Chapter 5 #2
Trina had stayed with Ben in Evie’s apartment.
After Evie’s death, she’d had to wait for the official death certificate to access Evie’s accounts.
Trina had paid the rent out of her own pocket because it had taken a full two weeks to get access to Evie’s money.
She’d been surprised that her sister only had a thousand dollars in her checking account and two hundred in her savings.
That had been just enough to cover her June rent, without much leftover to buy groceries, gas, and other necessities.
Trina had wondered why her sister was living paycheck to paycheck since Evie had a good job as an administrative assistant for the CEO of a company.
Trina had learned her sister had been given a few days off because the CEO was out of town.
Vacation days that had tragically resulted in Evie’s death.
At the time, the police had claimed Evie had been alone when she’d crashed into that tree going at a high rate of speed down a steep hill.
There had even been a hint of possible suicide, but Trina had assured them her sister would never do such a thing.
She was convinced it was nothing more than a terrible accident.
Her stomach tightened. What if she and the police were wrong? What if Evie crashing her bike wasn’t an accident at all? What if Peter had gotten upset enough to cause the collision? Could he have tampered with her brakes to avoid having to pay Evie back the money he’d borrowed?
She knew she was letting her thoughts go wild, but she couldn’t seem to stop. Especially now that she knew Evie and Peter had argued a lot and that there was a financial dispute.
Yet even if Peter had decided to take drastic action that day, it didn’t make sense that the guy would come after her and Ben now. Not when he’d already gotten away with not having to pay back any of the money Evie had loaned him.
On the heels of that came a darker thought. Maybe Peter needed more money and had come to Cody to figure out a way to use Ben as leverage to get it.
Joel had kept quiet as Trina had carefully questioned Ben about his mother’s relationship with Peter Thomas. Trina’s thoughts were plainly etched on her face, and the moment they’d finished eating and Ben returned to his television show with Royal following him to the sofa, she leaned toward him.
“We need to talk to the Laramie police.” Her voice was low enough that Ben couldn’t overhear.
“Griff, my future brother-in-law, is going to do that.” He smiled at how Ben snuggled up with Royal. “And so are the Cody police officers.”
“I know, but this is new information.” Trina’s brown eyes were full of anguish. “I didn’t know Evie’s relationship with Peter included arguing over money. It never occurred to me that Evie may have been killed.”
“Whoa, Trina, you don’t know that.” He understood her concern, but that was a leap. “Arguing and borrowing money doesn’t equate to murder.”
“But it is something none of us knew prior to this. And you know as well as I do that some people will do anything for money.” She set her jaw stubbornly. “I’m telling you, the Laramie police need to question Peter Thomas right away.”
“Okay, I’ll follow up with Griff and the local cops.” He reached over to take her hand. “But seriously, try not to let your imagination run wild.”
Trina narrowed her gaze, tugging free of his grip. “I didn’t imagine two incidents of gunfire or my house being set on fire.”
He winced. “Of course not. Let’s just try to keep an open mind, okay?”
“Fine.” She still looked annoyed. “I don’t care what you say, Joel, in my mind Peter is now a prime suspect.”
He decided that arguing was fruitless and gestured to her phone. “Do you think you can find Peter on social media? Maybe we’ll learn something from his posts.”
She brightened at the suggestion. “I’ll do my best. I mostly use social media for my books, not for posting about my personal life. I don’t want people to know who I am or where I live.”
“Ditto,” he agreed. “The ranch has a social media presence, but we’re vague when it comes to members of the family. Kendra does most of the work, and she keeps our posts focused on the dogs.”
“Smarter that way.” She wrinkled her nose as she opened an app on her phone. “I use a pseudonym to protect my privacy.”
“Oh yeah?” He leaned forward to see her screen. “What name to you use?”
“Doesn’t matter.” She moved the phone away so he couldn’t see, flashing a teasing smile. “I don’t write books you’d have any interest in reading, remember?”
“Hey, I have sisters.” He was happy she wasn’t still upset with him. “Besides, I like a good mystery.”
She ignored that, scrolling intently through her phone. Leaving her to it, he cleaned up the mess from their meal and set the tray outside in the hallway. Wandering over to the sofa, he leaned over to smooth a hand over Royal’s fur, eyeing the television curiously. “What are you watching?”
Ben didn’t look at him. “LEGO City.”
He’d never heard of it. It might have been something his nephew Eli watched, but he wouldn’t know.
He and Justin were teaching the little boy to ride a horse.
Eli was quiet around people, having to be reminded to use his words when he wanted something.
Around animals, the little boy blossomed.
Eli loved riding and playing with the dogs.
Glancing at his watch, Joel realized it was time to get his clothes from the dryer. When he headed to the door, his K9 lifted his head as if to follow. “No, Royal. Stay.”
Royal watched as he pocketed his key and left the room. The dryer was finished. He sniffed his clothes, glad the gasoline and smoke scent were gone. After returning to the room, he quickly changed back into his jeans. He put the mostly dry cash back into his wallet and tucked that away too.
The long afternoon stretched before him. Joel wasn’t accustomed to sitting around in a hotel room. He checked his phone but had not gotten any updates from Griff or the Cody police.
“I found Peter Thomas,” Trina said. “But it’s weird that he hasn’t posted anything since Evie’s passing.”
He moved over to sit beside her. “Maybe he’s upset over her death.”
