by Carolina Mac
“Yep, bring him in if he shows himself.” Blaine explained about the half-way house.
“We had nothing yesterday,” said Carlos. “How’d we get this lead, boss?”
“Mafia Mario told Roy and Roy told Farrell.”
“Grapevine. Good one, Roy.”
“You got that right,” said Blaine.
Farrell nodded. “Yep. What about the other two houses?”
“As soon as we have men in place here, we’ll cruise them, leave a picture and see if they have laneways at the back. If not we’ll go with this one.”
“Why wouldn’t the manager tell us if he knows the kid?”
“He said all the patients were over thirty. Maybe the kid isn’t a patient and doesn’t live here,” said Blaine. “He could live around here somewhere, and the manager has seen him on the street.”
“I think we should go back in and push him harder,” said Farrell.
“The thing is, bro, when we use Misty, it’s not like she’s an eye witness. And it ain’t like the sketch is for sure a real person. She only saw this kid in a vision.”
“Yeah, there’s that. I guess I’m a believer she’s been right so many times, and I roll with what she says.”
“Me too, but the DA is gonna want proof. We’ve got to give him solid evidence and he’s gonna want the gun.”
Farrell checked the time on his phone. “We’ve got to get home and get ready for Neil’s party, bro. That’s a priority.”
“Yep. Busy day.”
Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.
FARRELL stopped his bike at the gate and Quinn inhaled a quick breath. “Wow, look at the gate. This is some big place, Farrell.”
The gate swung open and Farrell gave Jose a wave as he zoomed through. He parked in front of the six bay garage and said to Quinn, “Before we go in the house, I want to check on Neil’s present. The guys at the shop said they delivered it, but I haven’t seen it.”
Farrell opened the side door of the garage and sitting just inside the door was a brand new, shiny Forty-Eight special. Farrell ran a finger along the gas tank and said, “She’s a beauty.”
“You bought a motorcycle for your little brother?”
“Uh huh. I did so.”
“I bet he’ll be excited,” said Quinn.
Farrell took her hand. “Let’s go to the house and I’ll introduce you to my family.”
“You have a lot of people in your life, Farrell. In my family there’s only me, my brother and our parents. Four of us and hardly any cousins.”
“You can share this gang,” said Farrell. “They will love you.”
ANNIE GREETED Blaine and Misty in the foyer and hugged them both. She was wearing black leather pants and a shimmering silk top in pale lavender. “So happy to see my family.” She opened the door and peered out. “Where’s Farrell?”
“He rode his bike and he’s checking something out in the garage. Be along in a minute.”
Annie smiled and whispered, “Neil’s going to be so excited. I can hardly wait.”
Blaine smiled and whispered. “He’s gonna go nuts.”
Farrell blasted through the door, his presence filling the foyer, a permanent grin pasted on his handsome face. “Hi, Mom,” he grabbed Annie in a hug. “This is Quinn.”
“Hi, Quinn. Lovely to meet you. Welcome to Coulter-Ross. Come in and have a drink. Would you like wine or beer or something stronger?”
“I’ll have a glass of wine,” said Misty and Quinn nodded.
“Wine is fine for me too,” said Quinn. “I don’t care if it’s red or white.”
As they followed the crowd into the kitchen, Quinn whispered to Farrell, “Your mother is gorgeous, and she looks so young. She seems familiar.”
Farrell nodded, didn’t bother to explain and hollered for his brother. “Neil, where are you? Happy birthday, kid.”
Neil came running down the hall on the double when he heard his brother. “Hey, my family is all here.” He cast a startled look at Quinn and stuck out his hand. “I’m Neil.”
Quinn smiled. “You look a lot like Farrell. Nice to meet you, Neil, and happy birthday.”
“Thanks. This is an exciting day for me.”
JESSE AND MARNIE were next to arrive with Bobby proudly carrying Charity. Neil was elated to see the baby and it showed in his eyes. Charity held out her arms for him and screamed “Neen.”
“My baby sister is here.” Neil cuddled her close to him and kissed her cheeks. “I love you, baby girl.”
