Chapter 4 #2
“Yes. It took me several days to navigate Gus’s property to get to Sally.
Randy found me, and he slapped me around, but I looked him dead in the eye, said I was sorry, then hit him in the side of the head with a log I carried.
He went down, I stepped over his body to get to Sally.
On the way past, I felt his neck, he was breathing and had a pulse, but he had a cut on the left side of his head, near his temple.
I hopped up on Sally’s back and rode her out of there. ”
“How did you end up on the road out of Fool’s Gold, and heading here?” Erin asked.
“I was heading to Aspen, but I was so tired, that I let Sally lead the way.”
“This road leads to Colorado Springs,” Jim said. “I’m not sorry Sally brought you here. I am sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
“Jim, I’m a big girl. Up until I met Randy, I was doing fine.
He’s a smooth talker, and tells women what they want to hear.
” She looked at the men taking notes, and looked directly at Jake when he looked at her.
“Don’t quote me on this as truth, it’s just speculation, but I overheard Randy tell Gus several times how he controls women to get what he wants from them.
There may be several other women out there that he’s tried to control like he did me.
I fought back and got away from him.” She shook her head sadly. “I think I was the only one to do so.”
Pedro handed her a bottle of water, and stood by her side when people started asking questions.
She answered as best she could, and then finally took her seat.
She shoved her half-eaten pizza away, losing her appetite after her rendition of what happened.
She might regret it later, but the thought of food right now turned her stomach.
“Thank you,” she said to Pedro, and laid her hand over his, which happened to be on his thigh. They shared a glance, then looked up when Erin spoke.
“I had you all come here because I wanted Myrna to have to tell her story only once. I also invited Jake and his men to listen so they could get all the information they would need to do what they do. I’m inviting Myrna Trenton to come work for us on New Double.
I know we are strapped for hands there, and I have absolutely no clue how to go about setting up security at New Double.
” She looked at each person there. “I trust you guys to come up with a plan.” She then turned to look at Jim.
“I’m sorry, but I believe Myrna will be safer here. ”
“So do I,” he agreed. He held up his hands and shook his head.
“I only have twenty years’ experience being a cop.
You guys and gals combined, have over one hundred.
I’m not going to mess with something former military personnel can come up with.
Just know that if you need anything let me know.
” He looked around, then looked directly at Clark. “Do you need any arms?”
“Nope,” he said, making the word pop.
“I didn’t think so.” He nodded as he saw determination in every expression. “If any of you need anything from my office, don’t hesitate to reach out.” He looked around again, and turned to Jake. “Cogburn, what is your opinion if I head up to Lakewood and look into this Avery Mosher?”
“Personally? I would look into her, any partner she might have, and maybe even whatever district she’s out of, via the computer first.” At Jim’s shocked look, Jake settled back in his chair.
“Think about it, Jim. Once Mosher knows you’re Myrna’s cousin, she’s going to tell you you’re too close to the investigation and she won’t tell you anything except to go home and hold Myrna’s hand.
If she doesn’t do that, then she’ll throw it in your face that it’s out of your jurisdiction, she might even give you false information, or try to tell you that Myrna’s not right in the head, and is making it all up.
From my perspective, she already thinks the Godwin’s have done nothing too serious to warrant any protection for Myrna.
Again, just my opinion, but she probably thought she saved her ass by telling Myrna to install cameras.
” He shrugged. “Just my opinion. You can bet that once I get back to my office, I’ll be doing a lot of digging, and I’ll also be reaching out to Hank. ”
“Shit, you’re right.” Jim scrubbed his face. “So, Manchester, are you going to be looking into things?”
“Yes, I actually have friends in the Denver office, I can reach out to them, but not before I do my own computer check on the parties involved. This will give you, me, and Jake different angles to investigate from.” He turned toward Myrna and Pedro.
“I’m former FBI. I propose that we do our investigations and meet in a week.
” Duane turned to the others. “You guys can coordinate protection? I’ll still be here at Erin’s Way doing my normal job, like Jim said, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. ”
“What will the men do?” Myrna asked.
