by Carolina Mac
Farrell spun around and grabbed the kid’s wrist before the knife hit its mark. The kid had tried to shove it into Farrell’s side and Farrell redirected it back into the kid’s own gut. The kid screamed and one of his buddies tried to help him.
Farrell grabbed the second kid’s arm, held it out straight and bashed down hard on it with his fist. The bone cracked loud enough to scare the other two off. “Get you asses home and don’t come near Roy.”
A little out of breath, he returned to the table and Kamps was halfway through his breakfast. “You want food, Roy?”
“Chet ordered it for me already, thank you. Did you see them outside?”
“Yeah, I saw them.”
Roy nodded.
“Kamps told me about your buddy seeing the kid with the rifle. Good story, Roy. He didn’t give me a price.”
“Breakfast will be sufficient, Ranger Dead-Eye. We owe you mega dollars.”
“Wish I knew where the house was,” said Farrell. “Maybe your friend will remember and tell you.”
“Ranger Super could find it,” said Roy in his little voice.
When Roy talked, Quinn smiled.
“How could Blacky find it?”
“The word is the Super cop is a hacker,” said Roy. “There can’t be too many of those houses in the city.”
“Those houses?” asked Farrell. “Like a special house?”
“Like where you’re not in the State hospital anymore because you’re kind of better and they put you in with a worker person to watch you and you live with a bunch of half crazy people to see how you make out.”
“A halfway house for people with mental issues?”
“Uh huh,” said Roy. “Mario sells them drugs in the lane behind the house. That’s when he saw the rifle boy from the newspaper.”
“My God, Roy. I love you.”
Roy beamed a smile at Farrell. “I’m so happy you’re elated, Ranger Dead-Eye, and thank you for the food.”
“I’m giving you and Kamps a bonus. Here’s a hundred each and I’ll pay the tab before I leave.”
Roy teared up. “You are such a good person.”
Kamps glared across the table. “What did I tell you about crying, Toy?”
Roy picked up a napkin and dabbed at his blue eyes. “Sorry. I was overwhelmed.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sunday, October 7th.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
BLAINE sat alone in the window alcove wondering how in hell he was ever going to come up with one blond kid in a city the size of Austin if the kid was a loner like he seemed to be, and he was in hiding. Even the dogs couldn’t find him if there was no scent.
“Coffee ready?” asked Farrell as he padded barefoot into the kitchen.
“I didn’t hear you come in last night? Were you really late?”
“Yeah, had a long one at Grady’s, but definitely worth it. Brought Quinn home with me too.”
“What was worth it at Grady’s?”
“Let me get a coffee and I’ll tell you. I gave Roy and Kamps each a hundred buck bonus.”
“I’ll pay you back. Just tell me something I can roll with.”
Farrell sat down opposite Blaine and spooned in two heaping shots of sugar. He stirred as he talked. “A friend of Roy’s called Mafia Mario sells drugs in a lot of places and he can’t remember where he was exactly when he saw the sniper hiding his rifle under the back porch of a house.”
“This Mario guy saw the sniper?”
“Says it was the kid in the paper.”
Blaine felt his heart pick up speed. “Where the hell was it?”
“That’s where you come in.”
“Figures,” said Blaine. “It’s only half a story.”
“Nope.” Farrell shook his head. “This is the whole ball of cheese.”
“What do I have to do to get the ball of cheese?”
Farrell grinned. “Roy said all Super has to do is find out how many half-way houses in the city are full of half-cured looneys and bingo, one of those houses has our boy hanging around.”
“Jesus, I love you, Roy.”
Farrell grinned. “That’s what I said, and Roy teared up.”
Blaine chuckled and ran to his office trying not to spill his coffee.
Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.
ANNIE sat at the granite island with a long list in front of her wondering what she should do first. Travis sat on the stool next to her drinking coffee and watching her add to the list.
“If you keep adding things, Annie-girl, you’re never gonna get to the bottom.”
“Neil will help me when he gets up.”
