Page 30 of Setup In Montana

“You know she has to go to the law and tell the sheriff what she knows.”

“I do and so does she.” He could still taste her on his lips. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about it, but I plan to. She’s scared. She’s worried the killer is after her.”

“Son, if there is a killer after her, then he is now after you.”

“Believe me, I’ve thought of that.”

“Dub, I trust you to make the right decision that will keep you both from getting killed.”

He chuckled. “I appreciate your faith in me. I’ll be in touch.” He disconnected, thankful his father was nothing like Tanner. He wished some of what Tanner said hadn’t rung true, though. Maybe he was blinded by Clancy and his feelings for her. He’d never felt this way about anyone before.

* * *

MAX HAD TAKEN John Crawford’s advice and now he and state patrolman Larry Burrows were headed for the Wilson house. The directions were vague, but he’d been told he wouldn’t be able to miss the place. They’d driven from Grass Range in the direction of Lewistown. On the way, he filled Larry in on the murder investigation and why he wanted to talk to the Wilson brothers.

“Type O negative blood type?” the patrolman said. “You’re counting on one of the brothers having it?”

“Or maybe even both of them. But otherwise, it’s another dead end.”

“You think the two murders are connected?” Larry asked.

“I do, but I could be wrong about that too. I still don’t have a motive. The two women had little in common other than they both lived at Shady Rest.”

Ahead, Max saw the sign he’d been told to watch for and slowed for the turn onto the narrow gravel road that headed back into the foothills.

“So you just want to talk to them?” the patrolman asked.

“What I really need is their blood type, but I’m hoping there won’t be any bloodshed.”

“You and me both,” Larry said as the Wilson house came into view up the road.

The place had definitely seen better days. It needed paint and repairs, but the real eyesore was all the junk lying in the yard. Everything looked as if it had been haphazardly discarded and then forgotten. There were parts of broken-down cars, motorcycles, washing machines, dryers and refrigerators and miscellaneous furniture that a dozen cats had now taken over.

It was hard to tell if anyone was home, as Max parked next to one of the five vehicles out front. It was also hard to tell if any of them still ran. He watched the house as he killed the engine, figuring they’d probably heard the patrol SUV. After all, John had said the brothers were leery of cops.

“Ready?” he asked the patrolman.

“You’ve heard the stories about the Wilson brothers, right?” Larry asked.

“Not all of them.”

“You were smart not to come alone.”

They stepped out, but hadn’t advanced on the house when the paint-peeling front door opened a crack. “We’re looking for Luther and Abel Wilson,” Max called. “Just need to ask a few questions.”

The door slammed shut. Max could hear what sounded like scrambling inside the house. “This ought to be good,” Larry commented as they both drew their weapons, but stayed next to the patrol SUV for cover.

At the sound of the back door of the house banging open and slamming closed, Max looked up to see two men take off running across the field next to the house. Max and the patrolman holstered their weapons and took off in pursuit after the men.

Max was definitely glad he’d taken John Crawford’s advice and brought backup.

* * *

WHILE DUB TOOK the call from his father, Clancy went looking for a cord to plug in her phone. She wasn’t surprised when she found a drawer in the hallway with an assortment of charging options. Finding the one she needed, she plugged in her phone, then checked out the rest of the guesthouse.

As she did, she saw that Dub had taken the call with his father out onto the deck. She watched him for a moment, feeling guilty for involving his family, but worse for coming between him and his father. She couldn’t imagine that John was happy about what they’d done.

Her stomach growled and she realized that they had barely touched their meals before they’d ended up under the table. She still felt off-balance from their kiss as she walked back into the kitchen. Dub had said he would surprise her if she gave him a chance. He’d certainly done that. Her skin felt sensitive, as if his touch had awakened more than just her desire.