by Carolina Mac
“Detective Payne speaking, how can I help you?”
Blaine explained, and Payne said he was familiar with the case. He read from a report. “Says here they checked the attic as requested and there was nothing but a mess. Looked like someone had tossed it, dumping out old boxes looking for something.”
“Uh huh,” said Blaine. “No idea what they’d be looking for up there.”
Payne continued, “Then, they talked to some of the neighbors and a lady across the street said she saw Miss LeJeune go into the house on the date you stated, but the neighbor lady didn’t see her come out.”
“She could have gone out the back door,” said Blaine. “You have to park at the back in the lane.”
“True enough,” said Payne. “Note here on the bottom of the page that the same lady believes the house is haunted because she’s seen the curtains moving in the attic window. She’s very worried about Miss LeJeune.”
“Aren’t we all,” said Blaine. “Thanks for the update, Detective Payne. If I hear anything, I’ll be in touch.”
Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.
FARRELL AND ANNIE were eating tacos and watching a game in the family room when Farrell’s cell rang. He glanced at the screen. “I’ve got to answer this.”
Annie muted the sound on the TV and jumped up. “I’ll get more coffee.”
Farrell answered, “Hey, Kamps, what’s up?”
“Got something hot if you want it.”
“Sure do. Spill it, and I’ll pay you when I get back to the city.”
“Fuck that,” said Kamps. “When have I ever trusted a cop? I sure as hell ain’t starting today. You meet me downtown if you want this.”
“What time?”
“Roadhouse at four.”
“Okay, I’ll be there.”
Annie returned from the kitchen with a tray of coffee and pecan tarts. “Something interesting?”
“Maybe,” said Farrell. “One of my informants wants to meet later and tell me something.”
“Do you want me to drive you to Austin?”
“Nope. Blacky will come get me. He’s planning on it anyway.”
Annie smiled. “Call him and tell him to come early.”
Blackmore Agency. Austin.
BLAINE left home at two-thirty to pick Farrell up. He was hoping Kamps had useful information to sell because he was desperate for a lead. All their cases were stalled and growing colder by the minute. Three of his crew on the disabled list left him with little manpower to beat the bushes and turn up anything new. Blaine’s frustration level had never been higher.
Farrell was freshly bandaged by Declan and ready to go when Blaine arrived at Coulter-Ross, but Blaine took time to have a beer with Annie and catch up on the poker operation.
He listened to Annie without interrupting. “Nothing suspicious, and zero happening so far,” said Blaine.
“Just a game,” said Annie, “but a fun game for lots of money. Tyler and I are playing again tonight, and Travis is meeting us there.”
“I’ll check with Travis,” said Blaine. “He must have some kind of insight into the setup—at least behind the scenes where Selecky might have a gap in security.”
“Travis probably does have info,” said Annie, “He talked to the bartender for more than a minute or two, and I saw him smoking with the security guys outside on the pool deck.”
“Yep, he’ll know something,” said Blaine. “And maybe Farrell’s BFF will give us something too.”
Farrell gave Blacky the stink eye.
T n T Roadhouse. Austin.
KAMPS sat in a back booth in the nearly empty roadhouse hunched over a half full glass of clear liquid. Too early for most customers except the few who couldn’t wait for their first drink of the day. Kamps glanced across the table when Blaine and Farrell slid in and he zeroed in on Blaine. “What? I get the super cop today?”
Blaine held his tongue and let Farrell take the lead.
“What did you hear, Kamps? Is it worth the big bucks I’m paying you?”
“You’ve never paid me big bucks, but you should’ve. You cheap assholes could’ve saved the city a million fuckin dollars.”
Blaine nodded. “I’ll give you that one.”
“What’s new?” Farrell prodded him.
Kamps leaned close and whispered even though there was no one anywhere close to them. “Poker robbery is a go for next weekend.”
“Uh huh. I thought it was this weekend,” said Farrell.
“Things happened to some of the team.” He pointed a finger at Blaine. “You got in their faces.”
“Me?”
“The guy had a crew pulled together and now a couple are out of circulation. He had to regroup.”
