by A. D. Ellis
Mark Toweler sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Not where I want to go with the questions either, but Reid was the last one in the barn before the fire. It makes sense that he’d be questioned.”
Reid gaped. “Wait, you think I set the fire?”
“No,” Walker gritted out. “I don’t.”
“But you do?” Reid asked Mark.
“Honestly?” Toweler hedged. “No, I don’t think you set the fire. I think you were in the wrong place at the wrong time and someone lucked out with making you look like the suspect.”
“I didn’t set the fire,” Reid sputtered. “I’d never hurt the animals or the ranch like that.”
“It’s not even a question,” Walker growled. “No one thinks you set the fire.”
“Oh my God,” Reid groaned. “The whole ranch is going to think I did it.”
“Horseshit,” Walker exploded. “Not a single person on this ranch would ever believe you’d set a fire.”
“The one thing you’ve got going for you is that the timeline doesn’t match.” Toweler flipped through pages in his notebook again. “If you had started the fire, the damp bales would have burned more. Fire might have gotten to more dry tinder.” Toweler made a note. “The fire was likely started after you left the barn, but probably not long after.”
Reid lay his head on the table.
He was still sitting with his head buried when Walker came back to the kitchen after seeing Officer Toweler out.
“You know it wasn’t me,” Reid cried. “Please tell me you know it wasn’t me.”
“Stop.” Walker gripped Reid’s shoulder.
“I know it was my dad, or whatever loser he has working for him,” Reid grumbled. “Maybe I was wrong.”
“Wrong?” Walker pulled out a chair and sat beside Reid.
“Maybe it would be best to take the deal Jack offered.” Reid shivered. “He promised to help you find a new ranch. We’d have the money from the sale and then half of what he sells it for. We’d be set.”
“What the hell?” Walker grabbed Reid’s knee and turned him. “Please tell me you’re bullshitting me. What the damn hell? How would that help anything?”
Reid sighed. “He’s never going to stop. The dead cows, the poisoning, the fire, it will just continue until he gets what he wants.”
“He will get careless.”
“Jack Alexander doesn’t do careless,” Reid snorted.
“Then he’ll get too sure of himself and make a mistake. Or one of his lackeys will screw up. Jack is too narcissistic, and he will say the wrong thing to the wrong person. He won’t be able to keep his mouth shut.” Walker squeezed Reid’s knee. “We will get him. This will stop. Don’t you ever think about letting him win. Even if you and I were to be set with a job and money, think about the rest of the people here. Good, hardworking people would be left with nothing.”
Reid took a deep breath. “I know you’re right, I do. But I’m so tired of everything, the threats and danger, the never knowing what’s next. Maybe in the long run we’d do them all a favor if we sell.”
Walker’s nostrils flared. “Is that what you want?”
Reid turned red-rimmed eyes toward Walker and shook his head. “No, not at all.”
“Then shut it with the giving up and selling,” Walker’s words were gruff. “We’ll get through this. Together. You and me. And everyone on the ranch. Jack Alexander won’t win.”
“Well, at least not that Jack Alexander,” Reid muttered. “But I’m hoping Grandpa Jack Alexander wins in the end.”
“I hope Grandpa Jack wipes the damn floor with Jack Junior,” Walker added. “Now, come on, we need to go to bed. We’re going to be dead tired tomorrow.”
“I think a nap should be scheduled into our day,” Reid murmured as he stood and curled under Walker’s arm as they walked from the kitchen.
“I think that can be arranged.”
19
“Don’t let on that this has any alcohol in it,” the guy Zeke had just met said as he sat a glass in front of Zeke. “I’d prefer not to get in trouble for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”
What the fuck am I doing? I accept that I’m gay and next thing I know I’m meeting some dude from a dating app without letting a single person know where I’m at. At least it’s a public place. Yeah, in the next town over, idiot.
Zeke smiled at Pat and fidgeted with the napkin as he sipped the drink.
He’s cute. Would this be considered a date? Oh my God, Walker and Reid are gonna kill me.
