He was planning to go in her place to Gossip. She couldn’t let him do that. She figured she would be safe since she wasn’t the person Ethan Ford really wanted. But if Jasper went... It was too dangerous.

  Ruby watched her from the kennel as she went to Jasper’s pickup. It took a few minutes to let the air out of one of his tires that was already low. Moving to her own rig, she reached into her purse and felt around for her keys. It dawned on her what he’d done. She had to laugh. It appeared both of them were trying to protect the other with dirty deeds.

  She glanced back at the house before she reached under the bumper of her SUV for her spare key. Jasper knew how she was always misplacing her keys. He should have known she’d have spares.

  As she left the ranch as quietly as possible before he came out of the bathroom and found her gone, she hoped this went the way she had planned. She knew the chance she was taking and not just with Ethan Ford. She didn’t want there to be anything between her and Jasper that could ruin what they had started.

  She could understand why he was worried about her going to Gossip. Was she just being naive in believing that Ethan Ford’s reason for inviting her had to do with the fact that she was a newspaper reporter and not involved with Jasper Cole? Probably.

  But she had to get to the truth to save them both. If Ethan Ford’s ultimate plan was revenge against Jasper’s family, she needed to get the man to tell her—on the record—or at least on a recording on her phone. She had an opportunity to clear Jasper of murder and she had to take it.

  She checked her rearview mirror before turning onto the highway toward town. She felt a tug of guilt. He’d know where she’d gone. What was to stop him from putting air in the tire and coming into town? She glanced at her phone. He couldn’t get there in time, she hoped.

  Her thoughts had been at war since she’d awakened. Last night and again this morning had been so amazing. Her skin tingled at the memory of their lovemaking. But if she didn’t do this, she would regret it. They both would, especially if Ethan Ford’s plan was to frame them.

  Her heart aching at how upset Jasper would be, she was relieved to see Buckhorn appear on the horizon. She told herself it had to be done. She would never know the truth unless she went to the shop for her special showing. But was she really willing to jeopardize what she had with Jasper just to know the truth about Gossip and the man behind it?

  Darby told herself that it wouldn’t come to that. The thought made her ache, though. There was a reason she’d chosen this career—or it had chosen her. He said he’d fallen in love with her—the newspaper woman she was. Then he had to understand her need to get to the truth. But even more important was protecting the man she loved. She couldn’t let Ethan Ford skip town and disappear as she suspected he would, leaving a cloud over Jasper. She and Jasper could be arrested. Any proof otherwise would be gone. Proof that might also lead Earl Ray to his daughter.

  She was almost to town when she spotted the first patrol SUV headed toward her. As Marshal Leroy Baggins raced past, she saw there were two more patrol SUVs behind him and a cruiser, all headed in the direction from which she’d just come. Maybe they were on their way to some horrendous traffic accident. But they didn’t have their lights and sirens on, she thought, frowning.

  Wherever they were headed, she didn’t have time to speculate, she thought as she drove into town and parked across from Gossip. She dug her extra office key out of the glove box.

  She had just enough time to shower and change before her appointment.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  IT WAS PLENTY EARLY. Jasper was drying off, thinking about catching Darby still in bed naked, when he heard the pounding. He cracked open the bathroom door. Had Darby gone outside and locked herself out? Why would she do that?

  He thought of their night of lovemaking. No wonder he was still having trouble making sense of what was going on, he thought as he wrapped the towel around his waist and stepped out of the bathroom. His gaze went to the bed. Empty.

  Chuckling, he thought he must be right about her getting locked out. He wondered how disrobed he would find her. The thought sent pleasure through him as he headed for the front door.

  “Darby?” He moved quickly through the house. “Darby?” But he hadn’t gone far when he heard Ruby barking and felt his first inkling of unease. Something wasn’t right. His heart was pounding by the time he reached the front door and threw it open.

  Marshal Leroy Baggins stood framed in his doorway. “I have a warrant to search your property.” He thrust it at Jasper.

