by Carolina Mac
Travis nodded and tried to remember it all.
“Mrs. Powell can go.”
“Thank you,” said Travis. He helped Annie sit up. Waited for a minute while she steadied, then he lifted her off the stretcher and stood her on her feet. “Okay?”
Annie nodded.
Travis slipped a strong arm around her and walked her to the lounge near the front door. He sat her on a sofa and called a cab. “I’ll watch for the taxi and come back for you.”
5:30 a.m.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin. Texas.
BLAINE rolled over and groaned when his cell rang on the nightstand. “Can’t be happening. This is Sunday.” He grabbed for it and checked the screen. “Travis,” he said out loud and a jolt of fear ran through him. Nothing scared him unless it concerned Annie.
Travis is with Annie.
Blaine pressed talk. “Hey, buddy, what’s up? Are you with Annie?”
“I am, and she’s okay now, so don’t freak, boss.”
That means she wasn’t okay.
“She told me Tyler was going with y’all to see the architect and I wasn’t happy about that. Did Ty give y’all trouble?”
“Uh huh. He did. I charged him with attempted murder and he’s in the lockup.”
“What?” Blaine didn’t mean to holler, but he did anyway. “What did he do to her?”
“He choked her, boss. He was drunk and crazy after we went to the casino for poker. We had a fight.”
“Jesus Christ, he should be locked up.”
Travis was worked up and kept on talking. “I didn’t want to call Jesse direct, because, you know… he might get upset and his heart n’all.”
“Right. I’ll call Bobby and have him do it,” said Blaine. “Tell me the truth about Annie. Should I come up there?”
“No. We’re all good and we’re coming home later after she’s had some sleep. She didn’t have to stay at the hospital, but she’s all checked out. No talking for a few days.”
“What the hell is wrong with Tyler’s head? I thought he was working on the project and accepting the divorce.”
“He’s acting weird and mean. I didn’t want him to come with us, boss. No shit, I was against it, but Annie thought he’d act civilized.”
“But he didn’t.”
“He’s a different person when he’s drunk. Violent and unstable as hell. I don’t want him near her ever again.”
“Good job, Travis. You saved her life. Bring her back safe. I’ll take care of Jesse on this end and see what he wants to do about his brother.”
“Copy that, boss. Thanks.”
Blaine ended the call and Farrell was standing in the doorway looking at him. “What happened to Mom in Santa Fe?”
“Tyler tried to kill her.”
Farrell spun around and he was gone.
5:45 a.m.
Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.
JESSE was out of bed and struggling into his barn clothes when Bobby tapped on his bedroom door.
“See you out here for a minute, Jesse?”
“Why are you up so early on a Sunday?”
“Blacky called me,” said Bobby. “Tyler got into some trouble in Santa Fe.”
“Don’t tell me he got in a fight with Travis,” said Jesse. “He’s behaving like an asshole lately.”
“It’s a little worse than that, Jesse. Let’s go downstairs and sit down for a minute.”
“Sit down? Christ, people always want me to sit down when they think I’m gonna have a fuckin coronary and keel over. How bad is it?”
Jesse finished dressing and left Marnie sleeping. He met Bobby at the bottom of the stairs in the great room and sat down in one of the big comfy Spanish-style chairs.
“Okay, I’m sitting down and holding on to the arms of the chair. Lay it on me. I’m not going to fall apart or have a coronary, Bobby. I’m way past that now.”
“I hope so,” said Bob. “Travis called Blacky and told him Tyler got drunk at the casino and when he came to the apartment he and Travis got into it.” Bob held up a hand. “I don’t know the details.”
“Okay, what happened then?”
“Travis said Ty choked Annie and he’s in the Santa Fe lockup charged with attempted murder.”
Jesse gripped his chest and slumped down in the chair. “Jesus, that can’t be true.”
“Blacky wouldn’t make something like that up, Jesse. It has to be true.”
“What was Ty thinking?” asked Jesse. “I’ll have to go up there and see what I can do. He’s going to need bail money and he’ll need a criminal attorney.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” asked Bobby.