“Hey, I am up.” Neil jogged down the hallway and hugged Annie. “Love you, Mom. Sorry I was late getting here last night.”
“Happy Birthday, baby. And as long as you’re home, I don’t care what time you got here.”
“That’s a long list,” said Neil. “I didn’t need a party, Mom. You’re not feeling too great yet and you shouldn’t have invited people.”
“Not many people. Only our family.”
“Where’s Ty?” asked Neil, “I didn’t see him.”
Annie’s eyes welled up and she turned her head.
“No, don’t tell me that hothead left you again,” said Neil. “I should fuckin clock him.”
Travis nodded in agreement.
“He moved out,” said Annie. “Let’s not talk about it or I won’t be able to get through the day.”
Neil stomped over to the coffee maker and filled a mug. “That makes me so mad. Those fuckin Quantrall’s are hotheaded, so non-committal and think they’re so fuckin righteous. Well they ain’t. They’re nothing but bull-headed cowboys with spurs stuck up their arny holes.”
Travis grinned and gave Neil a fist bump.
Annie giggled. “I suddenly feel better and I’m going to work on my list.”
“What time are my brothers coming?” asked Neil.
“Three.”
Neil leaned in close and asked in a whisper, “Who’s Dec taking care of? I saw him go into one of the guest rooms and there was a guy in there.”
“Brad Madill. I’m keeping an eye on him.”
Neil narrowed his eyes. “The AG for Texas is in my guest room? Holy shitballs,” said Neil.
“Is shitballs a bad word, Mommy?” asked Jackson as he ran at top speed into the kitchen. “I guess it’s not if my mentor is saying it.” He gave Neil a high five. “Happy birthday, Neil. Be my birthday in a week. Me and Charity are having a together party.”
“I’ll be here for that one,” said Neil. “Can’t wait to see my baby sister. Jesse is bringing her, right, Mom?”
“I think so.”
Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.
“DO WE HAVE a gift for your stepson, Jesse?” asked Marnie.
“No, but we need one, and we are definitely going to Neil’s party. He’s one of the best kids I know, and I wouldn’t miss it. Can you take care of the gift for me?”
“Are you okay seeing your ex-wife?” asked Marnie.
“I’ll behave, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” said Marnie. “Are you too busy to go shopping?”
“I promised Paulie I’d spend a couple hours in the training ring with one of the wild ones. He’s got a buyer coming tomorrow morning.”
“Sure, I can shop.” Marnie took a sip of her coffee. “Any suggestions?”
“Umm… can’t think of a good one at the moment. Nope.”
“I heard a rumor that Farrell had ordered a bike for Neil,” said Bobby. “Maybe something from the Harley store.”
Jesse’s eyes widened. “For sure. Get him a leather jacket, Marnie. Fantastic idea. Thanks, Bobby.”
“How big is he?” Marnie looked from Jesse to Bobby.
Jesse frowned. “I’m a dud on sizes. How big is Neil, Bobby?”
“Same size as me. He’s tall but he’s nowhere near as muscled up as Farrell. I’ll go with you, Marnie, and try
a couple of jackets on, and I can get him something at the same time.”
Marnie smiled. “Would you? I’ve never been to a Harley store before.”
“They have kids clothes, Marn.” Jesse winked at her. “Take the credit card and have some fun.”
“Biker clothes for little people?”
Jesse nodded. “You bet.”
“Ooh, I can’t wait to go now.”
Leigh Kryssa’s Residence. Austin.
LUKE AND FLETCHER came on shift at eight a.m. bringing coffee, breakfast tacos and a bag of donuts with them. “Hope she says something crazy today and we can take her down,” said Fletcher. “Don’t know when I’ve been so sick of surveillance.”
“You make money doing nothing,” said Luke. “Sitting on your ass and getting paid ain’t all bad.”
Fletcher grinned. “When I’m doing nothing, I want to do something, and vice versa.”
“Human nature,” drawled Luke as they climbed into the back of the camper.
