Chapter 10
TEN
Aman in jean shorts and a tank top stood near an empty fence as Ferd and Duke drove up the long driveway to Kevin’s ranch. Last year’s tall dead stalks towered over the new broadleaf weeds covering the lawn. A fat goose stood sentinel on the front porch.
“You want to go to the front door, or should I?” Duke took one look at the goose and burst into laughter as he put his truck in park.
“I’m not going anywhere near that bird. This is your case, not mine. I’m just along for the ride. That’s not Kevin, by the way.” She tilted her head toward tank-top dude.
“No, it’s not. He didn’t mention anyone else being here when I called him earlier. Wonder who he could be?”
Why wouldn't Kevin mention another person? “Maybe he didn’t think it was pertinent information.”
Kevin burst out the front door, slamming it hard against the house. The goose spat at him and flared its wings. He swung a foot at the goose, not getting anywhere near it as it lowered its head and backed away.
Duke banged his door shut and headed for Kevin.
At least the noise distracted the bird. It glared at Duke and waddled off.
Old trees surrounded the house, creating shadows and darkness that made the hair on her arms prickle.
The last time the house had been updated, lead paint was likely all the rage.
Ferd swung her thickly padded leg from the truck, thankful she didn’t have to climb out of a car with a knee that wouldn’t bend.
“What’s she doing here?” Kevin spat a huge dark wad of something on the ground.
“Helping me,” Duke answered. “Want to show us the vandalized areas?”
“She can stay put. I’m not offering to show my livestock and everything I own to someone who’s not an officer.”
Her badge wouldn’t get her anywhere, but he wouldn’t know it was from Cody, not Cheyenne. She dug her badge out of her purse and quickly flashed it.
He frowned and his scowl deepened. “I don’t like this. I asked you to come out here, not her. If she’s some new person on the force, she doesn’t need to use my trouble as her training.” He pointed at her as he narrowed his eyes.
“She’s fully trained.”
Ferd held up a hand to stop the argument.
Walking through the long grass would be almost impossible anyway.
Even considering it hurt. “I can stay back if it’s a big point of contention.
” She leaned against the truck for a little extra support.
Between the gunshot wound and the floor of the boat, her leg couldn’t hold her weight for long.
“I’ll keep an eye on her.” The other man finally turned away from the fence. His teeth seemed almost fang-like. She forced herself not to react.
“Are we walking out there?” Duke asked.
Kevin sighed dramatically and shoved his hands into overlarge, unwashed jeans. He looked so different today than he had the day before. Was yesterday for show? “We could take the quads.” He tilted his head toward them.
Why wouldn’t he want to use them?
“Almost out of gas though,” Kevin said.
“Well, if we’re walking out to your back forty, we’d better get going.” Duke patted his belt where his gun was holstered and set off for what appeared to be a worn trail beside the barn.
Kevin looked back and narrowed his eyes. “You know what to do.”
Duke had told her to bring her weapon and wear it if she didn’t usually while they were out there. She’d agreed and told him she never left home without it except when she was running. Now, with a snaggletooth stranger too close for comfort, she was glad she had a little protection. Just in case.
He slithered his way closer to her. “Why didn’t you want to go along with? Aren’t you . . . curious?”
She took a deep breath but refused to even take too long to blink. This guy gave her all the heebie-jeebies. “I’m here on a consultant basis only.” No way would she admit she was injured.
“Huh. Didn’t know Piper’s Ridge was big enough to need a consultant for vandalism. And, it kind of seems like you’re missing a chance to consult by not seeing the damage.” His tone was skeptical and he came forward another few steps.
She clenched her teeth and shifted away from him a step. “I’m not here for this case. It’s what he’s doing after that I’m here for. You know. Police work.”
“You think I’m stupid?” He tilted his chin down like a bull about to charge.
“I never said you were anything.” Her pulse punched her ribs.
“You’d best not say anything. I don’t like you. Neither does Kevin. You’re not welcome here.”
“Didn’t catch your name.” She lowered her hand closer to her gun.
“Didn’t give it to you.”
Well, this is going great.
“I’m Ferd Kincade. Nice to meet you.” Perhaps being kind would kill the tension knotted between them.
“You don’t need to know my name. You aren’t from around here anyway. Not staying. Don’t need your help or want it.”
She narrowed her eyes and stared at him, hoping to disarm him a little with frank appraisal. “You knew Bailey?”
Snaggle-Tooth looked away and cursed. “Drunk. That’s all he was. He made trouble around here. Good riddance.”
“What kind of trouble?” Now we’re getting somewhere.
“Like I said, he was a drunk. He had loud parties on his boat. Only a matter of time before someone ended up dead on the water. Only a matter of time.”
“Interesting. You think he died because of drinking?” That wasn’t what Connor had said about him.
He stared at her and remained silent for a long, disquieting moment. “I think he died because he tested the wrong people and failed. That’s what I think.”
Duke came from around the back of the barn, shaking his head. “Turns out the back forty was only about forty yards back, not acres. There are lots of tracks. I took pictures.” He stopped and held out his hand to the unknown man.
“Duke Campose. We haven’t met yet.”
“Heath. Heath Starns. Just moved here to help Kevin.”
“I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”
Ferd climbed slowly back into the pickup and waited for Duke to turn on the engine before she spoke to drown out what the men might overhear.
“Glad you got his name. That guy is really protective of Kevin, or something is going on with him.”
“He noticed you noticing him. Made him very uncomfortable.” Duke turned the key in the ignition.
“He wasn’t the only one.”