by R. C. Ryan
In the barn he stared around at a scene of complete destruction.
The electronic lift was hanging at an odd angle from the ceiling. The play table was tipped over, the toys strewn about in a sea of mud. Princess’s stall was missing a door. The floor around it was spattered with blood. The mare huddled in a corner of the barn, blood streaming from a cut on her leg.
Juliet turned to Griff with a look of shock. “I’ve never seen so much damage from a storm. And from the look of all this blood, Princess must have cut herself on the door.”
He crossed to the mare and examined the wound to her leg. “Phone Jackie and ask him to call for a vet. This looks deep.”
He walked over to where the two boys were trying to right the table. “I’ll do that.”
He took note of the broken legs and left it where it lay. “I’ll repair those legs later today. As for the rest of this, we’ll clean up the mess, and then it’ll be good as new.”
Casey pointed to the far wall, where words had been scrawled in what appeared to be red spray paint. “What does that say, Griff?”
Griff read the words before picking up Casey and catching Ethan’s hand, turning abruptly toward the door. Seeing Juliet talking on her cell phone to Jackie, he caught her by the arm and dragged her along with him.
She shot him a look of complete surprise. “What are you doing?”
His tone was curt. “Take Casey and Ethan up to the house. And stay there with them.”
She pocketed her phone. “There’s no need. Jackie’s on his way. I told him about the storm damage.”
“This isn’t from the storm. I’m calling Chief Pettigrew.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed.
As he did, Juliet started back into the barn. Before he could stop her, he heard the deep voice of the police chief and was forced to concentrate on the reason for his call.
“It’s Griff Warren, Chief. You’d better get out to the Grayson Ranch right away.”
As he started after Juliet, he saw her stop and gasp, and realized he was too late to keep her from reading the hateful words sprayed on the wall in bright red letters.
Ice maiden or whore?
Ask the Marine who spent the night with her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jackie Turner and Chief Ira Pettigrew drove up the long dirt driveway within minutes of one another.
Griff had suggested that Juliet remain in the house with her boys until after the police chief had time to examine the crime scene. That way, the chief could talk openly, without having to worry about having two little boys overhear things that could frighten them.
Griff stood in the open doorway of the barn as the two men exited their vehicles. His hands were clenched tightly at his sides in impotent rage.
“’Morning, son,” Jackie called. “Princess hurt herself during the storm?”
Chief Pettigrew looked from Jackie to Griff. “You called me out here for an accident with a horse?”
“This was no accident—it was deliberate.” Griff’s voice lowered with barely controlled anger. “At first glance, we thought the destruction in the barn had been the result of the storm. But then we saw that.” He pointed to the spray-painted message of hate on the wall.
Both men reacted in the same manner, with a huff of outrage, and a sudden narrowing of their eyes.
“I thought it best if Juliet kept the boys away from this.”
The chief nodded. Jackie crossed to the mare and bent to examine the wound. When he looked up he was frowning. He took his phone from his shirt pocket. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to have Doc Pickering take a look at Princess.”
The chief agreed. “I’d appreciate Doc’s opinion on this.” He walked around the barn, noting the missing door of the mare’s stall. “She may have kicked this during the height of the storm. Or she may have kicked it after being cut.”
“There’s a third alternative,” Griff said quietly. “Someone in a fit of rage may have ripped it off its hinges before taking out his fury on a helpless animal.”
The chief’s look was grim as he considered Griff’s words. Then he removed his phone and took several pictures of the message scrawled on the wall before moving around the barn, snapping shots of the destruction.
When he came to the play table, he paused. “I don’t recall seeing this in here last time I stopped by.”
Griff shook his head. “It’s new. I built it yesterday for Casey and Ethan, so they could play with their cars and trucks whenever their mother gets busy with clients.”
Ira Pettigrew examined the workmanship. “You do good work, Griff.”
“Thanks.”
