This chapter is short but the rest will come shortly. I'm trying to keep my 10 chapter streak going. Sorry for the delay on this one. Another story keeps creeping into my head and I can't seem to get away from it.

Chapter 8

The next morning, Hawke dropped Caitlin and Dom off at the ranch and he headed out to pay a visit to Paul Lewis. The land developer had a spacious office in an upscale building in the center of town. Hawke stormed in and demanded to see Mr. Lewis. Although his secretary tried to stop him, he walked past her and entered is personal office.

"Who are you and what do you want?" asked Mr. Lewis.

"My name is Stringfellow Hawke," he replied. "I'm here about the accidents that have been going on at Kim Miller's ranch since she decided not to sell out to you."

Lewis gave him a startled look. "What are you talking about? Those accidents have nothing to do with Kim not agreeing to sell to me," he replied.

"Well, it seems kind of strange that this all started because she wouldn't sell," said Hawke.

"Look, I don't want to be involved with Kim Miller or her ranch," he replied. "Yeah, when we were dating I thought it would be a good piece of land to showcase the entrance of my new amusement park. But, once we broke up, I found a new place. Kim knows that."

Hawke gave him a disapproving look. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"Kim was going to be my business partner. There were two pieces of land we were looking at and one was her ranch. When it didn't work out between us, I went with the other land. We broke up because of her crazy niece," he said. "I liked Kim but she was always trying to cover up for her. She nearly even killed my friend's daughter Lisa because she thought she was flirting with me. That girl is nuts. But Kim is loyal and she will do anything for Sarah."

"You're telling me that Sarah is responsible for what's been happening on the ranch?" asked Hawke.
"Sarah or Kim," he replied. "Kim won't admit that Sarah is responsible for Lisa's accident. I think she's trying to cover it up by making new incidents. I've already talked to the police about this. There is no proof that I'm involved."

"How do I know you're not just making this up to cover for yourself?" asked Hawke.

"Go see Lisa," he replied. "I have nothing to hide. I have the land I need. I don't need Kim's ranch. I can even show you the papers to prove it."

"Show me," replied Hawke.

Lewis showed String all the plans for the new amusement park including the entrance that was in a different section of land from Kim's.

"Look, Mr. Hawke," he said. "If you're investigating these accidents, I hope you can prove they tried to hurt Lisa. She's sweet girl and didn't deserve what happened to her."

Hawke sighed. "I'll get back with you," he said. "In the mean time it would be best that Kim didn't know I came here."

"I understand," replied Lewis. "If there is anything I can do to help let me know."

"Can I use your phone?" he asked. "Sure, go ahead. I'll give you some privacy."

Paul left Hawke alone to make his call. He contacted Michael and asked him to search for any information possible on Paul Lewis, Kim and Sarah Miller.

"What's this about Hawke," asked Michael.

Hawke explained the events of the past few days and what he had learned from Paul. "Someone tried to kill Caitlin," he said. "I want to know who."

String gave him a number to reach him at the ranch and Michael promised the information as soon as possible.

Hawke grew more furious as he drove back to the ranch. "One of them purposely tried to kill Caitlin and they are going to pay for that," he thought. Then another thought crept in. "Caitlin and Dom are back there alone. I'd better get back to the ranch before anything else happens."