Her Heart-Stealing Cowboys [Hellfire Ranch 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Jennifer August

  “All right. Guess I’m done here.”

  He shook hands with Antoine and headed for the door when another wail caused him to stop and whirl around.

  Patty sat at a table with her head in her hands. Tanya patted her back. She had a panicked look on her face.

  “Now what?” Tag demanded.

  Tanya bit her lip. “During our fight Patty threw Angela’s wedding ring into the trash dumpster out back.”

  Tag sighed. “Then I guess she’d better get in there and get it back out.”

  Patty shuddered and lifted a mascara-streaked face. “I’m claustrophobic,” she said. “It’s so dark and dirty in there. And Tanya can’t do it, either.”

  “Why not?” Antoine asked.

  “She’s just getting over the flu. The dirt might make her sick again.”

  “Then I guess you’d better get one of the others over here to find it.”

  “No!” Patty yelled. “If Angela finds out what we did, she’ll kick us out of the wedding.” She turned her sparkling blue gaze full on Antoine.

  Tag winced and almost felt sorry for the guy. Almost.

  “Please, Mr. Bayez. Will you go find it for us? It should be easy to find. It’s still in its box.” She stood and hugged him hard. Tanya followed suit. She towered over Antoine by a good six inches. Her boobs pressed close to his jawline. Poor Antoine’s eyes nearly bugged from his skull.

  Then his arm snaked around Patty’s waist. “All right, all right.”

  Tanya pressed a kiss to his head. “Thank you.”

  Tag chuckled. “You’re a sucker, Antoine.”

  He grinned. “I know. I’ll be right back, ladies.”

  Tag turned to leave again only to find Alcott standing in his way. The kid’s shoulders bunched and flexed beneath his orange polo.

  When the hell had he gotten there?

  “Heard the news, Sheriff. Congratulations.”

  Tag nodded. The reporter didn’t move. Instead he smirked.

  “I did some research on you, Sheriff Cain. You’ve had an interesting life.”

  The jukebox fired up and Johnny Cash started singing about a Ring of Fire. A frisson of tension snaked up Tag’s spine. The kid was a reporter, and while Tag had never publicized his past, he hadn’t tried to hide it either.

  Had Alcott found out?

  “Lots of people have,” Tag said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  He brushed past the reporter and slammed his palm hard to the wooden part of the door and shoved outward. The sun blinded him and he fumbled for his shades. They dropped on the ground.

  “God damn it,” he muttered and stooped to a knee.

  He picked them up just as a pair of hiking boots and blond, hairy legs entered his view.

  “Good afternoon, Sheriff. Lose something?”

  Tag rose and settled the glasses on his nose. He gave Charles Reynolds a brief smile. “Afternoon, Mr. Reynolds.”

  The man’s smile was nearly as brilliant as the sun. “Please, call me Charles.”

  Tag nodded. “Well, good day to you.”

  “Running, Sheriff?”

  Tag stiffened and pivoted to face Alcott.

  The young man sauntered into the parking lot. A couple of local men trailed behind him. They looked at Tag with wide, shocked eyes.

  Fuck. Looks like Alcott ran his damn mouth.

  “Sheriff,” Reynolds said from behind him. “Could we talk about the arrangements for visiting your jail? I call your secretary’s line but it is always a machine picking up.”

  Tag stared down Alcott and spoke over his shoulder. “I have a murderer to catch, Charles.”

  “Oh?” The man’s voice sounded pinched. Gravel scuttled and Charles popped up. He stood next to the silent Alcott. “I was under the impression you were still chained to your desk while the FBI investigated.”

  Alcott grinned, though little humor reached his eyes. “Haven’t you heard?” he asked. “Sheriff Cain here has been cleared. Of this murder.”

  Rage nearly blinded Tag. His chest felt like it was caving in and the pressure forced all the air out of his lungs. It was worse than the time he nearly failed out of boot camp with the Marines because he couldn’t complete the swim test. Two hundred fucking meters and he’d nearly drowned. If not for the quick thinking of Gideon Masters, he would have.

