by Carolina Mac
“Bullshit. Never happened.”
“I think it did happen. Then you got the Jeep repainted and traded it in on the Ford Bronco that you’re driving now.”
“I ain’t talking to you.”
“Why would you kill someone for Leigh Kryssa? How are you connected to her?”
“I said I ain’t talking no more.”
“That’s too bad,” said Jesse. “I know somebody who is ready to talk. She’s tired of sitting in a cell with nobody to help her and she’s ready to roll on both you guys to help herself. Ginette’s gonna come clean. Count on it.”
Milo shook his head. “She’s our kin. We trust her.”
Ginette is a self-serving liar.
“Maybe you placed your trust with the wrong person.”
“I want my phone call.”
“You’ll get a phone call when its time.”
JESSE SENT MILO back to his cell and moved on to room three where Dustin Carpenter waited for him. A blue lump stuck out from his forehead giving him a Frankenstein look. The trickle of dried blood was icing on the cake. He picked up the ice pack the infirmary had supplied and leaned into it.
“Police brutality,” he mumbled when he saw Jesse looking at him.
“I heard a different story. You were charging towards one of the rangers with a loaded gun in your hand.”
“Bullshit. His word against mine.”
“You’re accusing Ranger Donovan of lying?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“I’ll tell you why not. There were three other rangers with him who told the same story. You refused to come in for questioning. You pulled a gun and you ran.”
“He didn’t have to stop me with so much force.”
“How was he supposed to stop you? With a feather?”
Dustin shrugged.
“Why did you kill Jennifer Larimer?”
Jesse thought he caught a flicker of recognition, but he couldn’t be sure.
“Who’s she?”
“She was the witness against Edward Kryssa. You were buddies with him, right?”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Ranger.”
“Sure, you do, Dustin. You and Leigh Kryssa are tight. She calls the shots and you do whatever it takes. Why? Why are you and your brother her puppets?”
“I’m done talking for now, Ranger. My head is gonna split open if I don’t lie down. I want to go back to my cell.”
“Sure thing, Dustin. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
“No, I don’t think so. The only person I’ll be talking to is my lawyer.”
“That’s your right, Dustin. All the talking in the world isn’t going to get you out of the mess you and your brother are in.”
BLAINE was in Chief Calhoun’s office when Jesse joined them. “What are the Carpenters saying?”
“Nada. Mrs. Kryssa has a tight hold over those boys for some reason and they aren’t budging an inch.”
“Go back to the wedding planner,” said the Chief. “Push her hard.”
“That’s my next move,” said Jesse. “Ginette should be good and worried by now.”
The Chief picked up the phone. “I’ll put her in room one. Make her cry.”
“I want to,” said Jesse. “For a lot of reasons.”
The Chief hung up the landline and his cell rang. “Perry, what can I do for you?” The Chief listened and nodded. “We have new evidence that puts those boys in the same vehicle that killed the only witness against Edward Kryssa. How the hell can I ignore that?”
Calhoun rolled his eyes while he listened to the DA’s argument.
“This little gang of bandits killed Catherine’s husband, for chrissake, how will it look if we let them loose and they take out Madill?” The Chief pressed end and shook his head. “Leighton doesn’t take pressure like he used to. Maybe it’s time for him to retire.”
“Why don’t I go squeeze Miss Romley,” said Jesse. “We need a thread.”
“We need a confession,” mumbled the Chief. “That’s what we need.”
Interrogation Room One.
GINETTE ROMLEY was sobbing when Jesse entered the small room and set up the interview. He offered her a box of tissues and a Coke.
“I was told I’m being transferred to Travis County today while I wait for my trial,” she said between sobs. “Will that be worse than here?”
“Much worse,” said Jesse with no hesitation. “We only have holding cells here. This isn’t a prison.”
“You have to help me, Jesse. You know I’m a good person. I’m not a criminal.”
