by Paty Jager
Shandra could have kissed him for changing the subject.
***
After dinner, Coop and Andy roared off in Coop’s pickup, Ryan and Uncle Martin went in the living room to watch football, and Shandra stood at the sink helping Aunt Jo with dishes.
“What’s on your mind?” Aunt Jo asked.
“How did my father and mother get along?” Shandra wanted to know if her mother’s hatred of her father was sudden or smoldered for four years.
“At first, they seemed like all newlyweds. Stayed to themselves until you were born. Then Edward headed back out on the rodeo circuit, and no matter how hard he tried to make Celeste stay home with you, she’d pack you up and haul you around to all the rodeos with him.” Aunt Jo pulled her hands out of the soapy water and faced Shandra. “To be honest, I don’t know why they stayed married. You were the only thing they had in common.”
Shandra ignored the burning behind her eyes. “I have reason to believe my mother gave father the painkillers that made him unable to ride Loco.”
Aunt Jo wrapped her arms around Shandra and held her tight. When Shandra felt she could hold herself together, she drew away from Aunt Jo. “Ryan and I will confront her tomorrow. But all we have is Jessie seeing her give father a hamburger, Mother being with Adam at the time of the accident, and then hiding out at her parents’ house until marrying Adam.” Shandra felt stronger lining up what they did know.
“Your father and you deserve closure,” Aunt Jo said.
“I know.” She peered into her aunt’s eyes. “The sad part is, I can see Mother doing it to get what she wanted—Adam.”
***
The next day Shandra said good-bye to Aunt Jo and Uncle Martin at dawn. The plan was to make a stop in Warner to allow Ryan to get more clothing and check in with Cathleen about more information he’d asked her to gather. After that they’d stop at Shandra’s to check in with Lil and make sure she was making out okay. Then, without calling, they planned to drive to the Malcolm Ranch and confront her mother.
Ryan’s phone rang as they entered Warner.
“Greer,” Ryan answered. He immediately pulled the Jeep over and hit speaker on his phone.
“Go ahead, Sgt. Quinn,” he said, holding the phone between them.
Shandra clasped her hands together hoping this was information that would help them.
“We couldn’t get the P.I. to give up his client, but we had someone go through his phone. And a couple of the numbers made me curious.”
“How so?” Ryan asked.
“They were from Montana. Both phones registered to the same account. M Ranch.”
Even though she knew deep down her mother had killed her father, hearing the police gather information that confirmed it, stabbed her heart.
“Can you text me the days and times of the calls?” Ryan asked.
“I can. This M Ranch is—”
“We know who owns the M Ranch,” Ryan cut in. “Thank you for confirming our suspicions.”
Ryan cut the call off and turned to her. “Are you okay?”
“My mother and stepfather, people who have watched me grow, sent a private investigator to follow me.” Her heart started racing. “Do you think they said to harm me?” They had both been cold during her childhood, but could they have wanted her dead?
Ryan leaned over and hugged her. “I think they had us followed to see how much we were learning.”
“We know it all, now,” she said, pressing her cheek against his shoulder.
“We do. Come on. I’ll stop and get more clothes, we’ll go to your house to check on Lil and get all our facts lined out.” He released her and peered into her eyes. “It wouldn’t hurt to get everything we’ve learned mapped out and confront your mother tomorrow. We’re both tired today and need to gather all the facts before we accuse her, or your stepfather, of anything.”
Shandra didn’t mind putting off accusing her mother of killing her father for a day. Once they went over all the facts, she hoped to be able to look at it with less emotion. Heaven knew, she’d learned to hide her emotions well over the years.
“I like that idea.” She settled into her seat, and Ryan pulled the Jeep back onto the road.
While they were at Ryan’s, Cathleen called. Ryan hung up from talking to her and said, “Change of plans. We’re meeting Cathleen at the bake shop down the block from the Sheriff’s Office. She has hard copies of all the info we’ve gathered. It will help to have it with us when we confront your mom.”
