Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Dana Mentink (e books free to read TXT) 📖

strain of being understaffed at all times was a burden they all did their best to carry.

Perry pointed to the south. “I found another set of tracks. It’s not an ATV, but maybe a dirt bike. I lost the tracks in the foliage, but they seemed to point in the direction of the Englemann ranch. You know how they have signs about private property everywhere.”

Henry’s shoulders somewhat relaxed now that Perry was beginning to see reason. “He wouldn’t take kindly to trespassers. Someone needs to talk to him.”

“Exactly. I’ll go there and interview him as soon as we wrap up here.”

“Are you ready to consider that Dexter was murdered?”

Perry’s forehead creased. “I’m ready to take Nora’s testimony a whole lot more seriously. But it also means someone intentionally tried to discredit her given the way the scene was set.”

“Maybe they intended to make it look like a suicide from the beginning and didn’t want to veer off the plan.” Henry pointed at the trashed scene. “Speaking of which, could this have been done on purpose? Given our high bear population out here, all this food seems straight out of—”

“A black bear cafeteria,” Perry interjected, putting his green cap back on and adjusting it. “I’d rather not have it public knowledge we’re considering suspicious death yet.” He folded his arms across his chest. “We announced it immediately with Tommy and look where that got us. A media circus and it still took the FBI days to get down here. I’d rather let the shooter think he got away with it and see if he makes mistakes. At least until I get the ballistics report. Then we take it public. In the meantime,” he said as he started to walk away, “we investigate all angles.”

Henry knew Perry well enough to know when he’d given his final word.

Nora had dragged the raft to a place they could easily push off into the water. She turned to him as he approached and opened her mouth as if to ask a question, then closed it.

“I meant it before when I said I believed you,” he said. “Perry does, as well.”

Her eyebrows rose and fell in a heartbeat. “He has a funny way of showing it. A bit dodgy, really.”

“I need to stay on the case,” Henry said. “We just need to keep our eyes wide open.” His gut told him that he could no longer trust his mentor. He couldn’t share the battle with Nora, though. The sensation felt uncomfortably familiar. His distrust in Nora all those years ago had also been a gut reaction. His instincts had served him well for many years except in that one moment, but if he couldn’t trust his gut, then what did he have left?

CHAPTER FIVE

The tension between Henry and Nora continued to build as Deputy Carl Alexander drove them back to The Sauvage Run. Carl remained silent while he drove, a welcome change after Zach O’Brien’s talkative nature yesterday. He dropped them off in the lodge parking lot, turned around and drove off.

Uncle Frank, in his designer navy-and-white-striped shirt, jeans and Birkenstocks, stood next to the rafting shed, talking to Bobby and her second most loyal rafting guide, Lizzie Hartman. Ex Uncle Frank, she corrected herself.

No one could deny Frank Milner was a youthful fifty-five-year-old. Somehow his tanned skin didn’t age him. He covered up the gray in his dark hair, though he claimed he was still naturally young. Nora’d found the dye kit once when he’d stayed in the apartment over the office with Aunt Linda.

The women apparently fell for his smooth lines given his philandering ways, but he had the reputation as a hard worker who invested any profits he made right back into the town. He owned multiple businesses, like the bistro, the outdoor store and the competing rafting company. It was probably the reason people had voted for him as county commissioner, as well. He had a vested interest in seeing the tourism industry succeed.

Though, for some reason, Aunt Linda had wanted to keep their businesses separate. Maybe she’d always had an inkling the marriage wouldn’t last.

Bobby and Lizzie caught sight of Nora and waved before they hustled away.

“Would you like me to stay?” Henry asked softly.

“I’m fine. Go get some rest.” If he’d asked a few years ago, she would’ve taken him up on his offer.

“I’ll be in touch,” he said with a nod before he got into his truck and drove away.

Uncle Frank, she’d noticed, had watched the interchange before he approached.

Nora lifted the raft over her shoulder and made her way to the shed. “Commissioner Milner,” she said with a nod.

He raised an eyebrow, maybe a little surprised she’d chosen to stop calling him “uncle,” but his face smoothed into that charming smile. “How are you, Nora?”

She unlocked the padlock with one hand and maneuvered the unruly raft back into its holding place. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“I know your aunt would want me to make sure you were all right, especially considering…”

“She’d want you to try to poach our employees?” She closed and locked the shed with a little more force. In that instance, she knew. “You’re the one who contacted the magazine and told them not to come.” Dexter’s passing hadn’t been featured in any news media yet. But someone had let the magazine know the minute it had happened, otherwise she wouldn’t have gotten the email mere hours afterward.

Frank shrugged. “Word travels fast in a small town. You may not believe me, but I’m working in your aunt’s best interests. If the magazine feature is unfavorable, it negatively impacts my rafting company, too. We’re the only two companies on this river. Better not risk them coming than to find you not at your best.” He gestured at her as if to prove his point.

“Thanks for the concern,” she quipped. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go see if I still have a staff left—”

“When will Linda be coming home? It might be time to consider