The chief shook his head. “Although I guess someone doesn’t appreciate it. I see a couple of the legs have been broken off.”
“It was overturned when we found it. I started to turn it upright before I realized I was at a crime scene. After that, I left everything untouched.”
The chief looked around. “See anything else that’s been damaged?”
Griff pointed to the lift. “Juliet had to wait weeks to have that repaired. Now it’s damaged again, and who knows how long it will take to get a repair crew back out here.”
Ira gave a hiss of disgust. “This was no random attack. The items destroyed are necessary to her work or her boys. Juliet’s most patient mare. The electronic lift. A new play space for the boys. The words of that note. All point to a very personal attack.”
His voice lowered. “I’ll wait to hear Doc Pickering’s verdict on the mare, but I’m betting all my money on that wound having been a deliberate attack, too.”
A short time later a battered truck wheezed up the driveway, emitting a trail of smoke and noise. A tall young man with a blond beard and sun-streaked hair in a ponytail stepped out and ambled into the barn, calling a greeting to Jackie and Ira.
“Hey, Teddy.” Jackie hurried forward to grasp the young man’s hand. “Ted Pickering, I’d like you to meet Griff Warren.”
“Bear MacKenzie’s other son?”
Griff nodded and offered a handshake. “That’s right. Nice to meet you, Dr. Pickering.”
“You’re the image of your father.”
Griff nodded. “I’ve heard that a time or two.”
The veterinarian looked around. “Where’s our wounded mare?”
Jackie jerked a shoulder toward the doorway. “I put her out in the corral. Figured you’d want to examine her in good light.”
“Great.” The young veterinarian nodded toward Griff and Ira before following Jackie to the corral.
Ira continued moving around the interior of the barn, snapping shots of things that caught his eye, and pausing to examine things that might prove to be clues.
When Dr. Pickering returned, his demeanor had changed from sunny to irate. “I can’t say for certain, Chief, but my guess is the mare was struck by a sharp instrument.” His voice betrayed his deep-seated anger. “Why would anyone want to harm an animal?”
“The same reason he wrote that message,” Ira said through gritted teeth.
The vet looked absolutely stunned as he read the words painted on the wall.
He turned to Jackie. “I’d like to ask permission of the owner to take the mare back with me so I can keep an eye on that wound. I wouldn’t want it to get infected.”
Jackie nodded. “I’ll take you up to the house and introduce you to Juliet Grayson.”
“Right. Buddy’s widow.” The doctor shook his head. “I’m sure she’s had enough to deal with. A shame she has to handle this, too.”
A short time later the veterinarian drove away with Princess loaded into a horse trailer hooked to the back of his truck.
When the dust settled, the chief turned to Griff with a look of grim resignation. “I’ve asked the state police to assist in stepping up the hunt for Mitch Cord. I’ve forwarded all the pictures I took. One of their crime units will be out here to check for clues and take whatever prints they find. In the meantime, I’ll have to a
sk Juliet and her boys to stay clear of the barn until later today, when the state boys have finished their work here.” He sighed. “What all this says to me is that Mitch Cord’s anger is now way out of control. This is a very dangerous situation.”
Griff and Jackie exchanged knowing looks, aware of the cloud of danger that hung over Juliet and her little boys.
“Thank you, Chief Pettigrew.” Juliet stood on the back porch while Casey and Ethan sat at the kitchen table, distracted by an unexpected snack of sliced peaches over ice cream. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
Ira watched as the state crime unit wrapped up their investigation and signaled that they were leaving. Then he turned back to Juliet. “I know I don’t have to remind you to take extra precautions until we find the son of a—” he paused “—until Mitch is safely behind bars.”
She gave a long, deep sigh. “I will.”
Jackie’s voice was stern. “I’ll be close by in the bunkhouse, Chief.” He turned to Juliet. “And I won’t be going home to my daughter’s until Mitch is caught.”
