Night Vipers

by Carolina Mac

  “Okay, I won’t say a thing,” said Marnie. “Sit down and I’ll get you a beer.”

  “Thanks, I sure could use one.” Jesse sank down into his favorite chair by the fireplace and was overcome by exhaustion. The emotional upset Tyler was causing was taking a heavy toll.

  I have to back away and let him handle his own problems.

  8:30 p.m.

  Boots and Saddles Roadhouse. Giddings.

  AFTER dinner, Tyler went to his room and slept for a couple of hours. When he woke, the house was quiet, but he could hear Jesse and Marnie in the next room reading Charity her bedtime stories. He picked up his guitar case and walked quietly down the stairs and out the front door to his truck.

  His truck knew the way to Boots and Saddles. He practically didn’t have to steer. Friday nights his band played at Boots and just because he was in more trouble than he’d ever been in in his life, didn’t mean he had to miss it. He was free on bail. The band would be waiting for him to show up and sing a few songs.

  The parking lot was full when he arrived. The start of the weekend and most of the boys who patronized Boots were either working cowboys or bikers. When the weekend came, they let loose and had fun with their dates or with their buddies—didn’t matter. Loud country music and a pitcher of beer. Fun was fun.

  The guys in the band were glad to see him. Tyler played his guitar. He sang the songs on the playlist and he fended off girls in short denim skirts who always hit on the guys in the band. On the breaks between sets, he had a few beers and by the end of the night he was feeling pretty good.

  They finished the last set and he helped his buddies pack up the amps and the equipment and haul it out to Frisco’s truck.

  The roadhouse was closed for the night and the parking lot was almost empty when Tyler carried his guitar to his truck.

  I should go home.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Saturday, January 21st.

  2:30 a.m.

  Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.

  TYLER pulled out of the Boots and Saddles’ parking lot onto route seventy-seven and headed south. He was going the wrong way to go home, and he didn’t care. Things had to be taken care of. He had to fix his life. He’d messed up but he could fix it.

  Next thing he knew he was sitting at the gate at Coulter-Ross waiting for the night guard to let him in. He knew the guy, after all, he used to live there. He was married to Annie, for chrissake.

  He rolled down his window and hollered, “Come on, Drew, open the goddam gate.”

  “I can’t let you in, Tyler. Boss’s orders.”

  “Fuck that. I’ve got to talk to her.”

  “Nope, it’s late. Boss is sleeping and I can’t let you talk to her. You’re not allowed through the gate.”

  “We’ll see about that,” muttered Tyler. He backed up far enough down the lane that Drew couldn’t see his truck. He doused the headlights, jumped out and hoofed it back to the gate, staying hidden in the trees at the side of the laneway. Tyler stood in the dark and watched the gatehouse until Drew was on the phone, then he used the side pedestrian gate and walked through. He ran across the wide compound, up the path past all the flower beds and stuck his door key in the lock. He still had it and Annie hadn’t asked for it back.

  Her bad.

  The key worked. She hadn’t changed the locks. Tyler turned the knob, stepped into the foyer and punched the code into the panel. The green light came on and he smiled.

  She should have changed that too.

  Tyler took his boots off in the front hall and walked silently in his sock feet down the hallway past the great room and the office to the bedroom wing. He opened the door to the master suite where he used to sleep and stepped inside. The smell of Annie’s perfume welcomed him, and he smiled.

  She’s still my wife.

  Swiftly he crossed the spacious room to the queen size bed and stood in the dark unzipping his jeans.

  The bedside lamp flicked on and Luc was out of bed in an instant. He had Tyler down on the floor before he knew what hit him and one good drive to the face was all it took. Tyler Quantrall was out cold.

  “My God, I can’t believe he broke in here,” said Annie. “I’m calling the police. He’s not supposed to come near me, or his bail bond is no good.”

  “Call dem, cher. Send Tyler to jail.” Luc grabbed his clothes and put them on. “I make coffee and tell Drew der coming now.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart. “I’ll get dressed as soon as I call.” She reached for her phone and watched Tyler as he woke up moaning and trying to get up.

