A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

Though it sounded like Harrison Sr. tried to harm them. He knew if he saw the man at that moment, he would try to kill him. Such rage shocked him since he hadn't experienced it before. Just as Geoffrey brought a saddled horse and a compass to him, his uncle showed up on a police horse with Office Osmund beside him.

―We got the search warrant, but we have to move quickly. Grant Sr. set fire to his house before the police were able to apprehend him, his uncle told him.

―The firemen are trying to put the fire out but it's going to take a while to accomplish. ―I can't go. Jessica and Ryan have been missing for about six hours. I just got word on where they probably are. I have to find them. He got on the horse. He hadn't ridden one in over a year so it felt unnatural to be on it but he adjusted to its movements the best he could. Jonathan gave him a long look.

―You do understand that if your doc.u.ments burn up, you stand to lose all your money since you don't have backup copies on hand. Conrad Leroy said all your funds showed that you dropped your sound investments this morning.

Unless we find those papers proving otherwise, you could be facing bankruptcy. Leo felt as if he was being squeezed from all sides. No matter what he did, he was doomed. But he couldn't afford to lose Jessica.

―I have to find her and Ryan or at least make the effort. The older man nodded. ―I'm proud of you, Leo. I'll do what I can to find those papers for you.

―Oh, before I forget, I talked to Miss Duff earlier and she said that she remembers the investment proposal word for word. She has a photographic memory. She said she would be willing to help you recall parts of it during your presentation tonight. He shook his head in awe.

―She never ceases to amaze me. Alright. Keep me informed about Jessica and Ryan. He urged his horse to run down the street toward Harrison Grant Sr.'s house. Leo turned his horse toward Washington Avenue and went north.

Once he was out of town, he let the horse run as fast as it could. It didn't take long for him to find two other policemen. They were inspecting the stagecoach and the area around it. It was Franklin's stagecoach, and judging from the tear in the roof of it, Harrison Sr. and Jessica had a confrontation.

―My wife and child are the ones lost in these woods, he told the officers. ―Do you know which direction they went? ―I believe Mr. Grant said they went that way. The officer motioned to the direction he was talking about.

―We have three men looking for them. Leo thanked them and took the horse into the trees. Thankfully, it was mid-afternoon so the sun was still out. He heard the other men call her name, and he added his voice to the chorus.

By dusk, his nerves were shot. How could a woman and a child disappear? Certainly, between four men looking for them, they should turn up somewhere. When he finally did find them, it was almost dark. Jessica seemed to have given up on walking for she was sitting against a big tree and held Ryan who was sleeping in her arms.