Drawing Dead

by Carolina Mac

  “Right, that was it. Jesse said you used to work with my father. Where was that?”

  “In Abilene years ago, we both worked at Texas Tech. He taught computer science and I coached football. I wasn’t on his IQ level at all, but we got along well and had some great times together. He brought you to a lot of the games. I lost a good friend when your father died.”

  “I was never able to grieve for my parents because I don’t remember ever knowing them,” said Blaine. “I feel bad about that part of it.”

  “Not your fault. From what I’ve heard about the accident, if it was an accident, you’re lucky to be alive.”

  Blaine inhaled a breath and digested the remark. “What do you mean, ‘if it was an accident?”

  “I’ve always wondered if it was something else. I made it my business to get a copy of the traffic accident report and from the way it was written up, I couldn’t make sense of it.”

  “From a few things Ricardo said and the way he was so protective of you and your mother, it made me wonder. He let it slip one time after we’d had a few beers that he and your mother moved from DC to Texas a few months before you were born. Then he asked me to forget he’d told me that. I never mentioned it to anyone, but I always wondered why it was a secret.”

  “That is interesting. Why would it matter where he lived before?”

  “I don’t know, son. All the time I knew your family in Abilene, you were a normal, happy family. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  “I appreciate you coming to the hospital,” said Blaine, “and as soon as I get out of here, I’m coming to Dallas to buy you dinner. We need to have another talk. I’m sure of it.”

  Arlo smiled. “A pleasure to meet you, Blaine, and to see what a success you’ve become. Ricardo would be bursting with pride if he could see you now.”

  Blaine shook Arlo’s hand and watched him leave the room, then he reached for his laptop.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  TRAVIS, JACK and Greg showed up at the morgue at ten a.m. sharp for Kristal’s autopsy. Their flight to Austin from McCarran wasn’t until two-thirty and they had already packed up their belongings and checked out of the hotel. Everything was in the rental Jeep ready to go—including everything Annie had left behind in the suite.

  There would be a blue moon in the sky before Travis ever figured out what was going on in Annie’s head. He’d tried her cell numerous times and it went to message.

  Detective Padgett met them in the parking lot, attending on behalf of the homicide squad and when they all went downstairs, Padgett stood with them a little distance from where the pathologist was doing the cutting.

  Nothing turned up, just like all the other victims and the annoyance showed on the doctor’s face. He picked up a copy of Kristal’s tox screen and scowled. “Nothing showed up in her blood stream, but there are a few substances that can be lethal then dissipate shortly after death,” said the doctor. “I’ll have to look into it further when I have the time and when I don’t have a parade of bodies waiting for me.”

  “Thanks, Doc,” said Padgett. “Appreciate the extra effort.”

  “But for now, I’ll have to call it COD unknown. Her heart was strong and no evidence of disease in her body.”

  Padgett nodded and held the door open for Travis and the Junkers. He walked them outside. “Nice to meet you guys. A fuck up of a case, but we still have the BOLO out on Nick Valadero’s Vette. We’ll get him sooner or later.”

  Travis gave Padgett a wave as they drove off.

  “Message here from the boss,” said Jack. “Case is closed.”

  “Might be closed in his eyes,” said Travis, “but not a satisfactory ending in my book.”

  Jack shrugged. “He’s says we’re done. So… we’re done.”

  “Let’s go home,” said Greg from the back seat.

  ANNIE ARRIVED home at Coulter-Ross ranch and the first thing she did was strip down and take a long shower. She’d been on her bike and on the road for hours and hours. She should have stopped and taken a motel room for a few hours, but she didn’t. She pushed it straight through. Now, she badly needed sleep, but needed to see people she loved even more.

  After giving Teddy, one of her Apache cowboys, a big hug she asked him if he would fly to Sante Fe and bring Jackson home. He and Jackson had always been especially close, and even though Teddy wasn’t a big fan of flying, he agreed. Annie got busy and booked him a flight and that was the first job off her list.

  Because Jesse was on the critical list and far worse off and in more danger than Blaine, it was a no-brainer. She had to see Jesse first, then drive up to Austin and see how bad Blaine’s gunshot wound was.

