Present Danger by Elizabeth Goddard (shoe dog free ebook .txt) 📗

otherwise, she was still investigating the archaeological crimes/murder case. In the meantime, she took the morning off to get her bearings.

She fixed brunch for Gramps.

His favorite—a BLT sandwich. The sandwich waited on the table while she waited for Gramps. He had a conference call with Marcus Briggs. Gramps was really going to do this.

Terra rubbed her shoulders to ease the tension. Every sound made her jump.

Her precious family—those in her inner circle whom she trusted most—was near being torn apart. She hoped that Owen was off the hook, but she couldn’t be sure. Then add to that, Gramps had hired someone to break into his safe? She hoped Owen had misunderstood.

All these thoughts fought for her attention, while her heart still ached at the way she’d walked out on Jack. She didn’t recognize herself—how could she ever be that cold?

His words echoed constantly through her mind. “You don’t understand. Terra, wait—”

She blinked back tears and focused on the current crisis.

Owen had agreed to stay out and work with the horses, giving Terra time to speak with Gramps. Her brother probably also needed to work off the pain he felt at losing Leif and learning what his friend had done.

Staring at her own sandwich, she knew she couldn’t stomach it today.

The office door opened, signaling that Gramps was on his way. Terra’s hands shook as she poured coffee, grateful when the mug rested securely on the table next to his sandwich. She eased into the chair across from his place setting and waited.

He emerged from the hallway and took in the food and Terra.

“How’d it go?” she asked.

“Marcus says I have a good track record. I understand the industry in the state, and my daughter’s heroism will play well into the campaign.” Gramps eyed the table as if he had to think about whether or not to eat.

“I hope you’re hungry. I made your favorite.”

He offered a tenuous smile and sat at the table. “Thanks. It’s good you’re here. I’m only just learning a few things about last night. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Well, it’s over. I’m here and I’m okay. Now, eat up. You need your strength for the campaign trail.”

He took a few bites. “Owen’s connection to Leif could be an issue, and don’t tell me different.”

“I think you could easily overcome it. Owen isn’t linked to Leif other than that he served with him.” Terra took a breath. She should dive in before she lost her nerve. “But there is some other business I need to ask you about.”

Gramps drank from his mug, his eyes boring into her from over the brim. That same displeased look he’d given her when she was a kid and he meant to scold. How ridiculous it was that she felt like a young teenager again, fearing admonishment from him. Fearing she would be the cause of his displeasure. He’d taken her father’s place, after all. She looked up to him and loved him.

He set down his mug. “Why don’t you tell me what this is about, then. I had a feeling you were buttering me up.”

“I don’t like the way you’re using Mom’s heroism to propel you into the political arena.” Those weren’t the words she’d meant to say.

He crossed his arms and eyed her. Gramps could be formidable—another reason he made a great politician. “Are you saying you haven’t used your mother’s death to propel your own career? That her job with the forest service played no role in your current job as a special agent? Or your quick transfer from the National Park Service?”

Terra couldn’t do this. She lowered her gaze.

“Terra, honey, I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. If anything, you’ve used her heroism, her legacy, to drive you. You long to live up to her. And there’s no need.”

Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. “You’re trying to change the subject.”

“Maybe I am. I love you, and I don’t think this is a conversation we need to have. It only hurts.”

“Last night, a man tried to kill me. Owen’s friend Leif.”

“I know all this.”

“Leif was in your office. What did you talk about? You told me that conversation was about Owen. But I want the truth.”

Gramps didn’t speak for a few moments, then he stood and Terra feared he would walk away without answering. She had no idea what she would do if he did. But he grabbed his mug and went to the counter. Poured more coffee and stared out the kitchen window. No doubt buying himself time.

“I’m sorry that someone tried to hurt you, Terra. That’s why I didn’t want you in law enforcement.” Gramps took a sip of coffee. “I’m not involved in whatever is going on here. But I think you need to recuse yourself and stay out of it. Your life could still be in danger.”

“What was in the safe? Tell me what was stolen.”

“I’ve already told you. Now it’s time for you to stop this nonsense. I think you need some time off. This investigation is getting to you.”

Terra wouldn’t put it past him to call her supervisor and get that for her. Gramps knew the man. There wasn’t anyone in this county he didn’t know. Plenty of people were on his payroll, whether at the trucking company, the granary, or the airport.

Gramps . . .

That was it, then. He wouldn’t tell her the truth.

One thing she knew, her grandfather was hiding something.

Terra couldn’t go into the office today and face the questions or the paperwork. Instead, she should just head home to see her cat and thank her neighbor. Crash on her own sofa and get some perspective. Terra texted Jack her plans and that she wouldn’t be meeting him at the sheriff’s offices today.

An email came through on her cell—Nells, the forest service archaeologist assigned to the artifacts. Nells had identified the pieces, and as Terra suspected, they had been trafficked from the Southwest—except for the headdress. Terra and Dan would work to return the headdress to the local Crow tribes and dispatch the