Chapter 34

When Marlee finished her story, the room was quiet. Cooper twirled a toothpick between his fingers and looked at everyone standing in the middle of Clayton and Abby’s kitchen.

“The house was purchased twenty years ago,” Danny said as he read from his computer. “By a Stella Pearson.”

Clayton ran a hand down his face. “Twenty years? How long have they been operating in this territory?”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is bringing her and the business down,” Ryan stated.

Jace leaned his hands on the island and shook his head. “I’m all for going in like we normally do. But this time, they’re going to be waiting for us.”

“So?” Caleb asked.

Brice shot his brother a dry look. “We all want to kick their asses, but not at the expense of casualties.”

“Brice is right. We should call in the FBI,” Danny said.

Cooper’s gaze slid to Marlee, who stood beside him. Other than telling everyone what had happened at the house, she had been quiet and seemed lost in her thoughts. Something was bothering her. Something she hadn’t mentioned to the others.

He touched her arm, causing her to jump. She looked at him and gave him a small smile. He pulled her against him, and to his surprise, she allowed it. He hadn’t been sure she would. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

“The other person in the house,” Marlee said loud enough to get everyone’s attention. She looked from the others to Cooper. “I told you I got a call from Stephanie.”

Cooper nodded in agreement. “Your FBI friend.”

“Something about that call didn’t sit right.”

Ryan raised a brow. “You mean besides her not being able to give you Kate Sommerset’s real name?”

Marlee shifted her feet. “Besides that. You see, I could hear a can being opened through the speaker of the phone. While talking to Stephanie, I could see into the house through the window. The shadows prevented me from seeing if it was a man or a woman, but someone was sitting at the table, drinking a canned drink while on the phone. When Stephanie and I finished our call, the person in the house lowered their phone.”

“You think Stephanie was in the house,” Cooper said.

Marlee nodded. “I do.”

“I saw someone when I went to the house,” he told the room. “They walked toward the back when Marlee knocked on the door. I didn’t get a look at them, but they made sure to move away from the front so they couldn’t be seen.”

Marlee released a long breath. “I’m telling you all of that to say that I don’t think we should call in the FBI. If that was Stephanie inside the house, then she’s working with Stella.”

“Dammit,” Clayton said as he slammed his Stetson down on the island. He turned and paced away.

Ryan looked at Danny. “We could ask the judge for a warrant to search the house, but I’ve got a feeling we won’t find anything there.”

“I agree. They’ll be using this time to get rid of everything,” Danny said.

Caleb squeezed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Please tell me someone has eyes on the house?”

“Two of my men are undercover,” Ryan answered.

Jace widened his stance and crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s the plan? Because sitting here and talking about it isn’t getting anything done.”

“I have nothing but gut instinct,” Marlee said. “There is no proof of anything. Stella moves a lot. She’ll use that as an excuse. We can’t just go in there and arrest her. We have to have something on her, or she’ll slip through scot-free.”

Cooper smiled as an idea came to him. “Then we make sure we have something.”

“As in?” Brice asked.

Cooper swung his gaze to Marlee. “The owner of the adoption agency in Dallas. The one who sent you here. I bet we could make them turn and give up anything they have on Stella.”

“That won’t be happening,” Danny said. “I’ve not gotten a chance to tell any of you, but Penny Howard’s body was found this morning by the Dallas police department. It’s been ruled a homicide.”

Cooper’s breath left him in a whoosh as if he’d been kicked by a horse. “She’s known you were here.” He faced Marlee, grabbing her arms in his hands. “Stella has known all this time. She had to figure out who sent you here, as well.”

“And had Penny killed,” Marlee finished. “I agree.”

Jace snorted as he straightened. “Anyone want to guess why Stella hasn’t just had Marlee killed?”

“Because of us,” Cooper said. “All of us.”

Ryan rubbed his nose. “We’ve backed Stella and her group into a corner now. All bets might be off.”

“Then we better get ready,” Brice announced as he turned to walk away.

Danny’s voice rang out, halting everyone. “Hold up! This is police business now. I know all of you have fought for and with each other before, but this isn’t something we’ve dealt with. You need to let the sheriff’s department and the police handle this.”

“Of course,” Clayton said after a tense few moments of silence.

Cooper exchanged looks with Jace, Caleb, and Brice. They were going to do anything but stand down.