Deceptive Truth: Cowboy Justice Association (Serials and Stalkers Book 4) by Olivia Jaymes (reading women .txt) 📕

Knox didn't say anything out loud but he and Jenna exchanged a quick glance. She was thinking the same thing that he was. They'd stirred up a hornet's nest by asking questions about Lori's disappearance.

"Has anyone at your work made any threats, Mr. Waters?" the fire marshal asked. "Have you let anyone go from the company recently that might harbor a grudge?"

Tom shook his head. "No, nothing like that."

Michelle tugged at her brother's arm. "What about Miles Clark? You let him go last week. He wasn't happy about it."

"He wasn't happy but he didn't threaten to burn our house down," Tom replied. "I doubt Miles did this."

The fire marshal was already making notes. "Miles Clark? We'll need to check him out. Just to be sure. Is there anyone else?"

Jenna glanced at Knox again, her brows raised.

"There might be," Knox said. "I'm here investigating Lori Waters' disappearance. I think we may have ruffled a few feathers."

The fire marshal appeared confused so Knox quickly explained the situation including the break-in at Lori's townhouse.

"So you have suspects for the break-in?" the fire marshal queried. "Then you think that they may also be suspects in this case? The police are going to want to talk to them after I turn all of my evidence over to them."

Would Detective Bauer finally take this case seriously? It really didn't matter one way or the other. Knox was already planning to have a serious conversation with his brother Cal. It was time for Knox's older brother to face the consequences of his actions. Even if he wasn't responsible for Lori's death - and Knox truly didn't think that he was - he had a great deal to answer for when it came to their relationship. Cal was a total douchebag but he wasn't a killer.

Knox stepped away from the group and beckoned Jenna to follow him. They walked around to the far side of the wrap around porch.

"I'm going to call Logan and let him know what's going on," Knox said to Jenna. "We're going to need get you all to a safe house as soon as possible."

At first, she didn't react but then her eyes widened in surprise. "Wait...you think...that they might hurt us? They burned the garage, Knox. They easily could have set fire to the house but they didn't."

"What if that was just a warning? Their opening salvo. We can't take those sorts of chances with your life. You, and your family by extension, need to be protected. Right now this house isn't safe."

Jenna's gaze ran over the house and then over the smoldering remains of the garage.

"Are you sure? Do you think they would come after us?"

"I think it's better to overreact and be safe. The good news is that we've clearly upset someone with our investigation. We just need to keep the pressure on."

The fire marshal climbed the porch stairs and waved to get their attention.

"Uh, there's something you might want to see," he said, shifting from foot to foot nervously. "My guys didn't see it until the sun came up and one of our trucks was moved."

"I'll follow you," Knox said. He was getting that feeling again, watching how uncomfortable the fire marshal looked. This wasn't going to be good.

The three of them walked down the long driveway almost to the street where Tom and Michelle were already standing. The fire marshal pointed to something written in spray paint at the end of the drive. Knox had to step around it to be able to read the scrawl. His blood ran cold when he saw the message their arsonist had left.

You're next.

18

It all happened so fast. One minute she'd been standing in the driveway taking in the threat scrawled in spray paint on the concrete, the next Knox had her packing a bag while he dealt with Detective Bauer who had shown up a few minutes later.

The cop was grouchier than normal, clearly not happy about the turn of events. One again, he wouldn't even make eye contact with Jenna, talking only to Knox and the fire inspector. He took pictures of the driveway and asked about any security video that they might have. She was surprised he was actually doing his job - albeit not very happy about it. Unfortunately, Tom had never installed any security cameras or alarm. Their area wasn't dangerous and he hadn't thought it necessary. Her brother was now regretting that decision.

"We're going to drive to Tremont," Knox said, entering her room. His hair looked like he'd been scraping his fingers through it again - standing on end. "Are you almost ready to go?"

"What's in Tremont?"

It was on the opposite side of Douglas so they would still be able to work on the case.

Wait...we are still working the case, right?

"A safe house," he replied. "It's actually a home that belongs in the Anderson family which is my boss Jason. Apparently, it's all set up with security, plus Logan is sending the new guy at the office to help out."

If they were sending more help, then they were still investigating.

"Well, thank you to your boss then. They’re okay with us staying there?"

"They’re fine about it. They've been renting it out but it's currently between occupants. It's in a good location in town, not too remote. I think you'll be safe there."

"What about Michelle and Tom?"

She'd heard Tom and Knox going back and forth about leaving this house, and the safety of staying. Tom didn't want to let anyone scare him from his own home. He was digging in his heels and stubbornly saying that he wasn't going to leave.

Knox sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "I can't convince your brother to