  Luc grabbed Tyler by the shirt, hauled him to his feet and propelled him into the hallway.

  2:45 a.m.

  Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.

  JESSE woke with a start and grabbed for his cell on the nightstand. “Quantrall.”

  “Hey, cowboy, it’s me.”

  Jesse sat on the side of the bed and tried to think. “Ace? What’s happening?”

  “Tyler broke into the house and I’m having him arrested. I thought you should know.”

  “Shit, his bail will be revoked.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping,” said Annie. “This has to stop.”

  “Probably nothing I can do, but I’ll come over. Thanks for the call, Ace.”

  “No problem.”

  Jesus, Tyler, what the hell is wrong with your head?

  3:00 a.m.

  Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.

  A squad car showed up at the gate and right behind it was Jesse in his Range Rover. Tyler sat slumped at the kitchen table with Luc standing over him like a threatening storm cloud.

  Annie let the two deputies in and pointed at Tyler. “That’s my soon-to-be ex-husband and he broke into my house. He’s out on bail and he’s not supposed to come near me, or his bail is no good.”

  “Hang on a minute, ma’am, and I’ll get your statement down.” To his partner: “Secure the intruder in the squad car, Jenkins, and we’ll get this sorted out.”

  Jesse came through the door as they were taking Tyler to the cruiser and it was all he could do to keep from punching his brother in the face. “What the hell are you doing, Ty? Have you lost your mind?” Jesse came into the kitchen shaking his head. “I’m so sorry, Ace. He shouldn’t have been anywhere near your ranch. He knew better.”

  “I should have changed the code on the panel,” said Annie, “and asked for his house key back. I didn’t think of it because I’ve always trusted him.”

  “I can’t believe Tyler is doing any of this,” said Jesse. “It’s like he’s changed into a person I don’t even know.” He slumped down on one of the kitchen chairs and rubbed his chest.

  “I’ll get you a coffee,” said Annie. “Take it easy. This isn’t your doing.”

  “I get coffee,” said Luc.

  With interest, Jesse watched Luc pour coffee but didn’t comment on his presence in the house.

  “Will they send him to Santa Fe?” asked Annie.

  Jesse nodded. “They’ll send men to pick him up and he’ll be held in custody until his trial starts. A foolish move on his part, to give up his freedom before he has to, but he’s made a lot of bad decisions lately.”

  6:00 a.m.

  The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

  LEXI jumped up off her bed when she heard the phone signal a text and she stuck her wet nose in Blaine’s face. He opened his eyes with a groan of protest. “I hate it when you do that, Lex.”

  The room wasn’t dark, but he could tell it was still early. He reached for his cell thinking it might be Kim. She often got up early and started painting.

  “Nope. It’s Mom, Lexi.”

  “Tyler broke into the house and I called the police. They took him to jail.”

  “He should be in jail. His bail will be revoked.”

  “Can’t believe he did that.”

  “He’s acting weird and Jesse is stressed out. Did Jesse come to the ranch?”

  “Yes. He was here when they took T
yler away. Jesse looked awfully tired.”

  Lexi scratched on the door and Blaine pushed back the duvet. “I’m coming, girl. Hold on.”

  After a smoke out in the cold on the back porch, Blaine was wide awake. He got the coffee started and turned on his computer to see if he could help Farrell out with Florin Moffatt. The guy couldn’t be as squeaky clean as he pretended to be.

  Roy might know something, but he can’t talk yet.

  After an hour of digging, Blaine found an old incident report. Moffatt had been arrested for assault, but the charges were subsequently dropped. Blaine jotted down the victim’s contact information for Farrell.

  8:00 a.m.

  Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.

  CHARITY pointed at Tyler’s empty chair and Jesse nodded. “Ty isn’t coming for breakfast, sweetheart.”

  “Where is he?” asked Bobby. “Did I hear you get up in the night, Jesse?”

  “I did, Bobby. Tyler broke into Annie’s house and she called the police. He’s in the lockup in La Grange.”

