In the...Huh?“Who was...?Wassomeone in the trunk?”
She pulled out another photo and slid it in front of me. Inside, there was a burned ashen mass. “This is what we found when we opened the trunk. Any idea who it was?”
I was stunned...silent.
Chapter Four
Jericho
“You must be Jericho Hess. I’m Bethany Roberts.”
I stood at the fence where Fancy and Thunder were also staring at the woman that Saturday morning. The tall blonde stuck her hand through the fence slats and let Fancy sniff her before she scratched the mare’s forehead.
When the mare didn’t object, the woman, who wore a light-blue western shirt with pearl snaps, put both hands through the fence and gently moved her thumbs to the corners of Fancy’s mouth, getting the mare to open to check her teeth.
“She’s four? Is this her first baby?” Bethany wiped the horse slobber from her hands onto her jeans and adjusted the straw hat, not much unlike the one I wore every day when I worked outside.
“Yes. First foal. Is there something I can do for you?” I’d never seen the woman before, and I had no idea why she was checking Fancy’s age, but then it dawned on me that maybe Fancy’s owner had sent her to check on the prize mare.
“Oh, are you Mindy Spriggs’s trainer?”
“No, sorry. I was contacted by Lawrence Schatz. He found my website and reached out to me last night. He said you need a temporary hand and told me to come out to meet you. I just have a few questions.”
I guessed Schatz didn’t think I could find someone on my own, though I hadn’t even started to look. Maybe he was smarter than I gave him credit for, or he really wanted me to guard that Fitzpatrick guy.
“Sure. First, let me show you around.”
Bethany nodded, so I gave her the grand tour. I introduced Bethany to all the horses, explaining which ones were Mom’s and mine and which were boarding horses. I acquainted her with things in the feed room, explaining the schedule, and I showed her how to lock up everything after the horses were put to bed.
She was a good listener and seemed to take in everything I told her. When I believed I’d given her the rundown, I exhaled. “So, you said you had questions.”
“Yes. I live in Roanoke, Virginia. I wondered if there might be somewhere I can stay here on the ranch. It’s a four-hour drive one way, and I’m not one to like staying in a motel.”
I glanced toward the house, which was a three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch style. It probably wouldn’t be bad to have Bethany look after Mom too. “Yeah, uh, there’s a motel just down the road, but I’m not a fan of staying in them either. Come inside and let me introduce you to my mother, Gayle Hess.”
We went up to the house where Mom was busy getting lunch ready. “Mom, this is Bethany Roberts. She’s gonna be here for a week or so to take care of the horses. I’ll let her sleep in my room while I’m gone.”
Of course I hadn’t told Mom anything about the possible job because I hadn’t been sure I could find anyone to take care of the place to my satisfaction. My gut told me Bethany could handle it and probably do a better job than I did.
“Where you goin’, Jer?”
“I’m doing a favor for a friend. Gimme a minute, Mom. I’ll be right back.” I hustled down the hall to my bedroom and closed the door. I picked up my phone on the nightstand to see that I had a few texts and a voicemail message. I played the message.
“Hi, Jericho. Lawry Schatz. We’ve moved Sean Fitzpatrick out of the hotel where he was staying, and we’ve got him in a friend’s condo in Bethesda. I’m hoping the condo will be closer to you so you can get to your ranch in the event of an emergency. Will you please call me when you get a minute? I’ll text you the information regarding where Sean’s staying.”
I listened to the message again before scrolling through the texts he’d sent and sending him a response.
Lawry: I don’t carry my phone when I’m working with the horses, so I just got your messages. Bethany Roberts dropped by. I see you sent me a text about her, but I didn’t get it until just now. I guess I’m taking the job at our agreed fee. Can you let Mr. Fitzpatrick know I’ll be wherever he is tomorrow morning around eight? Thanks, man.
I went into the bathroom closer to my room, and after I finished my business, I washed my hands, face, and combed my hair. I stopped in my bedroom to change my shirt before going downstairs for lunch.
When I arrived in the kitchen, Mom and Bethany were talking like old pals. “Jeri, I’m going to get the guest room ready for Bethany. Your room is smaller, and you won’t be taking all your stuff with you, right?”
“No, Mom. I won’t be taking all my stuff. I’ll be back in a week.” I fucking hoped...
I got up at five on Sunday morning to do chores before Bethany arrived. Not surprisingly, she pulled up to the barn as the sun was coming up, just as I finished letting the horses out so I could clean the stalls.
“Good morning. I don’t suppose you’ve got any coffee, do you?” She looked a little bleary-eyed, probably as much as I did.
