At the Crossroads (Buckhorn, Montana #3)(54)

“She could be using whatever she took as leverage,” Al said.

“More like blackmail,” Culhane said. “She could have already stolen it before. Any idea how long she’s been back in the area?”

“I could check her employment records,” Al said. “You didn’t know she was back?”

He shook his head. “Who does Garwood have on the burglaries? Furu and Cline?”

“You guessed it.”

“Al, I think you need to be really careful. If Garwood suspects you’re looking into this...”

“I’m not worried about losing my job.”

“I’m talking about losing your life,” Culhane said.

The deputy chuckled. “Garwood is corrupt but—”

“He’s dangerous, maybe more so now. If I’m right, he is trying to frame me for murder. He doesn’t know how much I know about his illegal activities, but I think he’s afraid of what will come out in my wrongful-firing lawsuit against him.”

Al seemed to think about that for a moment. “If you’re right, then he must have something pretty big that he fears will surface.”

“He’s always hung out with some of the rich and connected in Big Sky, so there’s that,” Culhane said. “I think you’re right about insurance fraud. He’s in the perfect position to cash in on this—and help his rich friends as well.”

“Because of that, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect himself,” Alexis said. “Culhane and I getting fired was nothing compared to what he might do to you.”

Al looked at her. “I’m curious. Why didn’t you sue for wrongful discharge, too?”

She shook her head. “I’d had enough. I prefer to be my own boss.” She looked over at Culhane. “I tried to talk him out of it as well.”

“It’s not that I want the job back. It’s that someone has to stop Garwood,” he said.

Al nodded. “That’s why I’m willing to stick my neck out.” He reached into his jacket pocket. “I got a copy of the names of the Big Sky residents who have been burglarized over the past two years and a list of what they say was taken. It seemed safer to copy them from Garwood’s computer last night than photograph or scan them on my phone.” He grinned. “I just happened to get the sheriff’s password one day when I was in his office.” He shrugged and got to his feet. “When I applied for the detective position, the sheriff said I wasn’t ready.” He handed the papers to Culhane who handed them over to Alexis. “I’d better get back. I know that no one from the sheriff’s department followed me here, but I have had a tail lately, usually by Cline when he’s off duty. I doubt it was his idea to trail me.”

“But that means you’re on Garwood’s radar,” Culhane said as he rose to see Al out. “Please be careful. Just meeting us could get you thrown into jail for aiding and abetting a criminal—if you’re lucky.”

Al smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep my head down. I bought a disposable phone to call you.”

“You’re worried about him,” Alexis said after Al left.

“He doesn’t believe Garwood would go so far as to have someone killed.”

“But you do.”

His expression confirmed it. “See anything in the names that jumps out at you?”

“Not yet.”

“Jana’s partial to emeralds,” Culhane said. “She used to talk about what she would buy if she were rich. Emeralds were at the top of the list.”

“That might explain why Garwood sent Furu and Cline over to search her apartment,” Alexis said, studying the list.

“Jana is neck-deep in all this,” he said. “If we’re right, she has something that Garwood desperately needs. And if he wants the murder rap to stick, then Jana has to be found dead. She’s running scared because she made a deal with the devil. Now the devil is after her. Garwood must be shaking in his boots. This could bring the whole scam down and him with it.”

“But only if Jana—and whatever she might have stolen—is found,” Alexis said and noticed Culhane move to the window to peer out.

CULHANE FELT THE hair rise on the back of his neck. He got up to move to the window and, parting the curtains, looked out. He had a feeling. He searched the almost-empty parking lot. Nothing looked amiss, and yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were no longer alone.

As he was rubbing his neck, he spotted her. Jana. She stood across the street next to a large pine tree. Clearly, she was watching their room. How had she known they were there? Al. He’d been followed. Just not by any law enforcement. Or maybe she’d followed them from the ranch last night. He’d been looking for large black SUVs and cop cars—not whatever transportation Jana had now.

Quickly turning from the window, he grabbed his jacket. “Jana’s out there. I’m going after her on foot.” His gaze met Alexis’s. All the worry he had about her—and his suspicion that she was carrying his baby filled him. “Please. Stay here. Stay safe.”

With that he turned and raced out the door. Jana saw him and took off at a run as well. He streaked across the busy street, nearly getting run down, but didn’t hesitate. His legs were longer. He could outrun her.