by Carolina Mac
Annie smiled. “Mostly more work, but my son will be finished college this year and he could manage the third store for me. He’s expressed an interest.”
“He wants to be an antique dealer?”
“He’s a baseball player but he needs more than that. He enjoys meeting people and he’s a bit of an antique buff.”
“Wonderful.” Leigh flashed a wide smile.
Grady’s Pub. Downtown Austin.
FARRELL AND CARLOS drank a pitcher of beer and were half finished their second when Kamps came in looking thin and bedraggled.
Jeeze, that infection really took it out of him.
Kamps slid into the booth beside Carlos and picked up a glass. Farrell poured beer and emptied the pitcher. “Where’s Roy?”
“Working.”
“You back in full swing?” asked Farrell.
“Better than ever.” Kamps grinned and flashed his gold incisor.
You never looked worse.
“Any word on the bike sniper?”
“Sugar Daddy’s asking around. He on y’all’s payroll?”
Farrell shrugged. “First time. See what he comes up with.”
“Dude is crazy, man. Tell y’all anything. Don’t listen to that shit.”
“How many girls he got working?” asked Carlos.
“Maybe a dozen,” said Kamps. “Does all right.”
“He treat them okay?” asked Farrell. “I’m not supporting him if I find out otherwise.”
“I can ask around. The girls talk,” said Kamps.
“You look like you could use a burger,” said Farrell. “You been eating regular?”
Kamps shrugged. “Off and on when I got the time.”
Farrell frowned and took a closer look at Kamps. “You ain’t using are you?”
“Never happen.”
Farrell waved Mike over. “Tell the man what you want.”
“Hot wings and fries should do it. Y’all eating?”
“Sure,” said Farrell, “three orders and another pitcher.”
Old Mike grunted and headed for the kitchen to put their order in. He didn’t like waiting tables, but he didn’t like paying servers either. Mean old guy.
“Can’t figure that sniper asshole,” said Kamps. “Standing in the pouring rain picking off bikers minding their own? What kind of sick shit is that?”
“We need a break,” said Farrell. “Somebody must know something. The asshole is doing one a day and he’s not invisible.”
CHAPTER SIX
Saturday, September 29th.
West Lake Hills. Austin.
TRAVIS stepped out the garden doors onto the flagstone patio at the back of Brad Madill’s residence for a smoke. The grass was wet and spongy from all the rain and needed to be cut. Maybe the AG had a lawn service. Here’s hoping he wasn’t on grass cutting detail. Madill had grass by the fuckin acre.
While outside, Travis did a walk around the perimeter of the monster house checking windows for any sign of forced entry and not expecting any. He was a light sleeper and would have heard it.
Travis stopped short outside of Madill’s bedroom window and stared down at the mud. Footprint. One only.
Somebody had been looking in the AG’s bedroom window. Too close. Way too close. And he never heard a goddam thing.
Travis pulled out his phone and called.
Quantrall Ranch. Giddings.
JESSE’S cell rang while he was eating breakfast in his room with Marnie. She was most comfortable for the time being sitting up in bed. Molly fixed a tray for both of them, so Jesse could eat with Marnie upstairs.
“Travis, what’s up, man. You need me?”
“Hey, boss. There’s a footprint outside Madill’s bedroom window. Clear as crystal in the mud and I wondered about the dogs. At least see where the guy came on the property. Always hope they dropped a butt or something if they came in over the back fence.”
“Sure thing. I can drive Bluebelle in for you in about half an hour. Call the lab and have a cast made if it’s nice and clear.”
“Yep, will do. I haven’t told Madill yet. Maybe you want to speak to him when you get here.”
“Sure can. This ain’t a game, but he doesn’t seem to be too worried. I’ll tell Ace to meet me there.”
“Okay. Good idea. I think he’s hot for her and might listen to what she has to say.”
Madill is hot for Ace? That’s what I need.
“Is something else happening to Mr. Madill?” asked Marnie.
