Page 61 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

“I have to put some clothes in a suitcase.Can I go to my room and do that?”asked Meri.

“Detective Brady will accompany you.”

“Okay.”Meri turned toward her bedroom.“Follow me, please.”She headed to her bedroom to get her suitcase and left Chase to deal with their meal.She changed out some of what she’d packed before.For this trip, she packed extra jeans, her flannel shirts, and basically all the clothes she had for riding and fishing, including her cowboy boots.She refilled her toiletry bag and stuffed it into the suitcase, closed it and rolled it out to the foyer.“I’m ready.”

Detective Brady led the way back to the living room.

Meri placed her bag next to the dining table where Chase was sitting.He’d grabbed his bag as well and had it on the floor by him.

Detective Monroe was still with the body, as were two more men and one woman, all three wearing white coats.Two additional men were standing in the hall with a gurney.

“CSI and the coroner arrived while you were packing.We’ll wait at the table until they’re done.”Chase reached across the table and took her hand.“How are you doing?”

“I’m okay.I’ll be glad to get out of here.I never thought I’d be saying that about my home.”

About twenty minutes later, the coroner approached the table.“I’m done here.I’ll be taking the body back to the morgue for the full autopsy.As soon as I’m done, I’ll get the results to Detective Monroe.”

“Sounds good.Thank you.”Chase shook the man’s hand.

So did Meri.“Thank you.”

“No problem.CSI should be done in a few minutes.”The man picked up his case and headed out the door, following the gurney and Marco’s body.They’d placed it in a black bag with a long zipper on it.

The CSI team finished about half-an-hour later.

Once they were gone, Chase picked up their suitcases and walked out of the loft, waiting for her in the hallway.

She followed and locked the door.

“Where are your men?”

“I sent them back to the apartment, but when we get there, I’ll let them go for the rest of the week.They’ve earned some time off.”

He put their suitcases in the Yukon.He’d had the vehicle delivered while they waited for CSI.Then he headed to the apartment.“We might as well wait at the apartment until Detective Monroe gives us the okay to leave.”

She sighed and nodded.“Might as well.It won’t hurt me to have a little more recovery time under my belt before I go riding.”

“That’s true.”

One week later

They had finishedbreakfast and were sitting at the table playing gin when Chase’s phone sounded.He pulled it from his pocket.

“Chase Harper.”

He listened for a few moments, and then a smile spread across his face.“Yes, Detective, that is wonderful news.Thank you for calling.”Chase disconnected.

Chase lifted his gaze to Meri and grinned.“We’ve been cleared.Detective Monroe said there was nothing to indicate that the incident happened in any way other than what we had related.We’re free to go.Are you still packed?”

“Yes.I knew we’d be cleared, and since I still had clothes here, there was no need to unpack.Let me call Mom and let her know we’re leaving.”

“Good idea.”

Chase followed her into her bedroom and grabbed her suitcase from where she’d stashed it in the closet.

She called her mother.“Hi, Mom.I just wanted to let you know we’re finally cleared and we’re heading to Chase’s ranch in Montana.”Meri listened for a moment.“That’s right.Outside of Bozeman.Here is Chase’s number if you need us and I’ll have my cell with me.”She rattled off his phone number to her.“Yes, we should be back in about ten days.I’ll call you when we return.”She walked out to the entry door.“I love you, too.Tell Dad, hi.”She ended the call.

Chase looked at her.“Ready to go?”