Page 94 of The Lonely Road

“The Whitman case strategy,” she finally says. “Documentation. Filings I haven’t submitted yet. My notes.” She moves back toward the center of the room. “This isn’t the first time someone connected to this case has tried to pressure a party. A man came to Silverbell Ranch a few days ago, said he was a High Mesa rep. But we don’t know because he didn’t present credentials, and Clara didn’t ask. He made an offer, implied it was final, and told her litigation would be hard on her family.” She scoffs in disgust. “Explicitly mentioned her children.”

Wiley’s expression doesn’t change, but his pen moves. “Did you report that?”

“I documented it—I was building the file to bring to the Sheriff and the judge.” Her shoulders sag as she faces him. “I should’ve come sooner. That’s on me.”

“I’ll need everything you have on that. Description of the man, exact language, date, and time.” He writes something. “And I’ll talk to Clara as well.”

“I’ll call her. Warn her you’re coming.”

“Tell her not to be alarmed. It’s protective—I want her to know we’re aware of the situation.” He closes the notebook. “Taya. You think these are connected.”

“I don’t think it. I know it.” She studies the pulled files on the floor. “High Mesa has a Texas law firm, significant resources, and a development project worth over 300 million that only works if they win this water rights case. They’ve been escalating. First, the legal pressure, then the intimidation of my client, now this.” She gestures at the room. “This is the next step. They couldn’t get what they needed through the courts, so they came looking for it directly.”

She lets out a long breath and gives Wiley a lopsided smile. “But I can’t prove any of it.”

“The law’s a bitch!” he remarks.

She lets out a breathy laugh. “Tell me about it!”

Wiley turns and gives me a measured look. “You know anything about this?”

Do I?

Unfortunately, fuck yeah.

“I’m just passing through,” I murmur and wince when I hear my words, the same when I told her it was a bad idea to love me.

At least, I didn’t hurt her this time, not visibly, because she’s focused on a file and not me.

The deputy narrows his eyes and persists. “Any theories?”

I shrug. “I’m a land surveyor. I know development corporations with legal exposure run parallel pressure when litigation gets complicated.”

“So, you don’t think this was opportunistic?”

“Is the Pope Catholic?” I say laconically.

He nods slowly and then turns back to Taya.

“Wiley—is Mac going to be okay? Honestly.”

“Honestly? He’s going to be insufferable.” Wiley hooks his fingers on his belt. “He’s already arguing with the nursing staff about whether a concussion actually requires bed rest or whether that’s just a recommendation.”

She smiles for a second and then there is just grief. “That’s Mac.”

“No shit.” Wiley lifts the tape again for her to duck under. “Go see him. Come by the office later and bring everything you have on the ranch visit. I’ll be in touch with Clara by the end of day.”

“Thank you, Wiley.”

He nods. “Take care of yourself, Taya.”

She turns and walks to the Wrangler.

I follow her.

As I drive us to the hospital, I know that the reckoning is coming, and whatever it costs me will not be enough to cover Mac taking a hit to the head, or for Taya’s broken heart.

CHAPTER 24