  Bobby set his fork down. “Oh, no. That means his bail will be revoked.”

  “That’s what it means. Uh huh. Santa Fe PD will send officers to pick him up.”

  “Maybe Bobby was right,” said Marnie. “Tyler might need an evaluation. He’s not himself. Something is going on with him.”

  “I’ll call Mr. Simic in an hour or so,” said Jesse, “and inform him of what’s happening. I don’t think he can do anything to help, but he should be advised.”

  “It’s mind boggling that our brother is doing all this seemingly crazy stuff,” said Bobby. “Ty was always so quiet and level-headed.”

  “All the times he and Annie have been a couple in the past, he’s never hurt her,” said Jesse, “or acted like this. Not once.”

  “Maybe you could drop a hint to Simic that he should suggest a psych evaluation.”

  “I think I will,” said Jesse.

  9:00 a.m.

  City Fitness Center. Downtown. Austin.

  LUKE and Fletcher were in position in the parking ramp close to the gym, but they hadn’t heard a thing worth recording. Not yet. Then a door slammed and there was a lot of yelling in what they thought must be Russian.

  “Get all of that on tape,” said Luke. “It might be something the boss can use.”

  “Yep, I’m rolling,” said Fletcher. “They sound pissed about something.”

  “Let’s hope they’re spewing out details about the girls.”

  “Wish I could understand them,” said Fletcher screwing up his face.

  Luke chuckled at his partner.

  10:00 a.m.

  La Grange Lockup.

  TYLER sat on his bunk, his breakfast tray on the blanket beside him. He drank the lukewarm coffee because he was thirsty but didn’t touch the food. He’d hurled a couple of times in the toilet in the corner and getting rid of all that beer didn’t make him feel any better.

  The drunk in the next cell laughed at him when he was puking, heckled him and called him a few choice names. Tyler badly wanted to retaliate but didn’t have the energy.

  I’ve got to get out of here. I’ll call Jesse.

  A few minutes later, a deputy in uniform appeared in front of the cell and unlocked it. “A couple of officers came all the way from Santa Fe to pick you up, Mr. Quantrall. Hold your hands out in front of you.”

  Tyler stood and held out his hands. The deputy cuffed him and led him through the building to the men who were waiting for him. The two officers in Santa Fe PD uniforms were in conversation with the duty sergeant showing him some paperwork and signing forms.

  “Sit him over there on the bench until we’re ready.”

  The La Grange deputy escorted Tyler to a wooden bench near the front exit and sat down beside him.

  I don’t care what I have to do. I’m not going to jail.

  10:30 a.m.

  Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.

  JESSE spent two hours in the training ring after breakfast. Working with his horses always calmed him. He handed off the sweaty Appaloosa to one of the hands, then headed for the house to call Tyler’s lawyer.

  Molly was baking pies in the kitchen while Jesse poured himself a cup of coffee and she voiced her concerns about Tyler.

  “I wish I could tell you something positive, Molly, but I can’t. I’m going to call his lawyer right now.”

  Jesse strode down the hall with his cup in his hand. Every time he entered the room he now used as an office, he thought of his father. Lou Quantrall spent hours in his study going over reports, predictions, and all manner of things connected to the oil business. Jesse truly believed his father’s due diligence had made them into the millionaires they were today.

  Thanks, Daddy.

  Putting his little trip down memory lane aside, Jesse called Dorsay Simic’s cell number. The legal beagle wouldn’t be working on Saturday, but he should still be informed what was going on with his client. Tyler was without a doubt paying this guy hundreds of bucks per hour. Billable hours.

  “Sorry to disturb you on the weekend, Mr. Simic. This is Jesse Quantrall and I’m calling to give you an update on my brother.”

  “Has something happened?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid it has. Tyler broke into Annie’s house last night and she had him arrested. His bail has been revoked—I checked with the sheriff—and he’s being transported to holding in Santa Fe.”

  “That’s going to be inconvenient for me, Mr. Quantrall. I’ll need to see Tyler for trial prep. Perhaps he should seek out another attorney in Santa Fe or Albuquerque. I could recommend someone.”