Fletcher turned on the equipment and they heard the door slam. “She’s going out.” He shut everything down and they ran around and jumped into the cab of the truck.
“Where we going, lady?” asked Luke as he started the truck. “Take us straight to your shooter, please.”
“That would be a gift,” said Fletch.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
FARRELL headed upstairs to see if Quinn was awake. He opened the bedroom door and she wasn’t in the bed. The smell of her perfume made him hard and he wished she was still naked under the covers. She was such a great lover and had so much energy. He had no idea sex could be that fantastic.
He peeked his head in the door of the ensuite. “Breakfast is nearly ready. Should I wait for you?”
She smeared on lip gloss and said, “I’m ready to meet the gang.”
Farrell took her hand and walked her down the staircase. “You look and smell fantastic, babe.”
“Thanks, I’m a little nervous to meet your family.”
“This is only a part of it. You’ll meet the whole load this afternoon at Neil’s party.”
“I think I’m the most nervous about meeting your mother,” said Quinn.
“Most people would be.”
“Why do you say that? Is she scary?”
Farrell grinned. “Nope. Not a bit.”
“I don’t get it.”
They walked into the kitchen and Farrell said, “This is Carmelita, mi otra madre, the beautiful blonde at the table is Misty and the tough looking kid is Casey.”
“Hi, y’all,” said Quinn. “Nice to meet everybody.”
Casey’s eyes opened wide when he focused on Quinn. “You didn’t say she was like Miss America, Farrell. A little light on the descriptors.”
Farrell chuckled. “Casey is just getting into women. He’s in love with his tutor at the moment.”
Casey curled his lip and snarled at Farrell. “Am not.”
“Are so.” Farrell punched him in the arm and nearly knocked him off his chair. “Sit down here, Quinn. I’ll go call Blacky and tell him it’s time to eat.”
BLAINE had come up with four possible supervised half-way houses where the sniper might be residing. He’d called each one, describing the young man he was looking for and was told four separate times, that it couldn’t possibly be any of their residents because patients in their care were never out of the house unsupervised.
Not that you know of.
Farrell stuck his head in the office door and said, “Breakfast, bro. Come and meet Quinn. Any luck on the sniper?”
Blaine stood up and let out a breath. “They all say the same thing. No unsupervised trips off the property.”
“Yeah, that don’t mean he didn’t sneak out,” said Farrell. “Mafia Mario saw him sneaking back in, and who’s staying up all night watching them?”
“I’m going to every one of those houses and I’m going to personally check out each and every resident up close and personal,” said Blaine. “this is my only lead.”
“Do it after breakfast.” Farrell escorted Blaine into the kitchen and said, “This is Quinn.”
Quinn blinked like she wasn’t expecting to see a black-haired Latino covered in tats, a red bandana tied around his head. “Nice to meet you, Blaine.”
Blaine grinned. “Same. Go easy on Farrell. He can be a huge pain in the ass but he’s a good guy.”
Quinn smiled and the way she looked at Farrell, drinking him in with her blue eyes, Blaine could tell she was already in deep. Farrell was a fuckin chick magnet.
Rosedale. North Austin.
THE FIRST group home he and Farrell visited after breakfast was a huge white frame building with a two storey boxy add-on tacked onto the back. Farrell strolled down the double drive, looked over the fence into what was left of the yard and shook his head.
“No lane behind this one.”
“Okay, we’ll check the list of residents anyway,” said Blaine, “and show them the picture. They might know who he is.”
“Do they know we’re paying them a visit?”
Blaine nodded as he pressed the bell for the second time. “I called and talked to a…” he checked his notebook, “a Mrs. Mallinski.”
A gray-haired woman opened the door and focused on Blaine’s long hair. “I was expecting representatives from law enforcement.”
Blaine held up his credentials. “I’m Ranger Blackmore, ma’am. Could we talk to you for a few minutes?”