“No, I’ll take Marnie. She might enjoy the trip.”
“The trip to where?” asked Marnie as she came down the stairs in her robe. “Jesse, why are you and Bobby sitting here in the great room before dawn?”
“Tyler got into some trouble in Santa Fe, and I have to go up there this morning.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Jesse nodded. “Get dressed, sweetheart, and get Charity up. We’ll have to drop her off at Wendy and Paul’s house on the way to the airport.”
“I thought Ty had this all worked out with Annie and the new project,” said Bobby. “He seemed a lot more settled the last few days.”
“Can’t tell you, Bobby, but if he’s been charged by the Santa Fe PD, it’s not going away just because his brother is a cop. He’ll have to deal with what he’s done.”
7: a.m.
Austin-Bergstrom Airport.
THE FIRST flight to Santa Fe was at seven and Farrell was on it. Jesse and Marnie were on it too, although they were a couple of rows ahead of him. They rushed on at the last minute and didn’t see him.
I’ll talk to Jesse when we land.
Things were heating up with the Cobra and he wanted to question all the assholes waiting in holding, but if Annie needed him, he’d be there for her. Everything else could wait on the back burner until he got back.
While he sat in his seat waiting for take-off he called Travis.
“Farrell?”
“Travis, I’m on my way up there. How is Annie?”
“She’s sleeping because we were up all night. She hasn’t said a word yet because of her throat.”
“I’ll be there in an hour and I’ll take a cab to the store.”
“Okay, I’ll make coffee and watch for you.”
CHAPTER TEN
Sunday, January 15th.
8:15 a.m.
Santa Fe Regional Airport. New Mexico.
JESSE and Marnie were at the National rental counter when Farrell caught up with them. “Hey, Farrell, I didn’t see you on the plane,” said Marnie.
“I was a couple rows back.”
“What do you know about this mess?” asked Jesse. He scribbled his name on the rental contract and picked up the key.
“Not enough. Annie is at her apartment and Travis is watching her. That’s where I’m headed.”
“Tell Annie…” Jesse took a couple of deep breaths. “Tell her I’m sorry, and I’ll try to see her after I deal with Tyler.”
“Sure, boss, I’ll tell her.”
Jesse unlocked the Jeep when he found it in the row of rentals and slid behind the wheel.
“Maybe I should drive,” said Marnie. “You’re upset.”
“Yeah, I’m upset, but I’ll be okay. See if you can find the city lockup on the GPS.” Jesse started the engine and headed out of the airport parking lot.
“I’ve got it,” said Marnie. “Go north on twenty-five and then take a left when you get to three hundred.”
“Sounds easy enough.”
8:45 a.m.
Mill Antiques. Santa Fe. New Mexico.
FARRELL jumped out of the cab in front of the store and ran up the outside staircase attached to the side of the building. Travis was smoking on the landing waiting for him and gave him a little two-fingered wave.
“Hey, you made good time.”
&nb
sp; “Is she awake?”
Travis shook his head. “I’ve got coffee.”
Farrell and Travis were settled in the vintage kitchen sitting at the little drop leaf table when Annie wandered in and sat down.
Farrell’s heart almost stopped beating when he saw how pale she was, and those goddam marks on her throat. He jumped to his feet and shouted, “I’m gonna kill him, Mom.”
Annie shook her head and tried to say something.
“Don’t talk, Annie-girl,” said Travis. “Farrell ain’t gonna kill Tyler. He’s gonna be arraigned this morning and the charges are gonna stick if I have anything to do with it.”
Farrell nodded. “I want to go to the arraignment.”
“Go then,” said Travis.
“Jesse is here in Santa Fe,” said Farrell. “He and Marnie were on the same plane as me.”
“He needs to get his brother a lawyer,” said Travis. “Tyler ain’t walking away from this.”
“Damn right he ain’t,” said Farrell. “We should have charged him in Vegas and maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” said Travis. “We made a mistake letting it go.”