  “What?” Charles sounded so shocked it brought Tag back to the moment with the force of an elephant kick.

  “Yeah. Surprised you haven’t heard from Miss Sadie yet.”

  Charles’s face reddened. “I believe Miss Sadie is a bit annoyed with me at the moment.”

  Alcott looked interested and for the moment his gaze drifted downward. The two men were almost the same height but Alcott stood just a couple inches taller than the older man. They both shared a love of bodybuilding, though. That much was obvious in the breadth of their chests and the rippling muscles on their arms.

  Alcott looked like he could crush windpipes with his elbow. Reynolds appeared just as fit.

  “Why is she mad?” Tag asked. He wasn’t really interested but he still needed a moment to calm himself down. The last thing he needed was to fly off the handle and coldcock the damn reporter. He didn’t give a damn what the kid knew.

  “She thinks I kissed Miss Hank.”

  Alcott chuckled. “Yeah, that would do it. I hear Miss Sadie is a real firecracker.”

  Reynolds glared and waggled a finger at the younger man. “You keep a civil tongue in your head, pup.”

  Alcott lifted a brow. “Or what?”

  Tag growled. “Enough. I’ve already busted up one fight. I won’t hesitate to take you both to jail and not for a pleasure visit.”

  Reynolds frowned. “I will not stand by and allow a woman’s honor to be ravaged, Sheriff.”

  Alcott spread his hands. “Hey, man, sorry. I didn’t mean anything. I just heard she was a real pistol as my mama used to say. No offense intended.”

  “There’s a first,” Tag muttered.

  Alcott swung his gaze back to him. “Sheriff. I would like to talk to you about what I found out.”

  Tag heard the implied or else in his voice. What would the kid do? Dredge up a decades-old story that couldn’t hurt anyone but him anymore?

  His parents were both dead. His cousins were long gone and out of touch. Nope, it was only him.

  Then Rebecca’s sweet face appeared in his mind’s eye. He’d just found her. He didn’t bother to remind himself of his promise never to marry again. Rebecca managed to sweep that pledge out to sea with one sultry look and the sweetness of her delectable mouth. But if she found out the truth she’d probably leave on her own.

  Acid churned in his stomach.

  “Fine,” he snapped to Alcott. “Stop by the office tomorrow. I’ll be there around seven in the morning.”

  Alcott’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  “Yeah,” Tag said. “Really.”

  “Sheriff?” Reynolds stepped forward. His chest was puffed out and a frown marred his face. “What of me? When shall I come to see you? I have to leave Freedom and return east very soon. It would be a shame to do so without learning everything I can about my dear ancestor.”

  Tag gritted his teeth. “How about eight tomorrow?”

  Reynolds beamed. “Perfect. Thank you.”

  Tag nodded and turned around. He just reached his car when Antoine stopped him. “Sheriff, sheriff!”

  “For the love of—”

  He spun around. “What?”

  Antoine ran across the parking lot. A stream of people including Tanya and Patty surged with him. The women looked pale and ill at ease. Antoine’s face was nearly gray. Alcott and Reynolds followed behind. Tag saw Alcott whip out a small notebook.

  Antoine stumbled then stilled and bent over as he gasped for breath. “I. Found. Something.”

  Tag looked at the women then back at Antoine. “I take it you didn’t find the ring?”

  “Got it,” Tanya said and waved a small b
ox.

  Tag frowned and looked down at Antoine. “What did you find?”

  The small black man slowly lifted his chest and held out his hand. On his palm was a crumpled bit of plastic smudged with mud. A fly buzzed over Antoine’s hand even as Tag realized what he was staring at.

  A bloody latex glove.

  * * * *

  “Need a refill on that wine?” Wade called from the kitchen.

  “No, thanks,” Rebecca replied.

  Wade grabbed another beer and sauntered back into the living room. He dropped on the couch next to her and popped the top.

  She lifted her wine. “I still have half a glass. This stuff is delicious but kinda potent.”

  Wade grinned. “Yep. That’s the way we do things around here. Blow your mind good.”

  She sipped and her eyes sparkled over the rim. “Mm-hmm.”

