The Marshal's Justice (Appaloosa Pass Ranch 4) by Delores Fossen

right back in danger.
    “Tell me about Renée,” Chase insisted.
    Quentin blinked as if surprised or just plain uncomfortable by the change in subject. “What does she have to do with this?”
    “Maybe everything,” April answered. “She was with Bailey when we found her.”
    More than a blink that time. Quentin’s head came off the pillow. “You think she’s the one who kidnapped your baby?”
    April shook her head. “We’re not sure what her role was in all this. Tell me about Renée,” she repeated, sounding more like a cop than a sister.
    Quentin took a deep breath. “I met her at the bar and we had an affair. A short one because she turned out to be a little too high maintenance for me. I’m talking dozens of calls and texts each day. I know she’s in love with me, but I just don’t feel the same way about her. I haven’t heard from her, though, since I went into WITSEC.”
    “Does Renée know Crossman?” Chase asked.
    If Quentin was faking the surprise from that question, then he was very good at it. “You don’t believe she’d team up with Crossman?” He cursed, not waiting for the answer. “Renée knows him, all right. She met Crossman at the bar.”
    Of course. Crossman spent a lot of time at the bar Quentin owned so it was logical that Renée and he would run into each other. Chase hoped those encounters hadn’t led to some unholy alliance.
    Chase glanced at Jax, who was already taking out his phone. “I’m on it,” Jax said, stepping back into the hall and shutting the door behind him.
    “On what?” Quentin demanded. “Who’s he calling?”
    “The jail,” Chase answered. “If Renée visited Crossman, we can maybe get access to their conversations. It’s possible Crossman put her up to doing the kidnapping.” But then, it was just as possible that Renée was acting on her own. “Was Renée ever pregnant with your child?”
    Quentin’s eyes widened. “She said she was. Did Renée have a baby?”
    “No.” But that was the only part of the explanation that Chase managed because the door opened again, and when Jax stuck in his head, Chase knew something was wrong.
    “Quentin has a visitor,” Jax explained. “The guard’s already frisked him. No gun.” His attention went to Quentin. Then to April. “The guy says his name is Malcolm Knox and that he’s a close friend of yours. He wants to see both Quentin and you now.”
    * * *
    A PRIL SUCKED IN her breath and held it a moment. And yes, it was indeed Malcolm who came through the door.
    There wasn’t a strand of his sandy-blond hair out of place, and he was wearing one of the pricey black suits that he favored. He was also carrying a huge bouquet of flowers.
    “April,” Malcolm said. He smiled at her as if this were a social visit.
    Chase wasn’t smiling, though. “Did you know he was coming here?” he asked her.
    She shook her head, glancing back at her brother, but Quentin had a startled expression that was similar to her own. “You know Malcolm?” her brother asked her.
    “Yes. And I take it so do you.” She folded her arms over her chest and snapped toward Malcolm. “Why are you here?”
    Malcolm didn’t seem put off by her brusque tone. He went closer to Quentin and placed the flowers on the table next to the bed. “I came to check on you. I was sorry to hear of your injury. Are you all right?”
    “I’ve been better.” Quentin was still studying April’s reaction. “What’s this all about?”
    Chase stepped between Malcolm and her. “Start talking. How did you even know Quentin and April were here?”
    Malcolm certainly didn’t extend a smile to Chase. “You’re the marshal. Bailey’s biological father.” He didn’t exactly add any endearment to that label.
    “Bailey’s father ,” Chase corrected. No endearment for him, either.
    Part of April wanted to be flattered that Chase was jealous. After all, Malcolm was good-looking. But that wasn’t a jealous look Chase was giving the man. He was a