“Yeah. Blake. He worked for one of my brothers-in-law for a while. But I already know that. Anything else?”
“Blake had a falling out with his parents some time ago. He left their ranch to make it on his own. He lived here for a while, working for your brother-in-law, and then got caught up in a scandal involving the mayor’s daughter.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know all that. The mayor went to prison for shooting Blake. The daughter miscarried. Tell me something I don’t know.”
“From here, Blake went to San Antonio and got into some real trouble with crime bosses in high places.”
“So?”
“So I’d bet you don’t know what caused the falling out in the first place. Why Blake left his parents.”
“Probably because he’s an asshole and they kicked him out. The guy’s clearly a loser.”
“That may be, but it has nothing to do with why he left. Blake wasn’t kicked out. He left of his own accord.”
“Why?”
Rod’s lips curved into a sickening smile. “That’s the information I have. Roy and Carrie Buchanan are not what they seem.”
“Yes, you already said that.”
“So will you leave Sydney?”
For that? For “Roy and Carrie aren’t who they seem to be?” Not only no, but hell no.
“No, I will not leave Sydney. Now get the hell out of my sight.”
“Speak of the devil,” Rod said.
Sydney approached. The sadness in her dark eyes nearly broke Sam’s heart.
“Nice race,” Rod said.
“Fuck you,” Sydney said.
“Get out of here,” Sam said to Rod. “I have no more use for you.”
“You have no idea what you’re dealing with,” Rod said.
“Then I’ll figure it out on my own. Now go, before I kick your ass into next year.”
Rod shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t try.”
“What’s going on?” Sydney asked when Rod had left.
“He’s a pain in the ass, but he did say something worthwhile.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m not sure yet. We need to talk to someone.”
“Who?”
“Your brother.”
“I haven’t talked to Blake in years.”
“He’s here in town, isn’t he?”