“No, I don’t think the man even realizes when a woman is coming on to him. Too focused on his work.”
“Garrett was like that when he had a tough case. Maybe when this Petrov trial is over you can catch his attention.”
Laura grinned. “May not have to.”
Rebecca twisted in her saddle. “Why not?”
“I met a man yesterday when I went to see Grandpa.”
“How old is this man?”
“He isn’t a resident at the nursing home. He was volunteering there. And he certainly isn’t old. In fact, he’s younger than I am.”
“How much younger?”
Laura shrugged. “I didn’t ask. Age has nothing to do with a relationship.”
“In other words, no comments about cougars.”
“You’re brilliant. Jim said to Vinnie he would be back for a rematch of checkers on Tuesday evening. I think I’ll visit Grandpa then. Is it okay if I leave work a little early that day?”
“Since you usually stay late most nights, I don’t see why not. But on one condition: you tell me what happens on Tuesday with this Jim.”
“No comments if you see me wear a new dress Tuesday.”
“Mum’s the word.” Rebecca zipped her fingers across her lips and twisted her hand.
“That I’ve got to see. You being quiet.”
“I like your taste in clothes. I live vicariously through you. I never have time to go shopping, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.”
“I don’t know how you do everything and still have time to take your novice law clerk on a tour of the ranch.” As Laura turned more fully toward Rebecca, she shielded her eyes with her hand.
The sun slanted across the pasture and was almost down behind the hills to the west. The terrain glowed with a golden hue. Rebecca sighed. “I wish I could come out here every day. But with the trial, visiting Thomas, and taking care of the girls, there’s no extra time during weekdays. The weekends aren’t going to be too much better. The longer Thomas stays in the hospital, the more trouble the girls have understanding why their daddy hasn’t come home. When I take them to see Thomas, Aubrey gets upset that her daddy can’t talk to her and Kim is super quiet. But Tory has been a trooper. She spends hours with Thomas every day. She’s hardly at the ranch.”
Laura nodded toward Ranger Parker. “How does she feel about having this place patrolled by Texas Rangers and deputies?”
“She refuses to believe that anything other than an acciddent happened to him and she’s right. Thomas is well liked. There are no disgruntled ex-employees or people he’s swindled in a business deal. He’s one of the good guys.”
“How do you feel about all of this?”
Rebecca studied Texas Ranger Parker and Brody. “We’re being guarded by the Texas Rangers and the U.S. Marshals. They are splitting the duties. Brody insisted on it, and Foster agreed. At least I know Brody. That makes this bearable.”
Brody reined in his horse next to Rebecca. “Are you ready to head back? I think we’ve left Dad and Hattie alone long enough. He’s trying to talk her into baking his favorite pie for him.”
“I thought she refused because of his diet.” Rebecca turned her horse in a half circle, facing home—the ranch house, stables, and barn visible in the distance.
“That isn’t going to stop him from trying.”
“I need to leave. It’s almost an hour back to my apartment, and tomorrow will be a big day.” Laura spurred her horse into a trot and caught up with Kim and Aubrey.
Smooth, Rebecca thought. She knew exactly what her friend was doing. Leaving her alone with Brody.
“What’s happening tomorrow?”
“The prosecutor has left the main witnesses to last. He wants to leave an impact on the jury. The first one testifies tomorrow.”
“I’ll be picking you up tomorrow. I should have some tests back by then. I’ve been promised the DNA results on the finger.”
“Having the governor involved does help get results back a lot faster than usual.”
“Yeah, it’s gonna spoil me on my next case.”
His cowboy hat shaded his eyes, but she felt them taking in every inch of her face. The memory of the kiss edged its way into her mind. She pushed it away. “Any progress IDing the man in the alley?”
“Yes, he’s from back east, New Jersey. Peter Ivanov. No arrests or record, but the police are delving a bit deeper into the man’s life. He wasn’t a tourist looking for Sea World.”
“A hit man?”