  She drove her favorite old pickup, a dark blue Ram with a Viper engine, down to La Grange to the hospital. While she searched for a parking spot she saw two of the electric blue Quantrall ranch trucks parked side by side.

  Bob was the only Quantrall in the waiting room when she arrived. Next to Jesse in age, Bob had managed the safe-house for Annie since its inception, and she knew him better than most. His usual calm and happy demeanor had been replaced by pale and jittery. Annie leaned down and hugged him and she could feel the tension in his body. “Where is everybody?”

  “Paul and Tyler had to go home for chores. I think they left me a truck. Brian is in with Jesse.”

  “I need to see Jesse.”

  “Brian might give you a minute, Annie. At times, Jesse is so weak he can’t talk.”

  Tears for her ex-husband rolled down Annie’s cheeks and she wiped them away. “Can you show me where he is?”

  Bob took her arm and walked her down the corridor to the unit. “You’ll have to get by the nurse at the door.”

  Brian saw her through the glass and came to her rescue. “Finally, you’re here, Annie. He’s been asking for you. Five minutes. No more.”

  Annie walked with Brian past the other two patients and dropped into the chair beside Jesse’s bed. She picked up his limp hand and held it to her lips.

  Jesse’s eyelids fluttered, and he opened his eyes. “Ace, my baby.”

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll take care of her.”

  Jesse went back to sleep and Annie just sat, happy to be near him and hold his hand. Brian returned much too soon and told her she had to leave. “No more visitors. I’m sedating him.”

  Annie stood up to go. “Anything I can do to help with Charity?”

  “Call Ty. He’ll tell you if he needs help, but I think between him, Wendy and Molly, he’s got it covered.”

  Brian took her elbow and escorted her out of the unit. “It’s mostly my fault that Jesse is in the shape that he’s in, Brian. You and I know it’s true and I have to do something to make up for the hurt I’ve caused.”

  Brian stopped and stared at her with disgust written all over his face. “You’ve almost succeeded in destroying my brother, Annie. The best thing you can do is leave our family the hell alone.”

  Annie ran sobbing from the cardiac unit and didn’t stop running until she reached her truck.

  All the way to Austin to see Blaine she replayed Brian’s words in her head. Brian was terrified Jesse wasn’t going to make it. She’d seen the fear in his eyes. And he was angry. Scared and angry and placing the blame where it belonged, squarely on her shoulders.

  Should she steer clear of the Quantralls like Brian wanted? Or should she try to help with the baby?

  BLAINE STARED at the screen of his laptop and didn’t notice Annie come into the room until she was standing beside the bed. “Mom, I’m so glad to see you. I thought you were never coming home.”

  Annie leaned down and hugged him. “My trip did take longer than I thought, honey, but I’m back now.”

  Blaine took a good look at her and frowned. “You look like you’ve been crying. Did you go see Jesse?”

  “Uh huh. I did.” She flopped down into the guest chair and buried her head in her hands.

  “Is he worse?”

  “No, I don’t think
so, but bad enough and it’s all my fault.”

  It was your fault, Mom, but I hate to see you so sad.

  Annie changed the subject. “Has Misty been here to see you?”

  Blaine pointed at the container. “She baked muffins for me, so I wouldn’t starve on hospital food.”

  Annie smiled. “That was sweet and thoughtful.”

  “She baked a load for Farrell too. He’s a fan of her baking.”

  “What’s going on with Farrell and Mary? He never says a word about her.”

  “When I get out of here, we’ll bring the girls to the ranch for a day and go riding and then stay for dinner.”

  Annie’s face lit up. “I’d love that.”

  “Umm… something came up, Mom, and I want you to be aware before I dig into it.”

  “What, honey? Your face is telling me you’re worried about whatever it is.”

  “Apprehensive would be a better word.” He told her about Jesse meeting Arlo Maznik and the connection to his father.

  “That’s wonderful. You’ve always had so many questions about what happened to your family and no one to help you. Questions that had no answers. Maybe now you can find out what you need to know.”

