Chapter 22 Jennie #2
Ash leaned in, voice at my ear. “So, Jennie, give us your backstory. Where you from, what makes you tick?”
It was such an honest question that I almost laughed. I told as much of the truth as I could.
“Houston,” I said. “Moved a lot. Did the college thing, then worked a desk job. Didn’t like it.” That was true. Next, I went into the FBI, though I didn’t mention that.
Tess sipped her margarita. “What did you want to do, if you didn’t like the job?”
I shrugged. “Didn’t know, really. Just wanted to solve things. Take things apart and see how they worked.”
Sloane cut in. "That's why you're good at, ah, what you’re doing now." Presumably Reid had told her about my real purpose on the Coleman ranch.
I nodded. “I like the puzzle. Not the paperwork.”
Midge laughed. “You’re in the right line of work, then.”
Ash wanted more. “You got any weird hobbies?” She dropped her voice. “Or is the spy stuff enough?”
I considered it. “I like old maps,” I said. “And music. I’m crap at playing, but I can listen for days.”
Tess perked up. “What kind?”
“I’m super eclectic. My playlist will be Eminem, then GNR, then Britney, followed by Hank Jr.”
They all laughed at that, even Sloane.
Ash pointed at me. “You’re gonna fit right in.”
The music shifted. Two-stepping. The floor filled in seconds. Ash dragged Sloane out, protesting, but they fell into a quick rhythm with Ash leading, Sloane deadpan but not resisting. Tess stayed at the table, watching, her eyes glazed but content. Midge sipped her whiskey and scanned the crowd.
I let myself relax, for the first time since I’d hit Hollow Ridge. No one was watching for mistakes, no one was waiting for the next secret to drop. I sat, drank my beer, and let the world be simple for a while.
It didn’t last, of course.
Halfway through the next song, I spotted Bill Hargrove at the bar.
He looked the same as ever, pressed plaid shirt, hat tipped just so, boots with a spit-shine that bordered on pathological.
He nursed a Lone Star, attention on our table.
Not once did he look away. I clocked the moment he noticed me looking.
He set his beer down, wiped the rim with his thumb, and made a tiny nod. Not a greeting. An acknowledgment.
I let it go. A man didn't survive as long as Bill Hargrove without learning how to play the long game.
The next round came fast, delivered by a waitress who knew Midge by name and tossed a coaster at me with a grin. “This one’s from the gentlemen at the end of the bar,” she said.
I didn't look. No reason to give them the satisfaction.
Ash and Sloane returned, sweating and half out of breath. Ash stole a gulp of my beer, wiped her mouth, and said, “Now that’s cardio.”
Sloane was pink-cheeked but grinning. “You’re a menace, Navarro.” I was pretty sure it was the first time I’d seen her smile.
Ash bowed, unrepentant.
Tess watched the door. I leaned in. “You okay?”
She shrugged. “Just not used to this many people. You ever get that?”
I thought of all the places I’d been where the only company was a phone and the voices in my head. “All the time,” I said.
She smiled.
Sloane eyed my nearly-empty glass. “Want another?”
“Sure,” I said.
She signaled the waitress, who brought over a bottle.
We talked about nothing for a while, the best taco trucks in the region, who could drive a stick shift, which was everyone but Tess, the time Sloane hacked the county’s traffic cams to prove she was right about a speeding ticket, she’d been doing the speed limit, but “right” was subjective.
The music paused, a slow song now. On the floor, the couples drifted into a lazy spiral.
Midge nodded at the bartender, who poured her another without being asked.
The front door swung open, and Levi Coleman entered.
It wasn’t a coincidence. Not a chance. He wore a blue pearl-snap, fresh-washed jeans, and an expression that said he’d practiced his swagger in the mirror until it looked just right. He scanned the room, saw us, and made a beeline to the bar.
The girls saw him too. Ash muttered, “Great,” under her breath. Sloane’s lips went tight, but she didn’t move. Tess slid her hand into her lap, squeezing the napkin till her knuckles paled.
Midge watched.
A minute later, Levi sauntered over, drink in hand, and planted himself at the edge of our table. “Ladies,” he said, scanning the group. “Didn’t expect to see the whole Maddox bunch out in numbers.”
Midge gave him a smile like a loaded .38. “We’re supporting the local economy, Levi.”
He shrugged. “Guess so. Just surprised you found a babysitter for the night.”
Ash said, “Maybe you’re surprised because you’ve never been invited.”
He grinned, but the effort didn’t reach his eyes. “Wouldn’t want to crash a girls’ night.”
Sloane sipped her drink, unimpressed. “Then don’t.”
He ignored her. “How’s the case, Ms. Cardin? Making progress, or are you still testing the ranch one pile of dirt at a time?”
I met his gaze. “I’d say you’ll be the first to know, but that’s probably not true.”
His face twitched, just a hair, but he let it slide. “Glad you’re enjoying our little slice of civilization,” he said, and leaned in. “If I were you, I’d take care on the drive home. Lotta deer out this time of year. Wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
Ah. The veiled threat disguised as concern. My favorite genre.
Reid was going to hear about this from someone at the table. He was going to be absolutely insufferable about it. I was looking forward to that, a little.
Ash made a sound, low and dangerous.
I smiled, all teeth. “I drive better after two beers anyway.” Not that I’d really be driving. Sloane had been nursing the same drink all night. She was fine.
He held the stare a second too long, then straightened, flashed a plastic smile at Midge, and walked back to the bar.
Ash watched him go. “That asshole is dying to get his face punched in.”
Midge said, “Give it time. Nature always takes care of the weak.”
Tess laughed, a tiny snort, then slapped a hand over her mouth.
Ash finished her drink, poured a shot, and raised it to me. “To surviving another Monday,” she said, echoing Midge from earlier.
We all drank.
I glanced back at the bar. Bill Hargrove had shifted position. He and Levi were talking now, low and tight, with body language that meant they were scheming. I caught Hargrove’s eye. He stared, then tipped his chin and went back to his beer.
They left together, not long after. No words, no fuss. But when we finally stood to leave, Levi’s blue Jeep was still parked out front, engine running. Levi sat behind the wheel, phone in hand, eyes on us in the rearview.
Ash flipped him the bird as we passed. We loaded up.
Sloane drove more slowly this time. When we hit the main road, the Jeep pulled out behind, just far enough that I could call it a coincidence.
He stayed with us past the edge of town, turned off only when we got within sight of the Maddox turn-in.
Sloane watched the mirror, then the road, never said a word.
No one did until Ash grinned at me, all bravado, and said, “Best night I’ve had in months. Let’s do it again, yeah?”
“Count on it,” I said, and meant it. “Without the Colemans next time.”
She hopped out, boots crunching gravel, and disappeared inside. Sloane killed the engine and turned to me.
“They’re not going to stop,” she said. “You know that, right?”
I nodded. “I know.”
She looked at me, eyes sharp and sad at the same time. “If you want to bail, now’s your window.”
I shook my head. “Not how I’m built.”
She grinned. “Good,” she said, then got out and shut the door behind her.
I sat a moment, alone in the dark cab, the hum of the cooling engine the only sound. I pulled out my phone, thumbed a quick text to Reid.
Still alive. See you tomorrow.
I waited for the reply. It came in a minute, the words short and familiar,
Can’t wait.
Me neither.