by June Faver
All his senses were on high alert as he stepped inside. Total silence greeted him, then a burst of shrill laughter. A wave of relief washed over him. Ava was happy, and that was all that mattered. Now, all he had to do was find out where Dixie was and why the big Lincoln was parked outside. Had she traded up?
When he got to the kitchen, he felt as though he had been punched in the gut, hard.
His least favorite person on the planet was staring at him. Mamie Moore. Her face registered surprise and then loathing.
“Hi, girls,” he said softly but kept his gaze fastened on the woman who hated him.
“Daddy!” Ava slid off her chair and ran to him.
Beau obliged by lifting her high and then settling her in his arms so he could return the hatred Mamie was sending his way. He turned to the other smiling face sitting at the table. “How are you doing, Gracie?”
“I’m good, Uncle Beau. Just finished my homework, and Mrs. Moore was telling us about the school Ava is going to in September. It sounds so nice.”
Beau tried to control his anger. “I think Mrs. Moore is mistaken. Ava is going to be enrolled in Langston Elementary School for kindergarten.”
He and Mamie exchanged hate glares.
“Where is Dixie?” His voice was terse. “Did Mommy go somewhere?” he asked Ava in a softer tone.
She shook her head, her arms laced around his neck. “Mommy has to go to the store.”
“The store?” With all the food in the house, he couldn’t believe Dixie would drive all the way back to town for a few items. Maybe she just wanted to escape the hateful person who was glaring at him.
Mamie cleared her throat. Her eyebrows were raised almost to her hairline, and her lips were pinched together. “Dixie got a phone call from our—from her feed store. She said she has to go meet someone there and asked me to stay with the girls…which I am happy to do, by the way.”
Beau put Ava down. “Dixie?” His voice was somewhere between a yell and a bellow.
Mamie shrugged. “Maybe it’s an emergency. She’s really upset.”
Dixie came rushing out from the direction of the bedrooms, her eyes wide. “Oh, Beau. I’m so glad you’re here. I need to go to the store. Josh is there.”
Beau took a wide stance, his hands at his waist. “Josh? You mean the guy the sheriff is looking for? That Josh?”
She nodded furiously. “I asked Pete to get a message to him, so he called me.” She stepped around Beau. “But he’s not going to be there for very long, so I have to hurry.”
He reached out to stop her, holding her by the shoulders and resisting the urge to shake some sense into her. “No, you don’t. Let me call the sheriff, and he can pick Josh up.”
“No!” she exploded.
“Dixie, that guy could be dangerous.” He spoke just above a whisper, not wanting to alarm the girls.
She glanced at the three others and drew Beau into the living room before speaking. “Beau, I have to go. Josh said he would tell me who murdered my father if I just meet him and give him a little money. He sounded desperate.”
Beau let out a derisive snort. “I’m sure he is, but I’m not going to let you go running off to meet up with a wanted man—no matter how desperate he may be.”
She gazed up at him, tears gathered in her eyes. “Oh, Beau. Don’t you understand? I’ve got to do this.”
Her lower lip trembled, and Beau’s resolve crumbled. He heaved an exasperated sigh. “We’ll do this together.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much. I hope you understand.”
He was afraid he did understand. She was feeling guilty for hurting her father, and this was a way to atone. “I do understand.” He stroked her cheek. “Let’s go tell the kids goodbye.”
She was quivering with anxiety as they returned to the kitchen, hand in hand. “Mom, Beau’s going to go with me.” To Beau, she said, “Let me grab my purse.” She ran back toward the bedrooms.
Beau raked his fingers through his hair. “Stay here…and lock the door.” Striding to the front room, he reached for his cell and punched the number for Fletch Shelton. He needed backup.
“Hey, Beau. What’s going on?”
“Dixie—she’s going to meet with Josh.”
“I know.” Fletch sounded remarkably calm.
“You know?” Beau was definitely not calm.
“I know.”
Before he could learn more, Dixie raced up to meet him. He tucked the cell back in his pocket and escorted Dixie to his truck. He was thankful that he had arrived in time to avert what he thought would have been a sure disaster.
* * *
When Beau helped Dixie up into his truck, he was a little tight-jawed. She thanked him, but he remained silent. Just as well. She wasn’t in the mood for a lecture.
She fastened her seat belt as he started up the powerful motor. It was probably a good thing that he was coming along, but she hoped he didn’t frighten Josh away. She needed him to tell her the name of the person who shot Scott because that same person might have killed her father.
The truck bumped over the cattle guard, and Beau turned onto the highway leading to Langston.
Her stomach was churning. This day had been a roller-coaster ride for her emotions. Having her mother pop in had been bad enough, but now Dixie was considering that, in her own slanted way, Mamie really thought she had been acting in Dixie’s best interests.
She had been rehashing Mamie’s words and thinking of things she should have said and not concentrating on their destination.
When Josh had called, he’d sounded nervous. He’d said he would tell her who had shot Scott and who may have murdered her father…but he needed money. He insisted he was too scared to go to the sheriff with his information but said he would tell Dixie everything and then leave town.
