“Well, if you didn’t notice, I’ve put on a few extra pounds.” His hands smoothed affectionately over his belly, as if Kade might have missed it. “Who’s the pretty lady?”

“Charlie, meet Ellie Bowman. She’s helping me out while my cook is on vacation.”

“Nice to meet you, Ellie.”

Ellie smiled. “You too, Charlie.”

“So what can I do for you two?”

“Actually, I need some information,” Kade said. “I’m hoping you can tell me where to find a guy named Earl Dunstan. He lives in Phippsburg, but I’m not sure where.”

“No problem. I know Earl. He’s a good guy. Lives out at the end of Pine Street. Just keep going after you get to where the dirt road narrows. Earl’s place is over the hill, down on your right.”

“Thanks, Charlie. You drop by for supper next time you’re in Coffee Springs. I promise you Ellie’s a damn fine cook.”

“I’ll just bet she is.” Charlie winked at Ellie, and Kade didn’t miss the twinkle in his eyes. He figured Ellie and Kade were an item, and at least for the moment, they were.

Kade shook his head. Small towns thrived on gossip, and Charlie had gotten a juicy morsel in return for his help. Kade waved at him over his shoulder as they left the store and headed back to the truck.

The day was still sunny, the temperature on the warm side for this time of year. The road heading west out of town was narrow, with just a few scattered houses along the way. When the pickup reached the top of the hill and the lane narrowed still further, Kade pulled off and parked.

“Let’s take a look.” He leaned over and opened the glove box, took out a pair of binoculars, and focused them on the scene below. A small white, wood-frame house with a covered front porch sat on a parcel of land away from the road. A red barn with a chicken coop on one side sat behind the house, while a swaybacked white mare and a big bay gelding meandered around the pasture.

Kade panned the binoculars, fixed them on a recent-model Dodge Ram truck in the yard next to a faded brown horse trailer. He handed the glasses to Ellie.

“Pickup and trailer could be Keller’s rig,” he said. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s around outside. Can’t tell if there’s someone in the house.”

Ellie scanned the area, must have seen the same lack of activity he did. “Why don’t we find out?”

Kade cranked the engine and pulled the pickup back onto the road. They dropped off the hill and turned into the long driveway leading to the house. Pulling around back, he parked in front of the barn.

“I still don’t see anyone,” Kade said. “Stay here while I take a look.”