“Did you hear what I said earlier?” Jim turned to her to ask. “I said that between all the men and women here there is roughly one hundred years of military experience between them. I trust them to keep everyone safe.”
“We take care of our own,” Clark said. He looked around and nodded. “Shay, I’m going to need you in on this.”
“Yes, Sir,” Shay said, then grinned when Clark snorted a laugh.
“Jim was correct on us having all this experience, however, if you narrow it down, Commander, you have the most in leading more men that I have. I have fifteen years leading six men, including myself. You have what? Twenty years, and at one point, how many men have you led?”
“At one time?” Shay asked, but not one expected Clark to answer. They all watched as he shut his eyes, tipped his head back, and tapped his fingers on his thigh. When he opened his eyes, he looked directly at Clark. “Three hundred and seventy-five.”
“Will you be willing to step into your previous role as Commander on this mission?”
Shay looked around, and Cole took his question out of his hands before he even asked it.
“You’re relieved of your ranch duties until these people are caught.” Cole shook his head and held up his hand. “The safety of Myrna is more important than you saddling horses.”
“I’ll step in,” Myrna said into the quiet. “If you guys are going to put your lives on the line to help me, then it’s the least I can do.”
They broke up in groups then, the military people going in one direction, along with Jim, Jake, and Duane. While Erin, and several women came over to where Pedro and Myrna still sat.
“Pedro, are you okay with all of this?”
“Yes, I don’t have military experience, I have horse experience. I’ll get with Faith tomorrow to see what system she has set up, and we can go from there.”
“Good, now I’m going to go out on limb here, and if you don’t agree, I can pivot and try to come up with something else.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m taking what Myrna said seriously. She has the bruises that tell me she’s telling the truth. However, I also trust my brother, fiancé, and the former military people working for me.”
“What are you trying to say?” Pedro asked.
“I’m saying that as much as I trust everyone, I would feel better if Myrna had someone to stay with her in her cabin.”
“Are you saying you want Myrna and I to live together?”
“For the time being. The cabins I provide are two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom.”
“Or,” Naomi said quietly. “There’s one of the bunktels.”
“What’s that?”
“A bunkhouse, but with private sleeping quarters,” Pedro nodded. He looked at the women present, and turned his gaze directly to Erin. “Is this an open carry state?”
“Yes,” Jim said. He had been on his way over to them. “I overheard what Erin suggested, if you don’t want to help, I’ll understand, and I’ll go home and pack a bag to come back and spend it with Myrna.”
“No need,” Pedro said. “If Myrna will agree, I have no problem sharing a home with her, however, I’d like to see these bunktels first. I believe one of them would be better for the two of us.
” He looked at Myrna. “Less intimate, and if the image I have in my mind about them, then it would be a bigger place for people to come and go to report in.”
“You’re sure? I don’t want to put any pressure on you.”
“I’m sure, then I can tell you what your job will be with the horses.”
“Deal,” Myrna held her hand out and they shook.
“I’ll just have to do one thing before I go to the bunktel,” Pedro said.
“What’s that?”
He grinned and looked at Faith. “While you were in one of the cabins with Myrna earlier, Shay took me to one of them so I could put my groceries away. I’ll just have to grab them, then I can get settled in.”
“Before you go,” Laurie said as she turned to Myrna. “I’ll be over later tonight, or early in the morning.”
“For?”
“For you to place an on-line order for things you’re going to need besides clothes.
If you place an order, I can pick it up.
No one knows if the Godwin’s know where you are, or if they’re looking for you.
They won’t know me, and this will keep you safe.
” She looked at Jim. “Can you get photos of these guys, so we know who we’re looking for? ”
“Yes, Duane took the flash drive over to his office with Jake. He’s going to make a couple of copies, then I’ll take one back to my office and get my people on this.” He turned to look at Myrna. “We’ll keep you safe. You can trust Erin and her people. I do.”
“Then by all means, take me under your wing and keep me safe,” Myrna looked at Erin, with an exhausted expression.