Shandra nodded. “When do we meet Cathleen?”
“In an hour. She’ll come during her lunch break.” Ryan nodded to the door. “Come on. I need to do some more Christmas shopping. We can hit a couple stores on the way to the bakery.”
Shandra shrugged. It would help keep her mind off what was about to happen. She had her presents bought. Chew toys for Sheba, catnip for Lewis, a new purple scarf and slippers for Lil, and treats for the horses. She glanced at Ryan. He might be at her house for Christmas this year. I should get a present for Ryan.
They climbed into the Jeep and drove to downtown Warner. Ryan parked and they walked hand in hand along the street peering in shops until Ryan stopped at one. “That would be perfect for my niece.” His face lit up at the mention of his niece.
From their conversations she knew he coveted family. He had a wonderful family, one that loved him unconditionally. And she… well, her family consisted of liars and murderers.
Ella came to mind. Not all her family, only the one side. Instead of dwelling on what she was about to lose, she needed to dwell on what she was gaining—A large family who loved her.
Chapter Thirty-one
The day was giving way to night by the time they drove up the drive to Shandra’s place. Ryan had kept the conversation with Cathleen light and kept their shopping trip happy and carefree. All that they’d learned and was about to go down had to be weighing on Shandra.
The Christmas lights twinkled on the front of the house, studio, and barn. “I like the lights,” Ryan said.
“I can’t take any credit. Lil put them up.” The awe in Shandra’s voice said she underestimated the woman as much as he did.
“Well, she did a great job.” Ryan stopped in front of the house. “We’ll take the bags in, and I’ll put the Jeep in the barn.”
“I can take the bags.” Shandra grabbed the handles on both bags and stepped out of the Jeep.
“Be in soon.” Ryan drove the Jeep to the barn, opened the doors, and drove the vehicle to its usual spot.
He noted the light on under the door of Lil’s room. It wouldn’t hurt to get her up to speed on what was happening. Just in case this all hit Shandra after he was back at work.
Ryan knocked on the door. No answer. He lifted the latch and opened the door slowly, fearful of the barn door being open and the cat getting out again. “Lil?” He slipped in and discovered Lewis curled up on the bed and no Lil. “Is she in the house?” he asked the cat.
Lewis raised his head, winked, and closed both eyes, lowering his head back down.
“I’ll take that as a, ‘yes.’”
Ryan exited the room and headed to the barn door. The horses nickered. In the growing darkness, he couldn’t see if they’d been fed or not. Lil would take care of it when she returned. He closed the barn doors and headed to the back door of the house. Three feet from the door, he wondered why Sheba hadn’t greeted them.
***
Shandra entered the house with her backpack and Ryan’s duffel. She dropped both on the floor, wondering why Sheba hadn’t greeted her.
“Sheba!” she called. Whimpering and scratching came from her bedroom. Why would Lil lock Sheba in the bedroom? She started across the great room.
“Don’t let that dog out,” ordered a voice that had stopped her heart more times than she could count growing up.
She pivoted toward the voice. Standing in the shadowed corner was her stepfather.
“What are you doing here?” she asked,
scanning him for any sign of a weapon.
“You never did invite us here after you purchased this place with money that should have went to your mother.” Adam stepped out of the shadow, his hands in the pockets of his coat.
“Where’s Lil?” Shandra asked, fearing for her friend.
“She’s locked up as a crazy person should be.” A lopsided smile flickered on Adam’s chiseled features before the glint in his eyes took away all sense of mirth.
“If you hurt her…”
“You’ll what? Turn me into your boyfriend?” Adam said the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
“Why are you here?” She had a suspicion it was to make sure she didn’t pry anymore. But how far would he go? He’d murdered once already.
“To make sure you stop hounding your mother about Edward’s accident.” He motioned for her to sit on the couch.
The last place she wanted to be was sitting. At least on her feet she could make a run for a door. And Ryan would be entering the house soon. She wanted to be able to help him if she could.
