by Jude Pittman
Several minutes passed and Kelly was getting ready to go check on things, when the door opened once again and Gillian started down the path, alone.
Must be out somewhere. Kelly muttered. “No luck?” he queried, when Gillian opened the door and climbed back in the Jeep.
“Worse than that. He’s disappeared.”
“What?”
“His mom hasn’t seen him since Sunday night and she’s fit to be tied.”
“Did he say anything about going anywhere?”
“No. He got up Sunday morning and went to work, like usual. That’s the last she saw of him.”
“So he never came home from work.”
“That’s the problem. She worked in her garden until dinnertime. Toby usually got off work about four o’clock and she figured he’d gone to his room for a nap.”
“Was that usual?”
“She says yes. His room’s upstairs and when she came in from the garden she fixed dinner and then called him down. When he didn’t answer, she went upstairs and that’s when she discovered he was gone.”
“Did she notice anything missing?”
“Not then, but when he still hadn’t come home the next morning, she checked his closet and his duffle bag was missing.”
“Was he in the habit of taking off without letting her know?”
“She says not. She’s a widow, and he knows she worries so he always tells her if he’s going to be gone overnight. I don’t like it Kelly.”
“I know. I don’t like it myself, but let’s not jump to conclusions. He’s a teenager, stuff happens when you’re that age. Did you ask if he has a girlfriend?”
“Yes I did. His mom said there was a girl at school he dated once in a while, but he didn’t have a steady girlfriend.”
“Well that’s a start. Did you get the address?”
“Of course.”
“’Atta girl. I’ll give Gus a call and we’ll head on over there. I don’t suppose Toby’s mom has called the police?”
“Actually she did, but they told her he hadn’t been gone forty-eight hours, and she should relax, he was probably out partying with his friends and he’d be back as soon as he sobered up.”
“I bet she loved that.”
“She’s not too happy with our civil servants right now.”
“Of course you realize they’re very likely right and that’s exactly what has happened.”
“I hope so Kelly, but I’m worried. Do you mind if we stop by the hospital next? I talked to Mrs. Morales this morning and she told me the doctor said there was no change in Angelina’s condition. I know there’s nothing I can do, but I’d like to see her for myself.”
“We’ll head over there now. I can call Gus while you’re talking to Mrs. Morales. Maybe he’s found out something that’ll give us a lead on Toby’s whereabouts.”
* * *
At the hospital Kelly pulled up to the main entrance. “Take your time,” he told Gillian. “I’m going to pull up in the shade of that old pecan tree and give Gus a call. You spend as long as you like with Mrs. Morales.”
“Thanks.” Gillian scooted over and kissed him on the cheek. "You’re a prince.”
“Hey, surely a prince is entitled to more than a peck.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
Kelly swung around to the back of the lot and pulled up beneath the big old tree.
Pretty good harvest. Kelly pushed open the door of the jeep and moved aside a branch loaded with nuts so he could stretch his legs. Once he’d gotten comfortable he took his cell out of its holder on the visor and touched Gus’ number.
“Yo. It’s me,” he said, when Gus’ growl came through the speaker. “Any luck with the vet?”
“Nothing. I tried telling him we had information that he’d been supplying drugs to the kids at the stable, but the old bastard was either innocent or smart. He claimed some idiot named Sam came to the stable and asked for Oxycontin to treat the sick horse of a friend.”
“Do you think he was giving it to you straight?”
“Sounded plausible. He’s a hell of a lot more credible than any of those kids. I gave him Mike’s version of the story and he said it was a crock. Claims he ran them both out of the stable and told them he planned to tell Gillian what they were up to first chance he got.”
Sounds like the Doc’s story is a lot more plausible than Mike’s, Kelly mused after he’d hung up from his conversation with Gus.
Time to put in some leg work.
He got out of the truck and headed into the hospital, where he located Gillian sitting with Mrs. Morales.
