Gambling on a Dream

by Sara Walter Ellwood

  From her peripheral vision, she saw him nod and leave his chair to do her bidding. When the door closed, she swallowed hard and let the bastard have both guns. “You know, Chet, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you where against my brother because he’s a Native American.”

  He held her gaze and pursed his lips. “Not at all. We never had trouble until last spring when he moved back to town.”

  She nodded once. “But a lot of new people have moved to town since spring. About fifty families, if I’m allowed to guess. Most of them from Dallas, Fort Worth, or Waco. So many that the school had to add four new teachers, and the school board is afraid they’ll have to add to the school buildings. Besides we’ve had a lot of trouble since spring that had nothing to do with my brother.” She stood and folded her arms in front of her. “No, I think this insistence that my brother is guilty has more to do with the very same reason you were thrown out of the Army.” When his buggy eyes got even bigger, she fought the smile. “I have to wonder how you would fair in the election if your dirty laundry were aired where everyone could see it. Sure, this town has a lot of whites, but about half the population consists of Hispanic and African-American citizens. Not to mention those few Native Americans who’ve lived here longer than your family has.”

  Chet stood and a nasty scowl twisted his face. “So, you did some digging.”

  She nodded. “Yep. I know about the fight with the black sergeant and the reason for it.” Picking up a file, she held it out to him. “You’re off this case, Hendricks.”

  “You can’t do that. I’m the best deputy for this…”

  “Actually, I don’t think so. Your bigotry has clouded your judgment. So, I need you back on patrol. Ethel and Helen Cartwright have called in a complaint that their neighbor’s pigs are rooting through their champion rose garden. Again. I want you to go over there, check it out, and make sure old Ethel doesn’t put a bullet into Joe Farley or one of his hogs.”

  He glared at her as he left, but had enough sense to keep his mouth shut. Too bad. She would have loved firing his ass. She dropped into her chair, took a deep breath, and buried her face in her hands. Her brother still wasn’t home, and his disappearing act wasn’t convincing anyone of his innocence.

  Damn it, Talon, what the hell are you doing in Vegas?

  * * * *

  Dawn found her mother taking down laundry in the backyard of the big old two-story house Chief had built after inheriting the five-thousand-acre ranch from the man who had practically raised him--Marshall Cartwright.

  Her mother folded the last towel and set it in the basket by her feet, then turned to meet Dawn. She hoped that when she hit middle age, she’d be in as good of shape as her mother. Frannie’s short black hair held little gray, and her jeans fit her in a way women half her age would wish for. Her mother worked as a fitness instructor at the local YMCA and looked at least ten years younger than her fifty-five years.

  “Hey, honey, I’m surprised to see you at this time of day. Would you like some lunch? Your dad made hamburgers on the grill before he took your grandfather to his doctor’s appointment. I could warm one up for you.”

  Glad that her dad and his father weren’t home, Dawn swallowed and shook her head. “I’m here to ask you some questions. But I’ll take some coffee if you have some.”

  Her mother lost the smile and picked up the laundry basket. “Okay, let’s go inside.”

  She followed her mom into the kitchen where she set the basket on the floor by the door. The kitchen of the old house was big and spacious, painted a warm pale yellow with white cabinets, and always smelled sweet and delicious with the scents of homemade breads and her mother’s traditional cooking.

  As her mother poured coffee, Dawn took a seat at the big oak table. Her grandfather’s two old beagles lay in the corner on their beds. They were both siblings of her Taco but never had their sister’s friendly personality. Except for her dislike for Wyatt, Taco loved people. They lifted their heads and barked a belated greeting, but didn’t see the need to get up.

  Her mother set the steaming mug on the table and took the chair across from her. Dawn fetched the milk out of the fridge and added some to her cup. She put the jug back and returned to her seat.

  “What do you want to talk about?” Mom sipped her cup and watched Dawn stir her coffee.

  “Why is Talon in Las Vegas?” Dawn set the spoon beside her mug and folded her arms on the table.

  Her mother set her mug down and stared into the contents. “How do you know that’s where he is?

