“They’d have to prove it. Where’s your granddaddy, Clancey?” he asked with a cold laugh. “I didn’t serve time for his disappearance. You don’t even know where he is.”

“He was the sweetest man I ever knew,” she said sadly. “He was unselfish and kind and brave. All the things you’re not,” she finished angrily.

“And he’s still missing.”

“They’ll find him.”

“Maybe. But I doubt it. Watch your back, baby sister,” he added quietly. “Watch it carefully. I don’t get mad. I get even. As for going back, I’m not going to. Even death is preferable to several more years in that hell behind bars. I’ve got nothing to lose. Nothing at all.”

He hung up. Clancey sat on the floor with her heart hammering at her chest, wondering if the Army would really be such a bad choice.

ELEVEN

Clancey was going to tell Banks about her phone call of the night before, to ask him what to do next. But circumstances put an end to that.

Banks came in on time, but he wasn’t alone. He had Grace with him. He was almost glowing. She’d agreed to let him take her down to the ranch. He’d taken a day off—a very unusual thing for him—to do it.

He was smiling as he and Grace paused in the office.

“Hi, Clancey,” Grace said with a smile. “You look very nice.”

Clancey flushed. She was wearing old jeans with a blue checked cotton shirt, buttoned all the way up with a long sweater-vest worn over it. “Thanks.”

“I don’t approve of the way most young women dress these days. Honestly, it’s as if they were advertising everything they’ve got!”

Banks was too happy to bristle at Grace’s unexpected riposte at his sister, Brenda. “Got the weapon and the permit with you?” he asked Clancey.

She nodded. “They’re both in my purse.”

“Keep the gun close.”

She started to tell him about her phone call, but he was quite obviously impatient to leave.

“You’re giving her a gun?” Grace asked, aghast. “What are you thinking, Colt?”

He gave her a long, steady look. “Sorry. That’s privileged information. I can’t share it.”

Grace just stared at him. Clancey stared at him, too, confused. He ignored both of the speculative glances.

“Come on, Grace. It’s not a long drive,” he added when he saw her looking at her watch.

“I hope not. I have a meeting with one of the mission elders in two hours.”

“I’ll have you back before then,” he promised. His heart sank. She’d hardly have any time to spend with him. Well, there was always tomorrow, he told himself.

He glanced at Clancey. “If anyone calls who can’t get me, take down the name and number and say I’ll get back to them tomorrow, okay?”