by Carolina Mac
“How’d you get off so easy, Carlos?” asked Fletcher.
“I hit them first,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s all in the timing.”
Blacky’s cell rang and it was Lopez.
“Lieutenant, que pasa?”
“Got another one of those freaky maybes for you. Want to take a look?”
“Let me write down the address.”
Lil pushed her yellow pad in front of Blaine and handed him her Sharpie.
“Go.” Blaine said to Lopez and scribbled down the information. “I’ve got it. Twenty minutes or less.”
“What’s twenty minutes?” asked Farrell. “My waffles ain’t ready.”
“Eat your waffles, then go to headquarters and do your paperwork from yesterday. Take it easy today. You can catch up with us later.”
Farrell tried to smile. “Thanks, bro.”
Windsor Park Area. Austin.
THE STREET was clogged with media vans and police vehicles. A narrow street in the east end of the city with small bungalows on both sides. Lower income neighborhood but not a slum. The lawns were cut, there was no garbage. No wild dogs.
Yellow tape wrapped the front door and the first thing Blaine noticed was the wheelchair ramp. He shook his head fearing the worst. “Aw, come on.”
“Split up and start on the neighbors,” he said to Fletcher, Carlos and Luke. “A handicapped person lives here, so maybe a couple of the neighbors help out. Somebody knows her, and somebody saw something.” He headed for the door and called over his shoulder, “Take good notes.”
The victim’s tiny house was crowded with police personal. The first thing Blaine noticed was the mess. Nothing like the first two scenes where nothing was disturbed. He waited for an opening, then made his way into the kitchen/sitting room combination where the victim had been removed from her wheelchair and placed in a body bag.
The Medical Examiner’s assistant, Tim, was zipping her up and said, “Nothing that I noticed, Blaine. No blood. Have to wait for the autopsy.”
“Okay,” said Blaine. “I wasn’t expecting anything.”
“Think it was a robbery?” asked Lopez. “Bit of a mess in here, and all through the house. They were looking for something.”
“What would a woman like this have that would get her killed?” asked Blaine. “There’s nothing in this whole house worth more than a hundred bucks. Makes no sense.”
“Murder never makes sense,” said Lopez.
Fletch was at the door giving Blaine a hand signal.
“Yeah, got something?”
“Across the road, the lady saw something. You might want to talk to her.”
“Yep, let’s do it.”
Blaine and Fletcher crossed the street ignoring the dozens of questions the media people were hurling at Blaine. The neighbor stood on her porch watching the activity across the road.
“Deputy Bowden said you saw someone, ma’am?”
“I did, but I’m not sure if it means anything.”
“Tell me what you saw,” said Blaine. “Anything at all. It doesn’t matter how small.”
“First I saw a car parking down the street and the reason I noticed was the person seemed to be having trouble parking. You know, backing up and trying to get close to the curb and that sort of thing—like maybe they weren’t a good driver?”
“Uh huh. Or maybe they didn’t drive very often,” said Blaine.
“Once she got parked and got out of the car, I saw it was a woman.”
“A woman?” asked Blaine. “Okay, go ahead.”
“Well I’m not a snoopy neighbor but I was watching her by this time and I saw her go around the side of Sandra’s house. Then she came around the front, went up the ramp and in the front door.”
“But first she went around the back?” asked Blaine.
“I don’t know why she wouldn’t go to the front door first, do you?”
“Nope,” said Blaine. “No idea. Did she knock on the door?”
“I don’t think so. She just went in.”
“Did you see her come out?”
“No, I’m sorry. I was busy making dinner then.”
“Dinner,” said Blaine. “So, this was about what time?”
“Cloudy dark but not dark. Six thirty or seven. Maybe a bit later.”
“Did you notice the make of her car?”
“No, sorry. It was blue or gray and not too big.”
“Could you tell me what the woman looked like?” asked Blaine.
“She was short and wearing a suit. That’s all I noticed.”
“A suit?” Fletcher was taking notes. “How about a purse or a bag of some sort?”
“No, I don’t think so. No bag.”
“Fletch, get this lady’s details and give her a card.”
Blaine strolled across the street and talked to Mort as he was getting ready to leave.
“Body looks the same as the ‘maybe murders,” said Mort.
“But the MO is all different,” argued Blaine. “The house is a mess. Somebody ransacked the place. The other two scenes were neat—nothing touched. This has to be a different killer.”
“I don’t think so,” said Mort. “I’ll find the needle mark and prove I’m right.”
Blaine grinned. “Okay, you do that.”
Fayette Memorial Hospital. La Grange.
JESSE was dressed and ready to leave when Tyler came to pick him up at the hospital. “Did you bring Charity?”
“Nope. I thought I might have to help you and bringing her wouldn’t be the smart thing to do.”
“You’re probably right, bro,” said Jesse. “I’m not too bad off. I can walk and talk and I ain’t dead.”
“Any restrictions?” asked Tyler.
“A week’s rest at home. Brian said it was a mild one.”
“Good to know. Things are quiet at the house right now. Kind of a backwash after the kidnapping.”
“I feel like I should go see Skylar in jail and say something to her,” said Jesse.