Charity clung to Neil’s neck, burrowed her face into his curly blond hair and wouldn’t let go.
Tears burned behind Jesse’s eyes. Ripping Charity away from Annie and from Coulter-Ross, he had deprived his daughter of so much love it was unforgiveable.
“Charity loves Neil,” said Marnie as she walked ahead of Jesse, carrying the gift.
“Uh huh,” said Jesse, “she sure does.”
Annie appeared in the doorway smiling and didn’t offer to hug Jesse like she usually did. “Glad you could make it. Come in and have a drink.”
Marnie handed her the huge giftwrapped box.
Annie thanked her and said, “I’ll put this in the family room. Neil is so pumped for his party.”
“Ace, I’m sorry Ty is being… so unreasonable,” said Jesse. “None of this was your fault.”
“It’s okay, cowboy. Partly my own fault. I knew what Tyler was like when I married him, I just thought... if we put the effort in, we could be happy.”
Jesse pulled her into a hug and held her in his arms. “I’m so sorry.”
“Nothing we can do about it now. He’s too stubborn to change his mind.” Annie dried her eyes and pulled herself together. “Go on into the guest room and say hello to Brad. He opted out of the party to get some reading done. I’ll take him a tray later.”
“Sure. I’ll say hello to Mr. Madill.”
AFTER a dinner of prime rib and all the trimmings, Annie and the girls cleared the table and brought in the dessert. A mega-size chocolate cake blazing with nineteen candles was placed in front of Neil.
Charity hollered and pointed, and Jackson and Lucy helped him blow out the candles.
The kids all clapped their hands and cheered.
“Did you make a wish?” asked Misty.
Neil nodded. “Sure did.”
Annie helped Neil serve his cake and ice cream and when that was done and the guests could barely move, Farrell said to Neil, “Before we have coffee I want to show you something in the garage.”
Darkness had fallen during dinner, but the security lights high on poles on both sides of the gate lit up the compound and showed the way to the garage. Farrell led with way with Neil by his side asking a string of questions like Neil always did and everyone else followed behind. Farrell opened the side door, flicked on the lights and pointed at the big shiny Harley. “Happy birthday, bro.”
Neil’s jaw dropped as he stared at the bike, then he turned with tears in his eyes and hugged his brother. “I can’t believe it, Farrell.”
THE WHOLE FAMILY had crowded into the garage watching Neil mount the bike and check out the controls. His face was flushed with excitement and his blue eyes a little moist.
The siren sounded, splitting the night air with an ear-piercing shriek and all of the crowd in the garage jumped.
“What is it?” asked Quinn.
“Somebody touched the fence,” said Jackson in a calm voice. “Mommy will shoot them.”
“Mommy doesn’t like anybody near our black cows,” said Lucy in her pink party dress. She made a mad face and Quinn giggled.
Annie ran outside with Blaine and Farrell on her heels. “Jesse,” she shouted as she ran towards the gate, “you’re on Madill in his room. Travis, see what Mag’s got on camera. Blaine and Farrell, shotguns and bring me my Remington.” She waved her arm at Neil and the rest of the guests. “Neil, get everyone inside and stay in the house.”
Neil scooped up Charity and hustled Jackson and Luc
y onto the porch and through the front door.
JESSE hurried Marnie into the house ahead of him.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
Jesse was out of breath and couldn’t answer right away. He jogged straight down the hall to the guest room where Brad Madill was resting. “Watch the kids, would you, sweetheart?”
“Sure,” said Marnie. “I’ll help Neil.”
Brad opened his eyes when Jesse entered the room. “Ranger Quantrall, nice to see you.”
“Mr. Madill. There’s been a breach of the perimeter fence and it’s being checked. I’ll be staying in your room with you for the next little while.”
“Did someone get over the fence?”
“That’s what the siren is for. Security is checking the cameras.”
“I want this nightmare to be over.”
“The only way anyone can get to you is through that door,” Jesse pointed with his Beretta, “and I’ve got it covered.”
BLAINE UNLOCKED the gun cabinet in the family room and removed shotguns for himself, Farrell and Travis. Farrell chose Annie’s favorite Remington with the scope and checked to insure it was loaded.