She reasoned that the sheriff could just as easily hear the information from her if Josh was too big of a wimp to step up. Pressing her lips together, she hoped he really had solid information and wasn’t just being a tool in an effort to get his hands on some cash.
Her cell chimed again. Josh... “Where are you? I thought you would be here by now.”
“I’m on my way.”
He disconnected.
Asshole…
Beau glanced at her, unable to restrain a slight shake of his head.
Dixie pressed her lips together. He just didn’t understand. She had to know who killed Vernon Moore…she just had to. She swallowed a lump the size of a baseball. She owed it to her father. Perhaps she could atone for hurting him.
A short while later, Beau drove into Langston, Texas, and slowed the vehicle to the posted speed limit.
She sucked in a breath, trying to control her growing apprehension. She felt as though a feather pillow had burst inside her chest. Maybe she would actually know who shot Scott…and if that same person murdered her father.
They passed all the businesses that had closed down for the evening. Past the darkened office of Breckenridge T. Ryan, the attorney her father had used to tie up his estate. Tiny’s Diner remained open, but very few cars were still parked outside. At the far edge of town, Moore’s Feed and Seed was shrouded in darkness.
Beau braked and sat idling. “Well, where’s your boy? Let’s get this party started.”
She moistened her dry lips. It was pitch dark now. “Um, would you pull around to the back? He’s probably in the back, where his car is.”
Beau sighed and followed her directions, the headlights slashing a path through the gloom.
She sat frozen in the truck with the lights on. Josh’s old car still sat at the end of the platform in the rear of the shed, but there was no sign of Josh.
The waiting was working on her nerves. She was about to tell Beau they could leave when the back door of the shed opened and Josh stepped ou
t onto the platform. He looked both ways and then motioned for her to come to him.
Beau started to get out of the truck, but she stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I don’t think he can see you with the headlights shining in his eyes. Can you give me a few minutes? He may not be willing to talk in front of you.”
He sighed, regarding her stonily. “Okay, but I will be right on your heels if he makes any kind of move on you.”
“Oh, silly. It’s not that kind of meeting. Josh is not at all interested in me personally.”
Beau made a scoffing noise. “Now you’re being silly. That guy’s tongue was hanging out when he looked at you.”
“I do believe you’re jealous,” she said.
“Not at all.” He leaned over to kiss her. “If he lays a hand on you, I’ll kill him.”
A shiver coiled around her spine. She wasn’t feeling good about meeting with Josh but wanted to get it over with. Taking the cash out of her purse, she tucked it in her pocket. Clenching her jaw, she reached for the Beretta she had taken from her dad’s collection of weapons and shielded it from Beau’s vision. She hoped it was small enough to go unnoticed. She slipped out of the truck and tucked the gun in the back waistband of her jeans. She pulled her shirttail out, hoping she didn’t shoot her own ass off.
She took a few steps toward Josh before she spotted the dark stain where Scott had fallen, bleeding. A shiver the size of a tsunami slithered down her spine, followed by a wave of guilt. It was her fault that Scott had been shot. All on me.
She shook off these feelings and quick-stepped up the stairs to the platform.
“You got my cash?” Josh asked.
“Yes, but tell me first. I have to know.”
“Let’s get inside. It’s too open out here.”
Dixie snorted. “There is no one out here. Just the two of us. Don’t be such a wuss.”
Josh’s eyes narrowed. “You think I’m a wuss?”
“Of course you are. A real man would have gone to the sheriff straight away.” She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze. “But no…you ran away like a little girl.”
Josh swallowed hard. He sucked in a breath and expelled it through his gritted teeth. “Little girl? Shows what you know.” He spat over the side of the platform. “C’mon. I’ll show you.”
Dixie made no move to follow. “I don’t need to be shown a damned thing. Just tell me who shot Scott.”
Josh sneered. “Who’s the wuss now?”
They stared at each other for some time. “What’s inside that you’re so all-fired determined to show me?”
A smile played around his mouth. “The man who shot your father.”
* * *
Beau was not happy. All of his focus was on a certain stubborn redhead and her determination to get involved in something that could get her killed.
He’d watched her climb up onto the loading platform at the back of the shed. She was talking to Josh, and neither of them appeared to be happy. Grim would be a better description.
“Dammit, Dixie. Ava needs you. I need you.” He made a sound like a feral animal in pain. “I love you, but I want to spank your gorgeous little butt.”
Finding Mamie Moore at the Moore ranch house had been a shock for sure. She was the last person he would have thought Dixie would leave their daughter with.
When he was a teen, Mamie had been distant but not virulent. The many times he had gone to the Moore house to study with Dixie or just hang out, her mother had performed chores such as providing food and making sure they were on task, all the while giving no hint of her true feelings. Apparently, Beauregard Garrett would never be good enough for her daughter.
On the other hand, Vern Moore was always friendly and affable. He seemed to genuinely like Beau and made it a point to make him feel welcomed in their home. Of course, he and Big Jim Garrett were the best of friends.
Now the two families were intertwined…linked by blood. All Beau wanted to do was cement the relationship. Marry the mother of his child. Happily ever after, forever and ever.