  Dawn shrugged and met her mother’s gaze straight on. “Wyatt checked the Dallas airports and found out Talon took a flight to Vegas last Wednesday night.”

  Her mother sighed and looked down at the table. “I don’t know what he’s doing there.”

  She was lying.

  Dawn tried not to let her disappointment show as she leaned over the table. “I don’t believe you.” She waited for her mother to look up before going on. “I have to talk to him. Doesn’t he have any idea how bad this looks? He left the night after Justin Vaughn was killed.”

  A frown turned the corners of her mother’s full lips as she sat straighter in her chair. “You think he’s involved in the murders of those two boys?”

  Dawn let out a breath, and her gaze slipped to the table. “No, I don’t think he’s involved. But his behavior isn’t convincing people.”

  “What people?”

  She met her mother’s narrowed gaze. “My deputies. The Texas Rangers. Everyone who knows Talon’s record.”

  Mom stood and stared out the window. Her shoulders dropped a little. “Dawn, I swear on all that’s holy that Talon had nothing to do with those killings. He’s got some personal stuff going on, and he’s asked me to keep it under my hat for now.”

  “What could be so important that he’d leave town now?”

  Mom turned and sighed so deeply Dawn heard the exhale across the room. “You’ll find out soon enough. He should be home in a few days.” She turned toward Dawn. “I really can’t say more than that.” Looking down at her clasped hands, she shook her head. “I’m worried about him. He’s not the same boy anymore. He hasn’t been since he found Jock’s body, and his time in jail made it worse.”

  Dawn glanced away. She couldn’t stand the pain in her mother’s eyes. Talon had always been her favorite child. But the pain went deeper. Her mother never stopped loving the man who had stolen her heart when she was nineteen. Jock Blackwell had been in his thirties, but it hadn’t mattered. They’d had a whirlwind affair, and in the end, her mother was pregnant and Jock refused to marry her.

  Dawn’s father, also an older man who was looking for a wife, took the young mother and her baby in and married her. But none of it erased the fact Jock Blackwell never let go of his hold on her mother or Talon.

  As if her mother could read her mind, she sat back down and picked up her mug. “Chief said he saw you and Wyatt McPherson drive by the house Sunday night.”

  The memory of Wyatt’s kiss burned on her lips. She sipped her soothing coffee with the hope of dispelling the sensation. “I found him broke down out on Gambler’s Folly. I had a spare carburetor. He fixed his motorcycle and was on his way.”

  “I can imagine working with him is hard. Dawn, you aren’t getting tangled up with him again, are you?”

  She flicked her gaze up to meet her mother’s deep brown eyes. “No. I learned my lesson the last time.”

  Her mother nodded and set her cup down. “Good. I’d hate for you to go through what I have. Your father is a good man, and I’ll never regret him taking me and Talon in. I will always love him for it.”

  God, she didn’t want to talk about this. “Mom…”

  Her mother ignored her plea. “But I loved Jock Blackwell. I can’t deny that. He never loved me, and I was a fool not to see it. Some white men still think all we are good for is lying on our backs with our legs open.”

  “I
t’s not just Native American women men feel that way about, Mom. Some men think that of all women.” Glancing at the wall clock, Dawn stood. “I’ve got to go. I have a meeting with the Quinns and Ella Larson’s girl in less than an hour. Please, if you hear from Talon, tell him I need to talk to him.”

  “I will.” She hugged Dawn, kissed her cheek, and spoke softly in Cherokee. “Take care, sweetheart. I love you.”

  She kissed her mother back. “Love you too, Momma.”

  * * * *

  “Thank you for letting me talk with Annie.” Dawn entered the foyer of the massive Victorian mansion of Butterfly Ranch. A gleaming oak spiral staircase curved up to the second floor balcony on the right. To the left, a pair of richly paneled pocket doors closed off the living room, if her memory served her correctly about the layout of the house. The last time she’d been here was months ago when Kyle McPherson had taken a shot at Dylan Quinn. Then the walls had been covered with faded, dirty wallpaper, and the staircase barely looked safe to climb. She smiled at the thought of how Dylan not only rebuilt Charli’s house, but his life too.

