Texas Cold Case Threat by Jessica R. Patch

Author:Jessica R. Patch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-11-21T18:57:21+00:00

EIGHT

As they neared their vehicle, a white truck pulled around the drive and a muscular guy about six-one clambered out, his boots dirty and his shirt pristine and tight around his biceps.

“Anthony?” Chelsey called, a dumbfounded expression on her face.

The man did a double take and grinned as he approached. “Miss Chelsey—”

“Just Chelsey,” she corrected.

The man—late thirties, Hispanic descent—grinned and nodded. “Right. What you up to?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing.”

Tack waited impatiently for the introduction. Chelsey pointed to him then as if she cued in on his irritation. “This is Ranger Holliday. We’re investigating a murder.”

“Izzy’s?” he asked and extended a weather-worn hand.

“This is Anthony Gonzalez. He’s the property manager for Redd Rock Ranch.”

That explained how he knew Izzy. Did not explain what he was doing at the Sagets’. Tack noticed the huge magnetic sign on the side of his truck—Lonestar Ranch Management. “Are you the property manager for the Sagets?” Tack asked.

Chelsey pivoted to inspect his truck, then looked at Anthony.

“I am. About eight months. Though Mr. Saget has had me out to do work over the past few years. I think he’s testing me.” He grinned again.

“What exactly do you do?” Tack asked.

Anthony’s smile faded as it dawned on him this was more than small talk. “Uh... I come out monthly and check the property. Fencing, roads, ponds, docks...it’s thorough. A lot of ranchers hire out.”

“We met the first day I was on Redd Rock,” Chelsey offered. “Fencing issues.”

He shot her a quick smile. “I have reports I need to get to Mr. Saget.”

“Did you ever meet Rosa Velasquez? She worked as a nanny last year.”

Anthony frowned and twisted his lips to the side. “If I did, I don’t remember. I mostly work with Mr. Saget. I know he has a couple of kids, though. They’re loud.” He gave her a knowing look.

“Well, we won’t keep you,” Tack said. “Nice meeting you.”

They got inside the truck and he cranked the ignition; hot air blasted from the vents then quickly cooled. “I wonder how many other ranches he manages. Gives him access.”

Chelsey buckled up. “I don’t like him for it.”

“Based on what? The fact he looks like Mark Consuelos?”

“How do you know who Mark Consuelos is?”

Tack tossed her a wooden look. “Because you droned on last time you were in town. During that dumb celebrity crush game you made me play at dinner one night.”

“Oh.” She smirked. “Well, that’s not why. I can’t believe you remembered that.”

Chelsey had a voice a man wanted to listen to, and it was hard not to be engaged in her conversation. She made a dumb celebrity crush game fun and worth remembering. Although he didn’t remember who he’d said.

“You still have a thing for Angie Harmon?”

Ah. The actress who played Rizzoli on Rizzoli & Isles. “Nah.”

“Anthony isn’t our guy. Doesn’t fit the feeble profile we have established so far. I won’t rule him out, though.” She cocked her head. “But the idea of someone from a company that comes in contact with multiple ranches in these parts could be a possibility.

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