Heart's Desire Read online

  “Why didn’t he just tell her?”

  Nathan shrugged. “You know your father better than I do. Maybe he wanted to surprise her. Maybe he didn’t want upset you.”

  “Me?”

  “Justin, you’re pretty hard on Jess. You jumped on her about the missing money before you even gave her a chance to explain.” Justin opened his mouth to defend himself, but Nathan didn’t give him a chance. “I know you love her, and I don’t know all the history, man, but Jess adores you, and she feels like she’s always letting you down. You can see it in her eyes.”

  Justin ran a hand over his face, scrubbing his jaw, and shook his head. “I guess I’ve dealt with things badly after Mom and Dad died. I just didn’t know what to do.”

  A companionable silence fell between them, neither feeling compelled to speak until Justin pulled the truck off the main highway onto the road to the ranch. “Who took the money, Nathan? I don’t think it was Brendon.”

  “You want my honest opinion or what I can prove?”

  “Either.” He shrugged.

  “I think it was Trevor and that he used Brendon as a patsy.”

  “His own son?” Justin sounded doubtful.

  “Who else knew your father was incorporating the businesses? Who else is on the board of directors and has access? Who else would your father have put that much trust in?”

  “Then shouldn’t we confront him?”

  “With what? Conjecture? Suspicion? A theory?” Nathan shook his head and pursed his lips. “Unfortunately, I have nothing else to go on. I can’t just make accusations, and if it’s him, he’s done a great job of making Brendon look suspicious while still shining enough doubt to make the evidence circumstantial.”

  “But, if Mom and Dad hadn’t gone on that trip, if they hadn’t been in that accident, none of this would have worked.”

  “If it was an accident.” Nathan had seen the police report. A single-car accident, probable cause was determined to be the driver falling asleep at the wheel. The brakes hadn’t been applied as they left the road. No one in the small town even suspected foul play.

  Justin pulled the truck onto the shoulder of the road again and spun the wheel, making a U-turn, leaving a cloud of dust behind them.

  “Are you saying that son of a bitch killed my parents?” Justin’s nostrils flared, his eyes wide with disbelief and rage. “That he destroyed our family for money? My father was his friend. We grew up with him.”

  “Justin, slow down or let me drive,” Nathan warned. “I don’t know, but it’s what I suspect. Proving it is an entirely different matter.”

  “I’ll get us proof. I may have to beat him to a pulp to get it, but if he killed our parents, he’ll admit it.”

  It wouldn’t do them any good to alert Trevor that they were on to him. Nathan needed to get a recorded confession, not an assault charge, but he’d been wondering how to get to Trevor’s office to confront him about what he’d done. Justin was making this easier. Now, he just had to figure out a way to get Trevor to confess to what he’d done.

  JUSTIN PUT ON the breaks and pulled into the parking spot, barely taking time to throw the truck into park before leaping from the driver’s seat. Nathan chased him, trying to catch him before he headed into the office, hell-bent on revenge. “Justin, wait. We need them to confess.”

  Justin stopped, his boots skidding on the sidewalk in front of the office building. “You really think he’s going to give up anything? You said it yourself, he’s done a great job of hiding behind the suspicion he’s cast on his own son.”

  “Well, you can’t beat it out of him.” Nathan realized he didn’t put it past Justin to do exactly that. Not that he could blame him. If Trevor had murdered his family, he’d want to do the same.

  “Or maybe I can.”

  Nathan caught the secretary at the desk inside watching them argue on the sidewalk. They had to do something, or she was going to alert Trevor of their presence. “Just follow my lead, okay?”

  He wasn’t entirely sure the best course of action to take, but he couldn’t let Justin go in half-cocked, ready to beat someone. Getting a confession was their best shot. Nathan knew they didn’t have much time before Jessie realized they weren’t following her and started looking for them. He loved that woman, but she would jump into this fray without even thinking of the danger to herself. He didn’t want her here for this.

