Wrong Place, Wrong Time (Pete 'Monty' Montgomery 1)

“I intend to.” Blake made eye contact with Devon. “Let’s go.”

Reluctantly, she complied. She wouldn’t get another shot at this. Whatever was back there, Vista would get rid of it the minute she left. Dollars to doughnuts, his trailer would be squeaky-clean the next time she stepped inside.

If she wangled her way into it a next time.

She hesitated, aware of how adamant Blake was, weighing it against how close she was.

“Devon.” Blake waved her toward him as he shoved open the door. “Let’s head back to the house. Once the sun goes down, it’ll be freezing.” He glanced at Vista. “Keep an eye on Sunrise.”

Rigidly, Vista nodded. “I will.”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Devon muttered. She crossed over and left the trailer with Blake.

THEY MARCHED ACROSS the snow toward the house.

“Why did you drag me out of there?” Devon demanded, the minute they were out of earshot.

“Because you were about to rip open that curtain,” Blake responded calmly. “Which would mean shooting yourself in the foot. Right now, Vista thinks he has the upper hand. That gives us leverage. He still has something to hide—and something to lose. Once that changes, we’re screwed. And I don’t plan to let the scales tip until we have everything we need to lock him up.”

That got Devon’s attention. “So you agree with me.”

“That Vista’s doing something criminal? Hell, yes. I’m just trying to figure out how much of this is his initiative, and how much of it is being orchestrated by James.”

“Good question.”

“I’ll have an answer as soon as we get back to the house. I’m pulling my grandfather aside and having a talk with him. I don’t care if he’s signing papers for Louise, or meeting with the board. I’m getting to him before Vista does. Otherwise, James’s tracks will be covered, and we’ll be dead in the water. I won’t accuse James right out. I’ll just feel out the situation and see where it takes me. But I’m not letting this go.” He twisted around to look at Devon. “Will Sunrise be okay?”

She nodded. “Vista won’t dare inject her again. He’s probably in her stall now, frantically working to get her well before your grandfather finds out what he’s up to.” A pause. “Unless he already knows.”

Blake’s jaw tightened.

“Blake, I know you don’t want to hear it, but Monty thinks your grandfather would do anything to protect James. Maybe he’s doing that now.”

“I hope not. And you’re right—I don’t want to hear it. That doesn’t mean I haven’t thought of it. So I’m not speculating. I’m finding out.”

CHAPTER 25

What Devon and Blake walked in on wasn’t a business meeting. It was cocktail hour.

Everyone was in the living room. Edward and Anne were seated on one sofa. James sat across from them on the other. And Louise stood by the windows. All of them were nursing drinks.

“Blake, there you are.” Edward waved him in. “Come in and join us.” He turned to the butler, who was standing at the sideboard. “Albert, pour Blake a Jack Daniel’s on the rocks.”

“Very good, sir.” Albert reached for the bourbon.

Blake angled his head slightly toward Devon. “Will you be okay alone?” he asked quietly.

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him. “Do what you have to.”

“Join us, Dr. Montgomery,” Edward added. He looked less than thrilled. But, clearly, he thought Blake was annoyed at the omission. “Just tell Albert what you’d like to drink.”

“Thank you. I’d love some water.” Devon entered the living room, trying to ignore the twin icy stares being leveled at her by James and Louise.

“You don’t drink?” Edward inquired.

“I do, sometimes.”

“And tonight’s not one of those times?”