“Regroup?” asked Farrell.
“Who’s the main brain behind this plan?” asked Blaine.
“How much are you paying, Super?”
“Don’t you fuckin call me that.” Blaine’s voice had a serrated edge to it.
Kamps grinned and showed his gold tooth. “I got the goods. Pay me… Super.”
“You know who’s making the plan?” asked Farrell.
“Heard it from a con woman. I know where she hangs and she’s always shooting off her mouth.”
Farrell pushed an envelope across the table. “Here’s your money. Give me the name.”
Kamps opened the envelope and took out the hundred bucks. He shook his head. “Not enough.”
“How much?” asked Blaine digging his wallet out of his jeans.
“Five.”
Blaine shook his long black hair. “Nope.” He pulled two more Benjamins out of his wallet and laid them on the table.
“One more,” said Kamps.
Blaine reached to take back the bills and Kamps grabbed them. “Okay. I’ll tell you. The guy’s name is McLaughlin.”
Blaine’s eyes widened, and he nodded. “Alex McLaughlin?”
Kamps nodded.
Blaine reached across the table and shook Kamp’s hand. “Thanks. We wind this up I’ll see you get a bonus.”
Kamps grinned. “Fuck. Never got a bonus before.” He turned his bald head and glared at Farrell.
On the way to the truck, Blaine said to Farrell, “McLaughlin is one of the gun vendors with a jacket. One of the ones you guys didn’t see and didn’t question.”
“I thought the name sounded familiar. We got a mug of him then, or Lil does.”
“Yep, we do,” said Blaine, “wonder where the rodeo is at today?”
“I’ll phone Rowdy,” said Farrell. He jumped in the truck and scrolled to Rowdy’s number. “Hey, bro, didn’t wake you up, did I?” Farrell listened and nodded. “Where are y’all?” More listening and Farrell wasn’t smiling. “Okay, we’ll be sending people your way in the morning.”
“What?” asked Blaine.
“One of Rowdy’s buddies was robbed at knifepoint. The guy took his wallet, then stabbed him anyway. He’s in the Killeen hospital.”
“I’ll send Jesse up to talk to him,” said Blaine. “Get his name?”
“I’m writing it on my smokes before I forget.” Farrell printed it. “Texas Kenny Kovaks.”
“Aw, shit,” said Blaine, “He’s a damn good bull rider.”
Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.
WHILE HE WAITED for Jan to come for dinner, Jesse sat in a wicker rocker on the wraparound porch and watched Charity play with Red and Bluebelle. He took a swallow of his beer then set the can on the glass table beside him. It was weird how he hardly ever thought about smoking any more, and it had only been a few days. He had a hard time believing he didn’t smoke anymore or even want to.
He checked his watch and it was six fifteen. Jan was late. He was about to get up and go in for another beer when Tyler came out with one for him.
“Molly said dinner’s ready to serve as soon as Jan gets here.”
“I don’t want to call her in case she’s almost here and I piss her off,” said Jesse. “She’s been a little testy lately.�
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“Maybe she’s hot for you and you ain’t doing anything about it,” said Ty. “Ever think about that?”
Jesse smirked. “Nope. Never did.”
“Don’t want to eat too late,” said Tyler. “Annie and I are going to the game around eight. I’m picking her up.”
“Wish I was going to the game,” said Jesse. “I enjoyed playing last night. A good group of people and no wahoos or wannabee Unabombers like you always get in the casinos.” Jesse reached for his beer and his cell rang.
“Hi, Jan, I was wondering where you were.”
“Running behind, and I was hurrying a bit too fast. I was rewarded with flashing lights and a speeding ticket. I’m about five minutes from you now.”
Jesse chuckled. “Slow down and get here in one piece.”
“What?” asked Tyler.
“She got a ticket and it slowed her down.”
“That’s funny,” said Ty.
“Funny for you, but not for her,” said Jesse, “Travis going with you guys tonight?”
“He’s meeting us there,” said Tyler. “He has to go. He’s working the robbery detail.”
