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Daniel’s brows knitted. “The account’s only been in operation for the last year?”
“Yeah. Opened thirteen months ago.” Jackson sipped his coffee. “If Maddox is the mole, then he’s been working for the Iron Fist a lot longer than that. It’s partially why I’m not sure this implicates him. Not to mention, an FBI agent of Maddox’s caliber would be smart enough to have an off-shore account for any kickbacks he was paid.”
Jackson had a point. Daniel rocked back on his heels and kept his voice pitched low. “Can you trace the money?”
“Working on it. Since Maddox is with the FBI, we have to tread carefully. I don’t want him to catch wind of what we’re doing. Jonah is tracking down people who Lena spoke with in the days before she was murdered, but most of them won’t talk. They’re either part of the Iron Fist or terrified of Gideon. We haven’t made any progress on uncovering where she may have hidden the evidence.”
“Lena left those messages for Ellie. She was smart enough to put the evidence someplace only Ellie could find it.” Daniel downed the last of his coffee. “Now that Owen is out of the woods, maybe she and I can brainstorm together and come up with some new ideas on where to look.”
Jackson nodded. “Keep us updated. And call if Owen gets discharged. Someone will escort y’all back to the ranch.”
“Will do.”
Hours later, as the sun hit high noon, Daniel breathed a sigh of relief as his Explorer rumbled over the cattle guard at the entrance to his family ranch. Ellie, looking refreshed from her brief nap and a lot of coffee, was seated in the back next to Owen, who was playing with his stuffed dog, Scout. The antibiotics had worked wonders. Owen’s temperature was back to normal, and from the constant babbling, he was back to his normal cheerful self. It was a relief to hear him so happy.
Behind them, Jonah drove his own state vehicle. Still no sign of the Iron Fist, but it was only a matter of time before they made their next move. Daniel had taken a circuitous route back to the ranch to ensure they weren’t being followed.
“Mom texted to say she made pulled pork for lunch.” Daniel glanced in the rearview mirror and caught Ellie’s eye. “And peach cobbler.”
She made a noise of satisfaction. “I’m gonna go into a food coma after I eat.” Ellie’s brow furrowed in the cutest way. “You must be exhausted too. Sugar and caffeine can only keep you going for so long. We should both take a nap. Then we can work on figuring out where Lena left the evidence.”
“Good plan.” Daniel’s phone beeped with an incoming text from Cole. He scanned it. “Looks like lunch and our nap will have to wait. Chief O’Neal just arrived at the house with Owen’s social worker. They want to speak to you.”
“It’s probably a surprise home check.” Ellie groaned and lightly smacked her forehead. “I didn’t tell Maggie that Owen was sick. She’s gonna lecture me about that.”
“Well, she shouldn’t.” Daniel could feel his blood starting to heat as he parked his Explorer in his usual spot. A Silver Creek patrol car sat next to a ten-year-old Honda with peeling red paint. He killed the engine. “The doctor said that your quick actions saved Owen from spending days in the hospital, hooked up to IV antibiotics. She should thank you for being such a conscientious mom. No one would take better care of this boy than you do.”
Ellie’s belt clicked open, and then her hand was on his shoulder. “Thank you, Daniel. For everything.”
He turned and their gazes met. Warmth and admiration emanated from her gorgeous eyes. They were captivating… her eyes. When guarded, they were a hard and unyielding steel gray. But once those protections were down, the color shifted into a lighter blue, closer to a summer sky just before a storm broke. His breath hitched.
“There’s nothing to thank me for, El. I’m glad I could be there for you.” His attention shifted to little Owen in the car seat. “For both of you.”
Movement on the front porch broke the sweet moment as Chief O’Neal emerged from the house. His hangdog expression was haunted, and he looked stricken at the sight of Ellie holding Owen close as she climbed the steps. Daniel immediately placed a hand on the small of Ellie’s back. Her muscles were tense. She also sensed something wasn’t right. Roy held out a hand, silently asking Daniel to stay put. The screen door slammed shut as Ellie entered the house.
“I need you to know that I tried to stop this.”
Daniel’s heart leaped into his throat. “Stop what?” He didn’t bother waiting for a reply, but hurried into the house.Maggie Lyons, the social worker, stood in the living room dressed in sensible heels and a summer suit. Cole glowered, one hand resting reassuringly on Marta’s shoulder as she sat in the armchair weeping. Jinx, sensing his owner’s sadness, was leaning against her leg, his dark brown eyes filled with worry.
Ellie’s expression was pale as she held Owen closer. “There’s an explanation.”
“Is there?” Maggie’s mouth was flattened into a hard line. “Then I’d love to hear it, Miss Brooks. Or should I call you Miss Conway?” She tossed a printout on the coffee table. A copy of a Texas state driver’s license for Elizabeth Conway. The photo was five years old, but there was no denying that it was Ellie. “Do you have an identical twin sister I know nothing about?”
Daniel stepped forward, his anger sparking hot and fast. “There’s no need to be sarcastic, Mrs. Lyons. Ellie is right. There’s a reasonable explanation for what’s going on. What I’m more interested in knowing is how your office found out about her name change.”
“An anonymous tip. When my supervisor brought it to my attention, I dismissed the allegation. Imagine how foolish I must’ve appeared when it turned out to be true.” Maggie turned toward Ellie. “You lied about your name in legal documents and in your interaction with the court. Whatever explanation you have will have to be shared with the judge. Beginning immediately, your foster care license is revoked. Owen is coming with me.”
“You can’t do that,” Daniel snapped, positioning himself between Maggie and Ellie. “This child is under protective custody.”
Someone had sabotaged Ellie. No wonder things had been quiet. Gideon had been planning his next move, and he’d likely used his mole inside the FBI to do it. As for Tobias… well, maybethe news Jackson had heard was accurate, and Gideon had eliminated his rival.
Daniel sucked in a breath and tempered his voice. “Separating Ellie and Owen is a grave mistake.”
Sympathy leaked into Maggie’s expression. “I understand your concern, Ranger Perez. The department will take every measure to keep Owen safe from harm. His new foster home is in another county and he'll be placed there under a pseudonym. Additionally, the foster father is a military veteran. I have briefed them on the threats against Owen and they will take extra precautions.”
“That won’t?—”
Maggie held up a hand to cut him off. “Ranger Perez, you are arguing with a brick wall here. I have my orders. The decision is final, and Owen is leaving with me. The department has filed an emergency protection order, which will be heard by the judge within the next 48 hours. You and Miss Brooks are welcome to attend the hearing and argue your case there.” Her expression hardened. “Although I can’t imagine what explanation would justify Miss Brooks lying about her identity.”