“Footprint outside his window. Travis wants the dogs.”
“Wish I could go.”
Jesse put their plates on the tray and stood up. “Not today, Miss Marnie. This is a reading in bed day for you.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Be good while I’m gone.”
Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.
ANNIE was in the family room picking up after Charity when Jesse called. “Hey, cowboy. How are you feeling after your longhorn wrestling?”
He managed a little laugh. “A lot better than Marnie, that’s for sure.”
“I’m so sorry she got hurt, cowboy. But she must be a brave girl to protect you like she did. Tyler told me.”
“It all happened in a split second, Ace. The hooves cut up her back pretty bad and cracked a couple of ribs. The doc said if it hadn’t been for the softness of the mud underneath us, Marnie might not have made it. Can hardly stand to look at the damage she sustained on her back. It’s… awful, Ace. Must be so painful for her.”
“Aw, I like her, Jesse. Like her a lot.”
“She’s good for me. Talks back and keeps me grounded. A take-no-shit kind of girl.”
“Did you call for a reason, not that you have to. I like to talk to you anytime.”
“Yeah, Trav got a footprint at Madill’s and he wants the dogs. I wondered if you wanted to meet me there while we work it out.”
“Yeah, sure. What kind of print is it?”
“Boot, I think. Travis is calling the lab.”
“I’ll drive up to Austin right away. See you there.”
West Lake Hills. Austin.
BRAD wandered down the hall to the kitchen to start the coffee and the pot was on warm and ready to pour. He reached into the cupboard for a mug and saw Travis outside the garden doors talking to somebody. Brad added cream, took his cup with him and opened the door to see what was going on.
“You guys are out and about early. Is something happening?”
“Maybe,” said Travis. “Footprint outside your bedroom window and I’m having it checked out.”
“You mean like somebody was prowling around in the night?”
“Yeah, like that,” said Travis.
Brad strolled out onto the patio to see the action and a guy from the lab was examining the print. He had a kit with him to make a cast.
Was this necessary? It could have been the gardener.
Five minutes later Brad heard a dog barking and Jesse Quantrall came around the corner of the house with a huge bloodhound.
Jesus. Isn’t this overkill?
Travis took the dog from Jesse and let her? him? sniff the footprint. The dog took off running towards the back of the property with Travis holding the leash and trying to keep up. “This is the most excitement I’ve ever had at my house,” Brad said to Jesse.
“Don’t hurt to check things out. Might give us the clue we’re looking for.”
The next person to arrive took him totally by surprise. Annie Powell came around the corner and stood on his patio looking amazing in faded jeans and a snug white t-shirt.
“Annie, I didn’t know you were coming,” said Brad. “Let me get you a coffee.”
“Thanks, Brad. I hurried a little to get here. I didn’t want to miss anything.”
“I don’t think there’s any thing to miss, to tell the truth. Travis thought he saw a footprint, but it could have been the gardener.”
“When was the last time the gardener was here?” Annie followed him into the kitchen and he felt underdressed in kha
ki shorts and a Ranger’s t-shirt.
“Umm… just before it rained, I think.”
“Not the gardener.” Annie sat down on one of the stools at the breakfast bar and watched him pour the coffee.
“You’re making me nervous, sitting here in my kitchen.”
She giggled. “I like to make men nervous. Tells me I’m doing my job.”
Jesse came in and joined them.
“Coffee?” asked Brad.
“No, I’m good. I’ll wait for Bluebelle then head on home.”
“Is that her name?” asked Brad. “She’s a big dog.”
“Excellent tracker. Got her from the pound and she was already trained. Couldn’t ask for a better dog.”
Bingo ran across the kitchen and stared at the men on the patio. “Does she like cats?”
“Umm… not particularly.”
TRAVIS DIDN’T RUSH Bluebelle. He let her take her time in the flower bed, sniffing around the muddy footprint. The lab tech stood back waiting patiently for the dog to do her thing before starting the cast.
