Lone Star Bachelor

Was there something pointed in his remark? Did he think she was as dull as used dishwater?

With a sniff and an internal reminder that he was one of the subjects in this investigation, she tapped the other name on the too-short list.

“And Lacy?”

“Great girl. She golfs on the course near my house. We’ve played a few rounds. Gone out a few times.”

The tension returned to her shoulders. “Are you still seeing her?”

“Not lately. Both of us have been too busy.” He folded his arms over the steering wheel. “Is this really necessary? The women I know are good people. And I’m not all that. They aren’t breaking into houses over me.”

“Stranger things have happened.”

He made a derisive hiss, like a tire going flat.

She asked a few more questions but Sawyer refused to say much about the women he dated beyond their names, even when she pushed back into his college days. He was popular. She knew that from his social media, but he didn’t brag. If he’d had conquests or left a trail of angry broken hearts, he wasn’t going to tell her. Jade found that both admirable and frustrating.

“I’m sure I’ll have more questions later.” She closed her notebook with a businesslike snap. “But for now, let’s have a look at those houses.”

“The interrogation is over. Big yea.”

She hitched an eyebrow at him. “For now.”

He exhaled a gusty breath, tilted his head back and looked toward the sky. “Great.”

With a pinch of satisfaction at ruffling him, Jade pushed open the heavy door.

Sawyer came around to her side of the pickup but she’d already slid to the pavement, hitting with a jarring thud.

He noticed the abrupt landing but didn’t say anything.

Her pride was getting the best of her. She should have waited for him. It was a long way down in these high-rise pickup trucks. Especially for a small person.

She straightened her blazer and her shoulders, but even with her best posture she struck Sawyer only about halfway up on his blue T-shirt. Right in that muscular bow of pecs and biceps.

“This was the first house hit,” he said, “about a year and a half ago.”

Jerking her attention to the house, Jade lifted her camera and snapped photos. The home he indicated, now occupied, was a beautiful modern brick with a double garage and bright red front door.

The other homes around the neighborhood were similar in style but unique enough to avoid the cookie-cutter look of some housing developments. Different colors or shutters, a few different designs. And the landscaping was the perfect blend of trees, small shrubs and smooth grass.

“The police report said the damage at this address was all cosmetic.” She snapped more photos.

“Mostly paint and graffiti.”

“Damage escalated with each attack. That has to be significant.”

“I never gave it much thought, but I guess it did.”

“One of the first things I looked at when I received the police reports.” She’d laid them out end to end and created a spreadsheet, chronicling every bit of reported damage. “I graphed the escalation.”

He flashed that smile. “Brainy woman. I like it.”

She was, and she was also smart enough not to be led astray by a handsome face, blue eyes and a compliment. Even if he affected her blood pressure and didn’t kiss and tell.

“Which other houses in this neighborhood were hit?”

“Come on. If you’re up for a walk, I’ll show you around.”

“Of course.” As a former cop, she stayed in top shape. A walk, even in the Texas heat, would not deter her.

Leaving the truck parked along the curb, they walked the area, four square blocks of beautiful Buchanon Built homes. Signs heralding their construction company stabbed the ground in front of several yet to be sold.

Sawyer’s long legs outpaced her but when he realized she trailed him by several yards, he slowed, adjusting his speed to hers. In his relaxed manner, he chatted about the area, pointing out the attractive features like a real estate salesman.

He was easy in his skin, a confident man.

Across the street, a home owner with a toddler in tow exited one house and waved. Jade’s thoughts zoomed to the young mother at the motel. She wasn’t in Gabriel’s Crossing to babysit teenage mothers but it wouldn’t hurt to check on the pair after work, to make sure Bailey and Ashton had something to eat.

Sawyer lifted a hand and greeted the home owner by name.

“How are you doing, Maggie? Enjoying your new home?”

“Loving it. You guys do great work.” She lifted the toddler into a car seat.

“Thanks. I’ll pass along the compliment.”

The woman waved again as she drove away.

Friendly. Attractive to women. Was Sawyer truly a nice guy? Or was his smile and friendliness a facade to get what he wanted? Like Cam’s?

Troubled at the line of thought and the way she couldn’t stop noticing Sawyer as a man, Jade forced her attention back to the houses. Do the job. Do it right. Focus on the investigation.

She asked questions, took photos, made notes and considered the location of this particular housing complex. They’d built on the edge of a rural area but close enough to town for convenience, a perfect location for those wanting expansive lawns and a little privacy without all those board fences. The kind of neighborhood where kids could safely play outside, roller-skate and ride bikes.

She’d love to live in a family-friendly place like this.

“Why this housing addition? Was there a problem with any of the nearby landowners? Did someone object to the city pushing out this far into the countryside?”

“Dad wrangled with the owner for a while over the price but in the end both parties approved of the agreement.”

“Maybe. I’ll need the previous owner’s name and contact info.”

“I think Leroy’s already checked that out.”

“Leroy?” She jacked a doubtful eyebrow. “The local police officer?”

Sawyer’s easygoing nature disappeared. He bristled, eyes narrowed. “Leroy’s a good cop and a great friend. He’s done his best on this.”