by Carolina Mac
“Can’t wait. Will Chief Calhoun be coming our way?”
“I’d bet on it.”
“Better tell the girls to clean up the station.”
Blaine chuckled. “Better get on it. He might be there tomorrow, and I know for sure he’ll want coffee.”
Misty returned from behind the barn smiling.
Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.
JESSE was in the training ring working with one of the young horses Paulie wanted finished when his cell rang. He usually turned it off when he was riding so it didn’t startle the more skittish ones. He pulled on the reins and slowed to a walk.
“Hey, partner, how did the Royce ranch go?”
“Dandy. I need you to drive up to Waco and question the senator’s son. Some of Leggatt’s boys went straight to him like homing pigeons.”
“Shit,” said Jesse. “We’re gonna get heavy flak on this.”
Blaine chuckled. “Ain’t that a shame?”
“Ain’t it? I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Call the Chief and take him with you.”
Jesse laughed. “Fortification.”
“You got it.”
Jesse finished up and handed the big Appaloosa off to one of the hands to cool out. He called Chief Calhoun and alerted him to their mission, then walked to the house and jumped in the shower.
He was unlocking his Range Rover ready to leave when Tyler came out of the house and tossed a bag in the back of his truck.
“Where you going?” asked Jesse.
“San Antone. Great band playing at Cowboy’s this weekend and I want to hear it.”
Jesse frowned and felt the heat in his neck. “Going alone?”
Tyler held up a finger. “Jesse, don’t ask me that. Mind your own.”
“Yeah, you’re right, Ty. I’m minding my own from now on. You and Ace have a great time.”
“We will.”
Temple.
BLAINE PULLED into a Texas Roadhouse steakhouse as he drove through Temple on the way home from the Royce ranch. He turned to Misty and winked at her. “I bet you’re hungry now. It’s way past lunch.”
Misty smiled and said, “I’m starving.”
“I thought you might be. You haven’t said much since we left the ranch. Did you have something to think about?”
Misty nodded and pointed at the restaurant.
“You’ll tell me inside?”
“Uh huh. I need a drink.” Misty’s voice sounded dry and croaky.
Blaine frowned. “We should have water in the truck. You’re throat is always bothering you.”
Once they were seated, Blaine ordered a Corona and after spending a minute reading the wine list, he ordered a half bottle of a California Cabernet that Misty might like. They didn’t have her favorite brand here.
“We should be celebrating,” said Blaine. “This is the first day you’ve been able to talk and I’m so happy.” He reached across the table and held her hand.
“A little, but it still hurts.”
“Don’t overdo it, okay?”
She shook her blonde curls. “I got a couple of flashes at the ranch.”
“You did? Can you tell me all about them?”
The server brought their drinks and poured Misty’s wine for her. She took their food order and hurried off.
Misty swirled her wine around in the glass and took a sip. “The momma has a boyfriend.”
“Oh, yeah?” Blaine raised an eyebrow. “She’s cheating on the senator?”
Misty giggled. “The house where she goes is like wood and stone with animal heads on the walls.” She made a face. “A tall fireplace with big horns.”
“Sounds like a lodge,” said Blaine. “Where is it?”
“Far. In the trees.”
“Does the boyfriend have guns there?”
Misty nodded.
“Could you see where the guns were?”
“Yep.”
Blaine smiled. “Where were they?”
Misty made an arc with her hand. “Round and shiny steel. Three of them.”
“Three? Like Quonset huts?” asked Blaine.
Misty shrugged. “I don’t know what that means.”
Blaine took a bite of his steak and chewed, thinking hard about the Quonset huts when Travis called. “Anything?”
“Our guys went to a trailer park outside of town,” said Travis. “Looks like they might be bunking in with a friend.”
“Long as you got an address, I can check out who lives there. Good enough.”
“What should we do now, boss?” asked Travis.
“How far west are you?”
“Almost to Stonewall.”
“Pull off some place and eat while I find everybody else.”
“Roger that, boss. Stopping now.”