“Grab a box of ammo,” said Blaine, “and we’ll get ready on the porch.”
Quinn stood close to Farrell and watched with her eyes wide. “I’m scared. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“We’ve got a situation.” Farrell leaned close and whispered. “Nobody will come in the house, baby. Play with the kids and don’t let them see you’re scared, okay?”
“I’ll try not to.”
BOUNCING THROUGH ruts in the laneway, Travis drove the Kawasaki full out to the safe-house at the back of the two thousand acres. He hopped out and ran down the stairs to the basement of the facility where Mag and one other security guy on shift were pointing at the monitors. “Where is he?”
“There’s only a two second shot of him jumping over the fence into the first Angus pasture,” said Mag. “You know which field that is?”
Travis nodded. “The first cattle guard off the laneway.”
Mag nodded. “After that, we have no sign of him, at least not yet.”
Travis ran back to the Kawasaki all the while talking into his earbud. “He dropped over the fence into the first pasture field.”
“We’re at the cattle guard now,” said Blaine. “We need more light.”
The boys could hear Annie. “Mag, turn on the spotlight on top of the house.”
“Roger that, boss.”
A few seconds later the pasture field lit up like Dodger Stadium. “There,” hollered Blaine, “he’s running towards the river.”
“Where’s Annie?” asked Farrell.
“I’m coming, sugar. Almost to your position. Try to head him off. Don’t let him cross the river.”
“Roger that, Mom,” said Blaine.
“I’m behind him,” said Travis, “he’s running in your direction.”
ANNIE was out of breath a hundred yards down the laneway. Her ribs had begun to heal but her breathing had a long way to go. She couldn’t run worth shit. She stopped, raised the rifle and peered through the scope. The guy with a rifle in his hand was running straight at her. “I’ve got him. You guys stay tight to the fence.”
“Roger that,” said Farrell.
Bang.
The rifle shot cut through the October night with an ear-splitting snap.
“Can you see him?” asked Annie.
“Yep,” said Blaine. “Almost on him. Farrell, get his gun. Travis, bring the four-wheeler. Nice shot, Mom.”
THE AMBULANCE pulled through the gate followed by the sheriff’s SUV. Rafe Cumberland hopped out of the passenger seat and flashed Annie a smile. “Problem, Mrs. Powell?”
“Over now,” said Annie.
“Jesse around?” asked the sheriff. A large man nudging fifty, Rafe Cumberland went about two fifty and stood tall in his snug uniform at six foot three.
“Right here, Rafe. Needed to ask for you personally and fuck up your weekend, but we’ve got a sensitive matter here.”
“Weekend is almost over. What kind of a sensitive matter?” Rafe smirked. “More sensitive than a trespasser with a Parabellum in his knee?”
The paramedics loaded up the shooter and the sheriff sent a deputy with him to the hospital. “This his gun?”
“Yep. I bagged it for you, Sheriff,” said Blaine.
“Thanks, Blacky. This part of an on-going?”
“Yes, it is,” said Blaine. “I’ll need both the gun and the prisoner at some point.”
“Come on in the house, Sheriff,” said Annie, “and I’ll get you a coffee while you take the statements.”
“Appreciate a coffee.”
“Birthday cake too,” said Annie, “I know you have a bit of a sweet tooth.”
Marnie and Quinn had fresh coffee made and cups set out on the island. Both girls were experienced servers and used to hard work.
“Y’all having a party?” asked Rafe.
“Neil’s birthday,” said Farrell. “He ain’t a baby anymore.”
“Where’s this sensitive issue y’all got?” the sheriff cast Jesse a glance.
“Umm… down here in one of the guest rooms,” said Jesse. “I’ll show you.” He knocked softly on the door in case Brad was sleeping, then opened the door. “This is Brad Madill, the AG for Texas and Annie’s keeping an eye on him. This is the third or fourth attempt on his life.”
“Mr. Madill,” said the sheriff, “the threat seems to be taken care of. You’re in good hands here, sir, with Mrs. Powell.”
“Thanks,” said Madill. “Did you get him, Ranger Quantrall?”
