Chapter Seventeen
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The Anderson ranch was breathtakingly beautiful. It was also overwhelmingly large. Zach and Leann had been driving for twenty minutes after coming through the gate and could only now see the house in the distance. He had been out to the ranch many times but he could never get over the size of it. It was almost a little town unto itself.
When he parked the car, Leann didn’t get out right away, instead turning toward him to speak. “I should probably tell you that I went over to West’s last night while you were questioning Troy Wallace.”
This was the first he was hearing about this. Accident? No way.
“You didn’t mention this when I picked you up at Dizzy’s last night. How did you even get there?”
“I asked the deputy guarding me to drive.”
She was ballsy and resourceful. She had also been furious. Poor West.
“Do I dare guess what you discussed with our esteemed mayor?”
Leann smirked. “I think you know what the conversation was about, although West said that Jason had spoken to him and that now he wasn’t going to try and stand in our way.”
Zach hadn’t known Leann long but he couldn’t imagine that statement going over well.
“What did you say, I ask with fear in my heart?”
“That his opinion didn’t matter either way and that I was a grown woman who was going to do whatever I damn well pleased. He said he was trying to help. I told him not to bother. Even Gigi was mad at him.”
Now that Zach could easily picture. West might like to swagger around but Gigi didn’t put up with any of his shit.
“So you’re telling me this is kind of a warning that your brother might not be very friendly today?”
She pushed open her car door and gave him a quick smile. “I just wanted to let you know that I handled this. If West acts like an ass today it will be because he is actually an ass.”
The front door of the large house swung open and a welcoming David Anderson stood there with a wide grin, motioning for them to come in. Zach and Leann were not the first to arrive. Jason and West along with Gigi were already there. Travis and his wife Aubrey would be absent. They were out of town on a business trip and Brinley, Jason’s wife, was home with a cold. She’d insisted Jason come anyway, probably so she could get some peace and quiet to rest.
The Anderson family came together for dinner but liked to separate by gender beforehand. Leann disappeared into the kitchen with the other females, leaving Zach facing a wall of Anderson men. Normally that didn’t bother Zach but then he’d never been in this position. Luckily, they all seemed friendly today, even West. Zach had always got on well with the Anderson family.
David was playing bartender and poured everyone a shot of whisky. No way was Zach turning it down. He could use a drink.
“So how is the murder case going?” David asked, holding up a cigar in offering. Was this a test? Zach couldn’t imagine Leann liked the scent of a smelly cigar on a man. Honestly, he wasn’t too fond of it either.
“No, thanks. I don’t smoke.”
Laughing, Jason shook his head at his father. “We don’t smoke them. Not really. Mostly Dad does it to rile up Mom every now and then.”
West held out his hand. “I’ll take one.”
The women must have wolf-like hearing because Gigi stuck her head out of the kitchen. “Don’t you dare, Westin Anderson. I won’t have you smoking that in the same house as our child. Do you want to sleep in the garage?”
“She said your whole name,” Jason mocked his brother. “You’re in big trouble.”
West shrugged like he didn’t care. “Haven’t you heard? I already am. I had to sleep on the couch last night. Leann came over and Gigi found out about our conversation with Zach. They both threatened to make me wear my ass as a hat.”
David Anderson chuckled as he sat down in a big brown leather chair. “That’ll mess up your hair, son. Maybe you should think about staying out of your adult sister’s life. It might save your own.”
Now this was fascinating. Watching the father handle the son. Zach kept his mouth shut wondering what might be said or done next.
West out his hands up in surrender. “I am staying out of it. In fact, I am now Leann and Zach’s biggest cheerleaders.”
That was just plain weird. It was one thing for Jason and West to not interfere in Leann’s love life but to actively root for them as a couple? Strange as hell.
Jason chuckled. “That would be a change because we made her teenage years a nightmare when it came to boys, practically running them off before they even got to the door. Just like you did yesterday to Zach. Except Leann and Zach are two consenting adults who don’t give a shit what you think.”
“Actually, I care even less than that.”
Leann’s voice. She didn’t sound angry at her brothers, more tired than anything else. Zach guessed that she’d been worn down by these males on too many occasions to count.
“Drink, sweetheart?” her father asked.
“Martini, please.” Leann swung her attention from her father back to Jason. “From what I’ve seen you’re the only Anderson male that has a lick a sense.”
David cleared his throat loudly. “I heard that.”
The door to the kitchen flew open and Gigi and Eileen Anderson walked into the living room. Gigi was giving her husband a look that Zach wouldn’t ever want to see from a woman and West didn’t appear to like it. The back of his neck was now a ruddy shade and he couldn’t meet his wife’s gaze.
“I’m guessing Leann meant for you to hear that, dear,” Eileen replied to her husband. “You don’t come out of this situation squeaky clean either, so let’s not pretend you do.”
“I was only trying to protect my teenage daughter. I have nothing to apologize for.”
Eileen handed Leann one of the martini glasses. “You keep telling yourself that and perhaps you’ll start believing it.”
“Am I allowed to ask Zach about the murder investigation?” West asked. “Since I’ve repented and given up my bossy ways?”
“Actually, I’d like to hear about that too,” Leann replied eagerly. “You left dinner last night to question Troy Wallace. Did you learn anything useful?”