  Nathan pulled the door open and gave the secretary a flirtatious smile. “Well, hello. How in the world did Trevor manage to find such a lovely secretary?” He turned to Justin, whose face was still red with fury. “The lucky devil.” He shot Justin a look of warning and saw the understanding dawn in his eyes.

  “How can I help you, gentlemen?” She appeared stoic, but Nathan didn’t miss the way her body language relaxed when Justin looked her way. “Justin, I’m surprised to see you here again so soon.”

  “We have some documents for Mr. Gray. Is he in?” Nathan offered.

  “He’s with his son, and I don’t think—”

  “It will only take a second, Christy.” Justin cut her off. “I don’t think Uncle Trevor remembered these were coming today, and I need to have him sign them. He’ll be a bear if they don’t get turned in.”

  She didn’t look pleased but jerked her chin toward the door. “He came in irritated, so let’s not give him another reason. Go ahead.”

  Nathan and Justin made their way into the spacious office and shut the door behind them with a soft click. Brendon was just coming back into the main room with a file in his hands.

  “Was this what you—” He stopped short when he saw Justin and Nathan standing in front of his father’s mahogany desk.

  “Hurry up. We need to shred—” Trevor, who had been watching his son, turned to see what had startled Brendon. “What the hell are you doing here? I told Christy not to disturb me.”

  “I’m sure you did.” Nathan ran a hand over the top of the desk, noting the fine craftsmanship. “Nice office. You have expensive taste for a small-town lawyer.”

  “Get out of my office before I call the police.” Gray’s voice was quiet but dangerous.

  “You know”—Justin slid into one of the leather chairs and put his dirty boots on the desk—“I think that might be a good idea.”

  Nathan didn’t miss the fact that Brendon still stood in the doorway, his fingers tightly gripping the file, his knuckles white, and his face ashen. He walked toward him, and Brendon’s eyes shot toward his father. “I wonder if the police might be interested in the file you seem to want shredded so quickly.”

  Trevor placed his hands on the back of his chair and smiled a cold, heartless grin. “I have nothing to hide. By all means, feel free to look at it before I finish cleaning my office.”

  Nathan narrowed his eyes. The man was too cocky, far too confident, for someone who’d only been released from handcuffs and whose son had been accused of embezzling less than an hour ago. It had to be a bluff.

  “May I?” Nathan held out his hand, and Brendon looked to his father for confirmation. He stuck out his bottom lip and nodded. Nathan opened the file and flipped through the pages. It was nothing but car repair receipts from a local mechanic. He clenched his jaw. This was nothing. How could his instincts be so off? Did he just have it in for these two?

  As if reading his expression, Trevor laughed. “Find anything interesting? Now, if you don’t mind seeing yourselves out.”

  Nathan dropped the file in Justin’s lap. “You know, it’s odd that you haven’t heard anything about the incorporation. It’s been well over the usual six weeks. You’d think after six months, you’d have checked on it.” Trevor’s lips pinched into a thin line, and he refrained from commenting. “Unless you have them already. In which case, there should be a meeting of the board.”

  “Is that the case? Because I can call my sisters and have them down here in just a few minutes.” Justin held up his phone and looked at Trevor expectantly.

  “What are you trying
to prove, Kerrington?” Trevor ignored Justin who tucked his phone into his pocket and began flipping through the receipts.

  “What are you trying to hide?” Nathan countered. A commotion from the entrance had all four men turning their heads to the doorway as Jessie burst through it.

  “Get away from me, Christy, or I swear you’ll be sorry.”

  “Sir, I tried to stop her, but—”

  Trevor held up a hand and waved her out. “I’ll take care of this.” His eyes skimmed over his son, and he shook his head. “Just like I always do.”

  “What is going on?” Jessie asked. “I tried calling you. Then I came back and found your truck parked—”

  “Nathan, these are receipts for Dad’s truck.” He rose and slapped the file on the desk. “What in the hell did you do?”

  Trevor arched a brow and laughed. “Why wouldn’t I have receipts for repairs on your father’s ranch truck? I’m his attorney.”

  “Attorney,” Nathan said, “not accountant.” He reached for the file again. “Where is the documentation for Heart Fire Industries?”

