Chapter Thirty-Three
The door to Wyatt’s bungalow stood open, but the Land Rover Wyatt was borrowing from his parents was nowhere in sight. Maddie’s stomach lurched as she walked to the entrance and poked her head inside. Lord, why was she nervous? He’d asked for forgiveness. Surely he wanted her back. “Wyatt?”
The sound of running water muffled his reply. At least he was here, but where was Jacob? With Margret and David. Yeah, that made sense. She and Wyatt needed time alone to sort things out. Maddie wanted to explain why she’d acted as she had, and assure Wyatt he’d never have to worry about her keeping secrets from him again.
She walked into a large airy room, a duplicate of the one in the guesthouse, but a fraction of the size. Wyatt spoke. Maddie strained her ear but couldn’t make out what he said.
She headed down the hall toward the sound of running water. The bathroom door stood ajar. She pushed it wide open, and stepped over the threshold. “Wyatt?”
Someone grabbed her, clamping strong arms around her chest and hauling her into the hall. Maddie screamed and thrashed side to side trying to break free. “What are you doing?”
She caught a glimpse of a tall, thin, young man as he shoved her into the closet and slammed the door shut.
#
“Lose something, Wyatt?”
Wyatt jerked his gaze away from the bushes lining the walkway that led from the lab to the parking lot. Miguel walked toward him. “My smartphone. Thought I might have dropped it on my way out earlier.” It wasn’t anywhere else he’d searched, and time was running out. If he didn’t leave for San Francisco in the next thirty minutes he’d be late, and he still hadn’t reached Maddie. Where was she, and why didn’t she answer her phone? Was she avoiding him?
“Need some help looking? Looks like you’ve got your hands full holding Jacob.”
Another pair of eyes couldn’t hurt. “Sure. Can you search over there?” He pointed to his left.
“No problem.”
Miguel combed through the hedges in the area Wyatt designated and he did the same.
“How’s everything going? You were pretty upset when I ran into you at Russo’s the other day.” Wyatt stopped when he heard no response and faced Miguel.
Startled brown eyes met his, then darted away. Miguel shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted from side to side. Shit. Seemed Miguel had something to hide after all.
“There’s nothing wrong, boss.”
Wyatt narrowed his gaze. “You sure about that? Heard you’ve been on edge lately, even missed a couple of days of work.”
Color crept up Miguel’s neck and flooded his face. “Ah hell, you know, don’t you?”
His gut twisted into tight knots.
“Please, please don’t fire me. I promise I won’t miss any more time. I just kinda freaked out when Allie told me she might be pregnant and—”
Pregnant? Wyatt held up a hand to stop Miguel from continuing. “What are you talking about?”
“The reason I missed those days, why I’ve been edgy. Allie, my girlfriend, thought she was pregnant. But she’s not. What did you think I was talking about?”
Idiot. He should have known better. Miguel was a good kid and an excellent employee. He should never have suspected him in the first place. “Forget it. And don’t worry. I’m not going to fire you.”
“Thanks.” Miguel’s brows furrowed. “Hey, is this yours?” He grabbed a small object poking out of the hedges and held it up.
Wyatt reached for his phone instantly recognizing the protective case with the vineyard logo. “Yeah.” He must have dropped it when he rushed out earlier. That’s why it wasn’t on his desk where he’d left it. Pressing the power button, he waited, and let out a silent cheer when the screen came to life. The battery hadn’t died. He must have turned it off. Hell, if he remembered doing so. Must be losing my mind.
“Okay if I head out now?”
Wyatt nodded. “Thanks for your help.”
His phone buzzed as he watched Miguel stride to the parking lot. Email came through, some text messages and a missed call. Wyatt checked the messages first. What the hell? Was this some kind of sick joke? He let out a harsh breath. He hadn’t lost his phone. Someone had stolen it and sent messages to Maddie. Who, he wasn’t sure, but it must have been someone from Leone Estates. He’d damned well find out. And fire their ass.
“Let’s go, slugger. Your mama’s waiting.” Five more minutes and he’d have his Maddie back. She loved him. Better yet, she’d forgiven him, too.
His cell rang as he fastened the car seat into the base. He glanced at the caller ID and connected the call. “Inspector.”
“Did you get my message?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Tried to call you earlier. We got a hit on a credit card purchase of Coleman fuel at the sporting goods store the day before the fire.”
The day Steve saw someone storing containers at the outbuilding. It couldn’t be a coincidence. “Who?”
“Chip Hebert.”
Wyatt’s jaw dropped. Chip fit Steve’s description, and he was new enough that Steve might not know him. “Chip is my assistant operations manager.” His right-hand man. He’d earned the title. More than. Chip had stepped up to the plate from the beginning, running things at the vineyard after his father’s heart attack, leaving Wyatt free to take over his father’s duties while he recuperated. Did the same after Maddie’s accident, too. Chip had never once given Wyatt reason to question him. He’d already made the mistake of misjudging one employee today. He wouldn’t do it again. “Why would he start the fire?”
“Don’t know, but we’re going to bring him in for questioning.”
“Did anyone else charge Coleman fuel?”
“Not during the timeframe we designated.”
Hell. Wyatt dragged a hand through his hair. No way could Chip have set the blaze. There had to be a logical explanation for his purchase—didn’t there?