“You took part in a conspiracy, Ginette. A conspiracy to assassinate the AG for Texas and during the commission of that crime a man was murdered. The Governor’s husband is dead and you’re responsible.”
She shook her long curly hair. “No. No. I didn’t mean for that to happen. I wasn’t part of it. I didn’t know Jeff had a gun. I swear it.”
“I think you did know,” said Jesse. “Jeff was your employee and all your staff was searched by the Governor’s security. Jeff had to have help getting the gun into the reception room and you were the one with the decorations, the props and the covered food trays. You were the only one who could have smuggled the gun in, Ginette. It was you.”
“I didn’t want to. I said I wouldn’t do it, but Milo made me.”
“How could your cousin make you do something like that?”
“He helped me get my business started and I owe him a lot of money. He said he’d close me down if I didn’t do this one thing for him, and he wasn’t kidding. Milo’s mean. He would ruin me in a second.”
“What does Milo have to do with Leigh Kryssa?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know her.”
“Don’t lie to me, Ginette,” said Jesse. “I can’t help you if you keep telling me lies.”
“I want to talk to Mr. Carrillo before I say anymore.”
“Okay, that’s your right, Ginette. I’ll call him for you.”
“Thank you, Jesse.”
Jesse returned Ginette to her cell and wandered back to the Chief’s office. “She admitted to smuggling the gun into the reception and said Milo made her do it, but she still maintains she doesn’t know Leigh Kryssa.”
“Maybe her cousins kept her in the dark,” said the Chief.
“They knew what they were doing,” said Jesse. “That woman can’t be trusted.”
Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.
JESSE was beat as he arrived home after a long day at headquarters. The house was quiet as he walked in and headed straight for the fridge in the kitchen to grab a beer.
“Hey, Molly, is Marnie around?”
“Upstairs, I think. Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.”
“Thanks, Molly.” Jesse chugged down half his beer and took the can upstairs with him. He found Marnie in their room propped up on the bed reading.
He leaned down and kissed her lightly. “Hey, how was your day? You moving around any better?”
“Lot’s better. I started a new book to keep me off my feet.”
“It’s quiet without Charity,” said Jesse with a wistfulness in his voice.
Marnie smiled. “It is, and I wanted to talk to you about that very thing.”
“We’re getting her home on the weekend,” said Jesse. “We already decided.”
“True, but I was thinking, if we had a baby soon, the two would be close enough in age to be playmates. What do you think of that idea?”
A picture of Jamie lying at the bottom of the stairs, with their dead baby inside of her flashed through his mind. He made a hasty retreat to the ensuite and leaned on the vanity until the dizziness passed.
“Jesse, are you all right?” Marnie called from the bedroom.
“I’m okay.” He splashed cold water on his face then returned to the bedroom to face her. “Just felt woozy for a minute. Sorry.”
“Sit down here beside me until you feel better.” She patted the quilt.
“I’m fine. I’ll get
some fresh air.”
Blade Devil’s Clubhouse. Austin.
FARRELL AND CARLOS didn’t bother knocking on the door of the clubhouse. They walked in and a rough looking gang was huddled around the long table in the middle of the room. A meeting of the minds. All heads turned their way and a dozen sets of eyes lasered hatred towards them.
“Hey, the cops are back. What the hell do y’all want?”
“Missing any members?” asked Farrell. “You kill another kid on any bridge in this city and you’ll be missing a whole lot more.”
“Where’s Cortez?”
“Blew his brains out,” said Farrell. “Just like I’m gonna do to all of y’all.” He waved an arm around the table. “You think I’m bullshitting? Your funeral.”
He touched the brim of his cowboy hat. “Pass it on.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Thursday, October 4th.
Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.
AFTER breakfast, Annie sat at the harvest table and worked on the offer. Tyler hadn’t gone to Quantrall to work in the barn like he always did, and Annie had the feeling he wanted to say something before he left for the day.
