Chapter 33
Justice leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting toward the office doorway as Tyler’s earlier question echoed in her mind. Why had he asked about my cousin?
She wasn’t naive. She knew Tyler would be investigating Jordy and Debbie.
And it made sense that their son, John, might also come under scrutiny.
Still, she hoped John wouldn’t have to find out he was being looked into.
It wasn’t about protecting him. She puffed out a sigh.
It was just… complicated. Family always was.
Her eyes swept across the office, settling on the well-worn desk, glad that it was metal and cleaned easily from the water… once she trashed all the papers that were soaked. Thankfully, her laptop was at home with her.
She remembered being a little girl, watching her dad work on engines, trailing him with wide eyes and greasy hands.
Her granddad had always been here, too. The desk was always filled with a jar of lemon drops he kept just for her.
She could still see the smile in his eyes as he handed one over like it was a treasure.
The memory warmed her for a moment before reality pressed back in.
Her dad had happily handed her the business side of the garage.
He never had the patience for paperwork, preferring the clang of tools and the hum of engines.
And while he’d always appreciated that Justice could handle a wrench with the best of them, he liked knowing she was in the office, keeping things running smoothly.
She sighed, the weight of recent weeks coiling tighter in her chest. Her father hadn’t planned to retire for years, but after his heart surgery, everything had changed. Would it even be safe for him to return? Would the stress set him back?
But then she pictured him at home, pacing, restless, fingers twitching to get back under a hood. Sitting around all day would be worse for him than a few hours in the shop. She decided to ask the doctor at his next appointment. Maybe ease Dad in with half days. Keep him busy but not overwhelmed.
A low ache pulsed at her temples, and she pinched the bridge of her nose, willing the tension away. So much had happened in such a short time. She had been so sure Aunt Debbie or Uncle Jordy had their hand in the garage fire, but now her thoughts circled back to Anthony Milton.
He’d had an alibi for the night of the garage fire. That didn’t mean a damn thing. Men like him never got their hands dirty. They paid others to do it. At least that was what happened in the movies.
And the fire near Tyler’s house? That wasn’t just vandalism.
That had been an attempt to burn him out.
If Tyler had died in that fire, the land would’ve gone to auction, and Anthony would’ve snatched it up before the ashes cooled.
And if Tyler had survived but lost his home?
Well, Anthony probably assumed that a cash buyout would become appealing and would likely be a lot less than he was offering now.
Her jaw clenched. Anthony was definitely a suspect in her mind, but he was too slick, too protected. There was no proof, but just a gutful of fury and a heart full of dread.
A soft knock interrupted her spiraling thoughts, and she looked up as Carla appeared in the doorway.
“I’m so sorry, Justice. I’ve been going in circles with a client on the phone, but we’ve got two others ready to check out.”
Justice blinked, then nodded quickly. “No worries, I’ll be right there.
” She stood, smoothing her hands down her jeans, grateful for the interruption.
She needed to step out of her mind and back into something concrete.
As she walked past Carla into the hallway, she let the rhythm of routine distract her from the fear and fury that still pulsed just beneath the surface.
The time spent with concerned customers who all asked about her, her dad, and the garage was just the balm she needed.
When the day was finally over, she called Tyler.
The line rang once before Tyler answered.
“I’m on my way home,” she said. “I talked to Dad earlier, and apparently, one of the auxiliary ladies dropped off a heart-healthy dinner. He invited her to stay and eat with him. He also said that it might be nice if you and I went out tonight since we’ve had dinner with him every night this week. ”
Tyler chuckled. “Is he trying to get rid of us?”
She tried to suppress a laugh, but it escaped anyway. “I don’t think he’s ready to start dating Gwen Yardley, but… maybe he’s enjoying the attention.”
“Hey, I never mind having dinner with your dad,” Tyler replied warmly. “But I’ll be thrilled to take you out tonight.”
“Perfect,” she said, her smile stretching wider. “I’m heading home now. Want to pick me up from my house?”
“Yeah, that works—wait... I need to check on the goats.”
“I can do that,” she offered. “I’ll stop by and check on Dad first, then run over to your place. I’ll make sure the goats are fed and watered. Then you can just come straight to your place.”
“You sure? The goats can be a bit cantankerous.”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t sure,” she said firmly. Laughing, she added, “And I’ve spent time with them when Charlie was still living. I think they like me.”
“Sure you don’t want to adopt them?”
Still laughing, she replied, “Oh no. They’re just fine at your place!”
“Yeah, right. Okay then, and thanks for taking care of them. I should be about thirty minutes out. Looks like there could be an accident ahead, so I might be stuck for a bit.”
“No worries. If you aren’t there by the time I finish, I’ll text you and go back to my house.”
They disconnected just as she turned into her driveway, parking beside a dark blue sedan she didn’t immediately recognize. That must be Gwen’s vehicle. Smiling to herself, she tucked her phone into her sweater pocket and stepped out of the car.
Inside, the savory scent of fish and herbs greeted her.
She walked into the kitchen and spotted Gwen Yardley at the stove.
The older woman wore a tailored pink paisley blouse tucked into dark jeans, an outfit that was both effortless and flattering, accentuating her trim figure and elegant posture.
Her silver hair was styled in a bob just above her shoulders, and her soft bangs swept across a face that looked genuinely pleased to be there.
“Gwen, hello,” Justice greeted.
Gwen turned with a warm smile and opened her arms for a hug. “Hello, my dear. I hope it’s okay that I brought dinner. I certainly don’t want to step on any toes.”
Justice waved her hand with a grin. “You’re not stepping on anything. I’m thrilled you’re here. And honestly? This gives me a chance to go out to dinner for once.”
