“I didn't think you were that good a shot,” I said, trying to play off the sudden tightness in my chest. Could she know?
Vanessa tossed her lank hair, the gesture losing most of its effect with her so disheveled. “Not me, you moron. But I know who did it. And how. And more importantly, I know why. But it's going to cost you.”
I could play along. For now. “How much?”
“A million. Cash.”
I waited for her to laugh and give me another number. No, she was completely serious. Was she insane? “I don't have a million in cash.”
Another hair toss, this one accompanied by a sneer that almost did her justice. “You can get it. Between you, Griffen, Tenn—you can get it. I need the cash, or I disappear and you'll never know the truth.”
I shook my head in denial, buying time while my mind raced. I could get the money if I had to. But this was Vanessa. What could she know?
“Fine. But we do the exchange after you tell West everything you know. I'm assuming for a million we get proof.”
Vanessa's eye roll was impressive, especially considering how unimpressive the rest of her looked. “For a million you get who, how, and why. That's all. You can go dig up the evidence yourselves. Shouldn't be hard once you know where to look.”
“Fine.” I wasn't surprised she didn't have proof, but she wasn't getting her way without giving a little. “But we do the exchange in front of West. I'm not strolling around town with a million in cash.”
“No fucking way.”
“Fine.” I shrugged and turned as if to go. Vanessa's hand shot out to grab my arm.
“Royal, think about what you're saying. I can give you what you want. You can get Ford out of jail.”
“Unlikely, considering you don't have proof.” I turned away again.
“Royal! Don't do this!”
I'd never seen Vanessa look desperate. Not like this. She was wound so tight, I thought she'd splinter if I touched her. The tiniest twinge of pity hit me.
“Look, Vanessa, I don't think you know anything useful. I think this is a last-ditch effort to scam some cash out of the Sawyers, and I'm not falling for it. If you think you know who killed Prentice, go see Griffen. I'm done.”
Vanessa could go peddle her bullshit somewhere else. I didn't believe for a second that she knew anything about my father's murder.
I did believe that she was mixed up in the sabotage at The Inn. I wasn't ready to think about how Daisy knew that, but the kind of petty attacks we'd been dealing with were exactly Vanessa's style.
I turned again, this time really leaving, when Vanessa tried one more time. Her fingers locked on my sleeve, she begged, “Please, Royal. I need the money. I do know who killed Prentice. And he knows I know. I have to get away from him before he decides I'm next. I can't get anywhere near West Garfield. If he sees me talking to the police—”
If possible, Vanessa's face went even paler. I almost believed her. Almost. But not quite. She was a pretty package most days, but that package hid the opportunist beneath and I'd had my fill of those.
“Get lost, Vanessa. Try panhandling. Might work out better for you. If I see you here again, I'm calling West. Understand?”
Vanessa only stood there staring at me, unable to believe I'd turned her down. Tough luck. I didn't look back as I made my way into The Inn, ignoring her need to get the last word.
“You're going to regret this, Royal Sawyer.”
“I already do,” I said over my shoulder.
Not the part about turning down her generous offer of lies in exchange for a cool million. No, I regretted not running her out of town months ago. Years ago. If Vanessa knew who killed Prentice, she'd had plenty of time to come forward. Hell, she could have kept Ford out of jail. He'd divorced her, but I'd bet he would have forked over the cash in a heartbeat to keep his ass out of jail.
I doubted Vanessa knew anything about Prentice, but she'd said more than she meant to. In my office, I stood at the big window staring out over The Inn property into the mountains beyond.
Vanessa. Darren Hutchins. Daisy. The Inn. Puzzle pieces started to fall into place in my brain. Once I was sure I had the right picture, I picked up the phone and made a call.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Daisy
I drove around for almost an hour until I found myself at the trailhead to my favorite waterfall. Easing Royal's lush sports car into the gravel parking area, I got out and began to walk up the familiar trail.
Everything was such a fucked-up mess. Not even the damp air on my cheeks or the emerald sway of branches above could soothe my raw heart.