"Justin Keaton."
His head snapped up and he winced, rubbing his neck. "Keaton?" He dabbed at his mouth thoughtfully. "Well, that answers a few questions." His regard became suspicious. "What's your angle in this?"
She caught her breath in a sharp intake of air. "My angle? What's that supposed to mean? Who is he?"
"Among other things, he's the owner of this property. I saw his name on the papers Muldrow showed me when he was telling me how to get here. Keaton bought this land from his sister shortly before you left." He dabbed at his mouth again, his expression still suspicious. "I can see how that might slip by you, but how could you miss hearing about him on the news?"
She stared at him, still numb with shock. "Justin owns this cabin? But why didn't he... What do you mean? Why was he on the news?"
He dropped the rag from his mouth and rolled his eyes, sighing with exasperation. "Girl, how can you get yourself into these messes? Don't you ask any questions about the people you hang out with? Aren't you the least bit interested, or are you..."
"Why was he on the news?" Her sharp tone brought his tirade up short.
"He's applying for a patent on a new piece of equipment that will make the way they've been operating chicken houses obsolete. I guess you didn't know he's an Industrial Engineer on the rise, either? They said he was unavailable for comment, so I suppose he's a private person."
"I don't have a radio or a TV, and I have no trouble believing he is a private type of person. He never offered any information, but then, I didn't ask either. I thought the story about his job at the poultry farm was only a cover - some trumped up story to establish credence. No wonder he was upset when I belittled the culture here." Her voice was soft as she mused to herself. "I was the outsider he was talking about." She covered her face with her hands. "Oh my gosh! He must be feeling about three inches high. And what must he think of me?" Grabbing her purse, she darted for the door. "I've got to talk to him."
Denton stared after her. "Why?"
But she was out the door, ignoring his hounding questions as he followed her. She jumped in her car and maneuvered it around Denton's vehicle, before speeding down the drive. At the road she turned toward Justin's apartment, dust flying behind her car.
When she arrived, the mustang was parked so close to the apartment that she had to walk around it to climb the stairs. The evening was strangely silent. As she paused with her hand at the door, she listened in vain for sounds within. Surely he had heard the gravel fly when her car had stopped. Her knock stimulated a little noise inside and he opened the door. He scowled at her.