Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [79]
“We won’t have to send it to Washington,” Trevor Grant said. “I’m foreman for Madaris Explorations and my boss, Dex Madaris, will be able to tell you anything you want to know about any kind of soil. Dirt is his business and has been for close to twenty years.”
A relieved sigh broke forth from Lieutenant Barton’s lips. Then those same lips eased into a faint smile. “Then what are we waiting for? Have Mr. Madaris meet me at police headquarters immediately.”
It took Dex less than an hour to analyze the dirt particles and come up with his own conclusion. “You’re right, Lieutenant, this type of soil can be anywhere within the north-central part of Texas. However, soil with this type of richness, mixed with the type of minerals and vegetation particles it has, can only be found in one place.”
“Where?”
“Deadpan Hollow.”
Lieutenant Barton raised a brow. “But that campground has been closed for three years, ever since that wildfire swept through there and destroyed almost everything. The state declared Deadpan off-limits to anyone because it’s a torch bed waiting to happen. It’s been so dry up there it’s liable to go up in smoke and burn to a cinder at any time.”
“And that’s probably why Roberts would consider it if he never wanted Jada found,” Ashton said, trembling in anger. It was evident to him, as it had been all along, that Roberts had a sick mind. “So what are you going to do now, Lieutenant?” he asked, studying the man.
“The only thing I can do, which is to ask my superiors to contact the police department in that area for the man power needed to locate Ms. Roberts. It might be a long shot but at the moment it’s all we have to go on. Let’s just hope they back us on this.”
They didn’t. The police department claimed they could not spare any extra men to go on a wild-goose chase for a missing person. Besides, sending men into Deadpan Hollow was putting lives at risk when a fire could break out at any time.
That bit of news didn’t sit too well with anyone.
“So, what do we do now?” Trevor asked the group as they left the Houston police station moments later.
Ashton smiled. “As usual, if Plan A doesn’t work we go to Plan B. And I’m it. I plan to leave out first thing in the morning.”
Later that evening Netherland’s office at Sisters turned into a battle zone as men and equipment were moved in, with plans to use it as a command center. She eagerly gave up the space, wanting to do her part to help find Jada as soon as possible. Roberts still wasn’t talking, and it was taking everything for her family to keep Rome from storming the prison and forcing the information out of Roberts with his fists. Earlier today her brothers had to hold Rome down while their father tried talking some sense into him.
“I finally got you all to myself, sweetheart.”
Netherland looked up when Ashton walked through her office door. For the first time in nearly three hours, her office was empty. The men had left to bring in more equipment and wouldn’t be returning for another hour or so.
She stood and walked over to Ashton. He looked tired, and she wondered how he thought he could locate anyone when he was already exhausted. And she told him so.
“I’m fine.” He stared at her for a moment, as though he wanted to say something else. But instead he shook his head and took her hand in his. “We need to talk.”
She raised her brow. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
He smiled faintly at her. “Nothing to worry about. I just want to take some necessary precautions.”
Netherland nodded, understanding. She then glanced around her office. “It seems like you’re getting a lot of help.” She knew that Alex Maxwell had hooked up his state-of-the-art computer that had a direct