“You look tired, Savannah. You getting enough sleep?” As sheriff of Haven, Jake took an interest in the well-being of all the residents, but particularly the women. Still, Logan didn’t like the implied criticism that he wasn’t looking after his wife.
He frowned at Jake who just looked back at him calmly.
“I’m all right, Jake.”
“You’re a strong woman, but there’s been a lot of turmoil in your life lately. You need anything you let me know, all right? There are people who care about you a lot. Who want to do what they can to help.”
“I know.”
“That goes for both of you.” He looked over at Logan.
“Got it,” Logan said impatiently. “You’re here for us, blah, blah, blah. What did you find out?”
“Logan,” Savannah said in a scolding voice. “Sorry, he’s under a lot of stress. It’s making him a bit grumpy.”
“He’s grumpy even when he’s not under stress.” Jake winked at her.
“Will you stop flirting with my wife and tell me what the hell is going on!”
Savannah squeezed his thigh. He guessed she was telling him to behave.
Jake leaned back with a sigh. “DNA results came in earlier today.”
“And you didn’t tell me!” Logan stood and started to pace, too restless to sit still. “Well? Was it him?”
“No.”
Well, fuck.
“It wasn’t Atkinson?” Savannah asked, looking startled.
Damn it. He’d been so sure it was Atkinson doing this. Now they were back to square one.
“But it was one of his ranch hands. Randy Marshall. He’s got a record. Theft and assault. I brought him in for questioning this afternoon. He rolled on Atkinson almost immediately. Said Atkinson paid him to make trouble for you guys with the idea of scaring you into selling. Randy decided he’d start with poisoning some of your calves.”
“Start?” Logan paused turning towards Jake. “What about the phone call and the letter?”
“Denies both of them.”
“What does Atkinson say?”
“Well, that’s a problem. Atkinson seems to have disappeared.”
“What? How? Why?”
“His housekeeper said he left on a business trip to Montgomery, Alabama. I’ve alerted the Montgomery PD, and they’re trying to track him down. I’m having the flight lists checked.”
“Fuck!” Logan ran his hand through his hair.
“The good news is with Marshall locked up and Atkinson out of town, things should be safer around here.”
“But if he didn’t send the letter or make those calls then who did?” Savannah asked, chewing on her lower lip.
Jake looked over at Logan with concern. Logan nodded. Yes, he knew that Savannah needed close watching. He wished he could do something to relieve the pressure on her.
“Could be Atkinson hired someone else to do those things,” Jake told her.
“Or it’s someone else entirely.” She stared down at her clenched hands.