Bluebelle alerted, took off running across Madill’s back lawn to the far fence corner, then stood up on her hind legs wanting access to the other side.
“We have to go around, girl,” said Travis. “There’s no gate to go through.” He retraced his steps to the house and found Brad in the kitchen with Annie. “Who lives next to you, Mr. Madill? Adjacent to the north east corner of your property. Can you come outside for a sec?”
Brad stood on the patio and Travis pointed. Brad shaded his eyes with his hand for a better look. “Umm… that’s Mark Attenborough. Do you need access to his property? I can call him.”
“Would you, please? Blue thinks the guy hopped over in that corner and I’d like to see where the trail leads.”
Brad pulled his cell out of the pocket of his shorts and called. He said a few words to his neighbor then nodded to Travis. “You go ahead. All clear.”
“Thanks. Back in a couple of minutes.”
From the neighbor’s property, Bluebelle ran from the back fence where Travis started her, around the house and down the driveway to the street. Part way up the block, she sat down on the sidewalk.
“Yep, he parked here, didn’t he, girl? You are so smart.” Travis ruffed up her long ears and gave her a biscuit.
ANNIE drank her second coffee at the breakfast bar in Brad’s kitchen. He was trying to convince her that the footprint was nothing and there was no need to tie up all these people on a Saturday morning.
Maybe he wants to go golfing.
Annie’s cell rang, and Brad put a lid on it.
If Ty talked that much I’d kick him in the balls.
“Mrs. Quantrall, I have a couple of properties to show you if you have some time today.”
Annie glanced at the time. How about one o’clock?”
“One is fine. Shall I pick you up somewhere in the city?”
“I live out of town, but I’ll be in the city later doing some errands. I’ll come to the office.”
Brad raised an eyebrow and when Annie ended the call he sounded disappointed. “You have to leave?”
“It’s business. I won’t be long.” Annie smiled at him. “I think you’re in good hands.”
He motioned towards the gathering outside. “I’ve never had so much company.”
RealtyTex. Northside. Austin.
ANNIE was parking at the real estate office when Tyler called.
“Where are you, Annie? You didn’t leave a note.”
“Something came up and I had to check in at Brad Madill’s house. Travis found a footprint in the garden.”
“Uh huh. When will you be home?”
“Couple of hours.”
“Why? What do they need you for?”
“I’m not there now. I’m looking at property with a real estate woman. I might open up a store in the city.”
“What?” Tyler shouted. “Why haven’t I heard about it?”
“Can we talk about it later?”
“No. I want to talk about it now, Annie. You can’t keep me in the dark if you want our marriage to work. I can tell when you’re lying to me.”
“Okay, go to Blaine’s and wait for me. I’ll meet you there.”
FROM DOWN the block, Luke and Fletcher watched Annie go into the RealtyTex office.
“Do we follow Mrs. Powell around when she goes with the woman?”
Better check with the boss,” said Luke. “I’ll call.”
“Yeah, Luke,” said Blaine. “Got something?”
“Question, boss. Annie is in the office and I think she’s going to see property with the suspect. Do you want us to stay with the two women?”
“Yep, stay on them. If the Kryssa woman goes sideways for any reason, I want Annie to have backup.”
“Roger that, boss.”
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
BLAINE had been on the phone and the computer all morning trying to make the connection and getting nowhere. Annie was with the suspect now and maybe, just maybe, something would show up. He needed a thread.
A headache was beginning, creeping up the back of his neck and he headed upstairs to his ensuite for medication. Ignoring the ringing of his cell, he popped two white pills before answering. “Cat, you okay?”
“I’m managing,” said the governor. “The media have been sympathetic, but in return for the privacy they’ve afforded me, I agreed to give an interview on Monday. Kind of a ‘back to work’ speech with a hint of what’s up and coming for the rest of the year.”
“And?”
“And I wondered if you had any astounding facts for me to deliver?”