“Well you ain’t doing that,” said Tyler, “so forget it.”
Central Library. Downtown Austin.
LAURA MAY parked in her designated spot. Seeing her name on the brick wall of the library always made her proud. She stepped out of her car, still a little shaky from the night before, she steadied herself on the car door. When she felt a little more stable, she locked the car and walked to the front entrance of the library.
She carried the tote bag with the book inside directly to her office. With the door closed, she took the book out, glanced through the pages to make sure it hadn’t been damaged and crossed it off the list.
Downstairs, she greeted her staff with a smile and returned the book to its proper place on the shelf.
As she strode back to her office, pleased with herself for doing the deed on her own, she realized she couldn’t go forward with the list until Todd came home. Once was enough and she couldn’t do it again.
Sitting in her chair behind her desk she stared at the list for a few minutes, then wrote ‘on hold’ at the top and put it away.
Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.
AFTER LUNCH, Annie worked in the barn. She leaned on the office door talking to Wayne about one of the horses when the call came from Leggatt. “Paul, nice to hear from you.”
“How does seven o’clock suit you for dinner?”
“Seven is fine. I’ll meet you in the lobby. Is that all right?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
Annie ended the call. “Paul Leggatt,” she said to Wayne. “I might get you a mare from him.”
Wayne raised an eyebrow under his curly hair. “We might get breeding stock from the Lazy L?”
“That’s what I’m thinking,” said Annie.
“I love you, boss,” said Wayne.
She left the barn and called Travis on the way back to the house. “Seven at the Driskill.”
“Yep. I’ll be in the bar before y’all get there.”
�
��Thanks, sugar pop.”
ANNIE HELPED Rosalie get dinner started for the cowboys, then she whipped into the shower and got ready for her hot date with Paul Leggatt. She decided on a turquoise cotton dress and with it she wore white leather boots and a lot of silver jewelry with turquoise accents. It was the first week of June in Texas and it was hot.
She sat down at the granite island to have a Lone Star before she left the house and had just popped the top on her beer when Tyler Quantrall came roaring through the door.
He plunked down on the stool next to her and gave her the once over. “Why are you all dressed up?”
“I have a business meeting in the city.”
“Who with?” Tyler was setting his jaw like he did when he was heading into one of his snit fits. Tyler swore Jesse was the jealous brother, but you couldn’t tell it from Tyler’s expression. “Tell me this guy’s name, Annie.”
“Winston Dressler. Do you know him?”
“Never heard of him and I don’t think you have either. You just made him up. You’re bullshitting me.”
“Why would I?”
Tyler shrugged. “I came over here to say I was sorry, and now I don’t know if I should be pissed or not.”
“This is business. That’s all it is.”
“Will you meet me at Boots after you get back?”
“If I’m back in time, sure I will.”
She walked him to the door, kissed him goodbye and he drove off.
ANNIE left Coulter-Ross worried that Tyler might follow her and screw up her plan with Leggatt. Something hot-headed Tyler Quantrall was perfectly capable of doing. At least she didn’t have to worry about Travis. He’d drive up to the city and he’d be in the bar ready to help her if she needed help. The big Marine was dependable and super cool under pressure if nothing else.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
BLAINE poured Misty a glass of wine after dinner and explained to her about the book from the evidence locker.
She nodded her head that she understood. After two speech therapy classes, she still wasn’t saying a word. Blaine wondered how much time it would take.
Maybe she can’t be fixed.
“You don’t mind trying, sweetheart?”
She shook her head ‘no’. And it was true, she always wanted to help, but what she went through after some of the visions wasn’t pleasant and that was the part Blaine hated.
He brought the book from the office and gave it to Misty where she was sitting, at the little table in the window alcove. “I know it’s a big book, sweetheart. It’s a reference book on the history of the Masons. Probably a boring book but it’s all we have to crack this case.”
She held it in her hands, closed her eyes, then opened them. Nothing seemed to be happening. Blaine sat down across from her and watched her flip through the pages. Back and forth, pausing here and there. Then she turned to the back of the book and took the old library card out of the pocket on the rear cover.
As soon as she touched the card she shook her head and reached for her pad and pen. Her hand flew across the paper as she began scribbling down words.
You can’t keep the book.
The boy is gone.
He’s starving. His leg hurts. A bite.
Blaine was reading upside down as Misty was writing and he was getting nothing from the words or the sequence. “Where’s the boy, Mist?”
He ran away.
“Is he coming back?”
He can’t come back. His phone is dead. He wants to phone but he can’t.
“I wish he would phone me,” said Blaine.
The boy knows about her. She made him do it.
Blaine tried to piece it together. “The woman made the boy kill people?”
Misty nodded her head.
“Let me get you another glass of wine.”
The Driskill Hotel. Austin.
ANNIE gave the valet her truck keys and entered the lobby at the Driskill. An Austin landmark. Breathtaking architecture. A favorite dating spot of LBJ and Ladybird, so the story went.
Paul Leggatt stood up and smiled when he saw her come through the entrance. He strode across the lobby to meet her dressed in a buff summer suit that appeared to be new. Tanned and fit, he wasn’t hard to look at.