  Charli Monroe Quinn closed the door behind Dawn and faced her. “I want this thug caught, and if Annie knows something that can lead you to the murderer, I’m happy to help.” The heiress, who'd taken in Annie after her mother had been killed, and was instrumental in getting the girl off drugs, smiled, but it never reached the sadness in her eyes. She rested a hand on her pregnant belly. According to the grapevine, she was due in February with twins. “I just ask you to remember Annie lost her mother five months ago and now her cousin. She’s trying to get her life turned around.”

  Dawn nodded. Charli was something of an anomaly. A former drug addict and teenage prostitute who had a heart of gold, and a way of seeing the good in things when most people only saw the worst. “I don’t want to hurt her, Mrs. Quinn.”

  The smile spread across her pretty freckled face, brightening her blue-green eyes. “Good. Dylan and Annie are in here.”

  Charli opened the pocket doors and entered the living room. Dawn followed and her stomach flipped at the sight of sixteen-year-old Annie Larson sitting on the sofa. The girl had once fashioned herself a Goth. Her spiky hair had been bleached white and her eyes obscured with too much black makeup. Dawn had been the deputy who'd arrested her back in March when Charli had turned her in for buying drugs outside of the mall.

  She wouldn’t have recognized the girl if she’d passed her on the street. She wore faded blue jeans and a pink T-shirt. Her short dark brown hair was styled in a cute pixie. The excessive makeup was gone, and her brown eyes, lined with long, thick lashes, stared out of an angular face. She resembled Ella, but there was also something familiar about her features. Dawn tried to see Leon Ferguson, Annie’s biological father, in her, but the only trace seemed to be her dark hair and eyes. Then she saw the resemblance. Dear God, she had Talon’s nose--the Blackwell aristocratic nose. She almost smiled.

  “Thanks for meeting with me.” Dawn took Dylan’s outstretched hand. He stood behind his adopted daughter with a hand on her shoulder.

  His grip was firm as he shook her hand. “Anything we can do to help, Sheriff.”

  Dawn sat in the chair across from the girl and decided to capitalize on what connected them--the Blackwells. “I suppose my brother Talon is your uncle.”

  Annie’s eyes widened slightly. “No way. You’re name’s Madison and you’re an Ind--I mean--a Native American.”

  Dawn smiled. “Indian’s fine. But Talon’s last name is Blackwell. He’s my half brother.” She tilted her head. “But it goes further than that. You and I are distant cousins on the Madison side.”

  Annie fisted her hands in her lap and narrowed her eyes. Her gaze was steady and belied her age. “You can cut the crap, Sheriff. I know what you want. You’re wondering if I know anything about Chris and Justin’s deaths.” She swallowed and looked at her fists.

  Dawn sighed and leaned over her legs. “Yes, I’m here to ask you some questions about them.” She glanced at Dylan, who stood right behind Annie, and at Charli, who sat next to Annie on the sofa. Charli nodded and reached over to hold Annie’s hand. Taking out her notebook and a pen, Dawn asked, “Do you know where Chris and Justin Vaughn may have gotten the drugs they sold?”

  Annie had once been a regular customer of Vaughn’s, until Charli witnessed a deal between them and called the cops. The woman probably saved the girl’s life that day. Annie glanced at Charli.

  “Tell her everything you know, Annie. It might catch the guy who killed him and Chris,” Charli said.

  “I’m not completely certain, but I think someone local.” She winced and rubbed the side of her face. “God, I hate rattin’ on people who were once my friends.”

  “We know, kiddo.” Dylan patted her shoulder and came around the end of the couch to sit next to her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. “But you might save someone’s life.”

  The endearing gleam in Annie’s eyes as she looked upon the man who had become her adoptive father took Dawn’s breath away. “I’m scared, Dad.”

  Dylan nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s why it’s important to be honest here.”

  “Annie.”

  Annie turned to face Charli.

