Becky’s eyebrows rose. “Oh!”
“They found all sorts of things.” Brynn lifted the steaming tea to her nose and drew in the scent. She remembered Granny Rose. She remembered Nancy. Women she kept in her heart. Women who knew good tea. “The IP address of everybody in Shenandoah Springs.”
“What’s that?”
“Computer and internet addresses.” Brynn waved her hand around. “Private information so someone can hack into all of our computers.”
Becky stared at her, as if she were speaking Greek.
“Plus they found codes that might have something to do with Josh’s tractor. The remote commands.”
“Wow. Okay,” Becky said, and set her cup down. “Why was it in Jewel’s collar?”
“To hide it.”
“I get that, silly. But why Jewel? Why didn’t they throw the chips into the river or something?”
“Because they wanted to be able to get them back,” Wes said from the doorway. Becky and Brynn turned to face him. “We’re unraveling something big here. We’re finding the tractor incident and the ransom ware incidents were done by the same person—or people.”
“What about the other stuff?” Brynn said. “Was it porn?”
Wes looked away, but he nodded, embarrassed. “Yes. And we’re familiar with the other person.”
Brynn’s heart raced. “We are?” Who did they know that could be in porn?
Becky sat forward and slammed her hand on the table. “It’s Chelsea, isn’t it?” Brynn’s mouth dropped open. Why would Becky jump to that conclusion?
“I’m afraid so,” Wes said. “Chelsea’s in a film and it’s . . . well . . . Disgusting.”
Brynn wanted to cry. Why would such a young beauty who had everything do such a thing?
“She looked completely stoned. Like half the time she wasn’t even awake.”
Sickness waved through Brynn. “Do you mean she was forced into it?”
He shrugged. “I’ve no way of knowing at this point. All I know is what I saw.” He paused. “There’s one more thing. It has to do with my case. The guy in the film with her? Donny Iser.”
“Well, that’s good news,” Becky said as Brynn tried to catch words racing so quickly through her mind. “Another reason for someone else to off him and not you.”
“What would that reason be?” Brynn said.
Becky shrugged. “The heck if I know. But if you’re going to be in a porn flick, you don’t exactly attract the right kind of people.”
Something about that statement struck Brynn’s funny bone, and she giggled. The three of them laughed.
Charlie walked into the room. “I’ve called the police and canceled my appointments for the rest of the morning. This is going to take some time.”
* * *
In less than thirty minutes, Sheriff Edge, a deputy, and two people Brynn had never seen before were gathered in her office. They were introduced as FBI special agents. They worked in tandem with Charlie as Brynn and Becky brought them coffee and leftover breakfast bread. One of the agents was a gorgeous young woman named Rita and Brynn couldn’t get enough of watching her setting up the hidden surveillance cameras, imagining what her life was like as an agent. Smart. Young. And the world at her feet.
Several hours later, Brynn and Becky sat in the living room. Tired but wired, Brynn attempted to relax. A small headache jabbed at the back of her head. She downed another aspirin and hoped for the best.
Wes and Max, who came over when he saw the sheriff’s car, entered the room. “They’re almost done in there.”
“Amazing to watch. I wish Dad could be here. He had a Skype meeting and couldn’t miss it,” Max said, sitting down in the La-Z-Boy. “Wow, this place? I don’t get it, Wes . . . do you really want to be here?”
“Absolutely,” Wes said immediately, and sat down next to Brynn on the couch. Brynn warmed. She wasn’t going to lose him. Unless his dad made him leave after all this murder trial ugliness.
Sheriff Edge walked into the room with the others. “So, any idea why the chips were hidden in a cow collar? In particular on your cow Jewel?”
“She’s not my cow. I’m fostering her. And I have no idea. All I know is Chelsea recognized her and said she always really loved the cow.” Brynn’s heart sank. “She knew the woman Jewel belonged to and had visited the cow often.”
“Can we talk about the timeline?” Rita, the FBI agent, stepped forward, with a notebook in hand.
“Certainly,” Brynn said, and repeated the story.
