Separating the workers’ records by male and female should have been an easy task, but some of the names could go either way. Enid put the obvious female names in one stack and the obvious male names in another, and the go-either-way names in a third stack.
Despite the fact it was early fall, sweat trickled down Enid’s back between her shoulder blades. She had been working for hours, so she took a stretch break. She noticed a small refrigerator in the barn and was relieved to find cold bottles of water inside. She uncapped one and walked outside for her break.
Several horses were in a fenced area near the barn. The black thoroughbred caught her eye. She recognized it as Rachel’s favorite, though he belonged to a friend of hers. Rachel cared for the horse, whose name was Escape, as though he were her own.
Escape was difficult to ride. Jack said he wouldn’t even try to get on him. But Rachel had a way with animals, and she and Escape had bonded immediately. When she came home from college, the two were inseparable. Often, Rachel even slept in the barn on a cot near the beloved horse.
Enid stretched her shoulders and shook the tightness from her legs and arms before heading back to her task. Escape whinnied and vigorously shook his head up and down. “Time to get back to work,” he seemed to be saying.
For the next two hours, Enid read the employment records of anyone with an obvious female name who had been employed by the inn during the past thirty years. Nothing on anyone named Lillian Waters, although if the marriage was secret, the sheriff’s wife could have been using a pseudonym. Maybe she was compensated in other ways—with food and lodging, or in unrecorded cash payments. Perhaps there were other missing records in boxes Enid had not looked in. After looking at the time on her iPhone, Enid started packing the materials back in the box. She made a small note, “employees,” near the bottom of the box. If she decided to come back later, she’d be able to find it easily.
Enid put everything back the way she had found it and pulled the heavy steel door shut. She replaced the padlock and tugged on it to make sure it was secure. That’s when she heard footsteps. It was probably Jack, although he had said he would be in Camden all day. Perhaps he changed his plans. Enid looked around but didn’t see anyone.
Suddenly, Escape started whinnying non-stop. Enid walked out of the barn and over to the white painted fence surrounding the pasture area. The horse was tossing his mane and stomping the ground. “What’s going on, boy? Are you okay?”
Escape began pacing back and forth, running a few yards and then turning around to retrace his steps, all the while shaking his mane. Enid was admiring the beauty of the horse’s muscular strength when she heard something behind her. She turned quickly and saw a man standing there.
CHAPTER 26
Enid involuntarily screamed when she turned and saw the man standing behind her. It took a moment for her mind to register that he was wearing a uniform. “God, you scared the crap out of me.”
The deputy identified himself. “May I ask what you’re doing on this property?”
Even though Enid had only lived with Jack and Rachel a short time, she always thought of the ranch as her home, too. “What do you mean?”
The deputy put his hand on his holstered gun. “Please put your bag on the ground and identify yourself.”
Enid dutifully put her tote on the ground. “This is my friend’s house, Jack Johnson’s. I used to live here. Are you new to the sheriff’s office?”
The deputy looked at her with an icy stare. “I’ll need to verify your identity.”
Now Enid was annoyed. “Fine. My name is Enid Blackwell. Call Jack if you must.” She gave him the number, but he made no move to write it down or put it in his cell phone.
The deputy removed his hand from his gun. “I’ll check with Mr. Johnson later. I suggest you leave now.”
“No, I suggest you call Jack now. And I’ll leave when I’m ready. This is ridiculous.”
The deputy pushed the button on the radio on his shoulder and said, “Subject refuses to leave.”
Enid threw up her hands. “Now what? You’re going to arrest me.” She put her hands together and held them out in front of her. “Go ahead. Cuff me and take me in.”
Before the deputy could reply, a black SUV drove up the dirt road leading to the barn. A silver-haired man got out: Sheriff Boogie Waters. He grabbed his belt and pulled up on his pants as he got out and then slowly walked over toward Enid. “Ms. Blackwell,” he said, tipping his hat.
“Sheriff Waters, what is going on here? Why am I being harassed?”
Boogie motioned to the deputy. “You can go on now. I got this.” When the deputy hesitated, Boogie added, “It’s fine. Go on.”
As the deputy was walking back to his car, Enid asked, “You got here awfully quick. Were you waiting down on the highway?”
Boogie seemed to ignore her question. “As I recall, you’ve got a carry permit. Is there a gun in your tote?” he asked.
“No, I don’t carry it unless I think I’m going into a dangerous situation. Visiting Jack’s house certainly didn’t cause me any alarm. At least not until your deputy showed up. What the hell was that all about?”
“I don’t believe Jack’s here today.” Boogie walked over to Enid’s tote and picked it up. After inspecting the contents, he held it out for her. “Here you go.”
Enid took the tote from him.
“We’ve had some break-ins in the area. I told Jack we’d keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”
Enid started to speak, but Boogie held up his hand. “Before you say anything, let me explain. Ricky, the deputy that was here, is my great nephew—my sister’s grandson. His father was killed serving our country, and I became his surrogate father. He’s a good boy, just a bit overly protective.”
“Protective of what? Or whom? And why was he even here?”
