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We spent the next several hours tracking the transactions, piecing together the financial web that supported the drug ring. It was intricate, designed to obscure the real players, but we were relentless. Finally, we found a common link: a holding company that seemed to be at the center of it all.
I leaned back, rubbing my eyes. "This is it," I said, a grin spreading across my face. "We’ve got them."
Chapter Forty
Heather
Ipaced the living room, anxiety gnawing at my gut. The successful raid should have brought relief, but instead, it only seemed to deepen the danger surrounding the ranch. The suspects we’d caught were low-level, just pawns in a much bigger game. And the fact that Halverson had slipped away meant he was still out there, pulling the strings.
The hostility around the ranch had grown. Some of the ranch hands were skittish, whispering among themselves. Others were outright hostile, their glares a constant reminder that not everyone was on my side. But the worst part was Tyler. He’d been missing since the night of the raid, and it didn’t take a detective to figure out why. My gut told me he was involved in the drug ring, but I needed proof.
I decided to start with his background. Digging through old files and asking discreet questions, I found connections that made my blood run cold. Tyler’s father was none other than the businessman Danny had been tracking. The realization hit me like a punch to the stomach. Tyler wasn’t just involved—he was a key player, likely working alongside his father to maintain their grip on the operation.
My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. It was a message from Danny.
"How’s everything on your end?"
I typed back quickly, keeping it brief. "Not good. Tyler’s missing. Found out his dad’s the businessman you’ve been tracking. I think he’s involved."
A few seconds later, another message popped up. "Stay safe. We’ll get him. Just don’t do anything reckless."
I frowned, knowing that staying safe was easier said than done. The ranch was a powder keg, and Tyler’s disappearance was a ticking clock. I needed to confront him, to get answers. But I couldn’t do it alone.
Later that day, I decided to take a walk. The tension in the air was thick, but I needed to clear my head. I made my way to the old barn, the place where Tyler had been meeting with those shady figures. It was as good a place as any to start looking for him.
The barn was eerily quiet, the only sound the creak of the old wood and the rustle of hay underfoot. As I reached the back, I heard a noise—a faint scuffling sound. I froze, straining to hear.
"Come out, Tyler," I called, trying to keep my voice steady. "I know you’re here."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, from the shadows, Tyler stepped forward.
"What do you want?" he snapped, his eyes darting around nervously.
"We need to talk," I said, taking a step closer. "I know about your father. I know you’re involved in the drug ring."
Tyler’s face twisted into a snarl. "You don’t know shit."
"Don’t lie to me," I shot back, my frustration boiling over. "I’ve seen the evidence. You and your father are running this operation. Why, Tyler? Why get involved in this?"
He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "You wouldn’t understand. This ranch, this town, they don’t mean anything. It’s all about power, about control. My father understands that. He’s built something, and I’m a part of it."
"Built something? You’re destroying lives!" I shouted, anger and disbelief coursing through me. "Dina didn’t die for this. She loved this place, and you’re tearing it apart."
"Dina was a fool," Tyler spat, his eyes blazing. "She didn’t see the bigger picture. She was in the way."
The words hit me like a slap, and I staggered back, my mind reeling. "You... you were involved in her death, weren’t you? You and your father?"
Tyler’s silence was answer enough. My hands trembled with rage and fear. This was worse than I’d imagined. I needed to get out, to get help. But as I turned to leave, Tyler lunged forward, grabbing my arm.
"You’re not going anywhere," he hissed, his grip tightening painfully. "You’re coming with me. We’re going to see my father, and you’re going to help us."
"Let go of me!" I struggled, trying to wrench my arm free, but Tyler was too strong.
He dragged me out of the barn, his grip like a vise. I kicked and fought, but it was no use. As we reached the edge of the property, I realized with a sickening dread that he was taking me to his father. I was a hostage, a bargaining chip.
"Stop fighting," Tyler growled, pushing me into a waiting car. "It’s over. You lost."
The car sped off, and I stared out the window, my mind racing. I needed to get a message to Danny to let him know what was happening. But how? My phone was still in my pocket, but Tyler was watching me closely, his eyes flicking to me every few seconds.