The doorbell rang. “That should be my lawyer,” Wes said, and left the room.
His lawyer? What was he doing here? Brynn’s head spun. This was getting to be too much. She wanted to crawl under her quilt, wake up tomorrow, and everything would be back to normal. No ransom ware. No computer chips. No porn and no murders. She drank water and tried to calm down.
“Good news,” Wes said. “They found the person who’s been using my credit card information!”
The lawyer, short, plump, and bald, stepped forward. “Yes, but the bad news is this person just started using it. He purchased it from someone. Quite a market out there for stolen credit cards. But”—Wes’s lawyer slapped him on the back—“it’ll be a matter of time before the guy will crack and tell us where he purchased it. Once that’s done, we’ll be looking at the person who purchased the gun in Wes’s name and he’ll be let off.”
“Thank God!” Brynn said.
“We’ve got even more news for you,” Max said. “Let’s go in the office. I’ll fill you in. Other stuff is going on in here.”
The lawyer nodded and the two of them left. Brynn wondered what that was about but turned her attention back to the FBI agents and Sheriff Edge.
“The case is building,” said the sheriff. “We’ve got loads of information. But a lot of things still don’t add up.”
“I’ll say,” Brynn said.
“But you’re in the middle of it. Like it or not.” He sat down next to her.
The hair on the back of Brynn’s neck prickled. “Me?”
“Your cow. Your assistant. Like it or not. You’re in the middle of it.”
“We have a theory they will be back to get these chips,” Agent Rita said.
Brynn’s heart nearly left her chest. “Back here?”
“Well, you-all need to stop them. We don’t need porn computer people coming here, let alone killers!” Becky exclaimed.
“Calm down, please,” Sheriff Edge said. “If it was Chelsea who stole the collar and put it back, she’s hiding information. But she’s aware you’ve been alerted to the collar and will have to come back to get it.”
“We’d like to set up more cameras. We’ve ordered a special one to place on the cow.”
“What? A camera on Jewel?” Brynn wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. What if it was dangerous?
“Chelsea is a teenage girl. She’s shown no signs of violence. But she’s gotten involved in something we don’t quite understand yet. We need to catch her in action. It’s the quickest way to figure it out. She’s a minor and can hide behind the law. Unless we have proof,” Sheriff Edge said. “And who knows? Maybe it’s not her.”
“In any case, we need to find out,” Agent Rita said. She turned to Brynn. “You’ve got no problem with surveillance on your property, do you?”
“No, as long as my animals aren’t hurt by it, I don’t care,” Brynn said.
Rita smiled. “Good. We need to keep this quiet, of course.”
Brynn nodded. “Of course.”
Sheriff Edge sat forward. “We figure it will happen sooner rather than later. Today. Maybe tomorrow.”
Why did this make Brynn so nervous?
“You won’t even know we’re here.”
“What? You’ll be here?”
He nodded. “We’ll be stationed around the property. Like I said, you won’t realize it. And the neighbors won’t know it. In about an hour, a van will pull up in your driveway. It will be a cabl
e business van. They will install all the cameras. And that’s the last you or your neighbors will actually see of us.”
“This sounds like it could be dangerous. I don’t like the sound of it at all,” Becky said. Brynn agreed.
“Believe me, the only danger will be to the person who comes for the collar. And it won’t be because we’ll shoot him or her. It’ll be because the law will be enforced.” He paused, drew in a breath. “We never involve civilians in dangerous situations. It’ll be fine.”
Intellectually, Brynn accepted every word he said. But her body didn’t, as her stomach wavered and she felt dizzy. It wasn’t the concussion dogging her again. It was fear and disgust. These were children, albeit teenagers, in porn films and getting killed.
Chapter 46
“Okay, so this is kind of freaky,” Becky said later as she and Brynn cleared away the dishes from the dinner table. “Like we won’t know when we’re being watched.”