“Did Gus know anything?” she asked, meeting Kelly at the door to the waiting room.
Kelly shook his head. “Far as I can tell it’s another dead end. He completely disputed Mike’s version of Toby’s story. The Doc claims he ran Sam out of the stables when he tried to con him out of some Oxycontin. He told Gus he planned on reporting Sam to you first chance he got, but he’s been tied up with a sick horse.”
“That makes a lot more sense to me than Mike’s story.” Gillian nodded her head. “What do you and Gus think?”
“Same as you. It doesn’t figure that a smart doctor is going to get involved with a bunch of scatterbrained kids. Unless, of course, there’s something more behind all of this.” Kelly frowned. “I’m keeping an open mind, of course, but I think it’s time to call in a few favors. I still have a couple of contacts from my undercover days. I’ll have to take you home though. Where I’m going is definitely no place for a lady.”
Gillian laughed. “I guess that means you don’t think I could pass myself off as a biker chick.”
“I don’t recall mentioning bikers.”
Gillian rolled her eyes and tossed her head. “Okay. Be mysterious. I’ll go say goodbye to Mrs. Morales. You can drop me off at the stables and I’ll get some work done while you go pursue your nefarious activities.”
“Women,” Kelly muttered jovially as Gillian headed off to say her goodbyes.
* * *
After smoothing Gillian’s ruffled feathers as best he could and dropping her at the stables, Kelly headed for Texas B’s on Belknap. In keeping with the early hour, the parking lot held a couple of bikes a battered pickup and an old Chrysler that Kelly recognized as belonging to longtime bar manager, Fred Todd.
That’s a lucky break. Kelly’s spirits rose when he spotted the Chrysler. Back in his undercover days he had come to Fred’s rescue on a Monday night when three rowdy Bandits rolled into town and started giving the barman a hard time.
It had been early on a stormy night. The members of the Texas Brothers, a local motorcycle club that called the bar home base, had been holding its annual membership meeting. Kelly, in his undercover persona of Jake, had been chatting with the bartender in the mostly empty bar, and except for the two of them and a local wino, the place had been deserted.
“That was a short meeting,” Fred had commented when motorcycle engines roared up to the front entrance.
Moments later a group of three bikers decked out in Bandit colors shoved open the door and swaggered up to the bar.
“Got any beer in this deadhead joint?” A loud mouth with a bandana wrapped around his greasy blond hair slammed his fist down on the bar and aimed a ‘dare you’ glare in Kelly’s direction.
His two buddies, a burly black man and a tall skinny Latino, slid onto stools on either side of their buddy.
“What’ll you have?” Fred asked walking down the bar and wiping the counter in front of the three men.
“Three Buds. And since we’re new in town and checking this place out, you can give them to us on the house.”
“Sorry.” Fred shook his head. “We don’t give out no freebies.”
“This is one of those times you might want to make an exception.” The loud mouth stood up and leaned over the bar towards Fred.
Fred swiveled his head in Kelly’s direction. “No exceptions,” he muttered, backing away from the group.
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“You boys new in town?” Kelly stood up from his seat at the end of the bar and strolled towards the group. As he walked he let his jacket fall back far enough for a discerning eye to catch the bulge made by the revolver tucked in the waistband of his jeans.
“Guess your hearing’s pretty good.” Loud Mouth swiveled to Kelly but made no move to step forward.
“Sure is.” Kelly kept moving forward. “Far as I can tell, you boys are flying Bandit colors. Seemed a bit strange being this is the Brotherhood’s stomping grounds.” Kelly pointed towards a group photo that Fred had displayed behind the cash register.
Loud mouth’s black companion leaned forward and squinted at the large group of Brotherhood members all proudly flying their colors.
“Don’t seem like anyone’s marking territory tonight,” the black fellow muttered.