  Wade’s phone buzzed and he shifted his hip to dig in his pocket. He glanced at the screen. “Hey, Tag. You about ready to come home?” He sure as hell hoped so. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep his hands off the lovely Rebecca. It was almost three o’clock in the afternoon.

  “No,” Tag replied.

  Wade straightened at the tight note in his friend’s voice. “What’s wrong?”

  Beside him, Rebecca bolted to the edge of the couch. Her wineglass dangled, forgotten between her fingers.

  “I need you and Rebecca to come down to my office.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ll explain when you get here.”

  Tag hung up without further explanation.

  Wade set down his barely touched beer. “We need to go.”

  She stood immediately. “What’s going on?”

  “Don’t know. Tag wouldn’t say. Just that he wants us at the sheriff’s office.”

  They bolted from the house. Wade locked the door then helped her into his truck. “Hold on,” he said.

  She lifted a brow. “Gonna speed?”

  “Yep.”

  He hit the gas and rattled down the streets until he hit the blacktop. By the time they reached Tag’s office a mere ten minutes later, Rebecca’s grip was so tight on her door that he thought he might need WD-40 to pry her loose.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  She slowly turned her head to glare at him. “You are never allowed to drive me anywhere again. Ever.”

  He lifted a hand in protest. “Hey, we made it in one piece.”

  She shoved her door open. “Except for my stomach, which is somewhere back on Pearson Street.”

  He chuckled as he settled his palm to the small of her back and guided her into the office.

  Tag strode down the small aisle. Deputy Carson was seated at one of the desks with Boone in one right next to her. Wade noticed that for once the big FBI man wasn’t chatting the deputy up.

  Another man sat at a third desk. Wade thought he looked familiar but couldn’t quite place him.

  “You made good time,” Tag said. “Get any tickets?”

  Wade grinned. “From who? Your whole staff is here.”

  Tag nodded then waved them back to his office. “Boone, Carson, let’s go.”

  Boone rose and snapped his laptop shut then followed Carson to the office.

  Tag looked at the new deputy. “Stewart, you got the radio?”

  The other man nodded and the name jogged Wade’s memory. Eric Stewart was the father of one of his ex-students. He’d been an involved and interested parent. The best kind in Wade’s opinion. He knew Stewart was a stand-up guy. The deputy’s uniform he wore was what had thrown him.

  He’d only ever seen Stewart in jeans and pullovers. He’d been a stay-at-home dad.

  Wade nodded as he passed him. Stewart nodded back but his face was grave.

  They all went into Tag’s office. He closed the door and waved to the two chairs. “Whoever wants to sit, sit.”

  No one moved. Tag shrugged and propped his hip against his desk. He took a deep breath. “We had a break in the case today. Two of them, actually.”

  “What happened?” Rebecca asked.

  “We found a bloody latex glove in the garbage bin behind The Chrome Barrel. The lab is processing the glove and the scene now. Tarah said there are multiple prints on the dumpster. She didn’t sound hopeful of finding anything useful. It looks like the killer just used the trash bin as a handy dump site.”

  Wade frowned. “Is that why you called us down here? To tell us about the glove?” It didn’t make any sense to him. Tag was no longer a suspect. Why would they need to be apprised of this new information?

  “No,” Tag said. He looked at Boone and nodded.

  The FBI agent stepped forward and looked straight at him. “This is strictly under the table. I’m not authorized to tell you or show you what I’m about to.”

  “If it’s going to jeopardize your investigation, then don’t say anything,” Rebecca snapped. “Wade is not a law enforcement official but I am an official member of the court of law. Don’t blow your case with loose lips.”

  When Boone turned his dark, enigmatic stare on Rebecca, Wade bristled. He sure as hell didn’t like the look the agent gave her. Wade stepped closer to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

  Boone lifted a brow and his mouth quirked but he didn’t offer any commentary.

  Wade thought that was a good thing. He was pretty sure if the agent had said one smart-assed comment he’d have clobbered him.

  Spending the night in jail was not something Wade had a whole lot of interest in doing.