  “Maybe, or maybe there will just be more questions. I’m not sure whether to dredge things up or leave it alone.”

  “You have good instincts, sweetheart. I’m sure you’ll make the correct decision.”

  I hope so.

  THE FLIGHT FROM VEGAS landed at Austin-Bergstrom at ten after seven. Travis had parked his truck in the long-term lot when he left for Vegas, not knowing how long he’d be gone. As he walked in that direction with Jack and Greg he said, “I want to see Blacky here in Austin before I take you guys home. Are y’all okay with that?”

  “Sure, we are,” said Jack. “I want to make sure he’s okay too. The man will be asking. That’s a given.”

  “We’ll drop in and see him,” Travis checked his watch, “for what’s left of visiting hours, then hit the steakhouse in Smithville on the way back to the estate. How does that sound?”

  “Food sounds great,” said Greg. “Since this morning, the only thing I ate was a tiny bag of pretzels on the plane.”

  “I miss Carm’s cooking,” said Jack. “That woman is a goddess in the kitchen.”

  Visiting hours were almost over by the time Travis and the Junkers made it to Saint Mike’s and found Blaine’s room.

  Blaine was propped up in bed, staring at his laptop when they arrived. He looked up and grinned.

  “Hey,” said Travis, “I leave for a couple of days and you’re all shot to hell when I get back. What’s up with that?”

  Blaine chuckled. “I’m on crutches tomorrow and then I’m out of here, I hope. Can’t take another day of it, and besides, I want to get down to La Grange and see Jesse.”

  “Heard he wasn’t doing too well,” said Jack. “We’ll catch up with him tomorrow.”

  “Tell me about the case in Vegas. Almost killed me, not being there in person to see what was happening. I think I might be a bit of a micro-manager.” Blaine chuckled.

  “We don’t usually have two things going on at once,” said Greg. “We heard you caught the runaway from the State Hospital.”

  “Farrell got him in the end. Right after he shot me. He was hiding in the kitchen shooting randomly with a throw-away gun, and one caught me in the leg. The guy wasn’t a marksman or anything close. He never used a gun on any of his other victims, and I guess we weren’t thinking gun. He may have found it or taken it from one of the drug gangers he killed.”

  “Another case closed,” said Travis. “Maybe we’ll have a week off to get everybody healthy again before we get something new thrown our way.”

  “Did Annie get home?” asked Jack with a questioning look.

  “Uh huh. She came to see me this afternoon.”

  “Did she fly?” asked Travis.

  Blaine smirked. “Why the questions? Did you guys lose her in Vegas?”

  “Something like that,” said Travis. “I’m glad she’s home. I’ll call and tell her we packed up her stuff and brought it with us. I’ll deliver it to the ranch tomorrow or give it to Farrell.”

  Blaine’s eyes narrowed as he tried to figure it out. “What you’re saying is… she left her clothes and stuff in her suite, went somewhere and never went back to the hotel?”

  Travis shrugged. “I had the rental Jeep. I guess she could have rented something else.”

  “Without telling y’all?” Blaine wasn’t buying it, Travis could tell. “Okay, let’s figure this out. Whatever she had to do, she couldn’t take her clothes. Weird. She’s travelling light.” He nodded when he had it.

  “What?” asked Travis.

  “She was on a bike,” said Blaine, “but why?”

  Jesus Christ, I didn’t know where she was, but I do now. Mother Mary don’t let Blacky figure it out.

  “She’s been feeling bad about Jesse,” said Travis. “She needed to clear her head.”

  Jack confirmed. “She was a little down in Vegas.”

  “That’s probably it,” said Blaine, “but why didn’t she just tell you where she was off to?”

  She couldn’t. Her work is classified.

  Travis shrugged as the announcement came over the intercom. “Visiting hours are over, guys. Let’s go eat steak.”

  “Shit, I want a steak,” said Blaine. “Can’t remember what I had for dinner, but it sure as hell wasn’t steak.”

  They said their goodbyes, and on the way to Smithville, Jack said. “I’ll check the State Trooper reports when we get home. A red Corvette might have been involved in a highway mishap.”