“Not at the moment,” Kelly grinned. “Like Fred said, the Brothers don’t hold with giving out no free samples. The boys are holding a meeting right now. They’ll be done with business in about half an hour. They’ll all be piling in here shortly, and depending on how the meeting went—you boys know how those things are—they’ll either be feeling really sociable, or not. Sound about right to you Fred?”
“That’s right. You boys want me to set you up, you can pay for your beer now and once the Brothers get here I can let them know you’d like a welcome to Fort Worth and maybe they’ll reimburse your money.”
The expression on all three faces made it clear they knew damn good and well what kind of welcome they could expect.
Loud Mouth slid off his stool. “We’ll be back later once you’ve got some business in this joint.” He yanked his thumb towards the door, and the other two followed him outside.
“Damn, I’d never have thought of that if you hadn’t spoken up, I sure appreciate your help.” The bartender had been all over Kelly with gratitude. “You ever find yourself in need of a favor, don’t hesitate to ask.” Kelly, as Jake, had never taken Fred up on his offer, but this seemed like a good time to test the bartender’s memory.
* * *
“Jake, where the hell have you been? What’s it been, three or four years?” Fred reached across the bar and pumped Kelly’s hand like a long lost friend.
“How’s it going Fred,” Kelly returned the handshake. “I moved out to the country a few years ago. Don’t get back into town very often nowadays.”
“Ah, sounds like you got yourself shacked up out in the sticks. Must be something special the way you’re keeping to yourself.”
Kelly grinned. “Yeah. Guess I’m getting old. How’s business?”
“Not too bad. Course times have changed. A lot of the old timers have moved on or changed directions. Not many flying colors anymore. Still, we do okay.”
“Good to hear. I was hoping to see a few familiar faces.”
“Well, let’s see, Stan’s still around, and Mike and Ron. Like I said a lot of them have moved on or moved away.”
Kelly nodded. “Yep, times change. I was kind of looking for some information for a friend of mine. Maybe you can help.”
“Anything I know is yours, Jake. Like I told you before, I owe you, and I don’t forget my debts.”
“Thanks Fred, but this ain’t a big deal. Just a favor for a friend. Apparently his kid’s gotten into a bit of a mess, and my friend’s worried the kid may have gotten involved with the wrong kind of folks. He asked me if I still had any connections out on the street.” Kelly grinned. “I’m afraid I’m about as out of touch as it’s possible to be, but I figured the Brothers would be sure to know if anything was shaking on their home ground.”
“What’s the deal?”
“Best I can tell it’s got to do with new drug territory opening up and maybe a new outfit moving in.”
“Here in town?”
“Apparently this involves dealing in schools and junior colleges—high end prescription drugs and that kind of shit.”
Fred shook his head. “You remember the Brothers steered clear of that kind of action. They weren’t above growing a few plants, but what you’re talking about sounds more like them Bandit sons-of-bitches.”
“That’s what I thought too. I wonder if maybe Phil or Ron might know anything. Wasn’t Ron involved in a wrestling club that had a few Bandit members?”
“Wouldn’t hurt to ask. I don’t know if he’s wrestling anymore, packed on too many pounds, but he still hangs around there and I think he does a bit of coaching.”
“It’s a possibility at least. Here’s my cell number.” Kelly scribbled his number on a piece of paper and handed it over. “I’d sure appreciate it if you’d pick the big man’s brain next time he’s in here and give me a call with whatever you manage to find out.”
“So you want to know if he’s heard anything about a high end drug lord moving into town, and anything he might have heard about the operation.”
“Yep. And, while you’re at it, ask him if these people, whoever they are, have anything to do with horses or horse racing.”
“Say, didn’t I hear about a murder out at one of those Lake Country riding stables the other day?”
Kelly nodded his head. “The lady who owns the place is by way of being a friend of a friend of mine. She’s worried about what some of the young people working out there might have gotten themselves involved in, so I’ve promised my friend that I’d see what I could find out.”
“Okay. Like as not Ron will be in later tonight. I’ll see what I can find out and give you a call in the morning.”