“We both know my father’s death wasn’t an accident.” She wasn’t going to let him think for one minute she believed that anymore.
“You are the only one who believes that. And another little accident will take care of that problem.” Adam pulled several of her scarves out of his pocket. “Sit in that chair,” he pointed to a wooden-backed, dining room chair that was set close to the fireplace.
“What if I refuse?” She crossed her arms. Stalling would give time for Ryan to come to the house and see what was going on.
Adam took three steps toward her. Before she could raise an arm to ward off the blow, he struck her hard. Her knees buckled. He caught her and carried her over to the chair, placing her on the wooden seat.
“You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to do that to you when you’d give me that look,” he said, tying her hands behind the chair back with a scarf and using the others to tie her legs to the chair legs.
The stars cleared and Shandra found her wits. “I’m surprised you worried about Mother getting angry with you. I would have thought since you both killed my father she wouldn’t have cared if you abused me.” The words came out as harsh and rash as she felt.
Adam grabbed her by the chin. “You were the one reminder I couldn’t get rid of. Not without losing the one thing I wanted most.” He shook his head. “I never understood why she didn’t leave you with Edward’s family. She’d planned to get an abortion when she found out her little spat with me caused her to become pregnant by an Indian.” Adam spat the word Indian as if it had a vile taste. “Edward’s busybody old mother put some notion in Celeste’s head that she’d have nothing but bad luck if she aborted you.”
Adam paced around her chair. “We belonged together. Celeste and I. Just because I was held up that night and Dicky had to go and rough her up, which she said was my fault for not being there, and Edward, the good little Indian boy, saved her, she slept with him out of gratitude and anger with me.” He slammed his fist into the rock fireplace but didn’t even wince. “I tried for four years to get her to divorce Edward. She didn’t love him, she loved me. She came to the rodeos to be with me. But she always had you with her. I convinced her to leave you with your aunt the day of your father’s accident. That I had a wonderful time planned for the two of us and you were getting to old to take a nap while we made love.”
Shandra’s insides recoiled knowing she’d been taking a nap as a child while her mother committed adultery with another man. It sickened her. But she held her tongue. Adam’s wide wild eyes and pacing proved he was getting it all out.
“I talked my father into exchanging Loco for whatever horse he drew for Edward. My father complained all the time that it wasn’t right, Edward seemed to always draw the best bucking horses.” Adam stopped and stared at her. “When you started riding, I could see you had horse sense too.” He shook his head. “Damned Indian blood. It wasn’t hard to get Dicky, who hated your father, to crush up his pills and put them on a burger. I knew he wouldn’t accept anything from Dicky or I, so I suggested your mother give it to Edward. A way to make amends for the afternoon we were going to spend together.”
Shandra swirled the information around in her mind. Her mother was an innocent pawn in the whole thing. I jumped to the conclusion Mother had set him up. Shame rushed through her in a hot wave.
A click shook her loose from her thoughts.
Adam opened the glass front on the propane fireplace. He reached underneath and started filling the room with gas. “It’s a shame this nice house has to be sacrificed for your death.”
Ryan stepped into the room from the kitchen hallway. “Malcolm, put your hands in the air.” He raised a revolver, aiming it at Adam.
Adam laughed. “I knew you had to be around here somewhere. This makes it easier.” He ducked behind the couch.
Shandra tried not to breathe in the gas as she struggled with loosening her hands. Ryan ran over to her, he pocketed his gun, and started untying her hands.
“Ryan!” She saw Adam too late to warn Ryan.
Adam slammed a heavy piece for pottery over Ryan’s head, knocking him to his knees.
She watched in horror as Adam ran toward the hallway. He would get away, and he’d kill them.
She heard something hit the floor and a grunt.
“I got him!” Lil called.
Ryan shoved to his feet. Blood trickled down the side of his head. He pulled out a knife and sliced through the scarves. “Sorry. Get the gas off and open the windows. I’ll take care of Malcolm.”
