Free Body of Evidence by Lenora Worth

new pen is definitely infringing on the drug cartel’s territory. Looks like an old trail runs right through one side of the land being turned into the gator park.”
    Oliver shot him a glance. “They might stay away if they think it’s too hot.”
    â€œNot if they’ve already starting wreaking havoc on Jennifer’s plans. I guess they think she’ll shut it down if they harass her. So far, they’ve only damaged property but the threats could get more personal.”
    â€œYeah, and that’s where you come in, my friend,” Ben reminded him. “Stay on the case, but watch out for Miss Rodgers, too.”
    The group compared notes for a while longer, then the meeting was dismissed. Anderson looked around as the others left the room, thinking he’d lay down his life for any one of them. This was a strong team. But this kind of work was hard on any sort of home life. They all tended to stay away from serious relationships because of that very reason.
    He was a Ranger first, Anderson thought on the drive back to the rescue farm. His job was harsh and hard and time-consuming. In his mind, that left very little room for a normal life. He knew not to mix business with pleasure.
    So why did Jennifer make him dream of things he’d vowed to not think about? Such as romantic dinners,long walks in a meadow, maybe a boat ride on the river? He’d never had much time for anything other than the occasional hunting trip with his father and brothers. He never had time to date. Best he remember that and focus on the job, rather than the woman he was getting to know.
    He parked and glanced around once he’d entered the gates. Everything looked perfectly normal. No one would ever suspect some dangerous criminals might be doing their nocturnal dirty work around here.
    Anderson went inside the bunkhouse, leaving the door open to the cool air, then put on a pot of coffee to percolate. He decided to call Ben.
    â€œI thought of something else. Might as well run a check on the part-time helper—Jacob Slaton. I think he’s clean but…you never know. He’s worked here for a few years now and seems like a good kid.” He gave Ben all the information he’d managed to glean from talking to both Jacob and Jennifer.
    When he turned back toward the door, he found Jennifer standing there with a basket of what looked like muffins. But before he could grab at one of the good-smelling muffins, she sat the basket down with a heavy thud, causing the contents to bounce up and down.
    â€œYou’re doing a check on Jacob?”
    â€œOh, you heard that?”
    â€œYes, I heard that,” she retorted, her eyes full of anger and accusation. “Honestly, why don’t you just arrest the both of us and shut the place down since you don’t trust anyone around here.”
    â€œHey,” he said, his own frustrations matching hers, “I told you everyone is suspect. I thought we’d gotten pastthis, Jennifer. I’m also getting background information on your neighbor Ralph Chason, too.”
    She frowned, tapped her booted foot, frowned some more, then finally let out a long sigh. “I don’t like it, but I guess I understand. I came here to share these as a peace offering.” Shoving the muffins at him, she said, “Here. One of our volunteers brought ’em by. She’s in the goat pen right now. You might want to frisk her and run a check on her, too. But I can give you a physical description. She’s almost five feet tall with gray hair and she’s usually wearing some sort of velour and good quality orthopedic shoes. Real dangerous-looking granny.”
    Anderson had to put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. “I’ll get right on that.”
    She held a mock frown. “I just reckon you will.”
    Jennifer plopped down on a rickety high-backed chair. “Her name is Ethel and she plays the organ at the local