“Probably. Possibly a new one. He was only twenty-three. Before we’re through, we’re going to know everything about him.”
“Have I told you thank you lately?”
“Not in the past few hours.”
She smiled at him, their pace slowing while the others rode ahead. “I know you didn’t want us to go for a ride, but the girls need to do some of the things they are used to doing, and besides, I wanted some fresh air.”
“And to show Laura the ranch.”
“Yes, she’s been here before, but she’s never gone for a ride. I was thrilled she came to church this morning.”
“I thought you were angry with God.”
“Angry might be too harsh a word. Not sure what’s going on is more like it.”
“Honing your faith.”
“You think?” She had to admit this last week had made her rethink her faith, which she had been taking for granted.
“When I’ve gone through difficulties, I find my faith deepening. Sometimes that’s the only way I can get through the problems.”
She had weathered her husband and father’s deaths and had come out still believing, but was she really putting her trust in the Lord to be there for her when she needed Him? Had she put God in the center of her grieving—was He the one she depended on to get her through it? No, not really. Instead, she’d thrown herself into her work to the point of not even taking vacation time. As though she was afraid to be by herself to think about what she was really feeling. “You’ve never questioned your faith?”
“Yes. I think most people do at one time or another, but without the Lord what do I really have? He hasn’t caused the problems. We do. But He’s there for us.”
“So my anger should be directed at the people causing all the troubles—the Russian Mafia, the Dos Huesos Cruzados Gang, the cattle rustlers.”
“Anger is definitely a stage we go through in dealing with our problems, but hopefully not the last one.”
“Are you angry at the person who put the bomb in your car?”
His eyebrows rose. “I haven’t had time to think about it. I’ve been busy lately.” He cocked his head. “I guess I feel more inconvenienced. I have to get a new car. And it’s another aspect of everything going on that has to be investigated. It makes me wonder what the point was behind the bombing. I’m just one person on the task force. I certainly don’t feel close to breaking the case. Killing me would only intensify the investigation into both groups. So why the bomb?”
“Maybe you should ask Alexandrov and Serpiente.”
“I think I’ll pay them another visit this week. We do know that whoever delivered the dead flowers to Thomas probably put the bomb in my car—at least they were the same build, height, and wearing the same color and type of ball cap. Also bold.”
“I know this week will be the turning point in the trial. The prosecutor will make his case or not with his two witnesses.”
“We’re tightening security around everyone involved. Including you.”
“Meaning?”
“I’ll be by your side, or Randall will. We’re increasing the security around you. You’ll have very little privacy.”
“I’ll be glad when this trial is over. I value my privacy.” Riding into the yard in front of the stables, Rebecca halted Angel Fire. She didn’t want the girls to overhear any of their conversation about what was going on with her or with Thomas. “But I’m afraid it may be weeks before it ends.”
�
�Then we’ll deal with it while putting pressure on both groups.”
“I feel that, whether Thomas’s injury was an accident or not, my job has put him in jeopardy. He would never have received those dead flowers if I hadn’t been the judge on this trial. What if the cattle rustling is also a direct result of this trial? Just another way for the Russian Mafia to harass me?”
“I can’t answer your question about the cattle rustling. Dad tells me the cattle have been secure since Jake has made the changes. Nothing else has happened since the two incidents—the one at your ranch and at your neighbor’s.”
“I’m having Jake run a head count on our herd. I’ve wondered if we’ve lost smaller amounts that wouldn’t be obvious without checking numbers.”
“That’s good. When will you know?”
“Your dad and Jake were working on it yesterday and today with the cowhands. It’s quite an undertaking.” As is everything on the Petrov trial.
“Dad didn’t mention it to me. But now that I think about it, he has been unaccounted for a lot this weekend. I don’t want him overextended.”
“I told Jake that. He’ll make sure your dad doesn’t do too much. But did you know he’s eager to help? I think that’s a good thing.” Rebecca urged her horse toward the entrance to the stables.
“Are you telling me not to worry about my dad?”
