Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Spray-painted slurs marred the white limestone on either side of the new gate. On one side, the word fagits in big red letters. On the other, dik sukers.
“Whoever did this can’t spell worth shit,” Wyl growled, his knuckles white from squeezing the steering wheel.
“And I think I know who the fucking culprit is. Goddam Shifty. I’ll call Jack when we get to the house and ask him to investigate.
” Wyl stared at the vandalized new entrance, meant to honor his husband, but it instead struck fear and anger in both of them.
“After I talk with Jack, I will call for a crew to come out here to sandblast the paint from both sides.”
Rod stared open-mouthed at the vandalism. “So, burning down the barn wasn’t fucking enough. The son-of-a-bitch made it his mission to destroy the thing you did to help me feel safe. We went to the Hill Country to escape the drama, and it waited for us to return.”
At the gate, Wyl entered the code on the keypad.
“I gave the installation company the code when I arranged installation. 7075 - our birth years.” The wrought-iron gate slowly moved to the left, and Wyl pulled the truck through the opening.
As they drove toward the house, the gate closed behind them.
“At least you can rest easier knowing nobody can get to the house through the main entrance without us authorizing access.”
Rod stared ahead, speechless. A mixture of anger, frustration, and hopelessness on his face.
Wyl parked in the garage, They both got out, and Rod opened the back passenger door to grab the insulated bags.
Wyl took the remaining bags, shoved the truck door closed with his hip, and followed Rod into the house.
In the kitchen, Rod robotically began unpacking and putting away the food.
Wyl set down his bags and pulled Rod into his arms. “Babe, I know the slurs on the new gate shocked you. It’s the prank of an unstable man with a sick mind.
If we cower in fear, he accomplishes his mission.
You and me? We’ve got to say fuck you to the bastard and let him know he can’t intimidate us. ”
Rod snaked his arms around his husband and buried his face in Wyl’s neck. “You’re right.”
“I remember you telling me about the encounter with Dusty and how you felt powerful when you stood up to him.”
Rod chuckled into Wyl’s shoulder. “Yeah. Telling Dusty off did feel good.” Rod leaned back to look in Wyl’s eyes. “And I was defending you.”
“Babe, I know gay persecution still haunts you. We will deal with it for the rest of our lives. It’s how we deal with it that matters.”
Rod tapped a fingertip to Wyl’s nose. “When did you become so philosophical?”
Wyl kissed Rod’s soft lips. “I fell in love with a much smarter guy than me, and I picked up a thing or two along the way. I wish I could take your fear away, but all I can do is hold you, love you, and protect you.”
“…and tell me to put on my big boy pants and deal with it.”
Wyl chuckled. “I love you without pants, too.”
Wetness pooled in Rod’s eyes. “You always know the right things to say. I am so glad you are mine.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m better after my dose of husbandly comfort.” He stepped back and wiped the wetness from his cheeks. “You go call Jack while I finish putting things away.”
Wyl kissed his husband before picking up the phone to dial the Sheriff’s office.
The dispatcher answered. “Sheriff’s office.”
“Wyl Sterling here. Let me speak with Jack, please.”
“One moment, Mr. Sterling.”
The call rang through. “Jack Johnson.”
“Jack. Wyl. How are you, man?” Wyl toyed with the notepad beside the phone.
“Doing fine, Wyl. What’s up?”
“Vandalism here at the ranch.”
“What kind of vandalism?” Jack asked.
“While Rod and I spent a few days in the Hill Country, I had a new security gate installed as a surprise for Rod. The gate is framed on either side by four-foot limestone walls. My goal was safety, prompted by the rock through the living room window and the barn fire. When we returned today, Rod’s surprise included spray-painted slurs on the new stone walls. ” Wyl gazed at Rod and winked.
“Did anyone see anything?” Jack asked.
“We were gone. I didn’t talk to Felipe or the ranch hands, but we don’t know of any witnesses. The spelling is childlike and similar to Shifty Anderson’s threat the day we fired him. Can you and your team investigate?”
“This might be what we need to nab Shifty for the barn fire,” Jack said. “We didn’t come up with any evidence to tie him to the arson, but if we can nab him on this, maybe he’ll confess to the other.”
Wyl mouthed I love you to Rod while he listened to Jack’s response. “Great. If you can check the damage today, I’ll arrange with Lefty Snowdon to sandblast the words from the entrance tomorrow.”
“I’ll send a couple of deputies. Can they get in to talk to you and Rod if needed?”
“We’ll leave the gate open. Thanks, Jack.”