  “Tyler won’t be happy you’re deserting him,” said Jesse. “And I’m sure he’s paying for your time and any expenses you incur. If you insist on standing down, send me your recommendations and I’ll pass them along to Tyler.”

  “Umm… I guess I spoke without thinking, Mr. Quantrall, and I apologize. I won’t desert Tyler even though he continues to dig a deeper hole for himself. I’ll contact the DA’s office in Santa Fe and bring myself up to speed.”

  Noon.

  The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

  FARRELL, Casey and Blaine ate fish tacos in the kitchen while Carm baked pies. When they weren’t working, the boys spent most of their time in the kitchen with Carm. She loved to cook and was usually in the process of whipping up one of their favorites. The aroma emanating from the kitchen drew them in like lemmings to the edge of the cliff.

  “We should take the girls out for dinner tonight,” said Farrell screwing up his face at his foster brother. “You’re about the shittiest boyfriend a girl could have. I feel sorry for Kim.”

  “Yeah, I do too. She should fuckin dump me. Why don’t you get us some tickets to a great band?” asked Blaine.

  “Why don’t you get us tickets somewhere fantastic while I go talk to the asshole who dropped the charges against Moffatt, the roach?”

  “Okay, I’ll work on it.”

  “Carm said I could invite Rowena over to play video games tonight,” said Casey, “but she said I had to ask you.”

  “You can have friends over, buddy. Just make sure, Jack or Rick are with you when you walk her home. No exceptions.”

  Casey nodded, but he didn’t look happy. “I don’t think I need a bodyguard, Blaine.”

  “Doesn’t matter what you think, Case, and I don’t give a flying fig how uncomfortable it makes you feel to have the Junkers with you. I have enemies and that means you are never safe outside the compound alone. Comprendez?”

  “Si, senor.”

  Blaine grinned and punched him in the arm.

  2:00 p.m.

  Windsor Park. Austin.

  FARRELL parked in front of a white bungalow with green shutters and double checked the address Blacky had given him. Yep, this was the right place. He walked up to the green front door and rang the bell. An older gentleman with white hair and a matching moustache opened the door wearing a burgundy dressing gown.

  “Tony D’A
ngelo?” asked Farrell.

  “No, but Tony’s here. Come in.” The old fellow turned and hollered, “Tony, someone to see you.”

  Farrell followed the older man into a small den to the right of the entrance. A small fire burned in the hearth and the heat felt good. January in Texas had been too damned cold.

  “Sit over there next to the fire,” said the white-haired man. “Can I get you coffee?”

  “No thanks,” said Farrell. “I’m fine.”

  A moment later, a much younger man, possibly forty something strode into the room dressed in workout clothes. “Sorry, I was on the treadmill.” He stuck out a hand. “I don’t believe I know you, sir.”

  Farrell showed Tony his credentials.

  “Ranger Donovan. I believe I’ve heard your name on the news. So nice to meet you in person. What can I do for you?”

  “An acquaintance of mine was badly beaten recently,” said Farrell, “and the person who assaulted him was the person you named on an incident report a couple of years ago.”

  Tony nodded his head. “I don’t want my father to hear this,” he said in a whisper.

  “Okay, we can keep it quiet.” Farrell could hear the older gentleman puttering around in the kitchen.

  “Florin Moffatt is not a nice person,” said Tony, keeping his voice low. “When I first met him, he was charming, and we had dinner a few times. Then things progressed and he invited me to his penthouse.” He crossed his arms and let out a sigh. “I don’t like to think about it, really. One of my worst experiences.”

  “You don’t have to share the details,” said Farrell. “All I want to know is why you decided to drop the charges against Moffatt?”

  “Oh, I certainly wanted him to be punished for what he did to me, but him being such a wealthy and powerful man, I couldn’t bear to embarrass my father and the rest of my family.”

  “He threatened you?”

  “I’m not a brave person, Ranger Donovan, and I’m sure it was easy for him to make me back down, but it was for the best. My mistake and it’s in the past.”