Read Online Big Shot by Joanna Wayne - Free Book Online Page B

he had something to do for the detective agency. What work he had that wasn’t on the computer, he kept in his briefcase.”
    “Where are his computer and briefcase now?”
    “I don’t know. I would have thought they’d be at the office with Ben. Apparently they weren’t since Detective Smart questioned me about them, too.”
    “When did you talk to him?”
    “Last night, but I was so upset, I barely remember it. If I had Ben’s computer or laptop, I would have given it to Detective Smart. Police should be the ones to track down criminals.”
    “But they sometimes fail,” Tague said, finally breaking into the conversation. “They did with my wife, Alexis. That’s why I hired Meghan to help us keep her safe from a killer. Meghan is very good at what she does. I’m sure Ben was, too.”
    “He was good at everything,” Mary Nell said. “He was smart and kind and loving. And now he’s dead. But it should be Meghan waiting to be buried. I’ll tell her that. I swear I will.”
    There would be no reasoning with Mary Nell today, but she had said enough to convince Durk that this was connected to a current case. There had to be records of the investigation, and no doubt those were the records the man had been after when he’d shot and killed Ben. That would explain the files scattered all over the office floor.
    Carolina’s cell phone rang. She excused herself and took the call. When she returned she remained standing. “That was Sybil. The doctor has released her. Tague, why don’t you drive her home? Alexis, Emma and Grandma Pearl are all at the ranch. They can help take care of Sybil until I get home.”
    “Where will you be?” Durk asked, though he could easily guess the answer.
    “I’ll drive Mary Nell home and stay with her until her parents arrive.”
    “I’m not leaving the hospital,” Mary Nell declared through another round of sobs. “Not until I see Meghan.”
    “Then I’ll stay with you while you wait to see her,” Carolina said calmly. “Durk, you and Tague can go now. Mary Nell and I will be fine.”
    Durk was hesitant to leave her, but he’d seen his mother in action too many times to doubt that she would get through to Mary Nell.
    Carolina was a spiritual miracle worker. Even their pastor called her in when dealing with severely crushed spirits and broken hearts. Empathy was second nature to her.
    Carolina sat down beside Mary Nell.
    “I loved Ben so much,” Mary Nell said between sobs. “I don’t want to live without him.”
    “I know,” Carolina said. “I understand completely. I lost my beloved husband, too, just over a year ago. But you have your baby to think of and part of Ben will live on through your child.”
    “Mom’s amazing,” Tague said as he and Durk walked away.
    “You’re right,” Durk agreed. “I know she still grieves for Dad, but sometimes I forget how close they were.”
    “That’s love,” Tague said. “When it moves in, it claims your heart and soul.”
    “Then you guys can keep it. I like controlling my own destiny.”
    “You’ll change your tune when you get struck by Cupid—unless…”
    Durk knew exactly where Tague was going with that. “Meghan Sinclair is just a friend,” he said, attempting to set the record straight.
    “Keep telling yourself that, bro.”
    He planned to. At some point he might even start believing it.
    “I guess I better go get Aunt Sybil,” Tague said. “If I don’t, she’ll send someone to find me.”
    “Right. Thanks for coming in and for the timely arrival.”
    “You bet,” Tague said. “I’ll see you at the ranch whenever you get there or before if you need me.”
    But what Durk needed right now was a name, and that was locked away somewhere in Meghan’s trauma-fogged memory. Hopefully the snapshots would be the key to unlocking it.
    When he reached Meghan’s room, she was sound asleep. The nurse on the day shift sent him away, claiming that Meghan needed her rest.
    He killed the next hour going