“I think you do,” Arthur said, studying him intently as the antique clock ticked in the silence.
Meredith sauntered into the room without knocking. “Grandpa, I couldn’t find your gray sweater, but here’s a black one instead. It’ll match your gray pants better anyway. Since you’re so worried.”
He pinched her cheek, and then pulled it over his head. “The other one must be in the laundry. You’re right. It does look better. Thanks, honey.”
“What were you two doing in here?”
Tanner stayed quiet, his insides still shaking like he had the flu.
Picking up the photo of him and the shotgun, Arthur said, “I was showing this picture to Tanner. Do you remember the story?”
She beamed. “Sure. You and Great-Grandpa Hale tracked some thieves up Sardine Canyon who’d stolen your horses right off the old ranch. I love that picture. You look so young.”
He puffed out his chest. “I was fifteen. I never did tell you the whole story, Mermaid.”
“You didn’t?”
Tanner leaned against the wall, hoping his best poker face was on.
“We got the horses back and turned two good-for-nothing horse thieves into the sheriff. Their partner didn’t make it though.”
“What happened?” Meredith asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
“He tried to shoot my dad in the back. I was coming out from behind the rock. Got my gun up in time. Killed him.”
Meredith put her hands to her ribs—something Tanner noticed she did a lot.
“Oh, my God. Grandpa!”
He sighed and put the photo down. “Think I’ll go to my grave remembering that moment, but it taught me one important lesson.” He lifted his hand to her cheek. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family.”
He wrapped his arms around Meredith, his gaze challenging.
Tanner didn’t look away.
Chapter 26
Ray,” Tanner called out as class broke up two days later. “Could you stay after?”
The boy immediately dropped a book. When he looked up, his red-rimmed eyes gleamed like a cornered rabbit’s. Poor kid.
“It’s about your last article,” Tanner added, putting a leading hand on Ray’s back. The muscles bunched under his green shirt. “It wasn’t up to your usual standard.” He lowered his voice but not enough to make sure they weren’t overhead. If they were going to have a cover, people had to believe it. “I figured you might be a bit distracted. A bunch of people have been upset about that young woman dying.”
The kid’s eyelid twitched. He rubbed it with ink-stained fingers.
“Did you know her?”
Ray choked like he’d inhaled a bug. “Yes.”
Tanner led him out. “Let’s go to my office. I want to walk you through some of my comments.”
The minute the door was shut, the kid lunged at him. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Creating a believable way for us to talk. You can’t come to my house again. Trouble with an assignment was the best I could do.”
Ray paced in the small windowless office. “Man, I almost had a heart attack. What the hell were you asking about Jemma for? There were people out there!”
“Because if I said you were getting bad grades without a reason, people would begin to wonder what the hell was going on with you. Everyone knows you’re an honor student.” He kept his voice low and gentle. “Other students have been upset by Jemma’s death too. It was a good excuse. Plus, you won’t have to fake that.”
He thrust his hand in the air. “No, I won’t have to fake that. I’m freaking out here!”
“Settle down. We don’t have much time. I need you to get me that sample you mentioned. I’m going to have it tested by someone I trust. The autopsy report was a dead-end, Ray.” He almost winced at the pun. “Can you do that?”
The kid ran his hands over his face. “I have the drugs she took. I’ll give you something from that batch and another sample.”
“Good. Bring it to class next time. We can have another conference about your homework. Trust me, Ray.”
“I do, but you don’t know what it’s like. I feel like shit! Every day. A few people have wanted to buy from me to help them cruise through exams. I told them I was out right now, but I can’t keep that up for long.”
“Have you talked to your guy at the garage?”
Ray popped in a stick of gum, chewing hard and fast. “Yes, Kenny called. I told him I needed some time off. I was upset about Jemma. Got backed up at school. People weren’t buying as much. He started yelling at me to grow some balls…He wouldn’t listen.”