“Nope. Matter of fact, I’m nowhere on the people who are after the AG and even farther away from nowhere on the sniper murders. Hopeless is what I’m feeling, and I wouldn’t want to convey that to the voting public if I were in your shoes.”
“Jesus, sweetie, I don’t think I’ve heard you so down in the dumps. Can’t your gypsy queen conjure up something to get you going?”
“Don’t call her that.” Angry and frustrated, Blaine pressed ‘end’ and headed downstairs. His first stop was the Sub-Zero for a Corona. He had one in his hand when the dogs went wild and ran to the front door.
“Who the hell is at my door?” he hollered. “They better have a damn good reason for being here.”
Misty giggled as she showed Tyler into the kitchen.
“Oh, hi, Tyler. I wasn’t yelling at you. Want a beer?”
“Might as well. Annie is meeting me here after a real estate woman or something.”
“She’s doing me a favor, Ty, if you’re concerned. The real estate woman is the one after Brad Madill—in my opinion—and I’m trying to get something on her. Annie is helping me.”
“Oh.” Ty tipped his Lone Star up and chugged half of it. “I thought she was lying to me.”
Blaine smiled. “Nope. She’s not lying. She loves you, Tyler and she doesn’t want your marriage going down the drain.”
“I don’t want that either, I’m just having a hard time coping when she does these weird jobs, like she’s a spy or something.”
“All she’s doing is spending time with the woman pretending she wants an antique store in the city. Hey, for all I know, she might not even be pretending. It’s not like she hasn’t mentioned a third store for Neil to manage.”
Ty raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t hear that mentioned.”
“Don’t matter. Once she gets back here we’ll order in some barbeque and have us a little fun.”
“I could use fun after the floods and the Jesse and Marnie disaster.”
“You had a bad week. That’s a fact. How bad was the price on the cattle you had to ship?”
“Fuckin terrible. Everybody shipped the ones at weight and the market was flooded for the week. Better than hundreds of drowned longhorns, but not too much better.”
“Shit, that’s too bad.” Blaine finished his Corona. “Let’s have another round. Car
m, Misty? Want me to crack open a bottle of y’all’s wine?”
“Yes, please, Beb.” To Tyler: “Did I hear you say Annie is coming over?”
“Yep, don’t know when, but I can drink beer all day in this cool house and wait for her. Why don’t you spread out some of y’all’s cards.”
“You want a reading?”
Ty took the second beer Blaine was handing him and grinned at Misty. “Go for it. Tell me how great my future is.”
Historic District. Downtown Austin.
THE FIRST property Annie viewed with Leigh Kryssa was so run down it would take thousands in repairs before a customer could set foot in it. She tried to be upbeat and get Mrs. Kryssa talking but all the woman focused on was selling the property. She was a relentless saleswoman and Annie hated her for that alone.
“The price the vendor is asking is way under value because clearly they know the amount of work involved to bring the place up to speed. Even as an investment property, this would be a great deal, Mrs. Quantrall.”
“I have several investment properties,” said Annie. “That’s not what I’m looking for right now.”
“Okay, then, lets move on to the next house.”
While they drove, Leigh Kryssa got several phone calls and Annie tried to eavesdrop as much as she could, but they all sounded like legitimate business calls.
Wylie Coyote. Austin.
FARRELL had spent the afternoon hanging around a few biker bars seeing if he could pick up any threads of conversation about the sniper or hints of who the locals thought the sniper might be. They had nothing to work with and at least he was doing something semi-productive while they waited for a break.
“Hey, cowboy, what can I get you?”
Farrell glanced up from his phone and he figured his heart was going to stop beating. “Umm… Shiners.”
“Sure.” She smiled at him and her blue eyes sparkled. Farrell felt a warm rush rip through him. “You want to look at the menu?”
“Okay.” He wasn’t planning on staying that long, but now that this dynamite girl was his server he might have to stay long enough to order food. He tried to focus on her name tag and it was caught in the folds of her bar t-shirt with the big smiling coyote face on the front. “I can’t read your name.”
