Chapter 14 #2
“Well, it’s good talking to you, Wyl. I heard you recently got hitched…and to a guy. Surprised the fuck out of me, but whatever swings your lasso, I always say. I hope you’ll bring him by the house. We’d like to meet him.”
“We’ll do that, Lefty. It’s great talking to you, too. Bye.”
Wyl hung up, turned to Rod, embraced him, and softly kissed his lips as a thank you for the shoulder rub. “Lefty said he hasn’t heard from Stewy. Damn curious.”
Rod raised an eyebrow. “Maybe Stewy hides a deep, dark secret he’s afraid to share.”
Wyl huffed out a chuckle. “Perhaps we’ll find out one day.”
* * *
Two days later, the phone rang while Rod and Wyl were enjoying breakfast. Wyl answered.
“Hey, Wyl, it’s Jack. I have good news.”
Wyl glanced at Rod. “Lay it on me, buddy.”
“Shifty Anderson got stopped by local police for drunk driving. His blood alcohol was point-one-eight, which is over the legal limit. It’s his third DUI, so he faced prison for up to ten years.”
“Jack, what do you mean by faced. Did he lawyer up and worm his way out of it?”
Jack laughed. “Wyl, you know Shifty doesn’t have two pennies to rub together.
After he slept it off, he said he lived in a rented house trailer in one of the less desirable parts of town.
We went to let the landlord know, and he wanted Shifty’s belongings removed from the trailer.
When we went in, we found two empty red spray paint cans.
We also found a torn envelope and a wadded paper on his counter.
Printed on the wadded paper was the amount of $500, as we had agreed.
Thanks. I leaned on Shifty about the empty paint cans and the note on the wadded paper.
He admitted not only to the gate graffiti but also to the stable fire.
Let’s say Shifty didn’t exactly have words of praise for the two of you.
I grilled him about the note and a partner in crime.
He said it was just him, but his facial expressions and body language suggested he was not being truthful.
I asked about the $500. He said he did some work for a guy.
I asked who. He said he didn’t know. I asked where.
He said he couldn’t remember. Mighty fishy, especially when we compared the writing on the wadded-up paper with the writing on the note wrapped around the rock tossed through your window.
It appeared to be the same. I can believe Shifty painted misspelled words on the new gate, but starting fires and tossing note-wrapped rocks through windows is not something he would do by himself.
Someone else is definitely involved, but we don’t have much to go on without more evidence.
At least Shifty is off the streets. He’ll spend a few years enjoying the comfortable accommodations and fine cuisine as a Texas Department of Criminal Justice guest.”
Wyl chuckled. “I’m glad Shifty is out of our hair, Jack. Do you have any ideas about this person Shifty may have worked with? Felipe said Shifty had no friends, so it seems odd that he would find a partner in crime.”
“True, but everything points to someone paying him to set the fire and throw the rock. Do you and Rod have any known enemies?”
Wyl glanced at Rod as he spoke. “Nobody that I think would stoop to those tactics. My ex-sister-in-law has been after Sterling money since before Walt died, but I can’t imagine she would be involved.
She’s more the blackmail and extortion type.
She’s not afraid to barge into our home with baseless demands, but stooping to the destruction of property isn’t like her. ”
“Are you talking about Mitzi?”
“Yes,” Wyl said.
“I never thought she and Walt fit together. Not like you and Rod. I could tell at the fire that you two are tight.”
“Thanks, Jack. I can’t imagine she would deal with Shifty, but you never know.”
“We kept the details of the fire and the vandalism out of the newspaper. The fire department reported the fire at a location west of the city, but Sterling Ranch wasn’t identified. If anything comes to mind, let me know. The investigation is at a standstill unless a viable lead emerges,” Jack said.
“Thanks for nabbing Shifty, Jack. Rod and I will breathe easier knowing he’s not out there trying to cause trouble. And thanks for keeping the ranch out of the news. We won’t be hounded with many inquiries about fire cleanup, rebuilding, insurance, and prevention.”
“Speaking of Rod, I saw the video you two did. That took a lot of balls, but if anyone could pull it off, you two did. We try to keep up with things like that around the station. And I have to tell you; the reactions have been positive. I thought you’d like to know.”
“Thanks for the words, Jack. I’ll admit to being apprehensive when Rod proposed the idea. Your support helps me breathe easier about the whole thing.”
“Glad I can help. Best to Rod.” Jack hung up.
“What was that all about?” Rod came to Wyl.
Wyl wrapped Rod in his arms. “Jack’s deputies pulled Shifty in on a DWI. It was his third offense, so he’ll serve time. When they cleaned out his rented trailer house, they found used cans of red spray paint. Jack leaned on him, and he confessed to the gate vandalism and the barn fire.”
“I caught you glancing my way.” Rod wrapped his arms around Wyl’s neck. “I wondered if the conversation had something to do with me.”
“No.” Wyl shook his head. “Jack asked if we knew of anyone besides Shifty who would want to bring harm to us. I thought of your boldness with both Shifty and Mitzi, and it made my heart swell a bit, and I just had to gaze at you.”
Rod smiled and planted a quick kiss on his husband’s full lips. “Those are the only two I can think of who have us in their crosshairs.”
“Wow… you’ve never used a rifle reference before,” Wyl chuckled.
Rod grinned. “I used to watch a lot of television.”
“The same television that taught you all ranches were like Bonanza and Big Valley?”
Rod raised an eyebrow. “You’re not supposed to remember everything.”
“That was during your first visit to the ranch. I’ll always remember that night because it was our first kiss.” Wyl leaned in for another quick kiss.
They settled into a routine over the next few days, and the memory of Shifty’s deed faded.
Their confidence blossomed at the lack of negativity resulting from Mitzi’s online posting and the success of their video.
But they knew Mitzi wouldn’t back down. What would she try next?
They were in the calm eye of a hurricane and waiting for the second wall to hit.