by June Faver
Leah sucked in a deep breath and let it out. “Yes, I’m to answer all questions truthfully, unless you interrupt, and then I’m not to answer.”
“Right.” He straightened his shoulders. “I just hope we can bring this mess to an end. I know you want to get home to your little girl, and I would sure as hell like to see my wife with her eyes open.”
“Breck, I will pay you for representing me. You may have to take it out of my pay for the next hundred years, but I intend to pay you back.” She paused, gnawing her lower lip. “And Mr. Garrett too. I can’t think why he was willing to put up so much money for me.”
Breck glanced at her again, a crooked smile on his lips. “I’m pretty sure it’s because of Tyler’s great affection for you. Big Jim is dead certain you’re going to be his daughter-in-law…and he likes you. Besides, he didn’t have to come up with half a million dollars. He only had to put up ten percent. Fifty thousand is a drop in the bucket for him. Don’t worry. He can afford it.” He clicked his tongue. “Of course, if you skip out, he would have to forfeit the entire amount.”
“Well, I would never do that,” she hastened to assure him.
“I never for a moment thought you would. Now, tell me one more time about how you found the body in the field.”
As they drove, the sun continued to rise, bathing the landscape with an early morning glow. Sunlight glistening through the dew likened the passing landscape to a field of pearls.
Leah sighted buildings in the distance, standing like silent sentinels against this flat landscape. They drove past miles and miles of pastures and open range, most populated with clumps of beef cattle and a few mesquite and cacti. Each species of vegetation lent its own austere beauty to this rugged countryside.
By the time they arrived at the county seat, Leah’s nerves were fried. She kept her palms gripped together in a sort of silent supplication. In her brain, the word please replayed over and over again. When they were parked and out of the truck, she found Ty by her side, his ever-present smile a haven for her storm-tossed soul.
Breck led the way into the DA’s office and placed his card on the secretary’s desk. The three of them were led to the back where Breck shook hands with a Lieutenant Clemmons. He introduced Leah and Ty.
Lieutenant Clemmons took a hard look at Ty and pointed to a chair. “You’ll have to wait over there.”
Ty glanced at Breck, who nodded. Ty squeezed Leah’s hand. “I’ll be right here.”
Clemmons then waved Breck and Leah toward an open office and, on the way, spoke to another officer. “Tell Bradshaw they’re here.”
Leah’s stomach felt like it was in a vise. Breck gave her a reassuring nod, but it didn’t help much.
In a few minutes, a man in a suit came into the small room and closed the door behind him. He sat across the table from Leah and Breck, passing a sheaf of papers to Clemmons, who rifled through them and then leaned back to stare across at Leah.
Bradshaw set a small recording device on the table halfway between himself and Leah. He stated the date and his name, then asked her to state her name.
He asked her to recount the events leading up to her discovery of the body of Ray Carter.
Leah glanced at Breck, who nodded, and then began to tell how she saw the truck and noticed that the fence had been cut. She said she went to see what the Carters were doing on her grandmother’s property.
“Did it not occur to you that this was a dangerous course of action, given the previous encounters with Ray and Dean Carter?”
“I suppose so,” she said. “But at the time, I thought maybe they were starting a fire in all the dry brush.”
“And if this had proven to be true, what would you have done?”
Breck raised his hand to silence her. “My client will not comment on ‘what ifs.’ Stick to the facts.”
Bradshaw’s mouth tightened, and he reshuffled his papers. “How about this, then? Miss Benson, if you did not kill Ray Carter, how did your fingerprints wind up on the murder weapon?”
Leah stared at him without speaking. She felt a cold prickle on her skin as though someone had spritzed her with ice water. “I—I have no idea.”
“You have a murder weapon?” Breck asked.
“Yes, there was a rock lying close to the body, and the medical examiner’s office has positively established that this object was used to bludgeon Mr. Carter to death.” He nodded to Leah. “There were several smudged prints, but those belonging to Miss Benson were clearly identified.”