“Sit down, sugar. Talk to me. You’re pacing and I can tell something is bothering you.”
“I just want this Madill thing to be over, Annie.” Tyler sat down in the chair at the head of the table. “And when it is over, I want it to be the last job you do for this secret person. No more. It’s too upsetting to our marriage, and I should have a say in it, shouldn’t I?”
“Of course, you have a say. We can talk about anything and work it out.”
“But I already said more than once that I wanted you to stop—especially when you got hurt so bad, but you didn’t listen, and you took another job.”
“I haven’t had to do much this time, Tyler, and it’s almost over.”
“Can it be over now? Like today?”
“Give Blaine a couple more days to get the goods on Mrs. Kryssa and I’ll be finished.”
“I can give you a couple of days, but I won’t bend on the quitting part. I’m standing my ground on that point.”
Annie smiled. “What’s the top dollar we’re going to give for the house in the city?”
Tyler pointed an angry finger. “Don’t change the subject, Annie. I want to hear you say you’re quitting after Madill is safe.”
“I can’t say that without talking to someone first. Will you give me time to do that?”
“Do it right away, and I mean today.” Tyler slammed out the front door without kissing her goodbye.
I have to make a phone call.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
THE CREW had left the Agency and Blaine was refilling his mug when Chief Calhoun called.
“Bad news, son.”
“What happened?”
“Miss Romley was transferred to Travis County yesterday afternoon and she was found dead in her cell this morning by a guard.”
“No. Jesse was sure she was ready to give us the goods on the Carpenters.”
“That could be why. Somehow they knew she was ready to crack.”
“Might be Carrillo,” said Blaine. “Jesse said she wanted to talk to Carrillo before her interview today.”
“He would have been the only one to see her unless the Carpenters or Mrs. Kryssa have contacts in the Travis County facility.”
“What was the COD?”
“Overdose. Somebody fed her pills or gave her a needle. No details yet, but I’ve asked for the body to be sent to our morgue and I’ll talk to Mort about putting her at the head of the line.”
“Yeah. That will be interesting. Tell Mort to call me with a time. I don’t want to miss it.”
Office of the Attorney General for Texas. Austin.
TRAVIS PARKED the silver Ford F-450 in the AG’s designated spot on the first level of the Clements Building ramp and cautioned Madill to stay in the truck until he got out and cleared the level.
Madill had been restless and tired of having a bodyguard hovering around him and didn’t listen well. Not bothering to heed Travis’ instructions, Madill hopped out of the truck and hadn’t descended from the sidestep when the crack of the rifle reverberated through the cave-like parking area. The bullet caught him in the shoulder and knocked him to the concrete.
Travis fired three shots in the direction of the flashpoint and the sniper was gone. Footsteps echoed through the ramp and Travis thought the guy was running towards a waiting vehicle near the entrance, but he couldn’t give chase and abandon the AG. He called for an ambulance, and a crime scene unit, then called Annie.
“What’s up, Travis?”
“Madill took a hit in the parking garage at his office. I’m waiting on an ambulance.”
“Get him out of the city. Have him sent to Fayette Memorial. I’ll meet the ambulance.”
“Roger that, Annie-girl.”
“Come find me when you’re clear there.”
“Copy that.”
Coulter -Ross Ranch. La Grange.
“HEY, SUGAR POP,” have you got eyes on Leigh Kryssa?”
“I do and the boys haven’t said a word all day.”
“Somebody just hit Madill in his office parking garage. Travis has the scene and I’m having Madill sent to Fayette. As soon as Madill can leave the hospital I’m taking him to the ranch.”
“Roger that. I’ll call Luke.”
“She’s going to make a mistake soon,” said Annie.
“I’ll push her,” said Blaine.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
BLAINE ended his call to Annie and scrolled to Luke’s number. “Luke, where are you guys?”
“Next parking lot to the RealtyTex office, boss.”
“Bring her in. Somebody just shot Madill at his office.”