“You look stunning, Annie, and I’m delighted we’re doing this.” He took her hand and led her into the dining room.
“Am I late?” she asked, and he shook his head.
“I was early. I couldn’t wait to see you.”
“You are such a flatterer, Paul.”
“It’s true. I haven’t been interested in a woman for a long time. Years. Uh huh, it’s been years.”
The maître d’ showed them to their table and handed Paul a leather-bound wine list.
“Would you care for a drink, Annie?”
“I’ll have a beer please. Lone Star or Coors. I don’t drink wine or liquor, but you go ahead and order anything you wish.”
Paul gave the waiter a nod and ordered a Lone Star and a Shiner’s. “I’m a beer guy at home.” He smiled, and she tried not to like him even the tiniest bit. He reached a large calloused hand across the table and held hers. “What got you started with Appaloosas?”
“My first ranch was north of Santa Fe and I started with a couple of horses and three hundred acres. From there things kept expanding until I finally said. Okay, I don’t need a bigger barn. I’m fine the way I am.”
“I’d like to see your ranch sometime soon,” said Paul.
“It’s under three thousand acres, but I have the Colorado river running through and that’s the best part. I’d never want to give that up.”
The waiter took their food order and left.
“You said you’d been here before,” said Paul. “Who was the lucky man?”
“It was a favorite spot of Scott’s and we came here quite often. I miss him a lot.”
“Scott? Would I know him?”
“Scott Richardson was a close friend.”
He died in my bed.
“Governor Richardson, of course. I believe I heard the two of you were close.”
Annie smiled. “We supported each other through the years and we were good friends.” Annie finished her beer and Paul ordered her another. “Let’s talk about you. Besides your horses what else rings your bell?”
Paul grinned and then chuckled. “You’re funny and I like that.”
“Were you a hunter?”
“Are you opposed?”
“I’m not fanatical about it,” said Annie, “but I wouldn’t want heads on my walls.”
Paul raised an eyebrow. “Hunting used to interest me. A hobby. Something to do when I wasn’t busy, but I’ve grown out of it. I still enjoy shooting and I have a range.”
“Really? I have a range too. I practice a lot, and over the years I’ve trained Target, my paint. She doesn’t flinch now when I shoot from her back.”
“You ride a paint? The wild west. I’d love to see that.”
“Maybe someday you will.” Annie giggled.
“What’s your hand gun of choice?”
“Beretta,” said Annie. “Oh, here’s our food.”
“I’ve grown accustomed to my SIG,” said Paul. “I don’t know if I’d change to anything else.”
Annie smiled as she picked up her fork. “I feel the same way about my Beretta.” She winked at Paul and whispered, “I’m naked without it.”
Leggatt blushed slightly and concentrated on his salad.
The waiter arrived with the dessert menu after the table had been cleared and Annie shook her head. “No thank you. Just coffee for me.”
“Same,” said Paul. “I don’t need more calories.”
Annie checked the time after her second cup of coffee. “I should go. I have a busy day at the store tomorrow.”
“You have a store too?”
“I have two antique stores. One in Santa Fe and the other is in La Grange on the square. We’re busy on the weekends.”
> “I had no idea,” said Leggatt. “There’s a lot to learn about Annie Powell.”
“Not so much. I’m a cowgirl. Plain and simple.”
Leggatt smiled and showed a perfect set of teeth. “I’m not buying into that statement. There’s a lot going on inside that beautiful head.”
Annie picked up her purse and made ready to leave. “Do you text?”
“Rarely. I usually call.”
She winked at him. “Texting can be fun.”
“I think I’m way behind on having fun,” said Paul. “I need to catch up.”
Paul waited in front of the hotel with her until the valet brought her truck around. Paul opened the driver’s door and handed her in like a gentleman. He’d put no moves on her at all the whole evening, so Annie opted to speed things along. She leaned down and kissed him lightly before he closed the door of her truck. “Thanks for dinner, Paul.” She drove off and watched him in the rear view.
Is he playing me? If he is, he’s damned good at it.
ANNIE took route 290. Not the way she would usually go home from Austin, but a shorter route to Boots and Saddles south of Giddings. Fifteen minutes into her drive she noticed headlights in the rear view and the vehicle behind her appeared to be catching up. Judging by the height of the headlights she figured it was a truck or an SUV.
She slowed slightly, taking time to pull her Beretta out of her purse and wrangle her shotgun out from under the seat.
Was Leggatt having her watched? She hated being played. She was the player not the playee. If Leggatt was trying to outmaneuver her, he’d be sorry he tried. Then she smiled.
He’ll be sorry anyway.
The vehicle gained on her while she fiddled with the guns, but once the guns were ready, Annie stepped on the gas and sped down the highway. She reached an area that was fairly open. Ranch land and very few houses. The truck kept coming and when it was right behind her, it pulled out to pass. Only it didn’t pass her. The driver cranked right and veered towards the side of her truck, making her swerve to get out of his way. He was trying to push her off the road into the ditch.
“Okay, if that’s the way you want to play it.” Instead of giving him a second opportunity to ditch her, she pulled onto the shoulder and stopped.