“Now, what the hell is she doing?” His gut did a tumble and roll. He watched in horror as Dixie appeared to be entering the back of the shed with Josh. “Oh, hell no!”
* * *
With great trepidation, Dixie peered into the blackness of the shed. Her stomach was roiling, and her heart pumped double time.
“After you, Your Highness.” Josh gave a mocking bow with hand gestures to indicate she was to enter.
Dixie straightened her spine and stepped through the dark, gaping maw of the doorway. “Where’s the light switch?”
Josh stepped in behind her. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid of the dark?”
“I would like to be able to see this person who you claim killed my father.”
He laughed. “Yes, Your Highness.” He seemed to know the layout and walked around in the darkness with confidence. “Here’s your light. I got it right here.” He flipped a switch, and a dim light gave a little illumination.
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but her gaze immediately lit on a strange man sitting in a chair against the far wall.
Her throat tightened, cutting off her air supply. She swallowed convulsively, staring at the man with a combination of loathing and fear.
A barrage of questions filled her brain. Who was he, and why would he murder her father?
The man was large and beefy, and he was glowering at her as though she had gravely wronged him. He was way overweight, but his arms looked toned and powerful.
She took a few steps toward the man, but Josh put his hand on her shoulder. “Wait a minute. Before you go all crazy on him, where is my money?”
Dixie reached for the cash and practically flung it at him.
“Whooee!” Josh spread the bills into a fan and then folded them and stuffed the wad in his jeans.
“Who is this man?” Dixie asked. “And how do you know he killed my dad?”
The man struggled to his feet making grunting noises in the process, no doubt due to his girth.
She realized he was quite intimidating; his expression alone sent a chill scurrying down her spine. Josh was smiling. “Why, this guy is Troy Elmore. He drives a big rig. He and his girlfriend, some little Mexican chick, are the ones who kidnapped those girls and stashed them up in the loft.”
Dixie’s stomach churned. She glared at the man, spewing pure venom in his direction. “Why? Why would you murder a sweet, harmless man?”
Josh chortled. “Well, the old man found out about the girls. He was going to blow the lid off the whole operation.”
She stared at the man, who was slowly advancing toward her. He was really huge, but he was also quite muscular.
“So, how about it, Your Highness? Don’t you just wanna punch him in the face? Knock yourself out.”
Dixie turned toward the man named Troy. When she got close enough, she noticed he was sweating profusely and his close-set eyes were bloodshot. His jaw was set, and he seemed to be angry.
“You little shit.”
Dixie took a step back, fear roiling in her gut. The fear skyrocketed when she saw Troy take a large handgun from the back of his belt. Her own weapon seemed minuscule by comparison.
Josh spoke in a calming voice. “Now, Troy…I—”
“Shut up, you little weasel. You got my girl arrested.” He waggled the handgun, and she realized the anger wasn’t directed at her. Dixie whirled around to find Josh shaking his head and holding his hands as though to ward off the huge man.
“Wh—what are you doing?” Josh asked, his voice an octave higher than it had been. “You know I did my part. I took care of your product. I got them food and water. You know I did.”
Troy’s rough laughter echoed off the metal walls of the shed. “Got your attention?”
“It wasn’t my fault,
” Josh screamed. “It was her. Her boyfriend and his family got up in the loft. They’re the ones who got Valentina arrested. Not me.” He pointed at Dixie.
Troy’s big head swiveled. His eyes seemed to bore into her.
She couldn’t think…couldn’t speak.
Troy huffed out something that might have been a laugh. “She ain’t the problem. You’re the problem.” That was when Troy shot Josh. “Tell her the truth.”
Josh shrieked and fell to the floor, clutching his thigh. “It was me. I shot him.”
“It was you? You shot my dad?” She felt the room sway.
“I had to. Don’t you see?”
“No! I don’t see at all. Why would you kill him?”
“Tell her,” Troy ground out, raising the gun again.
“Okay…okay!” Josh held up one hand in surrender. “Vern was nosing around the shed and asking questions. I couldn’t let him mess up a good thing.” He looked at Troy, his expression pleading. “C’mon, man. We’re just a part of the system. The other guys are depending on us. We can’t let ’em down.”
“Shut it, you little weasel,” Troy growled out. “I want Val back. How’s that gonna happen?”
Josh made a motion that seemed to be directing Troy to calm down, but it wasn’t working.
An anguished growl erupted out of Troy’s cavernous chest. “Shut up.” He raised the gun to point at Josh again.
Anger and fear were duking it out in Dixie’s gut. She was terrified but furious to hear Josh so casually discussing her father’s death. “Wait a minute. I don’t care about your business dealings. I just care about my father.” A wave of fear washed through her as Troy turned to glower at her.
Josh groaned in pain, grasping his leg with both hands. “It just happened. I had to do it.”
“What about my friend Scott? Did you have to shoot him too?”
Josh was moaning in pain. He made a scoffing noise in the back of his throat. “That big dumbass went up into the loft even though I told him to stay down here.”
Shock began to ebb while anger ratcheted up within her. “So you shot my dad and Scott to protect your human trafficking business?”
