But Ellie had never been a quitter. She would stick it out until the job was done. And something had happened today, something she hadn’t expected. Was it possible Kade had feelings for her, something deeper than the lust they both shared?

Because Ellie was beginning to realize how deep her feelings ran for Kade. Watching him with Grace Towers had made her physically ill.

But Kade had said he wasn’t interested in Grace. He’d said Ellie was special. Did he mean it? Or was it just a typical male line?

The ringing of her cell ended her thoughts. She pulled the phone out of her pocket. Zoey.

“Hey, Zoe.”

“I’ve got news, Ellie. Actually, I’ve got a couple of things to report.”

“Starting with . . . ?”

“You already know Frank Keller worked for Red Hawk Mining.”

“That’s right. I know the mine’s owned by Mountain Ore Mining Consolidated, but I haven’t had time to check them out.”

“Mountain Ore is a huge corporation, family-owned, with mines in other parts of Colorado, but also South America and Africa. After Keller got out of the army four years ago, he worked for Mountain Ore in several different locations. His first job was in Brazil, but he ended up back in the States, working in southern Colorado.”

“When did he quit?”

“Not sure he ever actually did. From his employment records, it looks like he worked whenever the company needed him. He was contract labor. Sometimes he went months between jobs.”

“You said Mountain Ore is family-owned.”

“Mose Egan is head of the clan. He’s CEO. Other family members have jobs there, all VPs of something or other, his daughter, Jane, and her husband, Phillip Smithson, and Mose’s son, Richard. International headquarters are in Denver.”

“Anything pop up that explains why Keller was looking for work in Coffee Springs?”

“Frank was born in Denver, but he’s got a second cousin in Phippsburg, so he’s familiar with the area. His cousin’s name is Earl Dunstan. No address, just a post office box.”

“Maybe Phippsburg’s where Frank’s hiding out. That’s great work, Zoe. I’ll make sure the sheriff knows.”

“And speaking of Sheriff Carver . . .”

“Yes . . . ?”

“The guy has a solid reputation, but I found old photos of him and Heather posted on one of his friend’s Facebook pages. At the time the pictures were taken, the two of them looked very hot and heavy. The date was a month before she disappeared.”

“So Carver’s still a suspect.”

“Looks that way,” Zoe said.

“Send me the photos.”

“Soon as I get off the phone. Oh, there is one more thing.” An excited note rose in Zoe’s voice. “I quit my job.”

“Wow, really? I know you said it was just a way to earn a living until something more interesting came along, but—”