“Oh no! Not the rock.” Leah began to tremble violently. “I picked it up on the road before I went into the field. I thought—I thought—”
“You thought you needed a weapon to confront Mr. Carter. This is called a weapon of opportunity.”
“Wait a minute,” Breck demanded. “You actually think Miss Benson is strong enough to have overpowered someone as big as Ray Carter with a rock?”
Bradshaw’s lower jaw jutted out as he glared at Breck. “This was a crime of passion. Whoever killed Carter was acting out of pure hatred. After he was dead or dying, his killer sliced and diced him with a pair of rusted antique shears. That was overkill.”
Leah covered her mouth with both of her shaking hands. She couldn’t grasp how this man thought she was capable of such a despicable act.
There was a knock at the door, and a uniformed officer came in to slide another folder to Clemmons and exited quickly.
Clemmons scanned the papers and frowned. “That will be all, Miss Benson.”
Breck gazed at him intently. “Is there a further development in the case? Is that why you’re dismissing Miss Benson?”
Clemmons let out a huff of air. “The ME has determined that the individual who crushed in Mr. Carter’s face had to be over six feet tall and have a much greater body mass than Miss Benson. She is free to go.” He leaned to whisper something to Bradshaw, who nodded. “However, we would like to talk to the young man who was accompanying Miss Benson. His stature corresponds to that of the perpetrator.”
“You’re way off base there, Clemmons,” Breck said. “Mr. Garrett has a rock-solid alibi.”
“Yes,” Leah nodded furiously. “He spent the day with my daughter in Amarillo buying school clothes.”
It seemed there was a glaring battle going on between Breck and the two men sitting across the table. Breck pushed his chair back abruptly. “If that will be all, gentlemen, we will be on our way.” He put his hand on Leah’s shoulder, and she managed to stand upright. Breck took her arm and led her from the room.
Ty got to his feet when he saw them, and Breck motioned for him to join them as he made a beeline for the exit. Once outside, he turned on Leah. “You never mentioned anything about a rock.”
She stopped in her tracks, nervous in the face of Breck’s indignation. “I completely forgot about it. I think I must have dropped it when I came upon the body.”
Breck let out a frustrated grunt. “Well, it’s a good thing the medical examiner decided it took someone a lot bigger and stronger than you to crush Ray Carter’s head in, because otherwise, you would be looking at murder one.”
Leah nodded vigorously. “I understand. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even remember picking up the rock.”
Ty circled his arm around her shoulders in a protective gesture. “I’m pretty sure she wasn’t expecting to come upon a bloody nightmare.”
Breck turned on him. “And you better watch your step, because you were already mentioned as a possible suspect, based on your height and build.” He took a step back and blew out a breath. “But I wouldn’t be too worried. If it came down to it, I’m sure with time and date stamps on your receipts from shopping in Amarillo and store security cameras, we could prove your innocence.” He raked his fingers through his hair and jammed the Stetson back on his head. “Let’s get back. Leah, if you can go into the office this afternoo
n, we can try to construct some semblance of normalcy today.”
Leah heaved a sigh of relief. At least she still had a job. “I will get there as soon as I can.”
Breck drove off, leaving Leah and Ty to follow. Ty opened the passenger door of his truck but pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss when they were tucked inside the shelter of the door.
She wrapped both arms around his torso, imprisoning him in a fierce embrace. “I’ll be so glad when this is all over. I hate having something so awful hanging over us.”
Ty gazed down at her. “Breck doesn’t seem to think we have a lot to worry about.”
“But whoever killed Ray Carter on my grandmother’s property is still out there. I won’t be able to relax until that person is caught.”
“Baby, you don’t know the Carters. They’re the scum of the earth. I’m sure whatever else was going on with Ray, he had to have made a bunch of enemies. Any one of them could have caught up with him, and it just happened to be at your grandmother’s place. Don’t let it worry you.”
