“Howdy.” Camo tilted his head, tail wagging at the familiar drawl running the words together. “Your boy’s gun has passed through a few hands, but they’re all connected to the same commune.”
“Commune? As in hippie commune?” Jake asked.
“That’s right,” Tex answered. “Disbanded, from what I can tell, but the folks who lived in it still keep in touch. ’Specially the ones bankrolling the Taylors’ dispensary.”
Brock spoke up. “Brianna’s cousin told me Brian is supposed to be doing security for the dispensary, but he’s doing a shit job at it. She thought maybe he was even stealing from them. Wonder if he got the gun from his parents or one of the benefactors.”
Tex chuckled. “Yeah, mighty hard to do security if you aren’t carrying, and hard to carry when you got yourself a nice list of felonies. Good to have friends without much in the way of common sense who’re willing to arm you, if that’s the case. From the sound of it, I wouldn’t trust that boy with a pea shooter.”
Kyle shook his head. “No link to Jerold Glass?” Brock perked up his ears at Kyle’s question.
“None that I can find online,” Tex said.
“So, whatdidyou find out about Glass?” Jake asked, his voice eager.
“Seems clean. No priors or else he’d be out his dealership. That’s on the surface though. Digging into the man’s private life, he’s a right son of a bitch. Divorced three times, harassment charges brought up by all sorts of women but all settled or dropped. His social media—the private stuff under an alias, not associated with his name and business—reads like the angriest little incel you could imagine. The man is no fan of the fairer sex.” Tex cleared his throat. “He’s also mentioned both Rachael and Brianna, and a woman named Amber, in terms that…well, I ain’t a gentleman, but that doesn’t mean I’ll repeat them. He’s not threatened them directly, but his words are ugly.”
“Iknewit,” Jake clapped his hands together and Camo startled, then trotted out to the deck. “Glass is targeting my wife. Maybe on his own, maybe for the benefit of someone else, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m talking her into leaving.”
“Jake, is it?” Tex asked.
“Yeah.”
“Jake, I’m not about to tell a man to hold his horses when it comes to protecting his woman, especially in this case.”
“Damn straight, you won’t,” Jake said. “I’m getting my angel out of here.”
“Brother, I hear you. My Melody had her own stalker once. Glass strikes me as an equal opportunity woman-hater. These ladies just happen to be in his crosshairs right now, because they stand in the way of something he wants. Men like him are mostly bluster and it dies down when there are real men around. Now, that said, keep an eye on the bastard. I’m gonna keep diggin’ on him. He suggests one little thing that makes me think he’s gonna attack, he will disappear off the face of the earth.”
“How about his finances?” Kyle added.
Tex chuckled. “Good deal, Pup. Always follow the money. Our boy’s doing all right for himself now. Had a slow couple of years but it’s picked up. Sales look legit enough, but as I said, gonna keep diggin’.” He paused. “And I’m gonna keep a tab open on Brian Taylor, too. Me and Melody really like that little town of Lyons and I don’t wanna see anything happen to it.”
“Thanks, Tex,” Kyle said. “Guest room’s always open for you and Melody.”
“I thank you kindly. We’ll take y’all up on it again sometime soon.”
Tex disconnected.
And then a little hell broke loose.
“I amnotgoing anywhere, Jake.” Rachael stood at the back door, arms crossed. Camo stood in front of her and looked back as if to sayTold you something was going on in here. Arden and Caroline stood behind Rachael, looking concerned. “I refuse to let some little man intimidate me, if that’s even the case.”
“Angel, you know it’s the case,” Jake said.
“I don’t. That guy, Tex? He even said there were no threats, just ugly words. I’m not afraid of ugly words. I’m not going to let ugly words stop me from living my life and helping out other musicians. Until further notice, Jake, I’m staying.”
Jake scrubbed his face. “You are killing me with this.”
Rachael dropped her arms to her sides and walked to her husband. He stood when she got to him. “I love you, and I love that you want to keep me safe. You always have. You saved my damn life. But I can’t have you jumping at everything and trying to stuff me back into a cage. And that’s how this feels. I’m going to be fine, I promise. Jerold is an ass, nothing more. He hides behind a secret identity, for heaven’s sake. I can handle this. I’ll report it to the festival people and we’ll go from there. Does that make you happy?”
Jake practically growled. “Stop making sense.”
Okay, David Byrne.” She winked.
“Got it in one.”
Chapter 13