“But it’s only outside and in the barns. It’s not in the house. I can live with it.” Brynn opened the refrigerator to put the butter inside. But Becky was right—it was freaky. Brynn tried not to focus on that. She’d focus on feeling safe and happy that the FBI and police were on her property. What could happen, other than good things?
Nathaniel was making decaf and fussing with the coffeemaker.
“Do you need help?” Brynn asked.
“Nah, I think I’ve got it.”
“Well, I’m glad this is all coming together. And the best part is this may completely exonerate Wes,” Brynn said. She examined the table, giving it one more good swipe. Clean.
She’d told Schuyler not to bother coming tonight, she’d take care of the cows herself. But she was already bone-tired. A little fresh air would do her good. But first, coffee and a little respite. She joined Wes and Max in the living room. She sank into the La-Z-Boy chair and relaxed, knowing the police were working hard on this crazy collar thing and Wes might be completely let off. She closed her eyes—for a moment, she told herself—and drifted off.
She was shaken awake. The room was dark. Her heart stopped. Becky stood by the chair. “You better go to bed or you’re going to be sore in the morning.”
“But I—”
“We took care of your girls. No worries.”
Brynn made her way to her room, arms, legs, and head heavy, as if she were treading through water. She lay down in her bed, without changing her clothes. It was too much right now. Exhaustion went through her. The day had left her spent, physically and emotionally.
The idea of Chelsea involved in porn broke her heart. She couldn’t help but wonder how the girl had even gotten involved with something like that. It would all come out, eventually. Her parents were going to be heartbroken. Even if Brynn didn’t like their parenting, albeit it was none of her business, she hated to see families ripped apart and she was afraid it would happen.
Those computer chips held so much more than information. They held people’s lives.
She rolled over on her side, her head aching. This concussion thing wasn’t for sissies.
She was awakened by a sound. Freckles barking. Commotions. She pulled herself out of bed and looked at the clock: 5:30. But what was going on? She slipped her shoes on and headed for the barn.
The steamy morning air met Brynn with a whoosh.
Freckles was barking wildly and barely acknowledged Brynn when she opened the barn door. The lights were dim, and all Brynn saw was shadows.
“Look, lady, I’m telling you. I’m with the FBI.”
Brynn turned and saw Schuyler sitting on top of one of the FBI agents.
“Then what are you doing here?” Schuyler said. “In the barn?”
“I was checking out our camera.”
Brynn stood without making a sound and watched the scene unfold, trying to make sense of it in her hazy morning brain. “Schuyler?”
“Brynn!”
Freckles still barked. “Down, girl,” Brynn said. “Why are you sitting on that poor man?”
“Caught him sneaking around here,” Schuyler said, her amber eyes lit with anger.
“Look, Brynn, can you call your friend off, please? Tell her who I am.” His voice was muffled because his face was pushed into the barn floor. Tiny Schuyler had gotten the best of an FBI agent.
A bubble of laughter erupted from Brynn. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Schuyler, you’re sitting on an FBI agent.” One she herself had just met that day.
“I am?” Her face fell. “Are you sure?”
Brynn nodded and helped her off the man, who stood, wobbly, and rubbed his chin. “You’ve got a mean right hook, lady.”
Schuyler folded her arms. “What’s going on here?”
Brynn filled her in. “I’m sorry. We should have told you.” She turned to the agent. “I thought you said we’d never know you were here.”
“Yes, but then I saw her. I didn’t know who she was. I thought she was our collar thief. I guess I startled her.”
Schuyler’s arms were still folded. “You should get some ice for your jaw. You’re going to be sore.”
He stood trying to regain composure and pride. “I’ll be fine.”
“Schuyler has a black belt,” Brynn told him.
His eyebrows lifted. “I’m not surprised.” He smiled. “Would you like an FBI job?”
Schuyler walked back toward the cows. “Not on your life, buddy.”
He looked at Brynn, who shrugged.
“She’s a vet,” Brynn said, as if it mattered. The air was bristly with emotion. She was trying to calm it down with small talk. Which rarely helped.
“A redheaded black belt vet? I think I’m in love,” he said under his breath to Brynn, and grinned.