Her dad sat nearby, his grin boyish and full of mischief. “With Tyler?” he asked.
“Yep. He’s going to pick me up from his place. You two can have a lovely dinner without me hovering.”
“That’s terribly sweet,” Gwen said. “But I brought plenty. I don’t want you to feel you have to leave.”
“Not at all,” Justice said kindly. “I haven’t had much time to go out with the person I’ve started seeing, so this is a treat for me.”
“Well then,” Gwen said with a pleased nod, turning back to the stove, “enjoy yourselves.”
Justice crossed the kitchen and kissed her father on his cheek. “I’m going to run over to Tyler’s and check on the goats. Tyler will pick me up over there. Behave tonight.”
He pulled her into a hug and gave a mock growl. “You know I always behave.”
She gave him a teasing look. “I’m not so sure Gwen believes that.”
With a final wave to her dad and Gwen, Justice stepped out into the cooling evening. The sun was starting to dip behind the mountains, casting fingers of shadow across the land.
She pulled into Tyler’s driveway, noting the house was quiet.
She swung her vehicle around to the back, closer to the animal pens.
As the tires crunched over gravel, the security lights blinked on, casting a harsh glow over the yard.
The wind had picked up, rustling the trees and sending a chill across her skin.
She tugged her sweater tighter around herself.
From the pen, a chorus of bleats erupted. “I’m coming, I’m coming,” she called, hurrying toward the goats.
The four of them jostled at the gate, pushing against one another in their eagerness.
She laughed as she turned on the hose, watching them stamp in place while she filled the water trough.
Then she scooped a generous portion of feed into their trough, chuckling as they crowded around it like it had been days instead of hours.
Crouching beside them, she gave each a scratch behind the ears. “Tyler’s got some friends coming this weekend to help build you a new shed,” she murmured. “And a bigger pen. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?”
As she stood, she glanced over toward the chicken coop. It had not been damaged, and Tyler had been able to entice them back into their enclosure. The low clucking from inside reminded her that their care wasn’t finished yet.
She walked across the yard, unlatched the coop door, and stepped inside.
The hens blinked up at her, feathers puffed and rustling as they moved about.
She checked the feeder and topped off their water, murmuring reassurances as she worked.
The simplicity of the task calmed her, momentarily pushing away the tension that had gripped her all week.
By the time she stepped back outside and latched the coop, she knew Tyler would be arriving soon. Hurrying back over to the goats, she grabbed the small shovel and scooped some fresh hay into the pen.
Right on cue, she heard the sound of tires rolling slowly over the gravel. A smile tugged at her lips as she stood, hearing a car door shut.
“I’m back here, Tyler!” she called. “Just finishing with the goats!”
There was no answer. She hesitated, frowning slightly, but assumed he wouldn’t want to yell across the yard. Turning to walk around the side of the house, she stopped suddenly.
A man stood near the edge of the property, half shrouded in shadow, just beyond the reach of the security light. Her smile faltered. The shape wasn’t right. It was too lanky and short for Tyler.
A prickling fear crawled up her spine. Her fingers curled tighter around the shovel handle. She hoped the security cameras would have picked up anyone coming down the drive, and Tyler would have been notified. But he’s stuck in traffic. She took a cautious step back.
“Stop,” the man said, voice low and sharp.
Another shiver ran through her. She stiffened, willing her voice to stay calm as her grip tightened on the phone. “Who are you? What do you want?” Her voice cracked slightly as the fear weaving through it was impossible to hide.
“I didn’t think anyone would be here,” he muttered.
Something about the voice tugged at her memory. Familiar, but off. Slurred slightly. Not right.
The man stepped forward, and the motion triggered light now flooded his face. She gasped.
“John?” Her laugh was high and disbelieving. “Oh my God, you scared me. What are you doing here? Did Dad tell you I was over here?”
He didn’t answer.
As she studied him, the unease returned tenfold. He wasn’t the clean-cut cousin she remembered. There was no crisp dress shirt, no tidy haircut. His clothes were wrinkled, his face stubbled, and his eyes… his eyes were wild.
“What’s going on?” she asked slowly. “I thought you were in Chicago. Did you come to visit your parents?”
He snorted, a humorless sound that scraped across her nerves. “My parents? Oh yeah, the pillars of fucking virtue. They’re happy to take my money but can’t be trusted to do one goddamn thing for me.”
Her heart began to thud. Something was wrong.
“Why don’t we go back to my house?” Justice inwardly cringed at the thought of interrupting her dad’s quiet dinner with Gwen, but something was terribly wrong with John.
He was clearly distraught, and maybe her dad could help calm things down.
“Dad is there. He can help us figure out what’s going on. ”
John tilted his head back, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment before snapping his gaze back to her. His eyes burned with an intensity that made her heart leap painfully in her chest.
“Uncle Jack?” He spat out the name as though it tasted bitter on his tongue. “You think talking to Uncle Jack is going to fix anything? Christ, Justice, who do you think started this whole damn mess in the first place?”
Bewildered, she shook her head, a surge of frustration rising in her voice. “What mess, John? You’re not making any sense!”
He thrust a bundle of papers toward her, the edges trembling in his fist. “All I need is your signature. Not a lecture and not a stroll down memory lane about how my family screwed me out of everything. Just your signature. That’s it. Sign these, and it’ll all be fine.”
Justice’s mind scrambled to understand his meaning, but his words refused to connect into anything coherent.
Her confusion deepened into chilling dread when his other hand slowly rose into the beam of the security lights, the unmistakable glint of metal catching her eye.
Her breath caught sharply, lungs freezing in shock. He had a gun.