Zeke realized Pat had asked him a question and was awaiting his answer. “Oh, um, sorry.” Zeke grimaced.
“It’s okay,” Pat assured. “You nervous?”
“Little bit, yeah,” Zeke replied.
“So, you said you work on a ranch, right?” Pat sipped his drink and directed the conversation.
Zeke took the lifeline. “Yeah, my sister and her husband moved there. I moved with them. Didn’t plan to stick around, but I’ve gotten pretty used to it. Still don’t know if I’ll stay, but for now, it’s not too bad.”
“What do you do? Milk cows or something?” Pat swirled his drink.
Zeke laughed. “No, we’re a horse ranch. We’ve got some cattle, mostly beef, a few dairy. I work with the horses, mend fences, bale hay, stock the feed, that type of stuff.” He finished off his drink.
“Want another?” Pat asked.
“Nah, better not press my underage luck,” Zeke teased.
“Okay, mind if I get one?” Pat shook his glass.
“No, that’s fine. I’m gonna run to the restroom.” Zeke stood.
A few minutes later, Zeke headed back toward the table, but a loud conversation caught his attention.
“That ranch is going to be mine,” a well-polished man in a suit spoke in a smooth voice as he sipped a dark amber liquid.
Zeke ducked behind a plant and pretended to tie his shoe.
“Look, I’ve done every single thing you’ve asked and they don’t seem to be budging,” the man’s companion whined. “I don’t know how much longer I can do your bidding. One of my guys is already sitting in jail because of his part in your schemes.”
“I’m paying you very well to do as I ask.” Zeke noticed Mr. Suit’s voice took on a threatening quality. “I pay you, you find people to do the job. I’m not asking you to judge the timeline. My son may be stubborn, but I’ll eventually smoke them out.”
“Smoke them out,” Mr. Henchman barked. “Funny.”
“That fire should have done a lot more damage,” Suit accused.
“Sorry, I had to do that one myself. I don’t know much about farms, I didn’t realize the hay wouldn’t burn well,” Hench answered.
Zeke shifted to untie and tie his other shoe as he questioned his sanity over what he planned to do. He peeked around the plant.
“No matter,” Suit bit out and waved off Henchy. “It was probably enough to make Reid look bad. Now we just have to up the game.”
“Up the game? You’ve already paid us to kill cows and start fires. What else do you have in mind?”
“We’re going to have to hit Reid and Walker where it hurts the most,” Suit growled.
Zeke walked as if in a dream. He reached the two men at the table before he even knew exactly what he was doing.
“Are you Jack Alexander?” he asked the man in the suit.
“I am, who wants to know?” Jack sneered over his drink.
“I’m Ezekiel. I work at Pine Ridge.” Zeke crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head, waiting.
Jack’s companion jerked his head in Zeke’s direction, but Alexander played it cool.
“What can I do for you, son?”
“You really going to pretend that you didn’t just sit here and talk about all the shit you’ve paid this asshole to do at the ranch?” Zeke scoffed. “Unbelievable.”
Pat found him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Zeke, you good?”
“I’m fine.”
Zeke nodded but never took his eyes from Jack. “This gentleman, and I use the term loosely, was just telling his buddy here about the cows he’s killed, the guns he’s fired to spook horses, and the fire he started at the ranch where I work.”
“Nonsense, son, I said nothing of the sort.” Jack smirked and sat back in his chair while sipping from his glass.
“Oh, my bad, those are just the things you paid your lacky to do,” Zeke bit out.
Pat attempted to steer Zeke away. “Let’s go back to the table.”
“No, this asshole just admitted to trying to destroy a business and piece of land and hinted at upping the severity of what he’s doing.” Zeke stepped closer to the table. “I want to hear him say it.”
Jack cocked his head. “Did my faggot son corrupt you? Does anyone else on the ranch know you’re gay?” He eyed Pat’s hand on Zeke’s shoulder.
Ezekiel’s nostrils flared and he shrugged Pat’s hand away.
