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The last thing he wanted to be doing right now was accompanying his older brother to Cam’s future father-in-law’s, but Murdoch had no choice. Cam had shown up at his office when Murdoch had been packing things up. In a week he was supposed to report to Garrity because it had more state-of-the-art facilities.
Murdoch snorted at that—there wasn't state-of-the-art anything about any of the smaller TSP branches.
Whoever was at the Garrity post—Murdoch hadn’t bothered to learn much about his new partner—had some serious pull somewhere. He’d heard through the rumor mill that she—his lip curled at the thought of partnering a woman; he wasn’t a sexist...but, well—he’d heard she was a good ten years younger than he was. He didn’t hold favor with nepotism. If her sister was the governor’s new sister-in-law, then it explained a few things.
Cam had shown up and badgered Murdoch until he’d agreed to accompany his older brother to Value. Otherwise, Cam had threatened to drive over to Garrity and tell the new sheriff all about Murdoch. Over doughnuts.
He could only imagine the things his brother would say. Murdoch would deal with this Garrity sheriff in his own sweet time.
No doubt Cam had every intention of finding Celia when they were done. That was what truly had Murdoch surly today.
He wasn’t ready to see his youngest sister yet.
He hadn’t seen her since she’d been found. It had been twenty years since he’d lain eyes on her. He’d wanted to be there for Cam back in April when his fiancée was missing and they’d found Celia, but Murdoch hadn’t been able to. No matter that he would have wanted to.
He’d been in the midst of a substantial drug bust spanning two counties and three days when Kyra and Cam had gotten into trouble—and had just taken a hard shot right to his vest dangerously close to his heart.
He’d been out of it after that hit. He hadn’t even known what was going on until two days after it had ended. When he’d woken, it had been to find out that his uncle had been the one to abduct Celia all along.
Damn it. He should have known.
Charlie had lied to him that night. Had comforted him after Murdoch had confessed his guilt in not going straight home like he’d been told to by his parents the night Celia had been kidnapped. She was only supposed to be alone for an hour. Murdoch was supposed to be there with her.
Charlie had given him twenty bucks a few hours earlier for helping him repair his porch steps.
After that, Charlie had probably driven to their home and taken his younger sister, assured that Murdoch wouldn’t be there to stop him.
Murdoch should have known.
Did his sister realize that?
“We’re in luck,” his oldest brother said.
"What do you mean?” Murdoch took a look around the small ranch. It was typical for this part of Texas, but seem to be decently prospering. The house had been recently painted. The vehicles in front were relatively new.
“My brother-in-law’s van is there. Someone’s home. Maybe it’s Bailey. You should meet her; she’s a sweet little blond who could really sweeten up your disposition. Love to have her as a sister-in-law. I know Kyra would. She’s made noises about Bailey getting with Jake, but I think Sheriff Addy likes her, too. You should give him a run for his money. I don’t think that happens enough.”
“Shut up, Cam. I’ve already met her. Why exactly are we here again?”
"Because I have court tomorrow. I’m testifying in an old case I worked about six years ago. The guy who did it is up for appeal; I aim to see he stays exactly where he’s at. I’d stay with Ronnie, but her in-laws are camping with her for a few weeks. She’s not too happy at the moment. And I don't want to make more work for Becky right now. Even though having me would be a gift. So...this time the father-in-law gets me. I figured they may as well get used to me now, since I'll probably be completely irritating once my baby is born." Cam gave him a goofy grin after he said it.
Murdoch had no doubt about that. His brother had taken great delight in showing him the new ultrasound of the little gray blob that was the next generation of Cam Lake. Then he'd whipped out a color image Murdoch still hadn't been able to identify. It had looked rather like an alien to him. Apparently, after everything Kyra had been through recently, her physicians were taking routine ultrasounds. No doubt Cam would show him every single one. "I hope you warned Kyra about what to expect with you? Isn't there a series of books with what to expect in the title?”
Cam just started whistling as he grabbed his duffel from the back. "Thanks for the lift; you're free to go now if you like."
"You think they'd at least let me use the bathroom? It was a damned four-hour drive, in case you’ve forgotten.” He’d known Bailey Moore was connected to Cam’s fiancée, of course, but he hadn’t realized she lived with Kyra’s family. Murdoch wasn’t certain he wanted to see her again. If he had just stopped Charlie all those years ago, she might not have almost died. That was hard to forget.
"I never forget anything. Now...what's your name again? Are you Murdoch or Anthony? I never can tell."
"Ha-ha." Murdoch slammed the door shut on his TSP Chevy Tahoe. "We're not identical, you ass."
"Stay a while. I'm sure Bailey will be around somewhere eventually. She should be exactly what you need to soothe that savage beast. Although as surly as you are, I may not risk her with you."
"I think Addy will have a problem with that.”
The front door opened. A man around their age came out leaning heavily on a pair of forearm crutches. Murdoch recognized him from the news. Jake Dillon, Kyra’s older brother.
But it was the blond woman beside Dillon that caused Murdoch's heart to freeze. She was easily recognizable to him.
Celia.