She nodded, filled with a sense of uncertainty laced with foreboding. She rode back to the Garrett ranch, her hand on Ty’s thigh, with him singing along to the radio. As they turned in at the big horseshoe-arched entrance, she considered how much her life had changed in such a short time. She had fled Oklahoma with her daughter and the bare essentials, not knowing what she would find but certain it had to be better than what she was leaving behind.
Now, she had the love of a very good man, the best job she’d ever held, and the prospect of providing some kind of security for her daughter’s future. She tried to relax and enjoy the place she was in her life at that moment.
Ty was crooning along to an old Eagles tune, appearing to be perfectly content.
All she had to do was chill out, stop creating drama in his life, and let him attain the stardom he was born to reach. I can’t keep getting in his way.
They pulled up in front of the Garrett ranch house. Big Jim and Gran came out to meet them.
“Oh, thank heavens,” Gran exclaimed. “I was so scared for you.”
Leah leaned down to embrace her. “It went surprisingly well. They decided it would take someone a lot bigger and stronger than me to have done the deed.”
Big Jim scoffed. “Well, of course it would. I could have told them that.”
“I need to go to work and get my car,” Leah said. “I can collect Gracie after school and then come pick you up after I get off.”
“Now, just wait a second.” Big Jim held up both hands in protest. “Miz Fern and I have been talking, and we think we have a plan.”
Leah felt Ty stiffen behind her.
Gran nodded her head wisely. “We was talking, and it seems that whoever killed that Carter feller is still out there, and we don’t know if he’s through with killin’ people.”
“Yeah, I thought of that too.” Leah swallowed hard.
“Well, Big Jim here offered to let us stay at his ranch until the killer is caught. It would be a lot safer than out at my place.”
“But, Gran, what about your animals? The cattle and chickens? We would have to go over every day to feed them and look after the house.” Leah frowned, wondering how they would manage the logistics.
Big Jim chuckled. “Don’t you worry about your livestock, Miz Fern. The boys and I can make sure they’re taken care of. We Garretts would never let an animal suffer.”
Leah turned to Big Jim. “Are you sure? I hate to put you to so much trouble.” She glanced from Big Jim to Ty.
“No trouble at all. If need be, we can bring your livestock here. There’s plenty of grazing land. We can put the cattle in one of the small pastures, and the boys can clean out one of the sheds to use as a chicken coop. Your choice.”
Gran was grinning ear to ear as she looked on. Everything seemed to be settled for her.
For his part, Ty looked grim. He stood with his boots planted and his hands fisted at his waist.
“Seriously, Son, you don’t want these ladies to be at risk, especially if you’re going back to Dallas.” Big Jim addressed Ty, his voice persuasive.
Ty sucked in a deep breath and exhaled forcefully. “I suppose you’re right. I don’t want them to be in any danger. I…uh…I planted some winter rye for feed, and there’s hay stored in the barn.”
“Good for you, Son, but I have to know: Where is your horse?” Big Jim asked. “Colton said he wasn’t at Fern’s place.”
“I boarded him with the veterinarian before I took off for Dallas. I didn’t want the ladies to have to care for him.” Ty was frowning now.
“You can bring him home. You know he’ll get good care here while you’re gone,” Big Jim said. “And there’s no need for you to go to that expense.”
Ty sighed again. “I suppose you’re right on that too, Dad.”
“Great.” Gran clapped her hands together. “So I can have all my chickens safe under one roof, so to speak.”
Ty nodded. “For the short term.” He and Big Jim gazed at each other intently. “At least until the killer is put away or I get kicked off Country Idol.”
Leah let out a strangled laugh, tried to take some of the pressure off the situation. “Don’t be silly, Ty. You’re going all the way. I know it.”
He ran his hands up and down her arms. “I appreciate your support, but we’ll see how it goes. I’ll take you to grab lunch in town and then drop you at Breck’s office. I’ll pick up my horse and meet you here after you get off work.”