She threw a glance over her shoulder. “I wouldn’t presume to do that. I know you’ll worry no matter what I say. That comes with loving someone.” The second she said that last sentence she realized how much she worried about Brody. I can love a friend. That’s all this is.
As Rebecca dismounted and one of the cowhands took Angel Fire for her, Jake and Sean emerged from the stables, where Jake had his office. Their sober expressions didn’t bode well for her.
“We’re missing more head than we know were taken by the cattle rustlers?” Her heart sank as Jake nodded. “How many?”
“Another hundred and twenty spread out over all the different herds. The most are missing from the herds on the fringes of the ranch. A couple from the herds that had been kept closer to the ranch house.”
“When did we do the last count?”
“Middle of the summer. Two months ago.”
“So we’ve lost over two hundred head. With the price of beef, that’s quite a loss. Call the other ranchers and let them know. It may have happened to them.” Or not. If it hadn’t, the implication was that the Circle S Ranch was the main target.
Jake went back into his office, leaving Sean, Brody, and Rebecca facing one another. Rebecca’s two nieces ran toward the house, dragging Laura with them. Ranger Parker was right behind them.
“What if it’s only this ranch?” Rebecca finally asked out loud. “Only one neighbor has been rustled besides us.”
With a grimace, Sean pivoted and started for the office.
“Dad, why don’t we go up to the house and wait for Jake to make those calls? It’ll take a while and even then we still won’t know much.”
Sean stopped, his shoulders lifting and then falling as if he’d taken a breath to compose himself. “Sure. I am tired.”
The pale cast to Sean’s features worried Rebecca. Seeing Brody’s expression corroborated her concern. She looped her arm through the older man’s and together they headed toward the main house. “I know what you mean. We were supposed to rest this weekend. It hasn’t turned out quite like that. I plan to go to sleep early tonight.” She slowed her step to keep pace with Sean.
“But not until I’ve had Hattie’s prime rib roast. She said she was fixing that tonight. I’ve been thinking all day about that.” Sean gave her a smile that didn’t linger on his face.
Rebecca squeezed his arm. “I know—it melts in your mouth. After that ride, I’m starved. How about you?” she asked Brody, who was very quiet as he walked beside Sean, his intense gaze fixed on his father.
“Sure,” Brody mumbled.
“After that, I thought I would take a ride in my car alone. Okay, Brody?”
“Sure.”
“Brody Calhoun, you weren’t listening to a word I said.”
He blinked. “Sure I was. You’re hungry.”
She shook her head. “Sean, do you care to tell your son what he agreed I could do?”
“My pleasure. After dinner, Rebecca is going for a ride by herself. In her car.”
“Okay. I wasn’t listening as carefully as I should have been.” Brody halted at the back entrance into the kitchen and rounded on his father. “You don’t look good. When you get inside, you should lie down until dinner. I don’t want to hear—”
“Sure.”
“a word about how you’re not . . . What did you say?”
“I agree. I’m tired. Lying down sounds like a good plan. That’s what you do when you’re tired.”
Sean trudged up the steps and went into the house, heading straight for the hallway. At the entrance to the kitchen, he released Rebecca’s arm. “Thanks, my dear, for escorting this old man into the house. I appreciate it.” He leaned down and gave her a peck on the cheek. Pulling back, he drew in a deep breath. “Ah, what a wonderful aroma. Hattie, you sure know how to tease a man.”
The housekeeper paused in stirring something in a pan on the stove. “Flattery will get you far. An extra slice for you tonight, Sean Calhoun.”
He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. You’ve twisted my arm. I’ll eat a second piece.”
As he shuffled down the hallway toward the downstairs bedroom, Rebecca exchanged a look with Brody. “Go ahead and check on him.”
He took off after his father, who turned around and grumbled at his son, but kept walking to his room.
Hattie crossed the kitchen. “Is he okay?”
“I think he overdid it today.”
“I knew it. I tried to tell him earlier, but he wouldn’t listen to me. Men. Don’t they know women know best?”