“That’s good news.” The chief turned to Juliet. “I know this isn’t easy, ma’am. But it won’t last forever.”
She held up a hand. “What worries me is that Mitch Cord seems to be very good at staying out of sight. Nobody has even caught a glimpse of him so far. What makes you think this time is different?”
“Because these are the acts of a desperate man. And often, when a man gets desperate, he gets careless. When he does, we’ll be ready for him.”
.She crossed her arms over her chest, and it was obvious that she was mulling the chief’s words.
To ease her concern, Griff said, “Until he’s caught, I’m staying, too.”
She turned to him with a shake of her head. “You have a life, Griff. And a family. You can’t just walk away from your own obligations to babysit me.”
He winked. “Maybe I like babysitting.” At her frown he merely grinned. “Okay. Maybe there’s another solution.” He turned to Ira. “Chief, is there a firm in town that offers round-the-clock security?”
Ira gave him a look that said he must be crazy to even ask such a question. “You’re talking about Copper Creek, son. The closest thing we have to a security firm is me. And I’m responsible for all the citizens, which means I can’t spend all my time protecting just one, even if I’d like to.”
Jackie chuckled. “You might find bodyguards and security companies in some big city like New York, but you’re not going to find something like that here in Montana. And especially not here in the middle of nowhere. In Copper Creek, we all look out for each other. We pride ourselves on taking care of our own.”
Griff turned to Juliet. “I guess you have your answer. It’s Jackie and me, or a big-city security firm, which would have to be imported since it doesn’t exist around these parts.”
Juliet stood tapping a foot on the wooden step. Finally she said softly, “I’ll admit that I’m terrified. But since I need to keep working if I intend to keep my ranch from foreclosure, I guess I’ll take whatever help I can get and try to stay on course with my life.”
Griff arched a brow and turned to the old man. “Looks like she’s decided to trust her safety to you and me, Jackie. We’re officially the Juliet Grayson security detail.”
“Creepers. I’m right proud to be on board, son.” Jackie clapped a hand on his shoulder as they exchanged smiles and handshakes.
They kept the jokes flowing as they trailed the police chief to his truck. Once they reached it, the jokes faded away, and they talked quietly about the seriousness of the situation looming before them.
Ira’s voice was pure ice. “See that one of you is with that little lady at all times until Mitch is found. The level of anger and violence in that barn has me really concerned for her safety.”
Griff nodded. “I’ll try to keep things light for the sake of her boys. But I think Juliet knows this is deadly serious.”
Jackie glanced toward his truck. “I intend to have a rifle at the ready while I’m handling chores. I’ll alert Cooper and the wranglers to do the same. And at night, I’ll have my weapon right beside the bed. Keep in mind, son, if you need me, I’ll be up to the house in a minute flat.”
The chief turned on the ignition and put his truck in gear. Through the open window he called, “Don’t take any chances. If you spot Mitch, call me right away. The state police have assured me they can have a copter here within half an hour.”
Griff met the chief’s dark gaze. “It only takes a second to fire a gun. If a man’s determined, he can find more than enough time to commit a crime and get clean away in half an hour.”
The chief nodded. “That’s why it’s so critical that the two of you keep that little lady and her two boys in your sight all the time until Mitch Cord is behind bars.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
After getting Ira’s permission from the state police to clean up the mess in the barn, Griff finished painting over the last of the red letters, running the long-handled roller vertically and then horizontally, until there was no trace of red bleeding through the fresh layer of paint.
It wouldn’t do for two little boys to see something this hideous on their barn. Even if they didn’t understand the words, they would have plenty of questions about what the words were and what they meant.
What sort of sick mind would do such a thing to a woman like Juliet?
A woman like Juliet. Griff stood back, allowing those words to play through his mind.
She’d been through so much. And yet, for all her pain, she spent her days trying to help others who were suffering.
What kind of creep would call her a whore?
