Chapter Twenty-Five
TJ sat in the cafeteria, trying not to laugh at the group of high school kids, rather at their reaction to the six level-three security providers, dressed head to toe in black, including balaclavas, surrounding the area where they were sitting.
Wes and Keith Hartung stood unseen to take in the scene. “Well, they should be good and scared by now,” Keith said.
TJ rose at the sight of his boss. “Morning.”
“TJ Poole, this is Lieutenant Keith Hartung,” Wes introduced.
“Good to meet you. TJ, which one wants to clear their conscience?” Keith asked.
The kids all wore Chase sweatsuits. “The boy with the white mohawk. His name is Biff Williams.” TJ lifted his chin in his direction. “And the girl chewing on her pink fingernail, Allison Kwan.” He handed his boss two files.
“You did say Biff?” Wes confirmed. When TJ nodded, Wes placed two fingers in his mouth and whistled. “Biff, come here please.”
* * *
Eleanor leaned over the stall gate to watch the mare she rescued with Wes. Luke joined her. “She’s improving every day,” he said.
Eleanor looked down at her feet. “I hope she gets strong enough to birth her foal.” Her voice was devoid of emotion.
“Miss Ellie, what’s got you so upset?” Luke asked.
“What happened last night. I don’t understand.” Eleanor swiped at her red, puffy eyes.
“Who would bury a baby like that?” Luke asked.
“Baby?” Eleanor’s irritated eyes went wide with fright.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you heard. After all those folks were injured, as they were sifting through the mess, they found a skeleton,” Luke said.
“Well, that means one more terrible thing.” Eleanor held back tears.Was it my baby?
Cord Wyatt, one of her staff, a handsome man over six feet tall with long brown hair pulled into a ponytail and green eyes, approached with a horse on a lead.
Eleanor’s anxiety rose. Her hand reached for the horse’s neck. The animal turned his head toward her and gave her a bump with his nose.
“He likes you.” Cord’s smile was sincere. “I’m taking Jigsaw for a walk. He destroyed his stall. One of the farm hands asked me to give them time to replace all the bedding.”
Eleanor patted the horse. “You’re a sloppy boy. Thanks, Cord.” She managed to smile. He’d done nothing to threaten her.Calm down, she begged herself.
Brandon approached. “Hey, Ellie. Glad to see you,” he said. “Um, could we talk? I want to relay a conversation I had with Wes.”
“Sure.” As they headed into her office, Eleanor checked over her shoulder.
* * *
“Hi, Biff, I’m Wes Crockett, and this is Lieutenant Hartung. I understand you’re seventeen and about to graduate.”
“Yes, sir.” Biff looked at his feet.
“Biff, Mr. Crockett’s and my eyes are up here,” Keith said.
Biff looked up. “We were just drinking. I don’t understand. Why is everyone so upset?”
“These.” Wes held up an evidence bag filled with laser pointers. “When the crime lab checks these for fingerprints, I’ll bet yours are on one.”
Biff shrugged.