  He took the order without looking at it. Leroy had his cop face on, which alone should have warned him how serious this was.

  “The warrant includes your house and outbuildings,” the marshal was saying. “You might want to get dressed.”

  Past Leroy, he could see other officers of the law getting out of their rigs. Why so many? Because they knew what they were looking for. His stomach dropped and he felt sick as Leroy and several other lawmen pushed past him into the house.

  But right now, he had bigger problems. As he looked past the marshal’s patrol SUV parked in front of his house, he saw that Darby’s car was gone. When had she left? He had no idea. But he had a bad feeling that he knew where she was off to as he checked the time—7:20 a.m.

  He went back to the bedroom, one of the law officers following him. After pulling on his jeans, boots and a shirt, he headed outside to get Ruby fed. She’d spent the night in her kennel and was already excited by all the visitors swarming the ranch. One of the officers went with him, making him shake his head in frustration and annoyance. He didn’t have time for this. He had to get to town.

  He could see officers going through his shed and barn while others were tearing his house apart. He knew what they were looking for. He wondered where they would find it. Wherever Leviathan Nash aka Ethan Ford had left it.

  “I need to go into town,” Jasper told the marshal after putting Ruby back in the kennel.

  “I can’t let you do that,” Leroy said.

  “I’m not under arrest and until I am—” They were interrupted by a shout coming from the barn. A moment later, an officer came out carrying a baseball bat in his gloved hand. Even from where Jasper stood, he could see the blood and tissue still on it. Nice touch, Leviathan, he thought.

  “Another anonymous phone call?” Jasper said to the marshal. “Look, Leviathan Nash is behind this. His real name is Ethan Ford. And Darby Fulton is probably going into his shop right now. I can’t let that happen. I have to—”

  The marshal pulled his handcuffs and reached for him. “Jasper Cole, you’re under arrest for the murder of Aiden Moss. You have the right to remain silent—”

  Jasper stepped back, hands held up out in front of him. “You have to listen to me, Leroy. Darby’s life is in danger! She’s going to Gossip right now.”

  “Don’t make this any harder,” the marshal said, and grabbed him and spun him around, snapping the cuffs on him.

  “Then arrest Darby too, right?” Jasper said as the marshal pushed him into the back of the patrol SUV. “Pick her up now. You know if I killed Aiden, then she had to have helped me move his vehicle. She’s at Gossip. Go pick her up.”

  Leroy said nothing. “I’ll have someone take care of your dog and see that your cattle get feed until you can make arrangements.” With that, he slammed the patrol SUV back door.

  * * *

  DARBY TRIED NOT to think about Jasper as she hurriedly finished dressing for her appointment in jeans, boots and a Western shirt and jean jacket. Her phone would be in a pocket of her jacket, on Record.

  She took a deep breath and tried to relax. But all she kept thinking about was Jasper and how he would feel when he found her gone, especially after the night they’d had together. Jasper had been so loving and tender. She shivered at the memory of their bodies molded together in passion. It was everything she’d ever imagined it could be.

  And while she understood why he was so worried about her meeting Leviathan Nash this morning, she knew she was as ready as she could get. Her gun was in reach inside her purse.

  She checked her phone again assuring herself that Ethan Ford wanted to tell her about what he’d done. She’d been a journalist for too long not to know his type. He couldn’t leave town without telling someone. For a newsperson at heart, she had to hear it. But she also needed for him to admit that he was framing Jasper for Aiden’s murder. She tucked her cell phone back into her pocket and practiced hitting Record. She would get proof.

  Darby checked herself one last time in the mirror. All morning, she’d been telling herself that she wasn’t afraid of visiting the shop in broad daylight. Jasper would know where she’d gone in case she didn’t come back out, so it wasn’t all that dangerous. She only hoped she could get what she needed before Jasper showed up.