Annie listened, her gray eyes glistening with tears.
“Now that you’re here,” said Travis, “I’m gonna run across to the deli and get us some breakfast stuff. Won’t be long.”
“I didn’t have time to eat,” said Farrell.
Travis left and Farrell poured a coffee for Annie. He set the mug in front of her and leaned down and held her in his arms.
“I love you, Annie. Tyler’s never going to touch you ever again.”
His cell rang on his belt and he checked the screen before he answered. “Hey, Blacky.”
“You there?”
“Uh huh.”
“How bad is it?”
Farrell sat down across from Annie and stared at the blue bruises coming out on her neck.
Blaine hollered a string of curses in Spanish into the phone and Farrell held it away from his ear.
“Jacks didn’t see anything did he?”
“No. He’s not here. He was at Pete and Jean’s house.”
“I’m glad of that,” said Blaine.
“I’m staying here and bringing her home tonight,” said Farrell.
“I want her here,” said Blaine. “I’m calling Declan.”
“Copy that, bro.”
9:00 a.m.
Santa Fe Lockup. New Mexico.
JESSE showed his creds at the front desk and asked if it was possible to see his brother. After a few inquiries and being passed around a little, an officer came back and gave him the scoop. “Tyler Quantrall has already been transported to the courthouse for his arraignment, Ranger Quantrall. Don’t know what time his case will be called, but this is the number of the courtroom he’ll be in.”
“Thanks,” said Jesse. “How far is the courthouse from here?”
“Not far.” The officer gave him the address, and Jesse tried to remember it. He glanced at Marnie standing beside him and she nodded. She had it.
As soon as they were in the rental Jeep, Marnie punched the address into the nav system.
“Thanks, honey,” said Jesse. “I’m a bit unglued.”
Marnie smiled and reached for his hand across the console. “That’s why I’m here. I’m the glue.”
9:30 a.m.
Santa Fe Courthouse. New Mexico.
JESSE and Marnie arrived at the courthouse and found the correct room number after a couple of inquiries. Farrell was already seated in the first row behind the prosecution’s table waiting for Tyler’s case to be called.
Jesse sat down beside him and said, “Don’t be pissed at me, kiddo. I’m just as furious with my brother as y’all are.”
“I know, boss,” said Farrell, “I just thought things were settled, and I know Annie did too or she never would have agreed to him coming with her.”
“I haven’t heard the details,” said Jesse, “but Tyler is in serious trouble this time. I can’t wave a wand and fix it.”
“The paramedics wrote in their report that Annie wasn’t breathing when they arrived,” said Farrell. “That’s going to be hard to dispute in front of a jury.”
“Jesus,” said Jesse. “I’m glad Travis was there.”
“Travis pressed charges too,” said Farrell. “Tyler clocked him with a big lamp and cut his head open. He’s a mess.”
Marnie reached for Jesse’s hand as the bailiff brought Tyler into the courtroom. The clerk read the charges and there was a string of them. Attempted murder, assault causing grievous bodily harm, assault, assault on a police officer, assault with intent and more.
Jesse felt the stress creeping up on him and a dull pain radiated across his chest.
The judge looked down at Tyler standing in front of him. “You’ve heard the charges, Mr. Quantrall. How do you plead?”
“Not guilty,” mumbled Tyler.
Jesse felt Farrell twitch beside him when Tyler said the words and he knew Blacky and Farrell wouldn’t let this slide. There would be trouble.
“On the question of bail,” said the judge. “You have a clean record, Mr. Quantrall. This is your first offense, albeit a serious one. Bail is granted in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars and I’m adding this stipulation. If you come within a hundred yards of your wife, your bail will be automatically revoked. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” mumbled Tyler with his eyes on the floor.
“I’m surprised the judge added that stipulation,” said Jesse.
Blacky had something to do with that.
The bailiff led Tyler away to arrange bail and Jesse got to his feet. “I’m up. Talk to you later, Farrell.”
Farrell nodded and stayed seated.
