Reed picked up on the first ring. “Are you OK?”

“I’m fine. I just wanted to ask you a question.”

“Shoot.”

“What do you think the chances are that Nathan had an accomplice here in town?”

“Besides his uncle?”

“Yeah.” Danny adjusted his arm on the pillow. “I was thinking the local cop, Lang, was awfully obnoxious.”

“That’s Doug.” Reed sounded disgusted. “He’s a total jerk, but I can’t see him helping Nathan. He was pretty shook up when he found out what Nathan had done.”

“Still, they were close, right?”

“Yes, they were.” Reed was quiet for a few seconds. “Do you want me to call Detective Rossi and run it by him?”

“Do you think that’s the right move? Rossi didn’t seem too helpful.”

“Rossi’s a good cop.” Confidence projected through Reed’s voice. “Sometimes you just can’t get a break on a case.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“In fact, why don’t you come home and let Rossi handle this?” Reed asked. “Jayne’s worried about you.”

“Not yet. I want to check a few more things.”

“OK. I’ll call Rossi and ask him to check Doug out. Take care of yourself, Danny, for Jayne.”

“I will. Thanks.” Danny punched END.

A car door slammed. He got up and went to the window. Jed was walking from his truck to the house. A second later, Mandy crossed the lawn and got into an old Subaru wagon. She pulled out of the lot. Alone.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Danny rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Jed was sitting at the island eating a fresh muffin. He looked up at Danny. “What?”

“Where’s she going?”

“The range.”

“The range?”

“The shooting club.” Jed got up and pulled a coffee mug from the cabinet over the coffeepot. “When you carry a gun, it’s important to practice regularly.”

“Mandy carries a gun?”

“Of course.” Jed’s already prominent brow dropped. “I wouldn’t let her run around alone without one.”

Danny digested that tidbit for a few seconds. He knew plenty of people who had guns in their homes, but not very many carried a firearm. “Why didn’t you go with her?”

“Because she asked me to stay with her mother and brother.” Jed poured coffee. “Look, I don’t like it any more than you do. But do you really think it’s possible for her to not go anywhere alone for four months, while at the same time making sure her family is looked after?”

“I guess not,” Danny said.

“Mandy might be small and pretty, but as much as I hate to admit it, she can handle herself.” Pride tinted Jed’s voice.