Home on the Ranch: Wyoming Sheriff

by Rebecca Winters

  “You have to wonder why Mr. Bowen hired him.”

  “Apparently, Seth was let go at the other dealerships for either being late too often, for doing sloppy work or for failing their drug testing. I’m guessing he stayed clean because he was taken on at Mid-Valley and so far hasn’t failed the drug test. At the South Mall dealership, they actually take the employees’ fingerprints, but I can’t get a copy without a judge’s subpoena. That’s my next item of business.”

  “You consider him a major suspect, don’t you?” Jessica asked.

  “It’s looking like a stronger and stronger possibility. Let’s consider that on the surface he had motive, opportunity and means, the first things you look for when a crime has been committed.

  “Both he and your husband went to the same high school. They competed in the rodeo, but Seth failed to turn professional because he wasn’t good enough. That alone could have been hard on him, plus the fact that your husband was so popular, he got voted in as king of the Christmas dance.”

  “You’re right about that. Everyone liked Trent.”

  “Consider that your husband was taken on at Mid-Valley right out of high school, and with more schooling became a master mechanic.”

  “That was because his uncle Paul taught him everything he knew before he applied to work there.”

  “Again, Seth didn’t have that skill to fall back on. I find it strange that he tried to follow in your husband’s footsteps, but he has never attained the status of mechanic or come close to it. When you consider that there are hundreds of different jobs he could have interviewed for, I believe it’s more than coincidence that he has tried to copy your husband.”

  “Holden?” Her voice sounded shaky.

  “What is it?”

  “There’s another thing I forgot to tell you when I made out that list. For the first year after Trent’s death, three of the guys from the dealership used to come to the salon to get their hair cut. Seth was one of them.”

  “That’s interesting...”

  “I knew that they were simply trying to be nice. They usually brought Chase a little treat. But for the last year or so Seth has been the only one to keep coming. I’ve been hoping he would stop.”

  Holden got to his feet. “You’re still cutting his hair?”

  “Yes, and lately he’s been acting differently.”

  “Explain what you mean.”

  “He’s come to the salon three times in the last couple of months. I thought it was rather odd because he has long hair and keeps it that way. Each time he said he just wanted a quarter of an inch trimmed. The last time he stopped by, I wasn’t there because I had gone to your office. My mom said she or one of the other women would take care of him.”

  His hand tightened on the phone. “How did that go down?”

  “Not well. This time he’d brought Chase a big fourteen-wheeler toy truck. It was an over-the-top gift. I was sorry he’d done it. When Seth found out I wasn’t there, he left without letting anyone else cut his hair. Chase thought he was mad. My mom said she thought he’s been attracted to me for a long time and was upset because I wasn’t there.”

  Holden’s jaw hardened.

  “When I drove over to the dealership the other day to give the guys one more chance to buy Trent’s truck, one of the other mechanics, Bryan, made an offer. Seth was on duty and hovered over Chase and me the whole time. My son didn’t like it at all.

  “Before we left, Seth asked me to be at the salon the next time he went in for an appointment. He suggested that if he came in at the end of the day, then we could go out for dinner afterward with Chase. Knowing what I know now since finding those ball joints in the garage, I can’t tell you how the idea of being with Seth or anyone from the dealership fills me with terror.”

  “What did you tell him?” Holden demanded quietly.

  “I told him that I couldn’t say right now.”

  “That was the perfect answer.”

  “But I knew he didn’t like it.”

  “Jessica, this news sheds a whole new light on the situation. I felt there had to be stronger motivation than just his jealousy of Trent. Now after what you’ve told me, I’m inclined to think Seth has been obsessed with you since high school.”

  “But I never even knew him!”

  “That doesn’t matter. You may not have remembered him, but the fact that you were voted queen of the Christmas dance and that you and Trent were a couple had to have played with his head in a big way. The fact that he continues to come for a haircut from you and brings Chase a gift like that speaks volumes.”

  “Holden, what am I going to do?”

  “We’ll talk about it on Friday during our hike. One more thing before we hang up. I have proof from the staff schedule Mr. Bowen provided that Seth was on duty the day your husband took your car in to work. That means he knew Trent’s intention to change the ball joints.” It was another bit of crucial evidence Holden needed to build the case against him. “In time I’ll learn his whereabouts the night your husband drove it out to the private parking area.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to bring him in for questioning?”

  Though Seth was the number one suspect in Holden’s mind, he still had to keep the options open. If not Seth, another employee could have crept around the bay that night without Trent or Jessica knowing.

  “Not until I’ve gathered a little more evidence. Promise me you won’t go near the dealership or anyone there. Don’t get back to Bryan about the truck yet, and do what you can to avoid talking to Seth if he calls for another appointment.”

  “I promise.”

  “We’ll see each other on Friday. Be safe, Jessica.”

  “You, too.”

  * * *

  For the next week Holden kept thinking about her comment. No one had ever told him to be safe before. When the next Friday dawned, he picked up his two favorite people, excited to be spending a whole day with them.