JESSE asked directions and found his way to the bail bondsman’s office. Looking like a lost sheep, Tyler stood in front of the desk with the bailiff at his side. Tyler’s long dark hair was tangled, his clothes dirty and wrinkled, his face black, blue and swollen.
The bondsman asked a couple of questions and Tyler stared and didn’t answer.
“Maybe I can help,” said Jesse. “I’m his brother.”
“We’ll need ten thousand for the bond, sir. Can you help with that?”
Jesse nodded and stepped closer to the desk. He opened his wallet and pulled out his bank card. “Debit the ten out of my account.”
Tyler turned and looked at Jesse and seemed to see his brother for the first time. “You’re here in Santa Fe.”
“I’m here to take you home. Let’s go.” Jesse took Tyler’s arm and propelled him none too gently out of the bail office into the corridor.
Tyler stumbled into the hallway and came face to face with Farrell who was waiting for him. Farrell’s ice blue eyes were narrowed to slits as he spit out the words. “I hope you rot in jail forever for what you did.”
Jesse held up a hand. “Back off Farrell. We’re out of here. I’m putting Ty on a plane and taking him home.”
Once Tyler was in the rental Jeep, Jesse headed for the airport. “We’re going straight home.”
“Honest, Jesse. I don’t remember hurting Annie like they said I did. I’m sorry.”
“For Chrissake, Tyler, the ambulance report said she wasn’t breathing when they got to her. A minute later and she would have died.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
“You did mean it,” hollered Jesse, “and you’re gonna do time, Tyler. When your trial comes up, Blacky and Farrell are gonna testify to what you did to her in Vegas. Blacky has pictures of that. You were lucky they didn’t charge you then, but your luck has run out.”
“I was drunk.”
“That ain’t gonna cut it.” Jesse clutched his chest and struggled for breath.
7:00 p.m.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin. Texas.
LEXI barked and Blaine jumped up and booked it into the foyer to open the door for Farrell, Travis and Annie. D
eclan stood beside Blaine waiting his turn to see the damage Tyler had inflicted.
“Come in and sit down, Mom,” said Blaine. Gently he took her arm and guided a shaky Annie into the front parlor.
Carm stood up and gave Annie a welcoming hug. “I’ll get coffee,” she said and hurried into the kitchen.
“Did you see Jesse?” asked Blaine and Annie shook her head.
“I saw him at the courthouse,” said Farrell. “He took Tyler straight to the airport when he made bail.”
“I need to talk to Travis in the office,” said Blaine. They walked down the narrow hallway and Blaine closed the door behind them. “Tell me everything that happened and don’t leave out a single detail.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Monday, January 16th.
7:00 a.m.
Quantrall Ranch. Giddings. Texas.
Day Shift.
JESSE finished an early breakfast with Bobby. Tyler hadn’t come in from the barn and Jesse was glad because he didn’t even want to look at Tyler today. He had multiple interrogations to do at headquarters and he couldn’t afford not to be focused.
“Do you think Tyler needs treatment of some sort?” asked Bobby.
“I don’t know, Bobby. Something has gone wrong, that’s for certain and an evaluation could be useful. I can’t suggest it because I came down hard on him in Santa Fe and he’s pissed at me. He’s not gonna listen to anything I suggest, but maybe you could ease him into the idea.”
“I’ll try. This is terrible. Did you see what Annie looked like… after her ordeal?”
“I wanted to go to the apartment and tell her how sorry I was, but I couldn’t take Ty with me, so Marnie and I took Tyler straight to the airport. I’ll try to see Annie later today.”
“Blaine is insisting she stay at the Agency today. Declan is there with her.”
Jesse shook his head. “Blacky and Farrell are going to put the boots to Tyler. I can feel it.”
7:00 a.m.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
BLAINE let Lexi out and had a quick smoke on the back porch. He started the coffee, then went back upstairs to check on Annie in the guest room. He peeked his head in the door and she was awake. “I started the coffee. Does it hurt to swallow?”