Rasp Meadow Crossing

by Kieran York

  “They had all kinds of valuable guns,” Nita argued.

  “Not like this one. One scenario could have been that Tony picked it up saying he wanted give it another check. I just don’t see Cal allowing anyone he didn’t trust to walk behind him with the gun. Certainly not Otis. But Tony got the gun, walked behind his father, and shot him. Then came nearer, and planted a second shot in the base of Cal’s head as it rested on the desktop. Tony knew how the antiquated security alarm worked. How the video worked. He had time to erase it all away, as well as clean any residue left by the gun. Almost a perfect crime. He hadn’t realized that crime technology can do wonders with tape.”

  “There’s a lot of guess work in there,” Nita countered.

  “I would say some of the evidence is circumstantial. And some is on the mark. Enough to indict. But here’s the deal. You gave him an alibi. That means that you are in collusion. That’s where we come to your being implicated. Had you conspired with Tony to kill your husband? Capital murder one. As an accomplice you might as well have pulled the trigger.”

  Panic rushed her words. “I didn’t know. I didn’t hear his car. I’m not his babysitter.”

  Royce leaned nearer to her. “To give yourself an alibi, you told me he hadn’t left the ranch. Let’s cut to the chase. You’re going to fess up, and you’re going to tell me about Tony. I think it would be wise if you cooperated. Do we have your permission to search Tony’s room in the lower level?”

  There were flickers of fright. “I don’t care. I don’t want you to think I knew anything about it.”

  Nick immediately proceeded to the lower level.

  There was a whine in Nita’s plea. “Please don’t implicate me. I want him out of here. I want him to get his belongs from the basement and from the storage building outside. I told Cal I didn’t want him having that arsenal out there.”

  “Storage? I thought that out building was for your horses.” The spacious building had been pointed out when Nita was talking about the horses having the best lodging and upkeep.

  “Tony keeps his business crap in the building back by the barn. His mail order business. He mails guns. I didn’t like it. I thought if there was a fire, there would be an explosion. My horses might have gotten hurt.”

  Before Nita opened the back door, Royce stopped her. “Just a moment.” Royce knew the side of the house would offer her enough cover. She leaned against the house as she moved toward the corner. Royce took her gun from its holster. She aimed at the drone, then she squeezed the trigger. “There goes the peep show,” she murmured as the drone exploded into pieces.

  “Won’t Tony know you shot it down?”

  “Contact is often lost up here in the mountains. If he’s monitoring the ranch, he’ll probably attribute it to a thousand things that could make him lose contact. At least that’s what I’m hoping.”

  Nita offered, “Maybe he’ll think the little fucker fell out of the tree.”

  Royce led the way out to the small building. She asked Nita, “Do you have a key to the storage unit?”

  “No. Tony guarded it.”

  Royce placed her gun on the side of the padlock. She fired. “I didn’t want a stray bullet setting off of an explosion.” As they walked inside, she saw a massive supply of armaments. Shipping containers held one, two, or three assault rifles. There were stacks on counters. Flabbergasted at the sight, Royce’s eyes widened. “My God, he’s got a military armament center in here.”

  Nick ran into the storage building, “I heard gunshots.”

  “I needed to gain entry,” Royce explained. “And to destroy the backyard snoop.”

  “Holy…” Nick swallowed an expletive. “I’ve never seen this many guns in one small area.”

  Royce was busily checking some of the addresses. “No wonder Cal could come up with huge amounts of financial bailout money for his business and the ranch. He’s selling enough stock to arm a military base.”

  “Fake names. Fake addresses – similar but probably being sent to supply folks we’d rather not have guns.” Nick looked away. “A cache of guns going into the wrong hands.”

  “Sold in small quantities so none of the federal agencies will get wise.” Royce examined the shipping label. “Texas. Dallas, Texas.”

  “There’s the Luther connection. Cal and Tony were falsifying records. Gun trafficking. Luther then smuggled the contraband out of the country. Across the border. Just a guess, but Luther could have been getting paid in drugs. The guy has returned to his bad habits.”

