“Yes, well, I guess I like to make men work a little harder for me.” I start to stand, but Ricky grips my arm, discreetly holding me down. Unless I want to make a big deal out of this, which I'm tempted to, I need to stay put.
“I need to go. I’m meeting a friend.” I brave a look into his face. My stomach turns at his sour breath.
“You look scared,” he says, adopting a patronizing tone. “Don’t worry, I already know who you are. I make it a point to know all the family members of the people who come up against me. Brothers, sisters, grandpas. Nephews and nieces.” He leans in even closer and I taste bile at the base of my throat. “Every last one of them.” He releases me suddenly and stands. The other one does, too, and both look down at me.
“We’ll be seeing you around,Jessie,” he winks at me, and they walk away.
I wait for them to get far enough away, then head for my car, phone in hand. Once I’m safely tucked away in the drivers’ seat, I hit the lock button and dial.
“Jessie?” He sounds surprised. I don’t call him often.
“Wyatt was beat up earlier today, and—”
“By who?” Wes roars.
I tell him the name I caught, and everything else that was said to me. “We have a problem, Wes. A very real problem.”
“Not for long we don’t. Come straight to my place. I’m calling Warner.”
I hang up and point my car toward my oldest brother’s house. I have no idea what’s about to happen, but I’m in.
39
Wyatt
Jo sleeps soundly beside me.I'd love to lie here beside her and be here when she wakes, watching those blue eyes blink and join the waking world, but I've got shit to do. Lives to ruin.
I leave her a note, promising I'll be back in time to drive her to the town meeting this morning, and slip from the bed. On my way into town I stop for coffee and a breakfast burrito, then continue on to my destination.
The sports store opens early to accommodate all the early risers and their various activities. Fishing, camping, hiking.Rappelling.
On my way out of Mrs. Calhoun's house yesterday, I took notice of the length of thick rope in the back of Ricky's truck, along with the harnesses and slings, all still in their packaging.
I'd never have guessed either of those dipshits to be outdoor enthusiasts of any kind, but you won't catch me looking a gift horse in the mouth. And this discovery is as good as being handed a present tied up with a big red bow.
All I need is a little information, and I know exactly how to get it.
"Drew Dunbar," I say, my voice booming into the empty store. It opened approximately four minutes ago, and I'm the first customer.
Drew, the manager and a Sierra Grande native, comes out from the aisle. He's holding a box of meal replacement bars that probably taste like ass, and an expression that screams just how unhappy he is to see me. In high school he was a weasel, always saying dumb shit to girls and seeing what he could get away with. He went too far once and I put a stop to it. He never got over it.
Drew loads the bars onto the shelf. "Out early today, aren't you, Wyatt? Or have you not been to sleep yet?"
"You're funny." I sip my coffee. "Know what else is funny? I saw two pairs of shoes in the stall of the men's room a few months ago at the Chute. I was taking a piss and listening to the sounds of people who were having themselves a grand time. I found myself a little curious, so after I left the bathroom I kept a watch on the door to see who would come out. Pretty little redhead walked out a few minutes later, and you snuck out a few minutes after that. Funny thing is, I remember your wife being a brunette."
"You didn't see shit," Drew snarls, throwing the rest of the bars down on the shelf.
I take a bite of my burrito and chew. "Grace, is it? Your wife's name? It's Grace, right?"
His jaw clenches and he throws the box on the ground. "What the fuck do you want?"
"I want to know who sold some of your rappelling gear recently."
"How the fuck should I know? I have multiple employees."
I take another bite, using the pad of my thumb to brush crumbs from the corner of my mouth. "Grace works at the bank, right? I thought I recognized her the last time I went in there."
"You're a fucking asshole," Drew hisses.
