Acquiring Trouble

fast that Morgan rolled off his arm and onto the pillow. Whatever that was about, it couldn't be good. "I'll be there in a couple minutes." Miles jumped out of bed and stepped into his black boxer briefs without ev en giving her a second thought.
    "Miles, what's going on? Is everything alright?" Morgan pulled the covers up as she watched him zip up his slacks.
    "Where were you this morning?"
    Mo rgan's back went stiff with his accusatory tone. "I think you know where I was this morning or you wouldn't be asking. Now, will you stop being a jackass and tell me what is going on?"
    "One of Mr. Johnson's cows was kille d. I'm heading over there now."
    "Wait just a minute. You don't think I did this, do you?" Miles didn't answer and she watched as he continued to get dressed. "Mi les. Wait, I'm coming with you." She went for her board room voice to hide the hurt she felt. They had just made love and now he was turning a cold shoulder to her.
     
    Morgan sat quietly in the passenger seat of his car as they drove down the dirt lane toward the back of Mr. Johnson's farm. In the distance she could see the flashing police lights. From the corner of her eye, s he could tell that Miles was watching for her reaction. It hurt her more than all the teasing she had received during high school.
    A cow lay on the ground on the other side of the fence. A blonde -haired woman was kneeling in the grass beside it. Her long ha ir was pulled back into a ponytail and she had a stethoscope hanging around her neck. Marshall Davies was standing behind her in his uniform. He certainly hadn't changed much since the last time she had seen him. He just got thicker and his face had matur ed, losing its youthful mischievousness .
    Miles was already walking toward his brother when Morgan opened her door and got out of the car.
    "What's going on?" Miles asked.
    Marshall put his hands on his hips and looked back at Morgan. "A cow has been shot. It's dead."
    Miles nodded and didn't seem to notice that Marshall had s aid that to her and not to him.
    "Hello Morgan. It's been a while. I'm glad you're here. I have some questions for you."
    Morgan crossed her arms over her chest and stood perfectly straight. "I'm sure you do , " s he said coldly. Some things never change. She felt as if she was seventeen again, standing in front of Red and being blamed for someth ing her angelic sister did but bla med on her .
    "Where were you this morning?" Marshall asked as he stared her down. She felt sorry for the teenagers of Keeneston. Marshall was a far worse fate to deal with than Re d.
    "I was here from 6:45 to a couple minutes past 7:00 this morning. Then I went directly back to my hotel." Morgan looked him in the eyes and returned the stare. She may feel seventeen again, but she wasn't and she refused to be intimidated anymore.
    " Katelyn, dear ," Marshall turned to the woman veterinarian. Oh, so this was the woman he was marrying. Morgan had been hearing about the wedding since she got back to town last month.
    Morgan watched as the woman stood up gracefully and walked over to them. She was tall , and by her postu ring she was mad and thought Morgan was at fault. Katelyn stood almost six inches above her and was staring Morgan down , trying to intimidate her.
    "How long has the cow been dead?" Marshall asked.
    "Two hours at the most," Katelyn answered.
    "Morgan, can anyone verify you were at the hotel two hours ago?" Marshall had pulled a pad of paper out and Morgan just waited. Would Mr. Rangerman be compelled by the truth to step forward and tell his brother what he was doing two hours ago?
    "I can."
    Marshall turned to his brother and raised an eyebrow. "I was with her from seven - thirty till now at her hotel." Miles finally slouched a little and let out a breath, "And she didn't commit the other crimes either."
    Marshall looked between them . "How do you know?" he asked his brother.
    "She passed the test."
    Marshall just nodded and wrote something down in his notebook. Katelyn was obviously confused and wanted clarifi cation. "What does that mean?" s he asked Marshall.
    "It means you didn't do it. Any of it. The person responsible is still out there. Morgan, do you have any idea who did do this?"
    "No."
    Miles looked over at Morgan and knew in an instant that she was lying. No one could tell unless they were trained, but her pulse jumped and she forgot to breathe for a split second. She didn't do it, but did she kno w who did? Was she covering for Top