  She met her gaze in the mirror. Wasn’t she afraid that Ethan might tell her something that would destroy her like he had some of the others? What if he knew why Jasper had quit his job with homicide and there was more to the story? Was there anything that could make her think less of the man she loved? No. She knew his heart. She trusted him with her life.

  Assuring herself that she could do this, she told herself that most of the “special showings” at Gossip hadn’t taken more than half an hour. She figured this would take a little longer, but still she’d drive back out to the ranch when she was finished. Jasper would be upset that she went to Gossip for her appointment, but once he saw that she was all right, he’d be fine.

  She’d have proof that the two of them had nothing to do with Aiden’s murder. She’d also have her page-one story. Maybe she’d print it right away. She knew she wouldn’t be able to hold it until her usual press date.

  That was if Ethan told her what she needed to know. She realized she was getting ahead of herself. Maybe he wouldn’t tell her why he’d come to Buckhorn, what he’d hoped to accomplish, how his story would end or admit his part in Aiden’s murder.

  Her stomach fluttered at the thought that Jasper might be right. What if she was walking into a trap? Of course she was nervous. She had no idea what Ethan Ford was going to tell her or if she could get the evidence she needed. But she’d been here before.

  She checked the time. She had to go. She headed for the door. It was eight on the dot when she stopped in front of Gossip. Reaching into her pocket, she hit Record and tried the knob. It turned. Taking a breath, she pushed the door open and stepped in.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  AS DARBY STEPPED IN, the door closed behind her. She heard a click as it locked, the sound loud in the empty room. The only thing louder was the pounding of her heart.

  For weeks, she’d been curious and not just about Leviathan Nash. She’d wondered what he’d lured his victims in with and what he might have for her. The inside of the shop was an immediate disappointment. There was nothing on the shelves and with the black paper still on the windows, the place had a depressing, deserted feel to it.

  Had he already packed up for his exit tonight at midnight? Was he finished here in Buckhorn and there was nothing left to sell—or any more bad news to dispense? Why invite her here?

  Her gaze went from the empty shelves to the small desk in the shadowy corner and the man dressed in all black sitting behind it. Maybe she was right after all. Maybe he wanted to gloat, which meant she was here because he needed to tell her his story. As he rose, he took a small bow. “Miss Darby Fulton, what a pleasure it is to meet you,” he said as he walked toward her.

  He wasn’t any taller than she was. He’d been so much larger in her mind because of the havoc he’d unleashed on this town. Staring at the small gray-haired elderly man, she felt almost disappointed now that they were face-to-face. Jasper’s and her own fear of what might happen if she came to the shop seemed silly now. This man looked harmless.

  “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, too, Mr. Ethan Ford,” she said.

  He broke into a smile, exposing small childlike teeth. “Bravo! I’d heard that you were not just bright and talented, but a very impressive investigative reporter.” He gave her another slight bow.

  “You have nothing to sell me?” she asked, glancing around.

  He chuckled. “Was there something in particular you wanted?”

  Her gaze returned to him. “Just the truth.”

  “Ah, of course. That I do think I can provide you. But first there is something I want to show you, something I saved just for you. If you would be so kind as to join me out back.”

  “Said the spider to the fly,” she quipped. “I’ve been waiting to see the inside of your shop for weeks and now you want us to leave it to go where?”

  He smiled. “Not to my cabin, if that’s what you’re worried about since you’ve already been there...haven’t you?” He laughed at her surprise. “Did you enjoy your trip to the cemetery? I’ve always loved cemeteries. How about you?”

  She couldn’t help the feeling of unease that washed over her at his words. He knew that she’d been in his cabin, just as he knew that they’d followed him to the cemetery. She had the sudden fear that he’d been feeding her bits and pieces. Leaving her a trail of breadcrumbs as he cleverly led her up to this point in time.

  “Why don’t you tell me why you invited me here.” She hated that her voice sounded strained.

  He cocked his head, seeming amused by her discomfort. “You already know why I came to Buckhorn.”

