinking about something you said. Aster trusts us to keep her and her puppies safe.”
“Well of course she does, Honey,” Pam said. “She knows we love her and we’ve always taken good care of her.”
“Just like a doctor,” Tanner said, more to himself than anyone else.
“You mean a vet?” April asked.
Tanner shook his head. “I think I just solved my case.”
***
Tanner rushed into the back office his mom sometimes used when she helped his dad out with the ranch.
An old family photo hung on the wall over his mom’s desk.
On either side were bookshelves stacked with binders of papers from the ranch.
Mixed in were some of her favorite romance novels, and a few souvenirs she’d picked up the few times they managed to get away for anniversaries or holidays.
He was dialing Ranger Wilder on his cell phone before he’d even had a chance to fully close the door.
“I thought you were taking some time off,” Wilder answered in greeting.
“The MC case has felt off to me from the very beginning, and I think I just figured out the whole thing. Are you near a computer?”
“Sure. What are you thinking?”
“Were you able to follow up with the MC and collect alibis for the times of death?” Tanner asked.
“Yeah, I got some but it’s not like we have a comprehensive list of the club’s members. Who were you thinking of?”
“Doc.” The word nearly exploded out of him as he paced the room.
“You mean the medic who works for the MC? I don’t see any alibis listed for him, but what would be his motive?” Wilder asked.
“I’m not sure, but he’s the only guy everyone in the club would trust. I mean they call him Doc.
Neither Arlo J or Baby had any defensive wounds.
Now that could be because they were drugged, or maybe it was because they not only knew their attacker, but trusted him.
And who do you trust more than your doctor or a medical professional?
Can you look up his real name in the database? Does he have any priors?”
“Hang on,” Wilder said. “Looking now. Here we go. Curtis Vester was an army medic for six years, then worked for a few different private ambo companies until he was let go from the last one about three months ago. No priors until then, when he was charged with breaking and entering, theft, possession, and a few others when four vials of Fentanyl went missing from the ambo that he was last working on. He’s out on bail right now.
I have to admit, this looks bad, but any decent lawyer would argue it’s all circumstantial. ”
“Maybe, but it establishes means, and since he’s out of work, we’ve also got opportunity.” Tanner was on a roll. “Now, most of the Deathly Hollow MC titles are passed down generation to generation. Does Doc have -”
“Yeah, right here, it looks like Doc’s uncle, Quentin Vester, was the vice president of the club until he and the then president were killed in a drug bust thirty years ago.
Quentin didn’t have any kids, and his brother, Doc’s father, died of a drug overdose.
So, the title should’ve been passed on to Doc, but he was overlooked when Arlo J stepped in as president and appointed Baby as his vice president, eliminating any chance Doc had of becoming an officer.
Looks like Baby had two sons. Maybe that’s why Arlo J chose him. ”
“Wait, Baby was the VP?” Tanner asked. Since the club members weren’t listed anywhere, it was nearly impossible to know who their officers were unless they were previously arrested and tried to use their titles to their advantage somehow.
“Yeah, it says so right here, based on an old arrest from five years ago.”
“Well, there’s our motive,” Tanner said.
“But what about the guy in Oklahoma City? He wasn’t an officer in the club.”
“No, I’m starting to think that was for our benefit. To throw us off course. The only real target he has left is Nico Moreno, Arlo J’s son.”
“I think you might be on to something,” Wilder said. “Nico had alibis for all three murders.”
Tanner didn’t like the guy, but he wasn’t about to let him be killed. “We have to stop Doc before he tries to take him out again.”
“I’ve got Doc’s last known address right here,” Wilder said.
“Send it to me. I’ll call a judge for a warrant and meet you there.”
“Wait, it’s been thirty years. Why kill them now?” Wilder asked.
“We’re about to find out.” Tanner ended the call and was already opening the door when April nearly ran into him. “I have to run out for a bit,” he said. “But you and Violet will be safe here. This old house has weathered storms much worse than this.”
“Caden called,” she said. “He tried you, but you weren’t answering, so he called your mom’s phone. He said they’re still working on getting the bomb squad out to DynaTech, but Ned’s lawyers are fighting it tooth and nail.”
Why didn’t that surprise Tanner?
“Also, the preliminary DNA results are in,” she continued. They’d decided to go ahead and rush the DNA test without Ned’s permission, and hope that a judge would accept it if the case ever went to court.
“She’s my daughter, April.” Tanner had never been more certain of anything in his life.
April’s eyes welled with tears. “Yes, she is. She’s really yours, Tanner, and I couldn’t be happier.”