Wyl hung up and joined Rod at the breakfast bar.
“It’s good to have powerful friends. Jack will send a couple of deputies to inspect the gate and possibly speak with Felipe and the hands, or with us.
He’s also going to check into Shifty. Meanwhile, I’ll call Lefty Snowdon and see if he can send someone out tomorrow to do the sandblasting. ”
“I heard you mention Lefty Snowdon. Who is he?”
“Snowdon Construction. One of the oldest companies in Blackfield. Lefty and my dad played golf together, and the Snowdons and my folks played cards regularly. His son, Stewy, and I were best friends through high school. I told you about Stewy, remember?”
“Was Stewy a secret school crush? You never mentioned a high school boyfriend.” Rod nudged Wyl.
“He wasn’t my boyfriend. We played on the football team. Stewy was the quarterback, and I was left tackle. The two of us scored a lot of points for Blackfield High. Stewy received a football scholarship to the University of Texas after we graduated. I opted to tour the country instead.”
“Stewy? Sounds like a kid in a 1950s television show rerun.”
“Short for Stewart. He always considered Stewart a surname, not a given name.”
“You never mentioned Stewy. Did you guys stay best friends after high school?” Rod said.
Wyl shook his head. “I spent a year exploring the States. Cell phones didn’t exist back then, and email was a relatively new technology. I was never much for writing letters, and he wasn’t either. We lost touch.”
“That’s too bad. I had a couple of friends in high school. Well, not close friends, but pal-around friends. One died a few years back. I have no idea where the other one is. Like you, we lost touch. Do you know where Stewy is or what he is doing?”
Wyl shook his head again. “I wish I did. Stewy dated the same girl all through high school. Everyone figured they would marry one day. They went to UT together. Then Stewy’s girlfriend announced she preferred girls and moved in with one of her girlfriends.
I was in the Marines by the time that happened.
I learned about it through a letter from Mom.
After Stewy graduated from the university, he disappeared.
Mom said he sent a letter to his folks asking them not to come after him.
Mom told me that every Mother’s Day, Stewy sends his mom a big box of expensive chocolates and two dozen roses.
Every Father’s Day, he sends his dad an expensive box of cigars.
Thank goodness my parents didn’t expect me to do that.
Anyway, the gifts arrive with no return address, except for the retailer's. I heard Stewy went to New York or someplace, but I have nothing concrete to point to where he ended up.”
“Why would he disappear?” Rod raised a questioning eyebrow. “Do you suppose Stewy did something he didn’t want his parents to know?”
“Possibly, but I can’t imagine what that would be. Lefty always boasted about Stewy and would give him anything he wanted. I guess Stewy walked out on the family fortune and everything.”
“Well, wherever he is and whatever he is doing, I hope he has found happiness.”
“I’ll call Lefty about the sandblasting and ask him if he’s heard from Stewy.”
Wyl went over, found the number for Snowdon Construction, and dialed the phone.
“Snowdon Construction,” the receptionist answered. “How may I direct your call?”
“Wyl Sterling here. Is Lefty around?”
“I’ll see if he is available, Mr. Sterling. Do you mind holding?”
“Yes… I’ll hold.”
Lefty Snowdon picked up the phone. “Wyl, it’s great to hear from you.”
“Hi, Lefty. How the hell are you?” Wyl felt terrible about not keeping up with Stewy’s folks, but he was gone himself for twenty years.
“Doing fine,” Lefty said. “What’s going on with you?”
“Oh, not much. Say, I need your help with something. Vandals spray-painted graffiti on a new stone entry gate I had built here at the ranch. I need a crew to come and sandblast the stone to remove the paint.”
“I have a full schedule tomorrow, Wyl, but I can get a crew out there on Wednesday.”
“Wednesday is fine, Lefty. Jack needs time to investigate anyway, so the extra day works well.”
“Okay. I’ll put you on the schedule for Wednesday morning. My crew foreman will call you before they come out.”
“I look forward to his call, Lefty. Oh…and I wanted to ask if you’ve heard from Stewy?”
Rod came up and massaged the tension out of Wyl’s shoulders.
“We’ve never heard a word from Stewy, Wyl. I wish he would call or send an email or something. You and he were good friends. I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything.”
“No, Stewy and I last talked before I went into the Marines. I’m really curious about what happened.”
“Us too, Wyl. All we get are expensive gifts on holidays. He’s out there somewhere.”
“He’ll probably show up one day and act like nothing happened.” Wyl squeezed Rod’s hand on his shoulder.