“He did, he’s Scott’s brother-in-law, and that’s how I got to know him.” At Yvonne’s confused look, Erin smiled. “Duane’s ex is Scott’s sister.”
“Ah, I had heard that he was divorced. But like I said, I’m looking for options now.”
Erin still held onto her glass when she rose and walked over to the wall, and lifted several colored films. “Come closer,” she said, then, “Stop.”
Yvonne did, and frowned as she looked at Erin, and the entire map of Colorado. As she did, Erin explained what she owned, and with each new ranch, a colored film was lowered. With only one film left up, Erin slowly dropped it, and Yvonne looked at her in confusion.
“What’s that?”
“That is five thousand acres across the road from here.” Erin went back to her seat and pointed out the window. She told Yvonne how she hadcome into possession of it, and then finished her bourbon.
“He wasn’t at the meeting earlier, but I have a man, named Patrick Clemmons, he’s out going to rodeos looking for people that want to be around horses, but can’t afford the entrance fees. The land across the street will take two years to be totally built, but I’m looking at starting a rodeo ranch. People in the rodeo can board their animals here, come to the arena we have yet to build and practice, then I want to hire some stock contractors to breed broncs and bulls. There’s enough room to house them on that land, in different areas of course.”
“Of course. So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that when Clem finds people that we’re looking for, he’s going to call with their information. I have Duane right now, and Jake Cogburn from Brotherhood Protectors, but I have been working on a plan.”
“Which is?”
“Where Duane is my security guard here, I would like to hire someone for New Double, and for RRR.”
“What about Broken Wheel and Broken Two?”
“For Broken Wheel, you have to drive by here to get to it. There is no outside road. As for Broken Two, you have to go through a compound that has two buildings that hold our doctor’s office. The only way to get to Broken is a complicated road of twistsand turns that will take you past bunktels and cabins that are lived in.”
“Ah, how did you come up with something like that?”
Erin grinned. “I had the idea, and Clark, my brother brought it to fruition. When he retired from the SEALs, he was a Lieutenant. He was the one that took my idea and made it into what it is now. Strategic placement, is what he called it.”
“I would love to see it in person.”
“Maybe some other time, I know you have this case with Myrna. However, to answer your question from earlier, yes. Yes, I’m looking to hire more security. I want someone at New Double. If Clem is successful in getting people to come work for us until RRR is up and running, then there will have to be background checks made, and with someone at the entrance, there will be checks made on people coming and going.” She looked at Yvonne with a grin. “Where Erin’s Way does studs, Broken Wheel is rehabilitated horses, RRR will be rodeo animals, and New Double deals with racehorses. Eventually, when the horses are ready, buyers, trainers, and jockeys will be arriving to check out the horses.”
“Okay, and what would your security person do?”
“Run background checks on the incoming rodeo people, because they will be working at New Double before they move over to RRR. Also, I’m going to want background checks done on the buyers, trainers,and jockeys. That information will be for our records, but if there are any red flags, then it will be pointed out to Cole and Naomi.”
“Why them?”
“I own the land, and buildings, Naomi owns the horses, and Cole is the ranch manager.” She explained how they had brought the horses to Colorado. After several minutes Erin looked at her directly.
“Yes, when you’re ready to leave the FBI, reach out. I’m not saying you won’t have to share the duties, but I am saying that the person I know who is looking to relocate here will be hired when he’s ready to quit his current job.”
“Which is?”
“Homicide detective in Seattle. He’s Caleb’s father.”
“Oh, wow, so if anything happens, you’ll have two former FBI agents, and one police detective.”
“I like to staff my ranches with people who know what they’re doing.” They stayed silent until they called it a night. When Yvonne settled into the guest room, she thought of everything she should start to do in order to retire with dignity, and start a new role in the near future. She just needed to figure out what the hell was going on with Myrna’s case first before she could think of leaving. She wanted to leave the Bureau on a high note.
CHAPTER 15
Myrna lookedup when Pedro walked into the kitchen the next morning, and she lifted the spatula and waved it around. “So?” she asked with a smirk.
Pedro didn’t answer until he filled his coffee cup and took a couple of sips. “I don’t think I moved all night.”
“You didn’t,” she giggled. They had made love the night before, and fallen asleep in her bed. When she had woken earlier, he was still in the same position he had been in when they’d snuggled afterward. She had shaken him awake, and told him she was heading to the shower, then she would start breakfast, he had only groaned at her. She showered, dressed, and shook him again to wake him before she came out to the kitchen. To make sure he woke, she’d gripped the blankets and pulled them off him as she left the bedroom, laughing as he groaned harder.