“You got it, boss. You meeting us at HQ?”
“Yep, leaving now.”
“What?” asked Fletcher as he listened to half the conversation.
“Drive up to the front of her office. We’re bringing her in.”
“Have we got her?” asked Fletch.
“Don’t think so, but somebody just shot Madill at his office.”
“Fuck that. Where was Travis?”
“No details.” Luke pointed. “Park as close as you can.”
Luke led the way inside and without knocking or waiting for an invitation, opened the door of Leigh Kryssa’s office. She was on the phone talking to somebody and her face was red.
“Mrs. Kryssa,” said Luke, “Ranger Blackmore would like to speak to you at headquarters. Would you come with us, please?”
“We’ve been through this already, Deputies. I haven’t done anything and y’all are wasting my time.”
“We were asked to bring you to headquarters, ma’am,” said Luke in his slow Louisiana drawl. “You’re not going to give us trouble, are you?”
“Of course not.” Leigh stood up and picked up her purse. “Let’s go and get this inconvenience out of the way.”
“Uh huh. Let’s do that.”
Ranger Headquarters. Austin.
BLAINE arrived before Luke and Fletcher and while he waited for Leigh Kryssa, he called Jesse. His cell went to message and Blaine tried the landline in Jesse’s office.
“Hello, this is Marnie.”
“Hi, Marnie, it’s Blacky. Is Jesse around?”
“No, he’s not. Can I give him a message?”
“Tell him to call me as soon as he can.”
“I’ll do that.”
Where the hell is Jesse?
Blaine went inside the DPS building and set up interview room two, then stuck his head in the Chief’s office and told him what was going on.
“Did you call Jesse?”
“I did, but he’s not around.”
“Question her, then book her on suspicion of attempted murder,” said the Chief. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t call Carrillo until tomorrow.”
“Yep. She’s got an army out there doing her erra
nds and we’ve still got nothing much.”
“Maybe Ginette’s autopsy will give us something tomorrow.”
“Hope so.” Blaine heard activity in the hallway. “The boys are here with her.”
“Good luck.”
Blaine stepped into the hall and said, “Put her in room two. Thanks, guys. Y’all go on home.”
“Right, boss,” said Fletcher. “Thanks.”
Blaine walked into the interrogation room, closed the door behind him and leaned against the wall. “Whoever you sent to cap Madill, missed, Mrs. Kryssa. Bad idea. We have him in custody and he gave us your name.”
A smile spread across her face. “Nice try, Ranger Blackmore, but I’m better at this game than you are.”
“I admit, you are playing well. Who killed Ginette Romley?”
“Who?”
“Would you like a coffee? I’m going down the hall to get one.”
“Yes please. Two cream and two sweeteners.”
“Be right back,” said Blaine.
He walked across to the Chief’s office and sat down. “She’s cool. So cool. I’m going to leave her for a couple of hours.”
Calhoun nodded. “Good plan. I missed lunch. Let’s go out and get a steak sandwich.”
“Do you think we could get a warrant for her house?”
“Carrillo would insist on being there,” said the Chief.
Blaine made a call. “If you’re anywhere near Leigh Kryssa’s house, you could keep an eye on it for her while she’s in custody.”
“How long can you keep her, bro?”
“Maybe overnight.”
“Let see what Carlos and I can find.”
“Roger that.”
Fayette Memorial Hospital. La Grange.
ANNIE sat in the Emergency area, waiting for the ambulance transporting the AG. She’d alerted her friend, Doctor Simonsen, and he had an operating room ready to remove the bullet and repair the damage. Travis had said it was an upper shoulder wound. The sniper was obviously trying for upper center mass, but Madill had turned at the wrong moment or the right moment and saved himself.
She’d left a note for Tyler on the kitchen island, but he might not come home to read it if he was on one of his moody rampages. The even tempered guy she’d fallen in love with years before seemed to have evaporated.