Chapter 4: The Truth Cole Never Wanted
The barn suddenly felt too small.
Too quiet.
Cole stood frozen.
I had never seen a person look so shocked.
Not angry.
Not afraid.
Just completely broken by a sentence.
“My wife’s death wasn’t an accident?””
Richard didn’t answer immediately.
He looked around the barn like he owned the place.
“I never said that.””
“You implied it.””
Richard shrugged.
“You always hear what you want to hear.””
Cole stepped closer.
“Stay away from my daughter.””
For the first time, Richard’s smile disappeared.
“Your daughter?””
He looked at Lily.
Then back at Cole.
“That’s interesting.””
My heart dropped.
Cole noticed too.
“What does that mean?””
Richard walked slowly toward the barn entrance.
“I mean you should ask more questions before you assume you know everything.””
“Richard.””
Cole’s voice was dangerous.
“You have five seconds to explain why you’re here.””
Richard laughed softly.
“You still think you’re in control.””
Then he looked at me.
“And who is she?””
“I work here.””
“No.””
Richard studied me.
“You’re the woman from the newspaper.””
I frowned.
“What newspaper?””
He smiled.
“The widow who lost everything and came looking for a fresh start.””
My body went cold.
“How do you know about me?””
Richard ignored the question.
That bothered me more than anything.
People who had nothing to hide usually answered.
People who were hiding something changed the subject.
Cole noticed too.
“What are you involved in?””
Richard looked at him.
“You really don’t know.””
“Know what?””
“That your wife was investigating the ranch accounts before she died.””
Cole’s face changed.
“What?””
I looked at the journal in his hand.
Richard continued.
“She knew money was missing.””
“From who?””
Richard smiled.
“That’s the question she was trying to answer.””
Cole’s grip tightened.
“You knew?””
“I knew she was looking.””
“And you did nothing?””
Richard looked away.
“I tried to stop her.””
The words hung in the air.
I felt Lily grab my hand.
Cole’s voice became quiet.
“What does ‘stop her’ mean?””
Richard didn’t respond.
That was enough.
Cole stepped forward.
“Answer me.””
A long silence passed.
Then Richard said:
“She was going to destroy people who had power.””
“Who?””
Richard looked at the journal.
“Everyone involved.””
I stared at him.
“You’re talking like she was in danger.””
Richard’s eyes met mine.
“She was.””
A sudden crack echoed outside.
Everyone turned.
A window near the barn shattered.
Lily screamed.
Cole pulled her close.
I ducked instinctively.
Then silence.
Someone had thrown a rock.
Attached to it was a folded piece of paper.
Cole picked it up.
His face changed as he read it.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
He didn’t answer.
“Cole.””
Slowly, he handed me the note.
Three words were written in black ink.
*STOP DIGGING AROUND.*
My stomach tightened.
Someone was watching.
Someone knew we had found the box.
Richard looked at the note.
And for the first time, he looked afraid.
Not pretending.
Actually afraid.
“You need to leave,” he said.
Cole looked at him.
“Why?””
Richard lowered his voice.
“Because whoever did this isn’t trying to scare you.””
He looked toward the darkness outside.
“They’re trying to make sure you disappear.””
The words sent a chill through me.
Cole held Lily tighter.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then Cole’s face turned pale.
“What do you mean the bank account was accessed?””
My heart raced.
He looked at me.
Then at Richard.
“The money from the ranch account…”
He swallowed.
“It’s being transferred right now.””
I stepped closer.
“Where?””
Cole stared at the phone screen.
And whispered:
“To an account opened in my wife’s name.””
No one moved.
Because if that account was real…
May you like
Then someone had been using Cole’s dead wife’s identity.
And whoever was behind it wanted us to find it.