It came to him instantly. An out-of-control angry man. A man who wanted her for himself. A man who might have fantasized that he could persuade or take her by force, and now had to come to grips with the fact that he could never have her, because too many people had rallied around her to keep her safe.
When Griff’s cell phone rang he plucked it from his shirt pocket and studied the caller identification before greeting his grandfather. “Hey, Mad. Sorry I haven’t called today. I’ve been distracted. Something happened here last night.”
As quickly as possible he described what had occurred, and answered the old man’s rapid-fire questions.
“Yeah. Ira’s been here.…No. There’s been no sign of Mitch yet. But I think with the state police assisting, it shouldn’t be too long before he’s in custody.…I won’t be coming home. I told Ira I’d be staying here until this is put to rest.…Don’t you worry. We’re not alone. Jackie will be staying in the bunkhouse. He’s up in the hills right now, conferring with Cooper and the wranglers on the best way for everyone to pull together and keep Juliet safe.”
He paused to listen before saying, “That would be great, Mad. I know Juliet would appreciate anything you can do.” He listened again before adding, “You know I’ll keep you and the family up on the latest as it happens.”
When he rang off he turned with a thoughtful look. Content that he’d completely obliterated any trace of the hateful words, he made his way to the house.
The bus rolled up the driveway at its usual time. Seeing it, Juliet raced down the steps of the house, trailed by her two sons, to alert the men on the bus of the change in plans before they began the difficult and time-consuming task of disembarking.
Through the open driver’s window she shouted, “Heywood, I told you not to come today. Weren’t you listening?”
Instead of responding he threw the switch that lowered the hydraulic platform, and when it reached ground level, Jimmy Gable rolled his wheelchair free.
“Hey, Juliet. Hey, Casey and Ethan.” His face was wreathed in smiles before he looked beyond them to call, “Hey, Captain. Nice to see you here.”
“You, too, Jimmy.” Griff walked closer. “I’m surprised to see you, though.”
“Why is that?” Jimmy moved his chair aside as the platform lower
ed, depositing Hank Wheeler.
“The lift suffered some damage in last night’s storm.” Griff shot a warning look at Juliet, alerting her that he had decided a white lie was simpler than explaining the truth.
“Hey, that’s really awful. And after just getting it repaired.” Jimmy shook his head. “I wish I’d known sooner. I had a chance to win a big jackpot at today’s poker playoff over at Wylie’s.”
As the platform deposited Billy Joe Harris, Juliet gave a hiss of annoyance. “I phoned Heywood and told him not to come.”
Just then the platform returned to the back of the bus, where Heywood positioned his scooter and waited his turn to be lowered to the ground.
“Why’d you drag us out here, Sperry?” Hank Wheeler demanded.
Heywood grinned. “You got something better to do?”
“I don’t know about Hank.” Jimmy showed a rare flash of anger. “But you knew I wanted to be in that poker tournament today.”
“Shut up, you freakin’ crybaby.” Sperry shook his fist in Jimmy’s face before grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him close. Through gritted teeth he said, “When you asked to join the Romeos, I told you who was leader. I spelled out the rules of the game. You do what I tell you or else.”
Juliet crossed her arms over her chest. “What we do here isn’t just a game. And what kind of leader would bring these men all this way, knowing the lift was out of commission?”
“The Supreme Commander, that’s who.” He looked her up and down before giving her a lazy smile. “Maybe I just felt like taking a long, scenic drive in the country. And now, I’m enjoying the scenery here even more.” He turned to Griff. “I hope you’re on your way home, cowboy.”
Griff leaned against the side of the bus. “Who says I’m leaving? Maybe I’m already home.”
He watched Sperry’s smile dissolve into a snarl of anger which he turned on Juliet. “Okay, so your precious lift is out of commission. That doesn’t mean we can’t do some other stuff. When I was in the VA hospital, they used to massage my back and arms. I wouldn’t mind having you try a little of that.”