  “This doesn’t really have anything to do with finding Fischer’s killer,” Tag said. Worry lines creased his forehead. More wrinkles were stamped up and down his uniform shirt and it smelled of cedar. Wade figured his friend probably changed shirts after rummaging in the trash. “Go ahead, Boone,” Tag said.

  Rebecca huffed and crossed her arms but didn’t object again.

  Boone looked right at him. “We found something on Fischer’s computer down at the FBI lab. The boys down there are working on it right now, but when I told Tag what they said, he suggested we talk to you.”

  Wade started. “Me?”

  “Yep.” Boone opened his laptop. The screen flared to life. “We found a second drive on the computer. It was well hidden and half of what we’re finding seems to be written either in some crazy-ass code or it’s all just a bunch of shit designed to drive us nuts.”

  “It’s working,” Tag said.

  Energy revved Wade’s senses. His fingers itched and he looked at the laptop. “What kind of code?”

  “We don’t know. It’s nothing the lab techs were familiar with. Our best hackers are working it right now but it’s going to take them time to figure it out. Looks like something Fischer came up with himself.” Boone grimaced. “Unfortunately, it’s not one the highest priorities we have at the moment.”

  “I thought you said the FBI was giving this case its full attention,” Rebecca said.

  “They were. Unfortunately we had some intel pop up a couple of hours ago pertaining to another, larger, case. My tech agents are needed urgently for that job.”

  “Figures,” Carson muttered.

  Boone’s brow twitched. “I’m still assigned until this matter is cleared up.”

  “Which means you refused to leave, huh?” Rebecca said.

  “Pretty much. My superiors are not happy with me and if they get insistent about pulling me, there’s nothing I can do.” He looked at Wade. “Word is you’re a pretty good hacker yourself.”

  “You are?” Rebecca asked.

  The incredulity in her voice made Wade’s neck redden. He clamped his hand on her waist and looked down. Instead of disbelief, she was looking up at him with interest.

  He smiled. “Well, a little bit.”

  “Little bit nothing,” Tag said. “Wade has been known to change a few public records here and there.”

  “Nothing important,” he said quickly. “Just a few things that made life a little more interesting.
Besides, that was when I was young. Much younger. I haven’t done anything like that in years.”

  “You’ll have to tell me about them sometime,” Rebecca murmured. She shifted her gaze back to Boone. “What do you want him to do now?”

  Boone motioned to the computer. “Take a crack at hacking his code. See if you can find anything that even remotely points to his killer. I’m pretty certain you won’t but he had that shit hidden for a reason.”

  Wade stepped forward. “It would be better if I had his actual computer.”

  “No can do,” Boone said with a shake of his head. “This is a complete copy of his drive, though.”

  Wade nodded absently. He flexed his fingers. “This might take a little while.”

  “All right. You can work at Wallace’s desk.”

  “How about Doreen’s?” He didn’t want to sit at the dead man’s desk. The idea was ghoulish and unsettling.

  “Are you crazy? She’ll know if one thing is out of place and I’ll have to listen to her bitch about it for a week,” Tag said.

  Wade rolled his shoulders as he picked up the computer. “How about yours?”

  Tag looked at Rebecca and steel suddenly glinted in his eyes. “No. I have something to discuss with our counselor here.”

  “Me? What?”

  Deputy Carson cleared her throat and gave him a smile. “I’d offer you mine but the boss here hasn’t done any paperwork since Doreen’s been gone. Sorry.”

  “Shit,” Wade muttered.

  Boone clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t think about it so much, Wade. Just sit down and do what you do.”

  “Easy for you to say,” he muttered.

  Boone grinned as he walked out of the office.

  Wade looked at Rebecca and Tag. He frowned at the sheriff’s stiff posture. “What’s going on?” he asked.

  Tag didn’t lift his gaze from her. “It’s about that phone call you took earlier today. I’ll fill you in when you’re done.”

  “But—”

  Tag looked at him. “I need you on this fast, Wade.” He waved a hand at Rebecca. “This can wait.”

  “Then wait until I’m in here, too,” he said. He knew he sounded irritated, but he was. He didn’t like being kept out of the loop.