It suddenly seemed so simple. Everything was working out better than she could ever have imagined.
* * *
Ty took Leah to lunch and then to the law office. She looked really happy, so he tried not to let his misgivings color her expectations. He couldn’t imagine how his father had suddenly backed off of his stance about the possibility of Ty having a career in music. They hadn’t talked about it privately, but at least Big Jim was making a public showing of support.
He drove to the veterinarian’s place, settled up with her, and hooked the horse trailer to the back of his truck. Prince nickered and waved his handsome head when he spotted Ty.
He rubbed Prince’s neck. “Easy, boy. I’ll have you home soon.” The word home struck a chord with him. For a brief moment, the little run-down ranch owned by Leah’s grandmother had felt more like home than his father’s vast domain. He thought that might have had more to do with the people involved than any amenities.
He sighed and led Prince into the trailer. He seemed to be in high spirits, prancing up the ramp, as though he too was anxious to be going home. Probably anxious to see Gracie.
Once Ty secured the doors, he climbed in his truck and headed back to the Garrett ranch…his dad’s ranch. The place where he’d sworn never to return.
“We’ll see how it goes,” he said aloud. The Garrett ranch was a place where Leah and her family could be safe while he was gone. It all made sense, and he could see that it was for the best. At least that’s what he kept telling himself.
* * *
Leah opened the office as soon as Ty dropped her off. She had two hours to put in some work before she went to pick up Gracie at school. She’d missed her daughter so much her chest ached.
Leah checked the answering machine and made notes on the few calls, placing the messages on Breck’s desk. She was surprised when the door opened and Sara Beth popped in.
“Hey, you,” she sang out, a wide grin on her face. “Where ya been, girl?”
“I just had some…business to take care of.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. I missed you.” She gave her friend a wide grin.
Leah’s chest flooded with warmth. Nice to have a real friend for a change.
“I’m taking a break from the store. It’s been real quiet today. I thought I could run down here and at least say h
ello.”
Leah pointed to the chair by her desk. “Well, sit down and tell me how things are going in your life. How is your boyfriend?”
“He’s great! In fact, he’s taking care of the baby today. His sister came to visit, and he wanted to introduce her to Cami Lynn. We’re all going to have dinner tonight when he picks me up.”
“That sounds so nice,” Leah said. “I’m just so happy for—” She broke off suddenly when the door was thrown open so hard it banged against the coat-tree, sending it clattering to the floor.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?”
Leah’s worst nightmare stood framed in the open doorway. “Caine!” she gasped.
Sara Beth jumped to her feet. “Oh, land’s sake. You scared me.” She eyed him, her expression betraying her apprehension. “Well, if you folks will excuse me, I better be getting back to the store.” She took a few steps toward the door, but Caine blocked her path.
He glared down at her, seemingly immense next to her petite form. “Where do you think you’re going, little one? It’s just getting interesting.”
Sara Beth swallowed hard, her gaze flicking to Leah and back to Caine. “Well, I have to—”
“No, you don’t. We can have a party right here, just the three of us.” He wrapped his sinewy fingers around Sara Beth’s upper arm. “Now, you go back over there and sit down where I can keep an eye on you.” He thrust her toward Leah’s desk before twisting the lock in place.
“Listen, Caine,” Leah began. “You don’t have to involve Sara Beth. This is just between the two of us.”
He turned, an amused expression on his face. “Y’think?” He crossed the room in three strides. “Because of you, I spent eight long years locked up in a hellhole with the sickest of animals.”
Sara Beth’s face contorted, as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
Leah’s heart thrashed against her ribs like a wild animal trying to escape. She swallowed hard, recalling her last encounter with Caine, when he had beaten her and choked her until Gracie intervened. Leah straightened her shoulders. “Just how do you figure it was my fault? You served a part of your sentence for rape. That was all on you.”