  “Yeah, a fuckin mishap,” mumbled Travis.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  JACKSON DIDN’T SEEM to be tired from his flight home. He was up bright and early eating breakfast with the cowboys and telling them tales of his adventures in Sante Fe with Papa Pete, the grandfather he adored.

  “Papa Pete showed me the house where they say Billy the Kid lived with his Mom when he was a kid about the same age as me.”

  “Maybe you’ll be a good shooter like him when you get bigger,” said Bull.

  “Guaranteed,” said Jackson, a word he had picked up from his father and used a lot. “Mommy is the best and she’ll teach me, just like she taught Blaine and Farrell.”

  He seemed so happy, Annie couldn’t bear to tell him about Lance Ogilvie, his biological grandfather whom he’d only known such a short time. She decided to put it off until later. Instead, she said, “We have to visit Blaine in the hospital today, sugar, and see if he can come home. He was catching a bad man and he got shot in the leg.”

  Jackson scowled and when he did, he looked so much like Race, it took Annie’s breath away. “Where was Farrell? He’s supposed to have my brother’s back.”

  “Farrell was there, and he took care of the bad man, and helped stop the bleeding in Blaine’s leg.”

  “Good thing,” said Jackson, “I might have been mad at him.”

  Annie smiled. “I missed you, honey. I’m glad you’re home.”

  HAVING SLEPT POORLY trying to decide the best course of action—should she do what Brian wanted and distance herself and her family from the Quantralls, or should she do what Jesse had asked her to do and help Tyler with Charity?

  “Are we almost there, Mommy?” asked Jackson. “Is Charity big enough to play now? Like with toys and stuff?”

  “She is a lot bigger, sweetheart. She can sit up by herself, and she has a lot of toys.”

  Annie parked next to Jesse’s Range Rover and walked across the compound with Jackson straight to the barn. “Tyler works in his office most of the day, so let’s see if he’s there or in the training arena.”

  “Does Charity play in the barn like I do?”

  “Not yet, but I’m sure she will when she gets a bit older.”

  Annie stuck her head in the office first and Ty was sitting on a stool at his desk deep in thought. She slipped
her arms around his waist from behind and kissed his neck. “Hey, baby, how are you doing?”

  Ty tried to smile. “Not bad. A little tired, but better than yesterday. Brian told us at breakfast Jesse is getting stronger. He tells us that every day, so I don’t know if it’s true, or if he’s trying to cheer us up.”

  “I saw Jesse yesterday for a couple of minutes and he was worried about the baby. He asked me to help you.”

  “She’s in her crib sleeping, and Molly is listening for her.”

  “I want to see her toys, Tyler,” said Jackson.

  “Can I take her for the afternoon, so you can get some work done?”

  “Jesse doesn’t like her away from the house unless he’s with her.”

  “That’s a little over-protective, don’t you think?”

  “Probably, but that’s the way he is—we both are. We can manage, Annie. No need to bother.”

  Annie fought back the tears burning behind her gray eyes. “I’d like to help if you’d let me. As Brian pointed out to me at the hospital, it’s my fault Jesse had another heart attack.”

  “Nobody is blaming you—other than Brian. He’s been ranting at us too, for letting Jesse do too much at the barn. Jesse’s heart is weak. He went through some bad shit. It happened.”

  “It wouldn’t have happened if…” she looked at Jackson and stopped talking.

  Tyler’s cell rang, and he glanced at the screen. “Excuse me for a minute, Annie. I’ve got to take care of this.” He stepped out of the office and stood in the wide aisle between the stalls. “Hi Alexa, no, I didn’t give him your message. He’s in the hospital and can’t have visitors. Could you please stop calling? Uh huh. That’s why I’m telling you. He’s not home and he’s not interested. Please stop calling.”

  Tyler was making a face as he returned to the office.

  “Who was that?” asked Annie, “Some chick hot for my husband?”

  Ty raised an eyebrow at the husband word. “Jesse met her at Boots and she won’t stop calling.”

  “Where does she live?”

  “No clue. I told her to piss off.”

  “Can I see the baby?” asked Jackson.