Jesse snorted. “You sound like a cop.”
“That’s something I never want to be.”
West Lake Hills. Austin.
TRAVIS ARRIVED first at the Selecky estate. He announced himself at the gate and was asked to wait for a minute. One of the security guards came running down the driveway waving his arms.
“Sorry, I couldn’t open the gate until I checked. The dogs are loose, and Mr. Selecky is fuming mad.”
“I don’t see any dogs near the gate,” said Travis. “Let me through. I’ll park up yonder and help y’all catch them.”
Once the Rotties were rounded up and safely in their pen, Travis went inside to wait for Annie and Tyler.
“Thanks for helping those bozos, Major Bristol,” said Selecky. His usually calm and friendly demeanor had vanished, replaced by a set jaw and a crimson face. “Somedays nothing goes right.”
“You having a bad day?”
“Just the usual. Employees can drive you nuts.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” said Travis.
Some of the players began arriving and Selecky replaced his grumpy face with a fake smile. “Enjoy your evening, Major Bristol.”
Travis strolled over to the bar, ordered a beer and his cell rang. “Yeah, boss.”
“Kamps came through with a name. Alex McLaughlin is supposed to be the mastermind behind the poker rip off.”
“Wasn’t he one of the gun vendors with a sheet?”
“Yeah, the one you guys never saw. He wasn’t at Round Rock or Belton.”
“Is it going down tonight?” asked Travis.
“According to Kamps, it’s going to be next weekend because we screwed them up arresting Fulton and Brightman and Chris Cadieux’s crazy woman.”
“I hope the rumor is true. We might have more manpower by next weekend.”
“Just the same,” said Blacky, “keep an eye out. These bastards are known for feeding a false story to the grapevine to fuck the cops over. It has happened.”
“I’ll be extra careful,” said Travis.
TYLER PARKED the blue Quantrall truck next to a dark green Jaguar and chuckled. “I should buy me a fancier ride for talking you out, baby.” He glanced at Annie’s clothes, “Look at you, so goddam gorgeous in that short leather skirt and riding in a ranch truck.”
“I don’t think you need a fancy car, sugar,” said Annie. “We’ve had some of our best moments in your truck.”
Tyler looked at her over the console and smiled. “Ain’t that the solid truth? Sometimes I can’t get those nights out of my head.”
Annie reached over and touched his face.
Tyler took her hand and kissed it. “I love you, Annie. I’ll never love anyone else. I tried, and I can’t.”
A tear trickled down Annie’s cheek. “Same. I love you, Tyler. I love Jesse too, but in a different way.”
“Let’s get in there,” said Tyler as a Beemer and a Porche drove by looking for spots to park. “We’ll continue this conversation later.”
“For sure?” asked Annie as Tyler helped her down from the side step.
“Guaranteed.” Tyler pulled her close and kissed her gently for a long moment. “That was so sweet. Now I want to make love to you instead of playing poker.”
“I haven’t heard those words for many years,” Annie whispered.
“You’ll hear them again later tonight.”
CHAPTER NINE
Monday, April 6th.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
BLAINE’S mood had improved dramatically from the day before. Farrell was back home, sitting at the kitchen table drinking gallons of coffee and complaining about all kinds of shit he read about on his phone. Comforting to know his brother hated injustice as much as he did.
Carm fussed twice as much over Farrell now that he was back on her turf, and again, she was making him waffles. This time with blueberries.
Travis arrived to work early, poured himself a coffee and gave a recap of the weekend at the poker game. “Found out from the bartender, he goes to the U, and tends bar to pay his way. He hears a lot of shit and I gave him Farrell’s number.
Farrell raised an eyebrow. “Hey thanks. What’s his name?”
Travis shrugged. “I’ll get it next time. The kid told me that Tanya Selecky is kicking up a fair bit of dust in the divorce.”
Blaine raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Maybe Mark Selecky is under a bit of financial pressure.”
Lily breezed in, poured a coffee and joined the group at the table with her yellow pad and her Sharpie. “Morning all. Interviews this morning starting at nine thirty.”