“Ace took him out, and we’ll question him as soon as he’s been treated at the hospital,” said Jesse. “You’re secure, sir.”
“I can’t sleep. I’m a bit on edge, I guess.”
“I’ll send Declan in,” said Jesse. “He’ll fix you up.”
AFTER the sheriff left and the kids were in bed, Neil walked into the kitchen with a case of poker chips in his hand. “Who wants to party?”
“I do,” hollered Farrell. “I want to party with my little brother till we both puke.”
“Hey,” said Jesse, “in all the excitement you didn’t open the present we brought you.”
“I’ll get it,” said Marnie. She returned with the big box and handed it to Neil.
Neil ripped off the paper and lifted the lid of the box. “I love the smell of leather. This smells just like Farrell’s jacket.” He held it up and showed everybody.
“Try it on,” said Jesse. “Bobby sized it at the store.”
Neil put the jacket on, and it fit perfectly. “Thanks, Bobby. Good call on that one.”
“I’ll get everybody a beer,” said Farrell. “Time to celebrate.”
“This is my best birthday ever,” said Neil. “Thanks, to y’all for coming and for all the presents.”
IT WAS AFTER one when the poker game ended, and everyone headed home. Farrell followed Blaine’s truck down the long Coulter-Ross laneway with Quinn hanging on tight on the back of his bike.
As they sped through the dark October night, Farrell tried to remember if there were any overpasses straddling route 71 heading into the city. The sniper had never struck outside the city limits, but that meant nothing. Taking Quinn home on the bike was a terrible idea. He should have sent her home with Blacky.
Approaching the overpass at route 130, Farrell slowed and scanned the bridge above. A glint of moonlight bounced off the metal railing. No one in sight.
He blew out a breath, zoomed under and wondered how he’d got so stupid all of a sudden.
The next one was at 183 and he could see nothing. Clouds covered the half moon and if there was someone on the bridge, he was invisible.
With the surveillance on the half-way house, maybe the sniper had decided to stop before he got caught.
By the time Farrell parked in Quinn’s driveway, he was drenched in stress sweat but she seemed unaw
are of his tension.
“Thanks for the good time this weekend, Farrell. I like your family and I had a lot of fun.”
“I had fun too.” He held her close and kissed her, hoping he didn’t smell like a sweat-dripping pig. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Monday, October 8th.
The Blackmore Agency. Austin.
FARRELL woke with a knot in his gut and a sense of dread swept over him like detritus from a tornado. Without checking the time, he grabbed for his phone and called Neil.
“What, Farrell.” Neil sounded groggy.
Farrell sat on the side of his bed, his bare feet on the cold wood floor. “Promise me you won’t ride your bike until we catch the sniper. Promise.”
“Aw, shit, bro, I was gonna take her out for an hour before I had to go back to Dallas.”
“I just remembered you saying that, and I’m saying don’t do it.”
Neil let out a sigh. “Okay, I won’t.”
“Come home next weekend and Blacky and I will go out with you. Long ride, I promise.”
“Okay, deal.”
“I love you, Neil. I don’t want you dead.”
“Me neither.”
Austin-Bergstrom Airport.
MISTY TURNED and waved as she joined the security line and Blaine watched with blurry eyes and a pain in his chest until she was out of sight. They’d checked Hoodoo in earlier in the pet division and he was probably already aboard in his huge cage happily snacking on his new dog treat.
Hesitant to give him a return date, Blaine had the feeling Misty wasn’t coming back. Misty believed she belonged in New Orleans, she was born there and that’s where the Fates wanted her to be.
Blaine didn’t know about what the Fates wanted, but he knew damn well he would miss her. Was this a break-up? Those words had never been spoken, but it wasn’t clear to him what was going on. Misty had been distant for a while and it was no secret she wasn’t happy in Texas.
He lit up a smoke as he trudged along to his truck in short-term parking wondering when he’d felt more depressed.
Knowing he’d be late for the morning meeting, he stopped for a coffee and called Lil. “I’m in traffic, Lil. Everybody knows their assignments. Entertain the troops until I get there.”