Pat grunted and walked away with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Uh-oh, I think your boyfriend is upset,” Jack taunted.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Zeke gritted out.
Jack narrowed his eyes. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to walk out of here, go home, and forget everything you think you heard.” He sneered. “If you pursue whatever you think you’ve discovered, I’ll have no choice but to out you to not only the ranch but the entire town.”
Zeke clenched his jaw and stared at Jack for several moments while seeming to weigh his options. Without another word, Zeke turned and walked away.
“You, sir, are not welcome at this home,” Norma snarled when she swung open the front door to find Jack Alexander a few days later.
“Good morning, ma’am.” Jack tipped his ridiculous cowboy hat before removing it and holding it against his chest. “You must be the beautiful Norma. I’ve heard nothing but good things about your amazing cooking. I’d love to sample it while I’m here.”
“Again, sir, you are not welcome here.” Norma stood her ground at the door.
“I’d just a like a few moments with my son, please. Could you let him know I’m here?” Jack winked.
Norma huffed and rolled her eyes. Without moving from the door, she hollered over her shoulder. “Reid! Walker! The dogs must have dragged up some vermin from the brush and left it on the porch. Needs to be disposed of pronto.”
Jack had the audacity to smirk. “You’re adorable.”
“Shut it, Alexander,” Norma bit out. “You’re the worst kind of bully. You’re concerned with only yourself, you’re dangerous, and you don’t have a caring bone in your body.”
Jack glanced over Norma’s shoulder. “Ah, son, good to see you.”
Reid snorted. “What do you want?” he asked as he took hold of Walker’s hand and jutted his chin defiantly.
“May I come in for a few moments?” Jack took a step forward.
“Go on, Norma. We’ll deal with this,” Walker said softly.
Norma turned a scowl toward Walker. “I’ll scrounge up some coffee and pastries if you’d like,” she hedged.
“You’re nothing if not the ever-perfect hostess, but no thank you,” Reid answered. “That won’t be at all necessary.”
Norma’s eyes twinkled. “Very well.” She nodded as she made her way toward the kitchen. “I’ll look into some phone calls that need made. Exterminator on top of that list.”
Reid and Walker chuckled before turning to Jack.
“Could we sit?” Jack motioned to the sitting room couch and chairs.
“No need,” Reid growled. “Say whatever you have to say then leave. We’re not interested, but feel free to speak your piece.”
Jack clenched his jaw but simply nodded. “I want to make one final offer on that deal we discussed.”
“The one where you offered to buy the ranch for more than any other buyer, sell the ranch, and give me half of what you make in that sale?” Reid crossed his arms over his chest. “That deal?”
“Yes, but don’t forget also assuring Walker is placed on another ranch. However, I’d like to sweeten the deal,” Jack purred.
Reid and Walker waited.
“I’d like to offer you equal shares in whatever business I set up after selling the ranch.” Jack shared his addendum and smiled broadly. “I think you’ll find the deal much too amazing to pass up.”
Reid and Walker turned to look at each other.
“What do you think?” Reid asked.
“I think we know the answer,” Walker answered.
“You’re right. It’s not even a discussion after that addition.” Reid nodded. “You want to give the answer?”
“Do it together?” Walker suggested.
Reid shrugged.
They turned back to Jack.
“No,” they stated in firm unison.
Jack threw his hat to the floor. “What the hell is wrong with the two of you? You’re going to regret this. You’re going to lose money, lose your jobs, lose all hope for the future.”
“Tsk, tsk,” Walker clicked his tongue. “So angry, so many threats. Almost makes me wonder if you’re behind all the shit that’s been going on here.”
“He is,” Zeke spoke from behind them.
Reid and Walker turned around to find Zeke, Wes, Shay, and Norma standing with their arms crossed over their chests.
“Boy, don’t forget what I said, there’s a lot at stake,” Jack warned.
Zeke shrugged. “So, some of you already knew this, some of you didn’t. But long story short, I’m gay.”