  “Nick, before the drone was taken down, Tony may have had us under surveillance. By now he might be aware we’re going to be looking for him. I don’t want him warning Luther. Issue a BOLO immediately. Get deputies out here to tape this as a crime scene. Call ATF and DEA. The Feds are going to have a heyday with this.”

  “In little old Timber County,” Nick said disbelievingly.

  “I’d known Luther had been a drug dealer years ago, so it isn’t a stretch to strongly suspect Luther Sumner from Dallas is heading a smuggling ring. A gun for dope scheme. Send illegal guns across the border and receive drugs. Also explain to the feds that he runs what is probably a phony front business of auto parts. Let them know he can be found at the Crystal Lodge. And tell whichever deputy tailing him to stick like glue.” Royce pointed to Nita. “Depending on her cooperation, she may be arrested. So keep an eye on her.”

  “Where you going?” Nick asked.

  “I’ve got to get to Tony before he contacts Luther. Tony might know we’re after him. He’ll want to run. I’m going to check the Rasp. Send a squad car. I’m leaving now. Remind my backup to be careful. Tony is undoubtedly armed. He loves carrying assault weapons.”

  Royce felt her brain drumming with thoughts of detaining Tony. It was all falling into place. All except the perpetrators hadn’t been captured yet.

  ***

  Royce sped, lighting up her roof lights. She would hit her siren if traffic neared. As she drove, she issued directives. Her task was to get to Tony before he escaped and also before he alerted Luther.

  When she neared, she spotted a drone that was circling as she drove to the Rasp. Behind one of the Crossing parking areas was Tony’s truck. She pulled up beside it. Immediately, she opened her vehicle’s trunk. She reached for her rifle.

  Then taking out the vehicle boot, she booted Tony’s truck. Confident that Tony was monitoring her action via his drone, he would be aware he was now on foot. The suspect was being chased, and his vehicle was down for the count. The sheriff hoped that he might give himself up. It was that or perhaps a fight to death.

  She surveyed the panoramic lush brush and trees. Tony might not have seen what was transpiring at the ranch. But he was now aware that the chase was on. She watched for movement. There was a narrow path that ran beside the Rasp’s stream. If she were suddenly on the run, she would pick that path. Then once higher up, she could take a path that forked in a westerly direction. He could be anywhere, but she was guessing he would have started at the stream. Carefully, she moved slowly, searching out as much brush cover as she could.

  The unmanned aerial vehicle spun above the Rasp. It was hovering directly over her, taunting her. Getting nearer. It was unnerving, but she didn’t want to use her gunfire on an elusive drone. Royce climbed higher. She carefully mapped each ledge in her memory, taking the route that offered cover. She clutched her rifle tightly as she climbed.

  When she got to an area where there was minimal cover, she glanced around. The stream’s water had pooled. Normally she would stop to listen to the musical splash of the waters from the miniature waterfall. Now she listened for anything that might assist in knowing where the suspect might be.

  Above. a deck of clouds shaded the sky’s light.

  Suddenly, without warning, the drone dropped with great speed. As she turned her rifle in its direction, she saw a shadow being projected from behind her. It cast a rapid darkness.

  Royce moved quickly enough that she had
n’t had received the full thrust from the butt of Tony’s assault rifle. He’d hit the side of her head. She nearly blacked out when she felt the weight of Tony’s body as it slammed her down into the creek pool. Her lanky body splashed as she was shoved into the stream’s water. The side of her face hit the rocks on the bottom of the stream. Her rifle had been knocked from her hand. Above her was the suspect, holding her. He was attempting to choke her as he jammed her head into the water.

  Remembering her rules – move quickly and don’t fight fairly, Royce freed her one arm enough to deliver the heel of her palm against the middle of Tony’s face. She heard the nasal bones smash. He screamed. She gave a shove that lifted his body just enough. Royce immediately kneed his groin area. He stood, hunched. Nearly falling when he moved to the bank, he reached for his gun.

