Late that afternoon, Tanner Everett showed up.
Tanner drew Josie off to one side near the curio cabinet where Maddie Brannt’s little statuettes were kept. This would give them an alibi in case any of the others saw them together.
“Something big is going on,” he told Josie. “Phillip James has his back to the wall and he’s fuming because he’s being targeted for a massacre he took part in overseas. He’ll be looking for soft targets. I can take care of Stasia. And Tony will be looking out for Odalie. I don’t want to add to your problems, but it would be a great help if you could keep your eye on Heather and JJ. Dad will be on the lookout for any disturbances. And so will John.”
“You’re going to warn them, right?”
“Of course. But it won’t hurt to have many eyes on the situation, especially now that Mom and JJ will be the most obvious soft targets. I don’t want to alarm them, but nobody’s going to be safe until we get the guy in front of a congressional subcommittee. The best defense is a good offense.”
“Indeed, it is,” she agreed. “And it wouldn’t hurt to get Marlowe in on this. His background makes him invaluable in situations like this.”
“Yes, it does. I knew him before he ever became sheriff here. He’s had a lot of tragedy in his life, which probably makes him a lot more cautious when it comes to danger. He’s always had something of a sixth sense about people and situations. It’s come in handy in dangerous situations in times past.”
“He seems very capable,” she said.
“Oh, he’s definitely capable. Not a man you ever want as an enemy. As Velasquez will find out if he keeps sniffing around here. Do you have any idea why your local drug boss is so interested in that lot of calves that Dad’s selling at the private auction? Does his boss really raise purebred cattle?”
“Raines says he does,” she replied. “In fact, he has a huge ranch somewhere down in Mexico across the border. But doesn’t it seem a little coincidental that he’s interested in these particular calves at this time?”
“I was just thinking that myself,” he said. “I think he’s got something in mind. God knows what, but it’s probably something dangerous. I wonder if he knows how much Marlowe hates him?”
“Because he deals drugs, you mean?”
“It’s something more. Something dark. Marlowe doesn’t ever speak of it. But anytime Velasquez’s name is mentioned his eyes go as cold as a morgue. There’s something there, something between those two men. A history.”
“Marlowe hates drug dealers. I know that.” She paused. “Doesn’t he have a family?” she asked curiously.
“Here’s some free advice. Don’t ever ask Marlowe that. Just don’t,” he said tersely.
Before she could ask anything else, the back door opened and John came in. Josie and Tanner came from the study into the living room.
“I was just asking where everybody was,” Tanner told John. “I’ve got news.”
“What about?” John asked, looking suspiciously at Josie.
“It’s about Phillip James,” Tanner began.
“Is this any of your business?” John asked Josie coldly.
“She’s living here for the time being, isn’t she?” Tanner asked. “Anybody who’s living here needs to know about Phillip James. I’ve given a senate subcommittee enough information to hang him. I hope. Meanwhile, he wants blood. Mine especially, but anybody in the family who has blood will do. He wants a soft target. Nobody is safe while he’s still free.”
“Have you got enough people to watch Stasia?” John asked at once.
Tanner glared at him. “She’s got me. And I’ve got feds who work for me. Believe me, Stasia is not at risk.”
“What about when you all go up for Odalie’s Met audition?” John asked.
“Stasia will go with us to New York,” came the terse reply. “I won’t have her apart from me in her present condition. Besides which, she’d never miss seeing Odalie on the stage. They’re best friends.”
Josie felt terrible for John. It was painfully apparent how he felt about his brother’s wife, and he must know it was hopeless. But she didn’t let it show in her face.
Apparently, Tanner wasn’t anxious to pursue the subject because he changed it very quickly. “What’s this we hear about the snake?”
“You mean Precious?” John corrected.
Tanner rolled his eyes. “Yes, Precious,” he said in a long-suffering tone. “What happened yesterday?”
Josie had to smother a laugh. She didn’t dare let John see her amusement.