“I don’t think so.” Rebecca walked to the sink and washed her hands. “Can I help you?”
The scent of the prime rib vied with the aroma of garlic and onions simmering in butter in a large skillet. “What else are we having?”
“Zucchini and yellow squash along with rice and—”
The back door opened, and Jake entered. “I’m not sure if you’ll consider this bad news or good news. All but two ranches told me they made a count of their cattle when the rustling started. No cows are missing. The other two will get back to me. But it’s looking like we’re the main target.”
“Jake, you want to join us for dinner?” Rebecca asked.
“You don’t have to ask twice. Where’s Brody?”
“With his dad. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
After she told Brody about what Jake had found out, she needed to rescue Laura from Kim and Aubrey. The door to Sean’s bedroom was open. Rebecca stepped into the entrance to catch Brody’s attention.
He walked back toward the doorway. “I’ll be sure to get you.”
Sean stretched out on his bed. “If you forget, you’ll have me to answer to.”
“I know. That’s why I won’t forget.” Brody shut the door and turned to face Rebecca. “I wanted to make sure he’d taken his medicine. When he gets busy, he doesn’t.”
“Had he?”
“He said he has.”
“Jake’s in the kitchen. It looks like we’re really the only ranch affected, except for one neighbor. So why would we be deliberately targeted? I’m starting to think this might be connected to Thomas’s accident.”
“He has an enemy? A rival ranch? Someone he’s ticked off?”
“We’ve gone through this. It doesn’t make sense. Our neighbors aren’t like that.”
“That you know.”
“What are you implying?”
Brody kneaded the back of his neck. “I don’t know. Something else is going on here.”
“I’m getting a headache. How do you do it with your cases—try to outthink people?”
The corn
ers of his mouth tilted upward. “I’ve had a headache since yesterday.”
Reaching up, she rubbed his temples. “A car bombing will do that to you. I thought you were better this morning.”
“I’m better than I was yesterday, but—”
The door to Sean’s room opened. He appeared in the small gap, clutching the doorframe. “I’m not feeling too well, Son. My chest hurts. I thought if I lay down I’d be better, but the pain isn’t going away.”
Brody rushed toward his dad. “Rebecca, call 911.”
11
Brody came out of the room where his father was being treated in the ER. “It’s indigestion. This time,” he clipped out tersely.
Rebecca leaned back against the wall across from the room. “They ran all the tests they needed to?”
“Yes.” He glanced toward the sliding glass doors into the hospital, darkness greeting him. “You need to get some rest. It’s going to be morning before you realize it. They’ll be releasing Dad in a few minutes.”
“Before we leave, I’d like to go up and see Thomas.”
“It’s three in the morning.”
“He’s in a coma. I don’t think it’s going to disturb him. I may not get back later today. If I only get a few hours of sleep, I may not be in any shape to do anything other than to go to the ranch and go to bed early tonight after the trial.”
He caressed her cheek with the back of his forefinger, his gaze searing her. “You shouldn’t have come with me.”
“And have you come by yourself? No.” She captured his hand and held it cupped between her two palms. His touch distracted her. “I don’t know where I would be right now if you hadn’t come back into my life. You have made the past week bearable.”
“I aim to please, ma’am. So while they’re finishing up with Dad, let’s go see Thomas.” As Brody strode to the elevator and punched the up button, he tried to forget the near panic he’d experienced when his father had clutched his chest earlier, pain etched into his face. He didn’t want to lose his father. Since he’d come back home, their relationship had deepened, although they certainly had their differences of opinion, mostly on how his dad should take better care of himself.
On the ride to the fourth floor, he propped himself against the back wall of the elevator, tired enough to sleep standing up if given half a chance. Normally, he welcomed a challenge in a case, a test of his abilities, but not this one. Too much was at stake. The lives of people he cared about were in jeopardy. Especially Rebecca.
Scorned Justice: The Men of Texas Rangers Series #3 (Men of the Texas Rangers) Page 13