Brynn laughed. “You have no idea.” She paused. “Schuyler, are you coming for breakfast?”
Schuyler placed the milking cups on the cow. “The O’Reilly’s need me this morning. I have to run. But thanks.”
Brynn looked at the agent. “How about you?”
“Thanks, but I’m off duty and heading home to catch some sleep and try to find a little of my pride.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard,” Schuyler clipped. “I mean, you’re a man and they are generally full of it.”
He looked at Brynn, shook his head, and grinned even harder. “I better get outta here before I ask her to marry me.”
Brynn laughed and headed into the house for breakfast.
* * *
Breakfast was almost normal. Almost. Between intermittent chuckles about Schuyler kicking the FBI agent’s ass and conversation about computer chips and Wi-Fi, Brynn wondered if things would ever get back to normal. Was there a normal to get back to? Since she moved to the valley, things had been crazy. Deadly crazy.
“We’ve gotten more orders in,” Wes said as he cleared away the table. “Do you think you can handle it? I’ve got another meeting with my lawyer this morning.”
“Yes, I hope it’s a meeting where he tells you the charges have been dropped,” Nathaniel said.
“Me too, Dad, believe me. But I don’t want to get my hopes up.” He’d lost weight, and from the circles under his eyes, Brynn understood he wasn’t sleeping well.
“Your mom wants you to come home with me,” Nathaniel told him again. How many times had Brynn heard that? She bit her tongue. It wasn’t her place to interfere.
“I know. But I like it here. I’m staying here.” He opened the refrigerator and placed the butter and milk inside.
“You are so stubborn.”
“Humph. I wonder where he gets that from,” Max said as he placed dishes in the sink.
Brynn smiled. Healthy family banter. But she knew there was a serious undertone to it. Wes was at an awkward age—old enough to make his own decisions, but not quite old enough to be completely independent. It was an awkward time for everybody as children grew into adults.
Brynn loved being a part of a family and deeply desired her own. If she was honest with herself, s
he still did. It wasn’t too late for her, she knew. But she didn’t have the time for a relationship, let alone a child. A relationship. She hadn’t thought about her ex, Dan, in a while, and when she did she wondered if she’d ever be able to trust another man, after the way he’d cheated on her. Thank the universe she didn’t marry him and have kids with him.
“I’d like to clean the make today. How much milk do we have in the stores?” Brynn wiped off the table.
Becky and Wes glanced quickly at each other, then looked at Brynn. “One thing at a time, Brynn, okay? Let’s get these orders filled and see how you do,” Wes said.
“It sounds like a great idea,” Becky said. “Don’t overdo it.”
Something was definitely going on with the make. What were they hiding from her? Well, she’d sneak over there later—if she could sneak away from all the prying eyes.
She shrugged. “Okay.”
“I’ve already cut the cheese. It’s in the office. It needs to be wrapped and packaged. All of the invoices are printed out.” Wes flung a towel over the sink. “Are you ready to go, Dad?”
He nodded. “Let’s roll.”
Wes, Max, and Nathaniel left and Becky and Brynn moved into the office/dining room, where Wes had laid out everything. They busied themselves for most of the morning, until the doorbell rang. Brynn made for the door. When she opened it, it took a moment to gather herself—for there stood David Reese, the sleazy owner of the tractor store. “David? What can I do for you?”
Becky came up beside Brynn.
“I heard you have a cow needing a home and I’ve been looking for one,” David said. “Is she a good milker?” Sweat beads formed on his brow. Another scorcher of a day.
Brynn was torn between her normally polite self—she should invite him in for a glass of water or iced tea—and the bad vibes he gave her. No. She couldn’t invite this man into her house.
“I’m sorry?”
“Your little Highland cow, Jewel. I’m interested in taking her off your hands.” His eyes flitted between Brynn and Becky. No way in hell. This man would never get his hands on Jewel.
“Oh, Jewel.” Brynn and Becky stepped outside. “Well, she’s still not quite well enough for adoption.”
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