  Brendon, who had been like a statue in the doorway, took a step backward and looked ready to run. Nathan grasped his arm. “Don’t even think about it.” Nathan turned back to Trevor. “You can show us or the police can find it when they tear this place apart.”

  Trevor shook his head and laughed bitterly. “You should know better than anyone, Kerrington, that you need to show cause. You have nothing on me.”

  “We have an account with four names on it right now: Colton and Melissa Hart, Brendon Gray, and Trevor Gray. With two of those now deceased, there are only two people who could touch the money in that account.” He smiled when he saw the old man blanch. “You’ve done a terrific job proving your son’s innocence. Thank you for that, by the way.”

  Trevor quickly recovered. “You seem quite sure of yourself, Mr. Kerrington. But, let’s be honest, you’re guessing. You have no way of knowing anything.”

  “Are you sure? Certain enough to stake your freedom on it? With as much money as I have, you’d be surprised at how resourceful my investigators can be.” He raised his brows as he waited for Trevor’s response. The two stared at each other for what seemed like minutes. Nathan was surprised everyone else in the room remained silent, as if waiting to see who caved first.

  A quiet knock sounded at the door. “Sir, is everything okay in there? Do you need me to phone the police?” Christy’s voice was tentative, but it seemed to spark Brendon into motion.

  He ran for the door and Justin moved but not as quickly as Jessie. She grabbed Brendon by the front of his shirt and shoved him back against the wall. “Don’t even think about it. No one is leaving until we have the truth.” She stepped closer to him, her nose barely reaching his chin. “I don’t care how I have to get it, either. Someone nearly drove my ranch into the ground, and I’m ready to extract a little payback for the fifty thousand dollars stolen from me.”

  “I didn’t do it, Jessie,” Brendon whispered. “I set up the account and the transfers, but that was all.” His eyes flicked to Justin who stood behind her. “I swear.”

  “Shut up, Brendon.” Trevor’s voice rumbled in the room, savage and cruel, like the growl of a feral animal.

  “I’m not going to jail for you.” Brendon ground out the words as Jessie released him.

  She turned on Trevor. “You? You took the money? Why?” She moved toward his desk. “You’re family!”

  “No, we aren’t.” Trevor turned vindictive eyes on Jessie. “I took that failing cattle ranch and turned it into a successful business for your father, and do you know what he gave me? Nothing.”

  “You were on the board of Heart Fire Industries,” Nathan said. “That put you on the payroll. But I’m guessing that wasn’t enough for you, was it?”

  Trevor raised a brow and tipped his head. “Would it have been enough for you? Tell me, Mr. Kerrington, what are you getting out of helping these two?”

  “I’m helping a friend.”

  Trevor looked at Jessie pointedly and laughed. “Sure you are.”

  “So, you decided to set up the transfers and withdraw the money?”

  Trevor laughed bitterly. “Not exactly.”

  “You had me set it up so your hands were clean?” Realization dawned on Brendon’s face. “You always planned for me to take the fall for this, all of this, didn’t you?”

  “Son, you’re hands are clean, too. They don’t have anything.”

  “I’m not going down for you. I swear I won’t,” Brendon vowed, pointing at his father. “Where is the money?”

  “It’s safe.”

  “In some offshore account with your name.” Nathan strode toward the desk, knowing Trevor was trapped in his own lies. “You know, Brendon, I’m sure the police would go much easier on you for your cooperation. As a matter of fact, I’m sure Justin and Jessie might be willing to testify on your behalf if you were to tell the police what you know.”

  Justin took a threatening step toward his friend. “Or I could just beat the crap out of you now.”

  “Brendon isn’t going to say anything, because he doesn’t know anything.” Trevor smiled his evil grin again.

  Brendon looked from his father to Nathan, as if unsure who might offer him the best deal. He narrowed his eyes at the man behind the chair and took a step closer to Nathan, glancing at Justin. “I’ll tell you everything I know, but you have to promise to do whatever you can to make sure I don’t serve any time.”