  They stopped along the trail up the mountain and he hunkered down next to Chase. Jessica was behind them with her camera. “I heard a whistle. Keep looking next to that big rock.” He handed the boy his binoculars. “That’s where I saw the marmot before.”

  They stayed poised along the trail where there was a break in the trees. The sun, shining down on the Winds, streamed into the pocket while the chirping of birds and insects filled the air.

  Pretty soon they saw movement and the marmot peeked its head out of its burrow. “See his yellow belly?” Holden whispered as it stretched taller.

  “It looks kind of like an orange cat,” Chase whispered back.

  “You’re right.”

  “Does it know we’re here?”

  “Yes. They whistle when they sense danger.”

  “But we’re not going to hurt it.”

  Holden loved the sweetness in this boy. “The marmot doesn’t know that.”

  Suddenly, a blue jay flew toward a copse of trees, startling the marmot. Out came such a loud whistle from the marmot that Chase fell back against Jessica. They all laughed and the marmot disappeared into the burrow.

  Chase handed Holden the binoculars. “Do you think he’ll come out again?”

  “Sure.” He put them around his neck. “After we eat lunch and come back down, we’ll catch him taking another sunbath.”

  “Do they really take sunbaths, Mom?”

  She stood up. “I think animals are like people and enjoy getting in the sun. Let’s keep going. Maybe we’ll see another one.”

  They eventually reached Miller Lake where Jessica took a lot of pictures. “Looks like other hikers have had the same idea,” Holden said. “But I bet none have as good a lunch as ours. These peanut butter sandwiches you made with strawberry jelly are the best, Chase.”

  “Thanks.”

  Jessica flashed Holden a glance. “I ha
ppen to love your super-duper bologna, ham and cheese sandwiches.” They all agreed salt-and-vinegar chips were their favorite kind. After they’d emptied the bag, Holden produced doughnuts for dessert.

  Chase devoured his. “Do you think if we left part of a doughnut by the burrow, the marmot would eat it?”

  A laugh broke from Holden. “Tell you what. Let’s do it and see what happens.”

  After they drank from their water bottles, they trekked back to the spot that Chase couldn’t wait to reach. Holden handed him half a doughnut that didn’t have icing. “I don’t know if it would like chocolate. Go ahead and put it next to the burrow. We’ll see what happens.”

  Chase showed no fear placing the doughnut near the hole before the three of them hunkered down in the same spot as before and waited to see what would happen. After ten minutes Holden decided the marmot wasn’t going to come out. “What do you think?” he whispered. “Shall we go on waiting?”

  “Just a little longer.” Chase had hold of the binoculars.

  Holden couldn’t resist his plea. He wished this day would go on forever.

  Five minutes passed before Chase drew in his breath. “There he is—”

  Once again the marmot poked its head up and looked around. Its movements were quick. “He took it!” Chase cried. But the sound of his voice carried and caused the marmot to disappear. “Heck—I wanted to see him eat it.”

  Jessica hugged him hard. “I don’t think he wanted to share it with that blue jay perched in the trees.”

  More laughter escaped Holden. “I bet that yellow belly has never tasted anything so good.”

  “Can we come up here again and feed him something else?”

  “Why not?”

  “Wait till I tell Joey.”

  They started to walk down to the truck with Chase leading the way. After driving back to his ranch house to freshen up, they went to see the latest animated movie downtown. After that, Chase wanted to go to the Spaghetti Factory again for dinner.

  Full of good food, they arrived back at Jessica’s and went inside. Holden wanted time alone with her. He hoped Chase was tuckered out and wouldn’t have a problem going to bed. But he was full of questions.

  “Mom? Did you tell Holden we’re going to sell the truck?”

  “Yes. I told him Bryan made an offer.”

  “Are you going to let him buy it?”

  “Yes. I talked it over with Nana yesterday. His offer was a little lower than I’d hoped to get, but I don’t feel like going to all the trouble of running an ad and being on hand to show it to potential buyers.”

  “Now we can buy a new car, huh, Mom?”

  “Yes, darling.”

  “I’d say you’re a very lucky guy, Chase.”

  He stood next to Holden and looked up at him. “We went to my dad’s work last week.”

  He fastened his attention on Jessica’s son. “I bet it reminds you of him.”

  “Not anymore. I don’t like going there.” Holden’s gaze fused with Jessica’s before Chase said, “Hey—do you want to come to my nana’s shop? Mom will cut your hair. She’s really good at it.”

  “I bet she’s the best.” That boy was still in the dark and Holden wanted to keep it that way. But the chasm was opening, revealing an unspeakable picture of potential evil where Seth might be concerned. He saw the agony on Jessica’s face.

  “Holden has his own person to cut his hair,” she blurted. “Come on, honey. Let’s get you in the tub.”

  “But we don’t have to go anywhere tomorrow.”

  “That’s true, but Holden has to be on call at six in the morning. It’s getting late and he still has to drive home.”

  “I know.” He stared up at him. “Thanks for the hike. I had the best time of my whole life!”

  The boy had said the same thing after their last outing. “We’ll do it again soon. Maybe next time we’ll leave the marmot a cookie.”