Just like that, West and Leann weren’t mad anymore. This Anderson family was going to give Zach whiplash the way they turned on a dime.
He knocked back the rest of his whiskey. “I’m not even sure where to start.”
* * *
The entire family was settled at the table for dinner and the food smelled delicious. Little Ryder had fallen back asleep and was sleeping in his bassinet in the living room. Sneaking a quick look at Zach, Leann could only wonder what he thought about all of this.
This wasn’t his first Sunday dinner with the Anderson family but it had to be far different than what he’d grown up with. The long table was filled with people and food, all speaking loudly to be heard over one another. As much as Zach longed to create a family for himself the question remained… Is that what he’d had in mind? Or something quiet and calm?
Once everyone’s plate was full the table quieted down and everyone was ready to hear more details from Zach’s investigation. He’d already discussed how they were still looking for Darrell and trying to account for everyone’s whereabouts at the time of the murder.
“I spoke with Troy Wallace last night as you know.” Zach gave Leann an apologetic look. “He swears that Jenna was flirting with him and then she ran to Drew to tell him that Wallace was hitting on her. He also swears that they had…a thing…back in high school.”
Everyone was looking at Leann for some sort of verification. “I…well…I don’t know. I don’t remember them ever hooking up but it could have happened, I suppose.”
Troy and Jenna? It was possible. Despite how Jenna acted, she hadn’t been innocent in high school while Drew played the field. Both of them had run a little wild at times and a tryst with Troy wasn’t something Jenna would want anyone to know. Even Leann.
Zach shrugged. “He can’t prove it and honestly it’s not important either way what happened one night fifteen years ago. What’s important is the veracity of his statement of Friday night’s events. I was able to verify his alibi with the folks down at Lucky’s so I think he’s out as a suspect.”
“Then we’re down to just Darrell Madison?” West asked. “He can’t hide out forever. He’s not that bright.”
“Jared is also looking into the backgrounds of the victims. We might find another suspect there that connects all of them,” Jason said. “But the most important thing right now is to keep Leann safe. These people are from her social circle. She could be next.”
She still couldn’t believe that anyone wanted her dead. “I don’t know what I would have done to deserve being killed, but then I don’t know that Carole, Bitty, or Drew did anything either. This whole situation just feels so strange.”
“Perhaps you should move out here to the ranch, baby girl,” her father suggested. “Where we can keep an eye on you.”
Leann opened her mouth to object but to her amazement Jason beat her to it. “Zach has all of this under control, Dad. He’s guarding her twenty-four-seven.”
David smiled at Zach. “I have no doubt you’re doing a fine job, son, but it might be easier to guard her here. There’s not as many people around.”
“But the ranch is too remote,” Jason argued. “If we needed the cops or, heaven forbid, an ambulance it would take way too long for them to get here. Plus, there’s a hell of a lot of empty country surrounding us. The killer could sneak up from just about any direction. At least in town he has limited options. If I were the killer I’d want Leann out here. Less people to see me get in and out and less people to hear me. At least in town there are neighbors and traffic cameras. Plus, Zach’s home has an excellent security system.”
Leann and Zach exchanged puzzled glances. Jason was certainly pushing back against their father about this.
“But we could give Zach a break now and then.” David wasn’t going to back down on this. “Is the poor boy supposed to stay awake and never sleep?”
“We’ve got that handled,” Jason persisted. “A few of the deputies give him a break when he needs it and at night they’re patrolling his neighborhood.”
Leann’s father appeared dubious but West piped up as well. “Leann should definitely stay with Zach. It’s the safest place for her.”
Giving her a funny look, Zach finally spoke up for himself. “I appreciate the vote of confidence but if you all think Leann would be safer here I understand.”
“What do you think?” Elaine asked, her case darting from son to son and then back to Zach. “You’re the one with experience protecting celebrities.”
From the sour look on Jason’s face he didn’t think much of his own mother discounting his years in the DEA.
“I think,” Zach began carefully, watching the expressions around the table, “that the killer would love to have Leann in a remote location. Remember that’s exactly what suspects do when they kidnap a victim. They take them someplace where they can be alone and no one’s around. There are plenty of places like that not far from your front door, Elaine. At least in town he has to work a little harder, plus Jason makes a good point. Assistance is much closer. However, if Leann feels safer out here then I can set up her security at the ranch. It can be done and I have no problem doing that. We can make it work.”
Leann rolled her eyes. “Finally someone who is asking what I want.”
Her father cleared his throat. “I’m just looking out for you, sweetheart.”
“I know, Dad, and I love you but if Jason, West, and Zach all agree that the best place for me is to be in town then I think that’s where I should be. Honestly, I’m simply trying not to be a burden while they’re trying to catch a killer. Whatever is easier for them is what I want.”
Jason slapped the table and grinned. “Then it’s settled. Leann stays with Zach. Mom, is there dessert?”
Gigi was giving both Jason and her husband a strange look but she didn’t speak up, instead focusing on her mashed potatoes. She did, however, give Leann a wink before elbowing West when he refilled his plate for a third time.
Sunday dinner at the Anderson’s was never boring and today was no exception. Jason and West were acting…different. Leann couldn’t put her finger on it but something was off with those two. While Zach was finding a murderer she was going to figure out just what her siblings were up to.
If there was trouble anywhere, Jason and West would find it.