This all just feels like… adistraction.It feels like extreme lengths to create a diversion, so I don’t like that explanation either.
Do I have to solve every mystery? I heap an extra scoop of coffee into my coffeemaker before turning on the electric kettle to make Damara some of that specialty tea she ordered. There’s something un-American and gross about tea but… I have snuck a few sips of the mint flavor and it’s not terrible.
My phone rings. Far too early in the morning.
“What is it?”
It’s Deacon Hollingsworth. I can’t think of a good reason off the top of my head why he would contact me this early in the morning. I can’t think of why he would need to talk to me in the first place.
“I have someone in my custody who you might want to meet with.”
Deacon sounds serious, but there’s not much information in that statement and he can’t be serious about expecting me to leave Santa Fe to drive all the way out to his place. “Out in Texas?”
He pauses, like he can’t believe I’m questioning him. Typical Deacon. “Yes.”
“I can’t drive all the way out to Texas. I’m in Santa Fe with Damara.”
Impatient, he continues, “Yes. I know you’re with Tamiya’s sister and I know she’s pregnant. Wyatt has everybody working overtime to solve this, so the least you could do is drive out to Texas.”
He can’t really expect me to leave Damara out here, can he? I can’t stand the thought of leaving her pregnant and vulnerable.
“If I take my car, I’ll be a little longer but I can bring Damara.”
“Fine. Bring her. I don’t care. Just get here as soon as possible. I have information about who might have drugged the two of you but… I don’t want that shit getting out before I figure out what to do.”
I want this asshole to talk now – none of the bullshit. But Zebulon isn’t right in the head and he has plenty of capacity to end a life if you get on his bad side. Like most of the Blackwood men, he isn’t exactly right in the head.
“Who is it?”
I know he won’t tell me. He has all the power here and if he wants me to go off to Texas instead of somewhere else, the smartest play he can make is keeping the information to himself. That motherfucker is too smart for his own good.
“I’ll see you in a while.”
Deacon hangs up on me and I pack a bag for myself and Damara while she sleeps. Once I’m done, I wake her up with that cup of tea (which I had to remake) and give her the bad news – we’re going to Texas.
“I don’t want to go to Texas.”
“Are you crazy?”
“No,” Damara says, flipping her pink wavy ringlets out of her face. “I’m not crazy at all. I’m pregnant and comfortable here.”
“I’m not leaving you alone.”
I can tell this pink-haired demon woman is about to put her foot down and I don’t like it. I don’t want to be the bad guy here, but if I have to toss her ass in the back seat of my GMC Sierra andtie her downto get her to Texas, I’m willing to be the bad guy.
“I’m not in the position to handle more bad news, Magnum,” Damara says.
“You’re full of shit.”
“How long is it going to take us to get to Texas? Will we have to stay overnight somewhere?”
“What the hell are you so worried about?”
“Nothing.”
“You sound worried.”
“I’m not.”