  Royce knew that with his size and strength, she couldn’t overcome him. She hastened to the other side creek. From across the stream, she saw him gathering his gun. She moved rapidly behind the brush as bullets flew in her direction.

  She heard a siren’s blare as it raced toward them. From her peripheral view, she saw Terry armed with her rifle and with Chance. Chance bounded up the terrain’s stony steps. Terry screamed, “Attack.” As the dog neared, Royce watched Tony taking aim at the K-9 Deputy with his AK-47. A spray of bullets kicked the earth.

  Royce’s heart was pounding. Her brain was still clouded and confused from what she felt must be a concussion. She attempted to retrieve her firearm from her holster. Taking aim, her eyes blurred. She discharged two rounds at Tony. Even pinching the trigger seemed a task.

  Tony whirled around to return her fire. As he did, Chance vaulted through the mountain air. The dog’s full force catapulted toward Tony. He tried to aim at the lunging dog, but Chance knocked him to the ground. The slam of his body echoed through the mountain. Royce dashed across the stream to where Tony was sprawled. She kicked the gun from his hand. Chance was atop the suspect, growling viciously into his face. Royce aimed her gun directly down at the fallen suspect.

  “Don’t move,” she commanded. “You don’t want to give me a reason to kill you. I’ve already got two damned good reasons. You tried to kill me and my dog.”

  Tony’s hands were trembling. His eyes were wild with fear. His nose was bleeding profusely. “I’m not moving.”

  Royce clamped cuffs on his wrists. “And don’t move until we say to move.” She patted him down. He flinched when she touched his front pockets.

  Terry ran directly to Royce’s side. “Are you okay?” she asked the sheriff.

  “Call for medics. His nose is broken. And my head has been slammed.” She tried to refocus her eyes. “I may have a slight concussion. He tried to drown me and choke me.” Royce gave a laugh of irony. “And he looks worse than I do.”

  Terry chuckled. She called for medics. “Sheriff, the side of your face is bleeding, so you aren’t really looking all that elegant.”

  Royce nodded. “I have to nearly get killed to get a laugh out of you,” she joked. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Fine must be in the eyes of the viewer. You look battered.”

  Royce ordered her deputy to watch Tony. “I want to find his phone. I need to see if he had time to warn Luther.” As soon as she recovered the phone, she searched its contents. There were dozens of calls to Luther Sumner, but thankfully none were recent. She called Nick and told him to let the Feds know that Luther was not aware that he would be implicated yet.

  Nick stayed on the phone, reporting their decision. “Royce, they say to keep it all under wraps. They want him on the plane back to Dallas tomorrow. Of his own accord.”

  “Great. They won’t have to go through extradition.” Royce instructed, “Nick, when we take Tony in, we’ll put a twenty-four hour booking and processing in place. We’re holding him. Collect the charges, but only include the charge of murder and assault. That will give us a day to keep Luther in the dark.”

  “The Feds said they’ll wait until he has boarded, and bound for Dallas, then they’ll have agents swoop in on his auto body and supply business. If it’s dirty, they’ll arrest him when he deplanes. They sound pretty sure he’s running a very dirty place. He’s been on their radar.”

  “So I’ll get cleaned up when we go into Crystal. I’ve got clothing there. Meet me there. Then we can go to the Crystal Lodge to tell him we’ve captured the killer of Calvin Wagner. I’ll assure him he’s free to go.”

  “Good plan.”

  “My head is spinning and my lips are beginning to puff up from the battering.” Royce tried to smile, but realized her face had a very sore jaw from where she’d been slammed down into the creek’s stony bottom. She shook her head. “I didn’t enjoy kissing those river rocks.”

  Nick laughed, “So you got a free lip enhancement, and Luther will be out of your hair. Timber County doesn’t need to use our court resources, or pay his incarcerating bucks. Win, win, Sheriff.”