Misty excused herself and went to the ladies room. Blaine availed himself of the opportunity and called Carlos. “Where are you?”
“We followed west, boss, deep into hill country, but we got the wrong vehicle for off-roading. We followed as far as Miss Lily’s Stang wants to go.”
“Roger that,” said Blaine. “Can you see a lodge around there?”
“Nope, nothing but miles of trees.”
“What about the tracker?”
“I can see it moving into the bush, but we can’t pursue.”
“Good enough. Go back out to where you turned off and give me a main intersection. Send me the coordinates. I’m sending you Travis and Fletch. Park the Stang, jump into the truck and follow the tracker. Look in the bush for a lodge. Do not approach until I round up more men.”
“Roger that, boss. Recon only.”
“Recon only. If it’s what we’re looking for there are three Quonset huts full of… could be anything. Don’t let them see y’all.”
Roger that, boss,” said Carlos.
Stonewall.
TRAVIS was almost finished his second cheeseburger when Blacky called back. “Go pick up Carlos and Lil. They’re stopped on route two ninety and county road twelve about a mile and a half east of Stonewall. Carlos knows what we’re looking for. Recon only, Travis. No bullshit. This could be the big one and we’ll have to wait for that fuckin Kramer.”
“You coming our way, boss?”
“Roger that. Dropping Misty at home and heading west.”
Waco.
JESSE chauffeured Chief Calhoun to the Waco office of the Texas Rangers and the staff were all abuzz having a visit from their Chief.
The Ranger in charge of the Waco office, Jim Hanson welcomed them into his office and offered them coffee.
“Thanks,” said Calhoun, “I could use a coffee. Any communication from the Senator yet?”
“Not yet, but I’ve been wary of it,” said Hanson, “Kind of expecting it, you might say.”
“Has young Charlie had his phone call?” asked Jesse.
“He has, and his lawyer should be here shortly,” said Hanson. “He’s waiting in room two for his interview.”
Jesse’s cell rang on his belt and he glanced at the screen before he answered. “Yes, Catherine.”
“Jesse, what do you know about Senator Royce’s son being arrested?”
“I’m at the Waco office right now, Catherine, waiting to interview the young man. We’re just waiting on his attorney.”
“It is true, then? The short fuse blew somebody’s brains out and brought young Royce in?”
“I haven’t heard Blacky’s side of things, or the details, but the end result is the same.”
“Do everything by the book, Jesse. This could get messy.”
“Uh huh. Of course, you’re right. I believe young Royce has signed his Miranda card?” Jesse looked to Ranger Hanson and he nodded confirmation. “Yes, he acknowledged his rights in writing, Catherine. Shall I call you later?”
“Please do, Jesse. I want to be kept in the loop on this one.”
“Absolutely.” To the Chief: “The Governor has already received a call from Senator Royce.”
“No doubt,” said Calhoun. “Charlie senior will toss his weight around. It’s what he’s good at.”
Ranger Hanson smiled. “I’m so happy this is all going down on my turf.”
Calhoun punched him in the arm. “Better you than me, Jimmy.” They both laughed.
R.J. TONE arrived, introduced himself as the attorney for Senator Royce and his family and they were ready to rock.
Jesse set up the interview in room two with Chief Calhoun present and Charles junior glowering at everyone, especially his own lawyer.
“R.J., I want out of here now,” said Junior.
“You’ve been formally charged with resisting arrest and the attempted murder of a police officer, Chuck, and you won’t be arraigned until tomorrow morning.”
“I didn’t try to murder anybody. It was that stupid asshole, Raney, and the super cop never even hesitated. Up and shot Raney in the fuckin head just for aiming at Dead-Eye Donovan. Blood and brains all over the goddam porch. Momma’s gonna freak when she sees the mess.”
“Enough,” said Tone. “Try to focus.”
“Did you talk to Daddy?”
“I did.”
“And what did he say?”
Tone held up a hand. “We’ll discuss it later. Let’s get the interview over with first.” He gave Jesse the nod to start.