  Chase giggled before giving him a hug and running out of the living room.

  Jessica followed. “I’ll be back the second he’s in bed.”

  While she was gone, Holden phoned Walt for an update and a discussion of their work schedule before hanging up. Tomorrow when he got back to the office, he’d look at the dealership surveillance tapes.

  He would also stop by forensics to talk to Cyril about the fingerprints left on the ball joints. Holden particularly wanted to know if any had been lifted off the Duralast ball joint. That was the one the criminal had put on the car.

  At that point he would run the prints through the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System to see what he could find. Following that, he’d go through the names of all the employees and find out if any had criminal records. Perhaps there’d been drug testing and fingerprints taken. You never knew what would turn up.

  “Holden?” He’d been so deep in thought he hadn’t realized Jessica had come back in the living room. “Sorry it took so long. I think Chase had too good of a time today.”

  He smiled. “I feel the same way, but now we have to get back to something serious before I leave.”

  “I know.” She sank down on the couch opposite him.

  “Tomorrow being Saturday, why don’t you call Bryan in the morning and ask him to come over here after your work. Tell him to bring a cashier’s check. When he shows up, try not to touch it. I want to examine it for fingerprints. As for the gift Seth gave Chase, did it come in a box?”

  “Yes.”

  “By any chance do you still have it?”

  “Maybe. It would be at my mom’s.”

  “I’ll come by your house sometime Monday after your work and pick up the check. If you find the box, I’ll pick that up, too, and ask forensics to put a rush on them for fingerprints. One of the deputies will bring the check back to you on Tuesday morning so you can put it in your bank.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Now about next Friday. If you don’t have other plans I was thinking we could take Chase to the Simpson’s farm in the afternoon and see if he’ll be willing to get on the pony and go for a ride with us.”

  “That would be wonderful! Afterward I’ll fix dinner for us. It’s my turn to treat.”

  Her words were music to his ears and a great deal more, but he didn’t dare examine the emotions flowing through him yet. “I’ll call you before then to make sure our plans are set. See you Monday to pick up the check, but I don’t know the time yet.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll be here after I bring Chase home from playgroup.”

  At the door he turned to her. “If you want to know the truth, I had the time of my life today, too.”

  * * *

  When Bryan came by on Saturday evening, Jessica was fixing corn dogs for dinner. She invited him in the living room to give him the truck title and the keys. He, in turn, pulled an envelope from his pocket and showed her the check before putting it back inside.

  “Just leave it there on the table, and I’ll walk you out to the truck.”

  “Thanks, Jessica. I’ve needed another vehicle. This truck is perfect.”

  “It’s been a good one.”

  He was so nice, she couldn’t imagine him doing anything criminal. But pleasant as he was, she had to remember what Holden had said. There was a strong possibility that he or Seth or any of the guys might have hated Trent enough to try to hurt him or cause him grief. Holden hadn’t proved who’d tampered with the car yet, but she knew he was getting closer to discovering the truth.

  Chase walked out to the driveway with her. They watched until Bryan had backed the truck out to the street and driven away. His wife waved to them from their car before following him.

  “There goes Dad’s truck,” Chase said. Jessica hugged him hard. She’d heard the little tremor in his voice. “Are we going to get our new Toyota tomorrow?”

 
“Tomorrow is Sunday. We’ll probably go on Tuesday. Nana will drive us to the Toyota dealership. What’s nice is that our garage is ready.” Jessica still couldn’t believe that in cleaning it out, she’d inadvertently set off the search for the person who’d caused Trent’s death.

  Together they went back in the house for corn dogs and salad. Then Chase took his bath and got ready for bed. She read him stories but it was hard to pretend nothing was wrong, not when she was counting the hours until Holden came over on Monday night.

  When she phoned her mom, she was disappointed to learn her mother had thrown out the box that held the truck Seth had bought. But it couldn’t be helped.

  While she was straightening up the house, Holden texted her, wanting to know about Bryan. It sent a dart of excitement through her. She texted him back, embarrassingly aware how eager she was to hear from him.

  The cashier’s check is here on the coffee table. I never touched it. He left in the truck. All is well. But Mom threw out the box.

  He answered back. No problem about the box. So far, so good. See you Monday, and don’t forget our plans on Friday!

  She sent one more message. I hope you like fajitas.

  His response was an emoji of a round face with a huge grin. It made her smile.

  In a short time Jessica had become infatuated with the sheriff for reasons that went far beyond pure physical attraction. Being with him made her feel alive again.

  When Monday evening came, Chase ran outside to greet Holden when he pulled up in the driveway. Before she knew it, Chase was riding on his shoulders when he came in the house. For a little while, her son’s happy laugh helped her forget the real reason why Holden had come. With a gloved hand, he picked up Bryan’s envelope so he wouldn’t contaminate the evidence.

  While they stood in the living room talking, his phone rang. After answering it he darted her a glance. “Got to go,” he said, ruffling Chase’s hair. “See you on Friday.” In the blink of an eye he was gone.

  “I wish he didn’t have to go.”

  So do I. “His job is to help people in trouble.”

  “He took off like the Flash!”