“I apologize for the inconvenience and will talk to Jack also, as I’m sure you’ll give him a full report.”
“Damn right, I will.” Enid was now shaking with anger.
“As I said, I apologize. You can go on now.”
Enid turned to leave but turned to face Boogie. “I’d like to ask you a question before I go.”
Boogie just looked at her.
“Did you know an African American woman who ran the inn for a while, probably about thirty years ago?”
Boogie face visibly tensed. “It’s a small town, Ms. Blackwell. I’m sure I probably did.”
Enid waited for him to ask her why she wanted to know. But he didn’t. “Have a nice day,” he said. “Tell Jack I said hello. I’m just going to check around a bit and make sure everything’s okay here.”
◆◆◆
“I’m sure that upset you, having the deputy confront you like that.” Jack handed Enid a glass of wine. “Here. This will help.” They sat on her porch, not as big as Jack’s but welcoming and comfortable with its wicker chairs and large plants.
Enid sipped her wine. “Why do you think he was there? Have there really been break-ins around your place?”
“Boogie did mention it in passing when we spoke recently at the diner. But that was a couple weeks ago.”
“Do you know Ricky, his deputy?”
Jack shook his head before taking a sip of wine. “You got any cheese? I missed lunch today.”
“I’m sorry I messed up your plans. It’s just that—”
Jack interrupted. “I’m glad you called. I admit this whole thing is perplexing. And I haven’t heard a word from Boogie about the incident. I’ll give him a call. He and that deputy had no right to harass you like that anywhere, much less on my ranch.”
Enid leaned back in her chair, resting her head on the soft cushion. “I wish Josh were here.”
“I’m sure you miss him. Have you talked with him since he arrived in New Mexico?”
“Once or twice. I got the impression he needed time alone to sort things out.” Enid sat up and put her wine glass on the table beside her. “Do you think Josh is comin
g back?”
“Why do you think he wouldn’t?”
“I don’t know. Just a feeling. Or maybe it’s a fear.”
Jack reached over and poured more wine in Enid’s glass. “You look like you need this. By the way, did you find anything on the woman that worked at the inn?”
Enid shook her head and then filled him in on her search through the paperwork. “I also asked Boogie about her.”
Jack threw back his head and laughed. “I’ll bet that got his attention.”
“He claimed to know nothing, of course, so I don’t know how we can find her. The inn’s past owners didn’t keep great records, and some of the information appears to be missing.”
“They’ve got tax records at the inn on the current employees and those for the past decade or so. I’m guessing they didn’t worry too much about FICA and other recordkeeping years ago. I’d ask Rachel to help us, but I worry that she might cross the line with all this cyber forensics stuff she’s doing. I don’t want to encourage her to do anything illegal.”
Enid reached out and took Jack’s hand. “She’s a smart girl, and even though you didn’t raise her, you’ve had such a positive influence on her life. Even if she were tempted, she wouldn’t do anything to hurt or disappoint you. She worships you, you know.”
Jack squeezed Enid’s hand. “I wish she were my daughter. But then, I couldn’t love her any more if she was. I just want her to have a good life and to be happy. I’ll talk to her tonight and see if she can find anything.”
Enid didn’t tell Jack, but she had a plan, too. It was a long shot, but anything was worth a try.
CHAPTER 27
Using Miss Murray as the intermediary, Enid called to set up a meeting with her and Karla at the inn. As usual, lunch was beautifully presented and delicious. Several guests joined them in the dining room. After they finished eating, Karla and Enid walked down to the edge of Glitter Lake to talk. There was a nip in the air, signaling winter wasn’t far away.
“Is it too chilly for you out here?” Enid asked Karla.
“Oh no, I came prepared.” Karla pulled her wrap closer. “And I love this cooler weather. Change is good, even seasonal change.”
“Thanks for having lunch with me today,” Enid said.
“My pleasure.”
“Now that we’re here, I feel a bit foolish for asking, but you’ve been in the county for at least several years. Right?”
“That’s true.”
“What can you tell me about Sheriff Boogie Waters?”
“In what respect? I can answer you better if you’re more specific about what you’re asking.”
“He was married, is that correct?”
Instead of responding immediately, Karla looked at Enid long enough for her to become uncomfortable. Karla finally replied, “Yes. His first wife died not long after they married.”
“So you knew there was more than one wife?”
“Before I answer you, may I ask what you intend to do with this information about his private life?”
Enid was surprised at Karla’s resistance, even though it wasn’t unusual for reporters to be regarded with suspicion. “You told me the other day that I was a Black Warrior, and that my role was to seek the truth. I admit I’m still skeptical about that whole conversation, but I do know that people come into our lives for a reason. Maybe you are supposed to help me find the truth.”
Karla smiled and clapped her hands twice, slowly. “Well done, Enid, well done. Perhaps you’re right. For now, at least, I’ll accept that reasoning. And you don’t strike me as someone who wants to hurt people unnecessarily.”
Enid cleared her throat. “Right now, I’m simply trying to uncover the facts, so I’m poking around. Sometimes the path to the truth is accidental. Does that make sense?”
