time.
Mac answered first. âNot much, other than an attempted buyout had been made. And that there had been reports of vandalism on the property. Did you report that to the sheriffâs office?â
âYes.â For all the good it had done. Gilby had assured her it was nothing but some local delinquents. Except Ralston, the nearest town to Winnimocca, was still almost an hour away. She had no âlocals.â Sheâd gotten up this morning and called his office, only to be brushed off again. So sheâd decided to head down and park herself in front of Gilby himself until he agreed to send someone out again to look at the new damage.
âDid you file a report?â
âFor what it was worth, yes.â
âWhatâs been done?â
She debated telling him. She still didnât know why he was really here. But a trip to see Gilby would give him the same information. âThey sent someone out, but he essentially patted me on the shoulder and told me not to worry my pretty little head about it, that it was just some kids having a laugh at my expense. He said if I actually saw anybody and could give a description, or saw a vehicle on the property that I could get plate information off of, heâd be happy to follow up on that. Otherwise, it was a matter for me to take up with my insurance company.â
âBut he didnât happen to mention that anyone elseâs property was being vandalized in the area.â Mac made it a statement.
She shook her head. âNo. And I sort of thought âGo Home, Rich Bitchâ was pretty personal, but they didnât seem to share my concern.â
âIs the sheriff aware of the particulars in terms of ownership of the property?â
She glanced over at him, her wariness returning. âI donât know why he would be. Through me filing the report, he knows Iâve come back to rebuild here and open a camp. But Iâve also been making calls to some of the construction businesses in Ralston, trying to line up estimates.â Not that sheâd been all that successful on that front either. Sheâd chalked it up to the old-fashioned mentality of most of the guys sheâd talked to, who didnât want to deal with a woman. Theyâd find out she was more determined than they were narrow-minded. She figured as soon as she hired one crew, and they realized she was serious and could pay them, the rest would come calling. âRalston is a small town, word travels, so Iâm sure itâs no secret around the whole county that Iâm here and planning to reopen the camp. I assume they all believe Iâm the owner, and I let them believe that. Itâs merely a formality anyway.â
âWhen does it become official?â
She faltered. âIâIâm not sure.â
There was a brief pause; then he asked, âWhere were you yesterday?â When she looked at him warily, he lifted his shoulders. âYou were wearing a nice suit when I saw you last night, carrying a briefcase. I donât imagine thereâs much need for that in Ralston.â
âI was in the city for meetings pertaining to the property. Butâ¦itâs not finalized yet.â
She waited for him to poke and prod further, but he switched tactics. âIâm just trying to follow the same path the reporter did who put the article together. So far, their sources wouldâor couldâinclude Shelby and the sheriff.â
âOr possibly anyone in Ralston. For all I know the vandalism is common knowledge.â
âIs the Sentinel still up and running?â Donovan was referring to the paper that was based in Ralston, but pretty much served everyone on this side of the county.
âYes. I used it when I started compiling names and businesses to call.â
âDid they run a story on the vandalism?â
âNo. I mean, not that I know of. No one contacted me. It might have been mentioned in the little
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