Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
R eilly strode up the stone walkway to the house he’d grown up in. Stewart lived there now with his wife, Aurora. They seemed happy enough.
The door opened to reveal an elderly woman, her cheeks rosy, her hair white. He’d missed her welcoming smile more than he had realized until just this minute.
“Flora, good to see you. Is Stewart around?”
“He’s in his office. Go on, I’ll bring you coffee.” She walked to the kitchen.
The house was one of the bigger houses on the ranch. Their branch of the family came down from Aiden McKeegan. There were six parcels of land. One for each of Eion McKeegan’s sons. The ranch itself, however, was legally protected from division or sale.
Stewart stood when Reilly walked into his office. After shaking hands, Reilly sat in a plush chair facing the large desk.
“I didn’t know you were coming home,” Stewart said.
Reilly snorted. “My successful court case was overshadowed by the later discovery of my client's heinous guilt. I was slightly staggered by it and needed to get away from the city. I’m up at the house on the mountain.”
A frown creased Stewart’s brow. “That one is so secluded.”
Reilly smiled. “It is exactly what I was looking for. I need to be alone for a while, but a bit of business came up, and I have something I need to discuss with you.”
Stewart scratched his chin. “Sure. What’s up?”
“Which bull did Lynne kill?”
Surprise flickered across Stewart's face. “Lynne didn’t kill a bull. We did have one die. It was Thor, the one I purchased three years ago. He died out in the pasture, and West took care of getting him buried. Lynne hasn’t set foot on this ranch.”
“Lynne and I—that's all in the past?—”
“You've seen her!” Stewart said, his eyes narrowing.
“Yes, it wasn’t planned. West forced her out of their partnership without compensation or proper paperwork. Having sold his vet clinic, he is now building a much larger one on land that belonged to Lynne’s grandfather. How the land came to be in his possession, I have no idea. In The Morning Glory Café, he created a commotion, blaming Lynne for your bull's death. He told her that was why the clinic was losing all its business.”
“Here’s your coffee, Reilly.” Flora set it on the desk in front of him.
“Thank you, Flora,” Reilly said, accepting the mug.
“I don’t suppose you have coffee for me?” Stewart asked with a hint of a smile.
“Only on your birthday.” She grinned and walked out of the office.
Reilly laughed. “She hasn’t changed.”
“Are you sure West is behind this? I had no knowledge of his plans. Has the new building opened yet? Now that I think of it, Lynne’s grandfather had money. Didn’t he? She must have inherited the land. Or could there be a relative we're unaware of?”
“I don’t know. I'm going to investigate this. On the day Thor passed away, were you there?”
“No, I was told by McKenna that the bull was dead, said he’d called West and he’d take care of it. I was stuck in the office most of the day.” Stewart sat back in his chair. “Incidentally, I wonder why McKenna's sentence was so significantly reduced. Do you know anything about that?”
Reilly considered their brother, who had a tendency to find trouble, and sighed. “Though I lack details, it seems he informed on the individuals responsible for placing drugs in the shed. I know he was responsible for introducing you to Paul Stingster. After Paul scammed the money from you, McKenna was to receive half. Unfortunately, Stingster's statement is unreliable and can't be used as evidence in court.” He shrugged. “Don’t know much more, but I’ll make a few calls next week.”
Reilly took a sip of his coffee. “I didn’t see death of the bull on the financials. Shouldn’t it have been on there?”
“It’s tricky. We started the semen AI program a few years back. Artificial insemination.”
A wry smile tugged at his lips. “I know what AI means.”
Stewart nodded. “Thor commanded a high price per straw due to his superior genetics and high production. The depreciation on Thor ended. He was no longer considered an asset. But the death does need to be noted due to the loss of income from the AI program.”
“In other words, you have the accountants figure it out.”
“Yes, I don’t want to get lassoed in that mess. Anyway, it’ll be on the year-end statement.”
“So instead of getting paid from another rancher to rent a stud… never mind, I’m way behind on the technology of ranching.”
“Was there any more business we need to discuss?” Stewart asked.
“No, little brother, but I have some things to investigate. How’s married life?”
A contented smile spread across Stewart’s face. “Couldn’t be better.”