Giving Blaine the stink-eye, she pointed to a sitting room to the right of the entrance hall, the room furnished with mismatched second hand furniture and a big boxy TV set on a metal stand. “As I told you on the phone, Ranger, I don’t have anyone that age in my care. All the residents here are older. The youngest one is thirty-five.”
Blaine passed the eight by ten copy of the sketch to her. “Have you ever seen this person?”
She stared longer than she needed to and then shook her head. “Never seen him.”
“Did you make me a list of your residents like I asked?”
“I did, but I can’t see why you would need it. They haven’t done anything. None of them are ever out of my sight or any of my helpers.”
Blaine took the list, stood up and thanked her for her time.
Back in the truck, Farrell asked, “Where to next?”
“The next one is over in Mueller.”
Mueller Area. Austin.
“I HOPE QUINN is okay at home with the girls,” said Farrell. “I wanted her to have a fun weekend and I didn’t plan on leaving her on her own today.”
“We can’t let this lie, bro. You know that, and nobody else is working besides Luke and Fletch on Mrs. Kryssa.”
“I know it couldn’t wait and I explained it to her. Just don’t want her to be pissed at me and spoil my fun this afternoon with Neil.”
Blaine grinned. “She the one? She’s hot, that’s for sure.”
“I’m crazed for her, bro. Like out of my mind nutso.”
Blaine laughed at his brother and pointed at the nav screen. “Punch the second address in there.”
Second place was a large brick home on a street of large brick homes in an older neighborhood. Generous lawns, mature trees and a lot of clipped shrubbery.
“Which one?” Blaine slowed down and cruised along the curb.
“That one.” Farrell pointed to the second one from the end of the street. “Three thirty-two.”
“Check for a lane out the back.” Blaine mounted the porch steps and said hello to two people sitting in wicker chairs reading the paper.
Nobody watching them.
Farrell returned from the back of the property nodding his head. “Uh huh. Laneway behind.”
Blaine knocked and the door was opened by a man in his forties. Sandy hair with a mix of gray. Chunky around the middle. Blue short-sleeved shirt. Suspenders holding up his khaki pants.
“Yes? Are you the people from the police who called?”
“Yes, Blaine
Blackmore and this is Deputy Farrell Donovan. May we talk to you for a minute or two?”
“Of course, I’m always happy to cooperate with the city.”
“State,” said Blaine and followed the man inside. “And you are Mr. Emmery?”
“Norm Emmery—two ‘ems.”
“As I explained on the phone, Mr. Emmery, we’re looking for a specific person and he might be in your care,” said Blaine. He took one of the pictures out of his briefcase and gave it to Emmery.
Emmery’s eyes widened as soon as he saw the picture.
“You recognize him?”
“No. No, I don’t. I guess I was expecting more of a mug shot or a photograph or something.”
“You’re sure you’ve never seen this young man?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
Blaine noticed Emmery’s hand shaking as he laid the picture on the table. “Do you have a list of residents ready for me, sir?”
“Yes, I wrote the names down as well as their ages. I have no one under thirty. Patients come and go, and sometimes we have as many as eight, but these are the six we have now.”
Blaine placed a card beside the picture. “Call me if you think of anything or if anyone living here recognizes the picture.”
“Of course, I will.”
Walking back to the truck, Farrell said, “He’s lying. He recognized that kid right off.”
“Why is he lying?”
“Don’t know but we need somebody in the back lane like now,” said Farrell. “Where are Luke and Fletch with the unit?”
“They followed Leigh Kryssa to her office, and they’re trailing her to see if she meets with the shooter.”
“Yeah, we’ve got to catch that asshole too,” said Farrell.
“I’ll put Carlos on the street and the junk truck in the laneway.” Blaine made the calls.
“Junkers are on their way. I’m calling Carlos.” Blaine pressed the number and waited.
Carlos sounded sleepy. “Yeah, boss? We up?”
“Need you on the sniper. Got a lead and I want you to sit on the street and watch this address.” Blaine read it off to him. “There’s a back lane behind the property and the Junkers have the back covered.”
“Do I take him if I see him?”