Jesse had already set up the interview on the recorder and was ready to begin. “The number one question,” said Jesse, “and I believe the question Ranger Blackmore was standing on your porch asking was, ‘why would hired hands working for Paul Leggatt—the same hired hands who’d been charged with conspiracy in Leggatt’s possession of explosives and illegal firearms—why would those cowboys drive straight from the courtroom after they made bail, to the Royce ranch?”
Tone shook his head at his client indicating that he should not answer. “My client cannot answer that question. I’m sure he doesn’t know why those men came to his ranch.”
Chuck shook his head and smiled.
“Did you know the cowboys that worked for Paul Leggatt?” asked Jesse.
“Never saw them before,” said Chuck.
“And yet, you called one by name,” said Jesse. “I believe you called him Raney, and you seemed to be under the impression that he was an asshole. That would indicate you were familiar with him.”
“Don’t matter,” said Chuck. “He’s dead now.”
“Does Senator Royce know you’re associated with Leggatt’s band of gunnies?”
“Don’t matter if he knows or not. I do what I want. I’m an adult. I’m not under my Daddy’s thumb.”
“How does your mother feel about you associating with people like Paul Leggatt?”
“I ain’t answering that,” said Chuck. “My momma is off limits.”
“If that’s all, gentlemen, I’d like five minutes with my client before you take him to his cell. And I’ll see y’all tomorrow morning at the arraignment.”
Stonewall.
TRAVIS PICKED up Lil and Carlos and waited while Lil locked her Mustang and left it in the parking lot of the taco restaurant.
“How far did y’all get,” asked Fletcher.
“We got as far as heavy bush where the road narrowed to a dirt track,” said Carlos, “and Lil thought her suspension would be toast if we went any farther.”
“Probably a good call on her part,” said Travis. “I wouldn’t drive my Stang on any dirt tracks—if I had one.”
“The boss was asking about a lodge,” said Farrell. “Y’all see anything like that?”
“Nope,” said Carlos, “but maybe we hadn’t gone far enough.”
“We’ll go farther this time, but the boss doesn’t want anybody seeing us. He was clear on that point. This is recon only,” said Trav. “No contact with the enemy.”
Carlos gave directions as he remembered them, and they retraced their steps as far as they had gone in the Mustang. “Yep, this is about where we stopped, wouldn’t you say, Lily?”
“Exactly. Can you still see them on the tracker?”
“Yep, beeping up ahead about a mile or so,” said Carlos. “The only thing I’d be worried about would be them seeing us if there’s no place to turn around.”
“If we’re on a dirt track going one way and this is a secure location—that will be it,” said Travis. “One way in and one way out. Best for them to have one narrow road. That way they can spot anybody approaching and if they’re doing something illegal, they’ll have security cams. I’m gonna back out to the road and call Blacky, see how far behind he is.”
“He said if this stash was big we’d need more men,” said Carlos. “He might be rounding them up.”
“But we don’t have confirmation of what’s in there. It might be a waste of time and make us look like idiots,” said Fletcher.
“I’ll ask him what he knows,” said Travis, as he pushed Blaine’s contact. “Hey, boss. We’re ready to go in, but double checking. I figure the road is narrow for a reason. One in and one out and they’re watching. How do you know what’s in there?”
“Misty said three Quonset huts full of guns and grenades.”
“Three?” asked Travis. “You got people coming?”
“I didn’t want to do it, but I called Kramer.”
“What’s your ETA, boss?”
“Ten minutes for me and maybe twenty for Kramer and his alphabet gang.”
“I’ll have a smoke,” said Travis. “Wish we had a chopper.”
BLAINE arrived and parked beside Travis’s truck. He, and Fletcher were smoking, Lil and Carlos each had a Coke in their hand.
“It’ll be dark soon,” said Blaine.
“Does Kramer want to go for it in the dark?” asked Lil.