  Charli reached up and brushed her fingers over the girl’s cheek. “When I was arrested in Las Vegas, I knew it was time for me to come clean. I told the police everything that happened to me. In the end, I still served a year in prison, but I will never regret telling the cops everything I knew about the man I thought I loved and who I believed loved me. It was the right thing to do.”

  Dawn couldn’t believe how honest Charli was with Annie about her own past. But then, maybe that was why she was able to help Annie turn her life around. Charli had been to the dark side and back again.

  Annie swallowed again and nodded. “Okay. I overheard Chris and Tyler Demello talking about something big going down. That there was a new dealer in town.” She shrugged and rubbed her face again. “They weren’t too happy about it.”

  “Do you know what this dealer wanted?”

  “He wanted them to only deal for him and give him ninety-five percent of all profits.”

  That made sense. The big fish always swallowed the small ones. “What happened if they didn’t?”

  Annie’s dark eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “They’d pay the consequences.”

  Dawn didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what those were.

  “I’m afraid for Tyler. He’s not a bad kid. He just hates his life.”

  “I’m going to talk to him soon. We’ll do what we have to in order to keep him safe. Was Justin Vaughn also in on this?”

  Annie glanced at Charli. “Yeah. But I didn’t really talk to him. He was still mad about me cleaning up and staying here with Charli and Dylan. Besides, he was into some hard shit… I mean…”

  “It’s okay.” Dawn wanted a name. Even if it was one that would break her heart to hear. “Do you have any idea who the dealer is?”

  Annie looked down at her hands. “Not by name. Chris called him Outlaw, but I’m not sure if he ever knew his name.”

  Dawn reached over and rested her hand on Annie’s arm. “Thank you, Annie. What you’ve done here will help me a lot.”

  The girl nodded and wiped at the tear sliding down her pale cheek.

  Dylan led Dawn out the door onto the wide front porch. “Dawn, do you think Annie’s in any danger?”

  Lying to the former Special Forces commander was futile. “Yes. She’s cleaned up well, but she’s hanging around a dangerous crowd.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He glanced toward the door. “Charli won’t leave until after the roundup, but I’m trying to convince her to go to Nashville and visit with her brother for a little while.”

  Charli’s half brother was country superstar Nate McConnell. “That would probably be a wise thing to do. Logan Cartwright sig
ned a record deal and is touring in the spring with McConnell. He’s good with kids, and he’s someone Annie knows.”

  “I didn’t even think about Logan being there too. Thanks, Dawn.”

  She put her Stetson on her head. “All in a day’s work. Take care, Dylan.”

  “You too.”

  She turned to head down the stairs, but his voice stopped her.

  “I want you to know I’m glad you’re running for sheriff, and that you have my vote.”

  “Thanks.” Smiling, she gave him a sloppy imitation of a military salute, then headed for her department Tahoe.

  Who the hell is Outlaw?

  Chapter 7

  Talon stared at the little girl. She had wheat-colored hair and creamy skin. But she peered back at him with his hazel eyes out of a face that resembled his own in structure. She lay on the garish carpeting beside her mother’s stool as Maggie put the final touches to her stage makeup. In the girl’s arms was a raggedy stuffed bear. Her clothes looked as if they’d come from a trashcan. The bottoms of her faded jeans were folded up several times, and her too-small T-shirt had a faded cartoon character on the front. At least Maggie kept them clean.

  “Good to see you, Talon. Beth was certain you’d show,” Maggie said, referring to her younger sister. She stood from the dressing table, turned, and glared at him. The bright light from the bare bulbs over the large mirrors glittered on the gold and silver sequins of her skimpy costume. Ostrich feathers stuck out of a hideous headdress atop her blond hairdo. “I had my doubts.”

  Several other showgirls in various states of dress watched him, but he ignored them and focused on his former fling.

  “If you knew anything about me at all, you’d know better than that.” He looked back at the little girl on the floor.

  Maggie Pratt was the same age as his sister, and she’d grown up in Colton. She knew who his birth father was and what a prick he’d been to him and his half brothers.