  “Done,” Nathan said. Jessie’s mouth opened in protest, but he shook his head. Justin clenched his fists at his sides, and Nathan could tell he wasn’t happy with the compromise either, but neither of them realized how important this was. This man’s testimony was exactly what they needed to make a case and try to get her money back.

  “The money is in Germany. I have the account information.”

  Trevor’s face colored with rage. “Shut up, Brendon!” He lunged across the desk, but the chair blocked his attack.

  Nathan shoved a paper at Brendon. “Write it down. Names, account numbers, routing information.”

  “I need to call the police,” Jessie said, pulling out her phone.

  Nathan was just about to tell her about the device hidden in his pocket when Brendon passed him the paper with the bank information.

  “He cut the brake line.” Brendon’s voice was quiet but anxious.

  “You son of a bitch!” Trevor’s voice was thick with rage.

  “He had someone do it. I don’t know who.”

  “How do you know?” Nathan asked. “Did you see it?”

  Brendon shook his head. “He told me. And I have his receipt for the hotel where it happened.”

  “You killed my parents?” Justin dove toward the old man, and Nathan jumped into action. He couldn’t have Justin getting arrested for assault when they had to make this an open-and-shut case. They didn’t have it yet.

  Jessie looked like she was in a state of shock, her face pale and her hands trembling. She let out a pained wail that chilled Nathan’s heart. He wished he’d been able to warn her. Suddenly, she pushed past her brother. Nathan let go of Justin and both of them reached for her arms, barely catching her before she got her hands on Trevor.

  Jessie struggled against the two of them, and Nathan was shocked at the difficulty they had holding her back. “I’m going to kill you, you bastard.”

  “You can’t do anything.” Trevor chuckled under his breath. “I’m not stupid. You have nothing more than his word on this. And I can give you proof that he stole that money from you.”

  “I don’t care about the money.” Jessie paused long enough to glare at Brendon and then turned back to the man across the desk, the man she’d trusted for most of her life. “I want my parents back. You said it was an accident.”

  “I have the name of the man he paid to do it.” Four sets of eyes turned to Brendon.

  “I thought you said—”

  Brendo
n cut Justin off. “I lied.” He looked at his father. “That’s right, Dad. I’m not fool enough to trust you. I followed you. I even talked to him. Let’s see who gets the better deal with the police.”

  Trevor pointed a finger at his son. “You’re finished. I will destroy you.”

  Several officers burst into the room with Christy peering from behind. “Freeze! Everyone, hands into the air.”

  “Officers, I’m so glad you’re here. These people are trespassing, and these two have already tried to attack me.” He pointed at Jessie and Justin.

  “Nice try,” said the deputy who’d fitted Nathan with the device as he pulled his handcuffs out and walked around the desk. Another deputy cuffed Brendon. “You’re coming with us Trevor. You are under arrest for the murder of Colton and Melissa Hart. You have the right to remain silent—”

  “What the hell? These three came in—”

  “Trevor, we got everything we need.” Nathan reached into his pocket and pulled out the recorder, no bigger than a pen cap. “And since Brendon wants to be so very cooperative, I’d say you’re pretty well screwed. Check and mate.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  NATHAN DISCONNECTED THE call on his cell and looked across the yard to where Jessie was unloading two new geldings from the trailer with Moose protectively standing at the gate. He caught his breath as she led the first emaciated animal out. It never failed to shock him when he saw the condition most of the animals came to Jess in—beaten, worn down, and pitiful—but she was able to restore them, the way she had with him. He wanted to do the same for her.

  He walked down the porch steps and stood at the fence, clearing his throat to get her attention without spooking the animal. She looked at Deb. “Can you hold him for a second?”

  Jessie hurried to the fence, worry creasing her brow. “Well? What did they say?”

  “It’s over. Trevor is trying to work out a deal, but Brendon rolled on him, so they have plenty of evidence. Apparently, he didn’t trust his father and made sure he could blackmail him if the time came.” Nathan shook his head. “I thought my family was dysfunctional. Trevor’s going to prison for two counts of murder, Jess.”