  “I’d love to hear it from you.”

  “I’m sure you would, but aren’t you more interested in the part you play in all this?”

  “What part might that be?”

  He merely smiled and held out an arm as if to point the way out the back door. Those dark eyes seemed to bore into her as he said, “If you really want to know, I’d be happy to show you. Just step outside.”

  She didn’t move. All her senses were on alert. She glanced toward the back door. His truck was parked just outside the door next to his cabin. He was right. She’d been there before and had no desire to go inside again.

  But it was just after eight in the morning. Broad daylight outside. And Jasper knew where she was. All that aside, why did she feel that leaving the shop would be a huge mistake? She tried to tell herself that the man wasn’t much larger than her and she had youth on her side. Still, she didn’t trust him.

  His smile was gone, and his eyes had darkened almost black. “We both know what you came here for. To save your lover. But the journalist in you would really like this.” He stepped over to the desk and picked up a weathered journal, the edges worn and bent with age and use. He held it up. “Do you know what this is?”

  She was through being coy. “Your mother’s journal she kept as a county health nurse.”

  “Well, well,” he said, his voice low and deep. “You’re as smart as I suspected you were. Of course, you’ve had help. Jasper Cole and Earl Ray Caulfield.” He looked over at the journal he was still holding up. “My mother was invited into every home in this county. She helped so many people, kept them alive, held their hands when they were dying, brought their new life into the world with every baby she pulled from their wombs. But when she needed help, where was everyone?”

  “She almost died when you were born,” Darby said. “As I understand it, you almost killed her.”

  His face morphed into a mask of fury. “Who told you that?” he demanded.

  “Do you blame the town for her death? She knew the risks. She’d been told that she should never get pregnant again,” she said, hoping that her phone was recording all of this conversation. “She knew it would probably kill her—and her child.”

  He shook his gray head. She could see that he was trying to contain his anger. “I don’t blame the entire town. I blame Jasper Cole’s family.”

  “Everyone knows that his grandmother did everything she could to save your mother.”

  “No one could save her after she fell in love,” he said bitterly. “You of all people should know how love can make a person do rash, senseless things. Like you coming here today. You love what you do. Jasper didn’t want you to, did he? And yet here you are.”

  “I came because he believes you’re trying to frame him for my ex-fiancé’s murder.”

  Ethan raised a brow. “You’re that sure he didn’t kill your former fiancé?” His thin laugh echoed in the empty room, giving her a chill. “It wouldn’t be the first time Jasper lost his temper when it came to someone who hurt his lady love. I’m sure he’s told you all about his first love, the woman he got killed and how his actions got him not only thrown off the force, but also almost thrown in prison.”

  She could see that he was trying to rattle her. “I don’t care about that,” she lied. “I want to hear how you did it. I don’t think you killed Aiden yourself. It’s not your style.” He rewarded her with a grudging nod of his head. “You must have found him dead and realized you would use Aiden’s death to your advantage.” He smiled and she continued. “You would have taken his car keys. The mugger turned killer only wanted his money, but Aiden wouldn’t have given it up without a fight. You left the car near Jasper’s ranch.” She cocked her head at him, remembering how Jasper had been waiting for the other shoe to drop. “You would have taken the murder weapon as well. But how did you get back into town?”

  “I walked. It was a beautiful spring night. I’m glad to see that I wasn’t wrong about you.”

  “But why? Why frame Jasper for murder?” She felt even more uneasy as she asked it. But she had him talking and she now knew that she’d been right about Aiden’s death. If the recorder on her phone had caught it, she could clear Jasper.

  “What has Jasper told you about his parents?” She said nothing since he’d told her very little. “Did he tell you they packed up and left town eight months before my mother gave birth and died, taking my little sister with her?” She waited, heart pounding, for him to drop his bomb. She could already see it coming. Was this what Ethan had wanted to tell Jasper, the big reveal?