Blaine groaned. “Oh, Jeeze, how I hate that.”
“How many coming?” asked Farrell.
“Four that I sorted out of the hundred that applied.”
Blaine made a face. “A hundred fuckin people applied for the job?”
Lily shrugged. “They want to work for the Super Cop, boss. What can I say?”
“Don’t say that, Lil.”
Lily giggled. “Okay, I won’t.”
“Tanya Selecky,” said Blaine. “Check into her, would you? Seems she’s divorcing the poker host and she wants his bucks.”
Lil wrote it down.
“What about Pablo?” asked Blaine. “Any forecast?”
“Bad spot for the wound,” said Lil. “His doctor said after a week of rest, they’ll check the stitches.”
“Okay, no Pablo for another two weeks at least.”
Lily pointed the end of her Sharpie at Farrell. “How long before Dead-eye is off his gorgeous ass?”
“Jesus, Lil, did you have to say that?” asked Travis. “No living with him now.”
Farrell barked, “I’m ready to work now.”
“Bullshit,” said Blaine. “You can work here at home, but you can’t drive or back anybody up for another week at least—maybe two.”
“Fuck that,” hollered Farrell. “I can’t sit around for another whole fuckin week. I’ll go insane.”
The dogs barked and tore into the foyer. “Too early for the candidates,” said Blaine. He returned with Fletcher. “Yahoo, Fletcher is up and running.”
Two seconds later the dogs barked again, and Jesse walked into the kitchen. “Morning team. Am I late?”
“Nope, we’re just getting started.”
Jesse zeroed in on Farrell’s scowl. “What’s up, kiddo? You not feeling any better?”
“I want to work.”
Jesse nodded. “What am I doing? If it ain’t heavy duty, Farrell can go with me.”
“You’re on Kevin Telfer’s funeral in Round Rock, and talking to his father, then Killeen Hospital to see this guy,” Blaine passed Jesse the name of Rowdy’s rodeo buddy that had been stabbed.”
“Texas Kenny Kovaks. He’s a decent bull rider. I’ve seen him a couple times,” said Jesse. “Yep, two e
asy ones. Farrell can take notes for me.”
Farrell lifted his eyes to the ceiling fan. “Thank you, baby Jesus, for letting me work.”
AT NINE-THIRTY sharp, the bell rang, the dogs barked, and the first job applicant entered the foyer. Blaine strode out of the kitchen to greet him and it wasn’t a ‘him’, it was a ‘her.’
Lil rushed down the hall with a clipboard in her hand and introduced the woman. “This is Peyton Starling.”
She stuck out her hand in Blaine’s direction and didn’t smile. “Nice to meet you, Ranger Blackmore.” Peyton Starling was a stunning blonde with shoulder-length hair, a coppery glow to her skin and dark eyes. She didn’t seem to be wearing any makeup and didn’t need it, but Blaine was no expert on women. Farrell would confirm that fact.
Blaine nodded and motioned for Miss Starling to follow Lil to the office. He eased behind his desk wondering how in hell to interview a woman for the job. No doubt if Lil had picked her out of a hundred others and Peyton was in the top four, this woman could do the job, he was just stuck on how to interview her without sounding like a macho asshole. He had no marker.
“Miss Starling, you recently left the Dallas force?”
“I did. I wrote the detective’s exam and passed, but there was only room for one more in homicide and I was passed over for a guy with five years less experience than I had.”
“And you resigned?”
She shrugged. “I’ll admit, I was pissed off. I had a better score on the exam, I was a better shooter on the range and had five years longer on the job.”
“Uh huh. Sounds unfair. Ever fired your gun in the line of duty?” A question Blaine always asked out of safety concerns for his men. What good was backup if they froze when it counted?
“Yes, I’ve used my sidearm several times in the line of duty. I worked the downtown core and things could get hairy sometimes.”
Blaine nodded and ticked that off on his list of questions. “Do you live in Dallas?”
“I do, but if I get this job, I’ll look for an apartment in Austin. I have no ties to Dallas other than my former job.”