“Thanks Fred. Nice seeing you again.”
“Yeah. Same here.”
Fred went to look after a customer who had entered the bar and Kelly headed back to his truck.
Might as well check in with Gus. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed for downtown. He’d gone about four blocks when his cell buzzed, and Kelly punched the hands free.
“Kelly, where you at right now?” Gus’ voice came over the speaker.
“En route to the station. Figured on comparing notes. Why? Something happen?”
“You might say that. Why don’t you detour by the White Bull. I’ll catch you up while we’re grabbing a bite.”
“On my way.” Kelly clicked off the phone and headed for Jacksboro Highway. Must be something big for Gus not to share the news over the phone. Course he’s got a cop’s distrust for open airwaves.
* * *
“So what’s up?” Kelly slid into the booth across from Gus and took the cup of coffee from Ruby, their regular waitress, who had followed him down the aisle to their favorite booth at the back of the busy diner.
“Thanks. I’ll have the usual.” Kelly smiled at Ruby before turning his attention back to Gus.
“Toby’s dead. A couple of fishermen spotted his body in Eagle Mountain Lake. Looks like someone dumped him into the Trinity Sunday night and the current took him down river to the lake where he got caught up in one of those weed beds.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. Did you have any luck with your old contacts?
“Nothing concrete. There’s a possibility one or two of the Bandits might know something, but it’ll be tricky. I’ve left messages for a couple of guys from the old days. Hopefully one or both of them will get in touch.”
Kelly’s biscuits loaded with sausage gravy had arrived while they talked and for several minutes both men concentrated on their plates.
“Guess we’ll just have to keep digging.” Gus reached for the bill and pulled some cash out of his pocket. “My turn for this. I need to get back to the station. You’ll keep in touch, right?”
“You bet. I’m going to run out to Indian Creek and rescue Jake from Darlene’s cats. I’ll spend some more time with Gillian’s stable hands, see if I can pick up anything we missed.”
“Sounds good.” Gus headed for the till, leaving Kelly to finish his last swallows of coffee.
Sitting back, his brow creased in thought, Kelly sipped and let his mind run back over eve
rything he’d seen and heard since returning from Oregon. I’m missing something. Kelly sifted through his mind, examining unconnected thoughts and snatches of conversation in hopes that some kind of pattern might emerge.
Best leave it for a while. It’ll surface. He tucked a couple of bills under his cup and stood just as his cell buzzed. Kelly flipped open the case and Gillian’s number flashed on the display.
“Just leaving,” he said. “You want to take a run out to the Hideaway while I pick up Jake?”
"Angelina’s awake. She wants to talk to you.”
“I’ll be there in ten.” Kelly stuck the phone in his pocket and headed for the door. Finally, it looked like they were going to get some answers. He’d check in with Gillian first and then give Gus a call.
Chapter Five
At Harris Methodist Kelly parked in the short term lot and called Gillian on her cell.
“I’ll meet you in the Atrium,” she said. “They aren’t allowing visitors, but Angelina’s mom got me in for a few minutes and I think I have some answers for you.”
“Be right there.”
Gillian had obviously stopped for coffee, because when Kelly came through the door she had two cups of coffee in her hands. She handed over one of the Starbucks to Kelly.
“Let’s grab a seat by the window, and I’ll bring you up to date.”
On the far side of the room there was a cheerful oasis of lush greenery and blooming tropical plants where they found a private table for two and sat down with their coffee.
“How’s she doing?” Kelly asked.
“She’s out of the coma and she remembers the attack. They’re still running tests, and they’ll probably keep her for a few days, but there doesn’t seem to be any permanent damage.”
“That’s great. So what did she tell you?”
“She didn’t recognize her attacker, but she did see him. Unfortunately he had a black hoodie over his head and a scarf covering his face. She said he was male, six feet tall, and his hands were old. But remember, he'd seem like a giant to a frightened girl, and thirty-five would be old to a teenager.”