Chapter 46

46

Dale had just about everything in place. Barratt's little jaunt back to his home state had made it too easy. Worked in Dale's favor; and Dale wasn't a fool.

Time was running out. Especially with half those idiots being killed or arrested in Texas just days ago.

Kelby's man who did odds and ends—Will—had come in handy. Of course, the screwup was responsible for Brandt Barratt's beating in the first place. That kid was damned good at getting behind locked doors. Everything was planted right where Dale wanted it.

All he needed to do now was make it believable for the cops to want to search good old Morris Preston's previous properties. That was all.

And thanks to Michelle's creativity, Brandt Barratt's name was going to be right there mixed in the center. Tying him to everything that had happened in Texas and Masterson County.

Damned fool made the perfect fall guy.

Dale knew exactly what he needed to do to make everything look just the way he wanted.

"You look satisfied with yourself," Michelle said, coming in the office door. Dale checked the clock—it was well past when he normally went to bed. "I was worried."

She wore nothing but her nightgown and the matching robe. Dale studied her for a long moment. He had always loved his wife; his body tightened with desire. It had been several weeks—they had been so busy and worried, honestly.

But tonight…

"I was just about to come to bed. I was hoping you were still awake." He stood and pulled her close. "I am…cleaning up a few loose ends."

"I've been watching the situation in Texas. We are going to have to completely cut ties. That means…abandoning Steven." And that hurt her to even consider.

"I am working on cutting those ties, cleaning up those messes. Steven won't know, darling. We both know that. He'll have round-the-clock care, but we won't jeopardize what we have built here. Think of Sierra and Jonathan. We'll discuss it more. In the morning." He brushed a kiss along her neck. " Late in the morning."

He led his wife back to bed. And showed her exactly how much she meant to him.