Karla nodded slightly. “Of course.”
“None of the information about his second wife will be used unless it’s verified and germane to the story. I understand his second wife, Lillian Waters, worked at the inn.”
“I don’t pay much attention to gossip, as most of it is mean-spirited. But factually speaking, I believe that’s true. My mother, who is no longer with us, knew the woman, the sheriff’s second wife, but not well. She said the woman was foolish for seeing a white man, because people can be mean.”
“A source has told me she believes the bones at the inn are a woman called Angel. What do you know about her?”
“Angel was well-known in the community. While she was frequently on the wrong side of things, her spirit was benign.” Karla paused. “In other words, I didn’t detect anything mean or evil about Angel. She appeared to be a lost and troubled soul, searching for something.”
“What else do you know about her?”
“Most of her family were agitators who looked for trouble.”
“Are they still around here?”
“Not that I’m aware of. They moved on after the trial, but the farm is still there.”
“Can you tell me how to get to it?”
Karla waited briefly before responding, appearing to be studying Enid’s face. “I was right about you, you know.” She stood up. “Come on, I’ll ride with you.”
◆◆◆
The farm that belonged to Angel’s family was nearly thirty miles from the inn. Once they left the main county road, they took a series of narrow back roads, lined on each side by worn wooden fences or barren fields. Most of the farmers planted seasonal crops, but these farms looked to be idle.
“How do you even know how to get there?” Enid asked.
“It’s been a while, so I hope I’m remembering correctly.” Karla pointed to a dirt road to the left. “There, turn by that big oak.”
There was no sign indicating the name of the road, just a rotted wooden post that could have once been a marker. The dirt road had not been maintained, and Enid had to drive slowly to avoid the potholes.
A few minutes later, a large house came into view. A metal arch, rusted with age, towered above the driveway, defining the entrance. Two empty hooks at the center of the arch had likely held a sign showing the name of the farm.
Enid parked a short distance from the house, so as not to alarm the residents, if there were any. She blew the horn, but no one came out. After a couple minutes, Enid asked, “I’m going to the door. You can stay here if you like.”
Karla released her seatbelt. “No, I’ll go with you. But be careful. They may have a dog. If you have an umbrella or something to fend one off, better take it with you.”
“Good idea.” Enid looked in the car and removed a golf umbrella that Jack had left there.
Enid and Karla walked slowly up to the house, keeping an eye out for a dog that might come racing from behind the house or out of the nearby woods.
The house appeared to be abandoned and in need of repair. The wooden siding had darkened with age, and a few pieces were hanging loose. Weeds had overtaken a neglected flowerbed. Enid knocked on the door. No answer.
“Well, I guess there’s no one here.” Enid turned to leave.
“Wait.” Karla closed her eyes briefly and then tapped on the door.
Within seconds, a young blonde woman answered. “What do you want?” she asked.
Enid gave her a business card. “I’m researching a story about a young woman who used to live here. She was known as Angel. Do you know anything about her?”
The young woman ran her hand through her long hair and shook it away from her face. She appeared to have just awakened from a nap. “That was a long time ago. I heard somebody talk about her a few times. That’s all I know.” The woman started to shut the door.
“Wait, just a few more questions, please.” The woman didn’t respond, so Enid continued. “Does your family own this farm now?”
The woman shrugged. “I guess so.”
“Who lives here with you?”
“I don’t have to tell you.” Although it was a statement, the girl’s voice lifted at the end, making it sound mor
e like a question.
“No, you don’t, but would you ask whoever owns this place or lives with you to call me?” Enid handed her a business card. “I would appreciate it. By the way, what’s your last name?”
But the young woman shut the door before replying.
“Oh, well. That wasn’t much help.”
Karla brushed a fly away from her face. “Everything is helpful, in some way.”
As they walked back to the car, Enid saw a rusted metal sign lying on the ground by the driveway arch. She walked over to look at it. On the side facing up, there was nothing, so she flipped the sign over. After lying in the sun all day, the sign was warm to the touch, almost hot. After Enid read it, she stepped back from it.
“Are you alright?” Karla asked.
“The name . . .”
“What was it?” Karla asked.
“This place is the 7 Crows Farm.”
CHAPTER 28
Josh missed Enid, sometimes so much that his heart literally ached. She deserved a better life than he could offer, but he couldn’t bring himself to walk away. She had too much talent to stay at a small weekly newspaper, and though she tried to adapt to small-town life, she had also dropped hints that she missed living in a bigger city. He wanted to call her more often, but he had to stay focused on what he needed to do here. Thinking of Enid would only make things harder for him.
Since arriving in New Mexico, Josh had made a few contacts, mostly because he didn’t want to surprise the local authorities. The captain of the undercover division was a nice enough guy, but he was understandably wary of Josh’s return. However, being in law enforcement meant you were in a closed fraternity: men and women who had sworn allegiance to upholding the law—and to each other.
At least Josh had not been arrested when he showed up, so the evidence against him either wasn’t strong enough or they were waiting for some other reason. For now at least, he was still one of them, but that could change quickly.
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