“Or he’s responsible for it,” she shot back.
He swallowed a sigh. She was like a dog with a bone. “I’ll call Griff. See if he’s found anything.”
“Thank you.”
His future brother-in-law answered on the first ring. “Everything okay?” Griff asked.
“Fine. Just some new information.” He filled Griff in the arguing and possible financial angle.
“I’ve spoken with the Laramie PD,” Griff said. “They gave no indication Evie’s death was anything but a tragic accident.”
“I know, but shouldn’t they at least chat with Thomas?” Trina scowled, obviously listening to his side of the conversation. “It wouldn’t hurt to cover their bases.”
“I’ll suggest that,” Griff agreed. “But I didn’t find anything criminal in his background check or any of the other names you gave me. The ex-husband, Brian Ashland? He has some minor credit card debt. Nothing too crazy.”
“No criminal background issues and just Ashland has credit card debt?” He repeated the information for Trina. “Okay, that helps. I found a shell casing at the scene but haven’t heard if prints were found. I plan to call the Cody PD next.”
“Do that and let me know if you need anything else,” Griff said. “The more I realize how little intel we have, the more I think we should have the Laramie PD interview both Brian Ashland and Peter Thomas. If nothing else, I’d like them to verify that both men are still in Laramie.”
“Thanks, Griff.” He ended the call, then scrolled through his contacts to find the number for Burt Jones.
Over the past few years, he and his siblings had gotten to know the Cody police on a first-name basis.
The local law enforcement agencies were quick to call on the Sullivan K9 handlers for help with missing persons and sometimes for criminals on the run.
“Hey, Joel, sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner,” Burt said. “None of Trina’s neighbors saw anything useful. We started looking at gas station video but haven’t noticed anyone suspicious filling a portable gas can prior to the arson attempt. Granted we’ve only checked a couple of them so far.”
“Thanks for letting me know. But what about the shell casing I found? Any prints from that?”
“We did get a partial print, but there was no match in the system.” Burt sounded tired. “Unfortunately, we’re running out of leads.”
“Do me a favor and pull driver’s license photos for Brian Ashland and Peter Thomas,” Joel said. “They were in a relationship with Evie, Trina’s sister and Ben’s mother, and they both have some cash flow issues. Maybe someone will recognize them.”
“I did that with Ashland’s photo, but I can go back with the other one.” Burt sounded interested in having another angle to work. “Can’t hurt.”
“Thank you.” He didn’t mention his conversation with Griff. “Let me know if you learn anything.”
“Will do.” Burt ended the call.
“Nothing yet?” Trina looked frustrated. “It’s hard to believe nobody saw anything.” Then she flushed and added, “Not that I’m the most observant neighbor either. I guess I need to do better too.”
He shrugged. “Don’t beat yourself up. Cody isn’t exactly a high crime area. The locals don’t pay that much attention to strangers walking around, especially in the height of tourist season. Burt agreed to flash Peter’s photo around. Maybe that will help.”
“I hope so.” She glanced over to where Royal was sleeping beside Ben. “Maybe I should get my laptop from the car. Sitting around like this will drive me crazy. I should try to get some writing done.”
He nodded and rose to his feet. “I’ll grab it for you.”
“Joel? Can I get my video game now?” Ben’s voice from the sofa drew his attention. “My show’s over.”
“Ah, not right now, but later, okay?” He didn’t want Ben or Trina anywhere near their house when the police were no closer to finding the arsonist.
Ben’s disappointed expression hit hard. He was tempted to offer to buy a replacement but sensed Trina wouldn’t approve.
He had barely taken two steps toward the door when a blaring sound pierced the room. It took a moment for Joel to realize it was a fire alarm.
Two fires in one day? A coincidence? He didn’t believe it, but he didn’t want to sound paranoid either.
“What’s that noise!” Ben covered his ears with his hands as Royal jumped off the sofa, ears perked up. “Make it stop!”
Trina hurried over. “We need to go.”
“Yeah, I know.” Joel didn’t like it but reached for the door. “Stay close, okay?”
Trina’s brown eyes widened as she realized he was concerned about their safety. “Come, Ben.”
Still covering his ears, Ben crossed over to stand beside Trina.
Joel led the way, with Royal at his heels.
Trina hovered close, keeping a protective arm around Ben.
As they made their way down the hallway to the closest exit, he frowned when he didn’t detect a hint of smoke.
Logically, he knew it could be that some room on the opposite side of the building was the source of the blaze.
Or it could be a prank.
Worst-case scenario was that someone had pulled the alarm deliberately to flush them out of the room.
Joel pushed through the door first, squinting against the bright sunlight. Royal lifted his snout to the breeze, sniffing with interest.
Trina and Ben crowded close. “Where do we go?” Trina asked.
“The SUV.” He scanned the area but didn’t see anything alarming. More people were coming out of the hotel now, so he moved quickly toward his vehicle.
The urge to get far away was difficult to ignore.
He was within ten feet of the SUV when he heard the crack of gunfire seconds before the windshield shattered. Stopping abruptly, he jutted to the side, turned, and scooped Ben into his arms. “To the trees,” he shouted.
Trina didn’t hesitate to run toward shelter. Royal ran alongside them. Joel hunched his shoulders, expecting to be shot in the back at any moment.
Praying with his whole heart that he’d find a way to keep Trina and Ben safe.