  Royce attempted to chuckle. “Damn, it hurts to laugh. Even my hair hurts,” she joked. She patted the patch of her hair that was sticking to her head. Strands were glued with a mixture of blood and water.

  She heard the sirens, and saw the medics moving toward them. She also heard Terry direct them to Royce. “Take care of the sheriff first. The broken nose and busted balls can wait in line.”

  Royce felt Chance as she tried to press in toward her. “Good job, girl. I think you deserve a commendation, Deputy.” Royce considered the worst part of the day was when she saw Tony taking aim at Chance. If Chance hadn’t been there attacking him, he would have been taking aim, and shooting Royce. “Thanks, Deputy Chance.”

  ***

  After Royce had been checked, and diagnosed with having a slight concussion, her wounds were cleaned up, she felt better. The right side of her head had been struck by a rifle butt. The left side of her face ached from cuts and abrasions.

  Although she was released by the medics, the conditions were that she check into the hospital for testing, and that she rest.

  Royce insisted on her plan to go with Nick to tell Luther that he would be free to leave the area.

  Nick said that the deputies had taken charge of cordoning off and watching the Wagner Ranch. There would soon be federal agents swooping in to take over the area.

  Timber deputies also had taken Tony into custody. They would be taking the charges against Tony to the D.A. immediately. They would see him booked for the murder of his own father. As well as resisting and assault. Royce cautioned that they not divulge additional information.

  Royce meanwhile changed clothes at the Crystal Sheriff’s Department. She and Nick then drove to the Crystal Lodge to face Luther.

  “I am resting, Nick,” Royce argued as she leaned back against the vehicle’s backrest.

  “The doctor said twenty-four hours of bed rest. I don’t think this is what he had in mind.” Nick drove purposely, and cautiously. “Close your eyes. Rest. And when we’re done with this, I’m taking you to the hospital to get you checked out. Then I’m taking you to Gran’s cabin, or to Molly’s.”

  “Fine.” Her word was sulky. “Did the agents get everything so that the transition goes easily?”

  “They’re on the ball. As soon as we pull our guard who is watching Luther’s room, their folks will take over immediately. They’ll watch him until he gets to Denver and boards. An agent will also be aboard, and the air marshal will be made aware and will be monitoring his flight. The minute he steps off the plane in Dallas, he’ll be taken into custody.”

  “While I was getting my wounds cleaned by the medical team, I phoned with one of the agents. And also our D.A.”

  “They said you’d just finished talking with them about Tony Wagner. Apparently you promised to get Tony to deal for information. True.”

  “True. I need to talk Tony into dealing on the murder charge. If so, he’ll offer up Luther, and turn evidence. I want my head to be less cottony when that interrogation goes down. So I’ve instructed the dep
uties to say nothing. Sweat him. In the morning, we can go in with a deal. The Feds told me that if they have Tony’s confession, and his statement that incriminates Luther, it will make their life easier. I’ll give it my best shot.”

  “I imagine they’ll want to try him for a federal weapon’s offense?”

  “When I interrogate Tony, if he turns on Luther, we’ll have two sweet convictions. I’ll run my list of offences by you in the morning. It wouldn’t hurt to have you sit in on the interview.”

  “You can handle it without me, Sheriff.”

  “Tony has very little respect for women. You might be able to play good cop.”

  Nick chuckled. “You think he challenges women’s toughness after you knocked his nose into his face, and Chance nearly chewed his throat in half. And you and Terry arrested him?” Nick gave a huge smile. “All three of the female persuasion. I think today upped his appreciation of the weaker sex.” Nick directed the auto into the Crystal Lodge parking lot.

  “Pull up near the door. Walking is not so easy today.”

  “Let’s go trick Luther, Tiger.”

  ***

  “What now?” Luther grumbled.

  “I just wanted to let you know that we’ve arrested someone for the murder of Calvin Wagner. Thankfully you didn’t get too buddy-buddy with Tony. He killed his father. You’re free to leave the area in the morning. I’ve just got to sign a couple of court papers that will allow you to travel.”