“Time will tell,” said Blaine. “I can’t predict what that guy will do. He’s afraid of making a wrong decision and junking his so-called career, so he waffles back and forth and fucks around wasting time.”
“Do we have any idea who’s property it is?” asked Carlos.
“According to my source,” said Blaine, “it belongs to Mrs. Royce’s boyfriend. But I sent Kramer the coordinates and he should know who it belongs to and have a warrant when he gets here.”
“The senator’s wife is cheating on him?” asked Lil. “With one of the bunker guys?”
Blaine shrugged. “That’s the rumor.”
“Mary should be here.”
“Maybe you could take some notes for her, Lil,” said Blaine. He checked the time on his phone. “Where the hell are Farrell and Luke?”
“Vehicles approaching, boss,” said Fletcher. “Might be the ATF guys.”
“Four SUV’s,” said Travis, “looks like the feds.”
“Do we have to take orders from them, boss?” asked Fletcher.
Blaine grinned. “Yeah, when hell freezes over.”
The ATF army pulled up and they all spilled out of their vehicles wearing their matching black jackets. Kramer jogged over to where Blaine was leaning on Travis’ truck. “I got the warrant. Let’s take them down.”
“Got a plan?” asked Blaine.
“Surprise them,” said Kramer. “It always works. They won’t be expecting us in the dark.”
“Do they have an escape route?” asked Travis.
“Not according to a map of the area,” said Kramer. “Looks like an older hunting lodge sitting on a hundred acres.”
“Owned by?” asked Lil.
“Jason Caldwell, attorney at law.”
“Is he on y’all’s watch list?” asked Carlos.
“That’s classified,” said Kramer. “How did you guys find him?”
“That’s classified,” Blaine snapped back. “Y’all go ahead when y’all are ready. I’ll wait for Farrell.”
“You guys going to give us back up?” asked Kramer.
“Think y’all will need it?”
“Probably not.”
Blaine smiled in the dark.
KRAMER turned down the road leading into the lodge and as t
he tail lights of the four SUV’s disappeared, Farrell arrived with Luke.
“Hey, are we in time?”
“Yep, the feds have gone in. We’re backing them up,” said Blaine, still with a huge grin on his face.
“What’s funny, boss?” asked Carlos.
“Kramer makes me laugh.” Blaine chuckled, then put on his serious face. “Suit up. Vests and shotguns. This is all about auto shooters and the guys in there are gonna have them. Their ammo is gonna be illegal too—count on it. They also have grenades, so shoot first before they pull the fuckin pins.”
“How do we know they have grenades?” asked Fletch.
“Umm… Misty said they had grenades and explosives.”
“Fuck,” said Farrell. He struggled into his vest and pulled his shirt over his head.
“Earbuds, Maglites, shotguns and no hesitation,” said Blaine. “I fuckin hate doing interrogations.”
Blaine led the way down the narrow track and when he had a visual of the outline of the lodge he turned the headlights off and slowed down. As they drew closer they could hear the fireworks.
“Sounds like a war,” said Farrell.
“Defending their bunker,” said Blaine. “Don’t give them time to get to the explosives.”
“Nope.”
Blaine stopped on the road, cut the engine and they all bailed out. Travis parked behind.
“Take down anybody that moves,” said Blaine. If you can take them alive, cuff them to something solid and move on. If there’s a gun pointed at you, shoot them.” To Lily: “I want you to stay in the truck, Lil. Stay on the radio so you can call for back up or ambulances. If anyone approaches you, shoot them through the fuckin window.”
Lil patted her Glock. “All over that, boss.”
THE LODGE constructed of timber and stone, just as Misty described it, was built into the side of a hill. The wide porch across the front overlooked the compound below. At one time it must have been beautiful forest out front, but some asshat had cleared all the trees and erected three Quonset huts and a long wooden building that probably served as a barracks for would-be soldiers. The view had turned ugly as had the purpose of the property.
“Stay in your teams,” said Blaine. “No single heroics.” With Lil assigned to the radio, he’d put Luke with Carlos.