Jack blanched white and imitated a fish out of water.
“I ran into Jack the other night,” Zeke began.
“He was in a bar, underage drinking, with an older man,” Jack sputtered.
Reid’s eyes bugged.
Walker coughed.
“Okay, so I know that wasn’t exactly what we discussed,” Zeke continued.
“We can talk about that later,” Walker answered. “Go on.”
“I overhead good ol’ Jack here talking to his lackey about the jobs he’d already ordered and how he’s planning to up the stakes. I believe the words he used were ‘smoke them out’ and ‘hit Reid and Walker where it hurts most.’” Zeke paused and waited.
Reid and Walker turned to wait for Jack’s reply.
Jack started laughing. “So, faggot farmhand tattles on me to my faggot son. So what? Big deal. You want the truth? Fine. It will be your word against mine. Yeah, I put a few things into motion in hopes of getting you off the ranch. What are you going to do about it? I’ll tell you what, absolutely nothing. If you don’t take the offer on the table, I’ll keep at it until you have no choice and this place will be such a wreck that it won’t be salvageable let alone sellable.”
“You did it? All of it? The fireworks? The gun shots? The poison? The dead cows? The fire?” Reid asked.
“Not me personally, but yes, my man did exactly what I told him to do.” Jack smiled smugly. “And he’ll keep it up or I’ll find someone else to do it. This ranch will be mine.”
“You’re the most disgusting excuse for a human being I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting,” Walker growled.
“That may be, but I’ll win. I always do.” Jack shrugged.
“What is it about this ranch that you want so badly?” Reid cocked his head.
“It’s a sound business investment,” Jack answered. “Buy it, let the geothermal company pay top dollar for the areas they’re interested in, sell the rest. Maybe a factory? Apartments? A park? Who knows, but I’m a businessman, and I know what I’m doing.”
“Bullshit,” Reid spat. “There’s more to it than that, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what it is.”
Norma stepped forward. “So, you killed animals, put people’s lives in danger, and tried to burn down the entire barn all because you can’t stand the thought of your son getting the land you assumed your father would leave to you?”
“Nonsense
,” Jack sneered. “I killed animals, put people’s lives in danger, and tried to burn down the barn because I want the profits this land will eventually bring in for me. It’s a long-term project.”
“And you just think you’ll get away with it?” Wes snarled.
“Look around. I am getting away with it.” Jack gestured widely with his arms. “Three faggots and their fan club aren’t going to stop me.”
“No, but I am,” Officer Toweler stepped into the room with three officers around him, guns drawn and pointed at Jack. “Norma, thank you so much for the coffee and cake invitation this morning, mighty kind of you. Who knew we’d get such an earful of information along with our breakfast?” Toweler stepped toward Alexander while pulling handcuffs from his pocket. “Jack Alexander, you’re under arrest. You have the right to remain silent…” The one-sided conversation continued as the officers led Jack out the front door and to one of the squad cars.
Six people watched with wide eyes until the officers and Jack were out of sight.
“Norma, you’re a freaking genius,” Reid exclaimed as he hugged the older woman.
“Well, while I’d agree with that, I did nothing but open the door to that asshole,” Norma stated. “I believe Ezekiel here is our hero.”
Everyone turned to gawk at Zeke.
The younger man shrugged. “I saw him pull in. After talking to him the other night, I figured having the police here wouldn’t hurt. I knew Norma would be fine with guests. It worked out perfectly. He’d threatened to out me if I told you what I’d heard. But you guys getting him to state so clearly all that he’d done was amazing.”
“And we didn’t even know the police were in the other room,” Reid whooped.
“Sorry you had to find out I’m gay this way,” Zeke whispered to Shay and Wes.
“We love you no matter what, always,” Shay answered and pulled him into a hug.
“I’m not okay with you going to a bar and meeting a guy,” Walker scolded. “I thought we had a plan for all of that?”
“Sorry, it was sort of spur of the moment.” Zeke ducked his head. “And it ended up working out for the best.”