Shandra covered her mouth and nose with a scarf and turned off the gas, then she opened all the windows and the door in the living room.
Ryan shoved a cuffed Adam down the hallway toward her. Lil swung along on her crutches behind them a huge grin on her face.
“What happened?” Shandra asked, giving the woman a hug.
“Don’t tell her yet. I want to hear too, but I need to call and get a car over here.” Ryan started talking on his phone as the house grew colder and colder.
Shandra placed Lil on the couch with a blanket, went to her room and let Sheba out, who immediately ran over to Adam and growled. He must not have treated her too well when locking her in the bedroom.
Shandra pulled on a sweater and a sweatshirt and hurried to the kitchen to open more windows and heat up water in an electric hotpot. She didn’t want to chance any flames until she was certain the gas was all out of the house. With a pot of tea and some cookies, she returned to the great room.
“Where’s Adam?” she asked, seeing Ryan sitting in the chair next to the couch, scratching Sheba.
Ryan nodded to a chair in the corner she’d cleared out to put the Christmas tree she and Ryan planned to cut. Adam had one of the scarves in his mouth and one leg handcuffed to the chair leg. He scowled and had a nice bruise forming on his forehead.
“Tell us what happened?” Shandra said, handing Lil a cup of tea.
“That idjit locked me in the bathroom. That’s a pretty simple lock. I had it picked within minutes of him locking me up, but thought it best to not let him know. I heard you come in and couldn’t think of the best way to help. I move too slow with this cast and crutches. Then I heard this one,” she pointed a thumb at Ryan, “come down the hall and figured I could come out.” She shook her head. “I had the door open when I heard him bungle it. So I got on my knees in front of the doorway and got my crutch ready and when that one,” she nodded to Adam, “came running up the hall, I stuck the crutch out and tripped him. Then I sat on his back.”
Lil smiled a big smile showing off the couple of missing teeth she had.
Shandra hugged her, cautious of the cup of tea. “I’m glad you weren’t harmed and could help.”
Ryan frowned. “I didn’t want to shoot him not knowing how long he’d had the gas releasing into the house. When he ducked behind the couch, I wanted to get you free to get out of here before I pursued
him. Never expected him to come at me. I thought he’d just toss a match.”
“I guess he wanted to make sure you couldn’t get away either,” Shandra said.
The shrill ring of a police car started Sheba howling.
Shandra laughed then sobered. It would be best if she called her mother and told her what had happened to her husband.
Chapter Thirty-two
Shandra placed the last plate on the table and stopped to stare at the Christmas tree. Her heart sang with happiness remembering traipsing out into the woods with Ryan, their snowball fight, and bringing in the tree. They’d drank wine and decorated the tree that night.
It was Christmas Eve. Ryan and her mother were coming for dinner and to open presents. And tomorrow, her heart raced, she’d agreed to have Christmas dinner with Ryan’s family. It was a huge step in their relationship. Having her mother for dinner tonight was a huge step in their relationship.
The call she’d made after the deputies hauled Adam away and she, Ryan, and Lil gave their statements, had been the hardest call she’d ever had to make. And hoped she’d never have to do again. Since that night, she’d talked to her mother every day, making sure she was handling the stress and the M Ranch that was now her concern, since she and Adam didn’t have any heirs and Adam didn’t have any siblings.
Lil hobbled in from the kitchen. “This place looks festive. Even more than when Pappy and Grandma lived here.”
“I’m glad you approve. Would you let my guests in as they arrive? I have a couple more things to tend to in the kitchen.” Shandra headed for the kitchen.
“You do set a mean table,” Lil said in response.
Shandra smiled. It had been a long time since she’d entertained, and never here. That it was Christmas Eve and she’d be surrounded by people she cared for made the event more special.
Sheba barked two separate times. That meant her guests had arrived. Shandra was pulling the roast out of the oven when Ryan walked in carrying a bottle of her favorite wine.