Chapter 4
Bella watchedGrant Shaw out of her rearview mirror and released a breath she’d had lodged in her chest. He didn’t need to know that she’d been the one at the crash site when they’d called Dee Bradley’s death upon arrival. That would open its own can of worms.
That night had been the worst first day of all time. And ever since that time, she’d regretted accepting the request to come to this sleepy little town. She was counting down the days when she could return to Billings and take a job as a detective—though, admittedly, she had no idea if that would ever happen.
Her focus shifted to Nick who had scooted to the window that allowed him to see more of the scenery passing by. The poor kid had had to deal with a deadbeat, absent father for most of his life and then lose the one person who was a consistent fixture in his life.
What did Grant expect fatherhood to be like? He’d been gone for so long, of course it was going to be hard. Of course he’d have to do more to catch up and be the kind of father that Nick deserved. Based on what she’d witnessed over the last hour, it might be a good idea for her to keep an eye on this little family. She might not be in Rocky Ridge for the long haul, but she was willing to make a difference while she was here.
“Have you ever had to shoot someone?”
She jumped and glanced at him over her shoulder. “What?”
“You have a gun, right?”
“Yes…” she drawled.
“Then have you ever shot someone?”
She gnawed on her lower lip. These were strange questions for a six-year-old, weren’t they? “No,” Bella said. “I have never had to shoot anyone.”
“But you’ve had to pull your gun out and point it at someone, right?”
She shook her head with amusement. “Where are these questions coming from?”
Nick met her eyes through the mirror that hung above the front window and shrugged. She almost thought he’d let the subject drop and he’d return his focus to what was out the window. But then he continued.
“Have you ever solved a murder?”
Bella chuckled. “You’re not going to give this up, are you?”
“What about bad guys?”
“What about them?”
“Have you caught any?”
This time, she laughed. “How about we talk about something else.”
“Like what?” Nick pressed his face against the glass. He wasn’t even quiet for a full ten seconds. “My dad just moved here. He used to live in Tennessee.” His voice was nearly a whisper. “He likes living in the city, but he said we could stay here because my grandma works on the ranch.”
Bella knew some of this. Unfortunately, she wasn’t prepared for the turn of conversation.
“My mom died.”
She grimaced. “I’m sorry, buddy. You must miss her.”
Nick didn’t turn toward her, he continued staring out his window. “I do.” He was quiet for another moment. “It’s going to be okay, though. My dad takes really good care of me. He’s been busy a lot—especially when he gets phone calls—but he’s good.”
Bella peeked at him, her heart breaking with each thing the kid said. “I’m glad your dad was able to come take care of you.”
Nick offered her a sad smile as they pulled up in front of the ranch. He didn’t say anything else, his energized personality having faded completely. “Thanks for bringing me home. I think it’s really cool that you’re a cop.”
“A deputy,” she corrected him.
His eyes glassed over, and she bit back another laugh. He didn’t have to know what the difference was.
“Oh,” he murmured.
He pushed open the door and climbed out of the car. He gave her one last fleeting look and then took off running toward a nice-looking RV that was parked near a cabin beside the barn.
As she watched him run off, she couldn’t help but think that he wasn’t as bad as she’d thought. He was respectful, however high-energy. But what boy his age wasn’t super talkative and borderline annoying at times?
Bella got out of her vehicle and headed for the house. There was no telling why she was here. It wasn’t an emergency situation from the looks of it. No one had come rushing out to speak to her. Dispatch hadn’t given any information as to why she needed to come out this way, either.
She pulled out a notebook and pen from her pocket as she climbed the wooden steps to a house that looked like it belonged in a historical documentary. While it had been well-maintained, it definitely looked like it had been built more than a hundred years ago.
There was a porch swing to the side and the porch appeared to wrap around the whole house. If she didn’t find this town as dull as she did, she could imagine living in a place like this. To have lazy afternoons with lemonade was supposed to be the dream.
But that wasn’t where her interests were. She craved the action and adventure of discovery. She wanted to become a detective for a reason. Her mother lived in the city, and she’d been disappointed to learn that Bella was moving out to the country—at least, that was what she’d said. Secretly, she was probably relieved that her daughter wasn’t going to be caught up in anything dangerous.
Where was the fun in that?
Bella knocked on the door but when no one answered, she leaned out and took a look toward the barn. Around here, they were busy. She’d learned that the night Dee Bradley had been killed. It wasn’t just this ranch—all the cowboys were usually busy with one thing or another. It was hard to catch them when they weren’t working.
She skipped down the steps and marched toward the barn, happy to find one of the Reese men exiting, leading a horse by the reins. He stopped and stared at her with surprise until she waved her notepad.
“I got a call to come out here. Is Eli Reese around?” The town was small enough she didn’t doubt that she’d learn everyone by name, but for now, she only had about two dozen people memorized.
He nodded toward the barn and grunted something indiscernible.
“Thanks.” She waited for him to pass before she entered the barn. “Eli? Eli Reese? It’s Deputy Bella Whitfield with the sheriff’s office. You requested someone to come out and speak to you?” she called out after not seeing anyone right away.
Eli poked his head out of a stall and smiled at her—albeit grimly. “Yes. Thanks for coming.” He headed toward her, glancing backward as if he thought someone might follow him. When he turned his attention to her, he motioned to the door. “How about a walk?”
They moved far enough away from the barn that anyone who might be nearby wouldn’t be able to hear their conversation. Then Eli got right to the point.
“I think we have some criminal activity going on around here that should be investigated.”
She smiled. “Unless there’s a chargeable offense, I can’t?—”
“It’s mostly vandalism, and it’s deliberate.” He let his words sink in, his pointed gaze making it feel like he was waiting for her to start writing things down.
Bella jolted into action and nodded with her pencil poised. “Okay, tell me what’s going on.”
“Fences have been cut. There was a small fire set in a paddock—thank goodness we were able to put it out before much damage took place. I found a window to the storage shed smashed in. And someone spray-painted not only some work vehicles, but a tractor, too. It’s all senseless, and maybe it’s not connected…” His voice trailed off.
“But you think it is,” she clarified.
Eli nodded.
“Do you think you might know who would be capable of this stuff? Any clues to point us in the direction of a person of interest so we can call them in for an interview?”
For the first time since they’d started talking, Eli seemed to hesitate. Then he let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “All of this started when Grant Shaw showed up.”
Her whole body went rigid. Grant? The Grant Shaw she’d met today? He might have a less-than-stellar history with keeping an eye on his kid, but surely he wasn”t capable of causing damage intentionally.
Eli took off his cowboy hat and raked a hand through his hair. “I hate to point fingers. I know he doesn’t seem like the type, but neither does anyone else around here. I can’t imagine any of the men I’ve hired would do something like this. It’s just… too coincidental.” He replaced his hat and gave her a look—one that made it clear he wanted her to suggest something else, anything else that would make sense.
She didn’t have a chance to give him her input before an older woman came rushing toward them. “Eli!” she called. “Eli, you have to come quick. It’s happened again.”
Eli stared at her briefly then he groaned. “I’m sorry, Deputy, I have to take care of this.”
“What’s going on?” she asked, barely able to keep up with his long strides.
“Someone or something keeps getting the dogs all riled up and letting them into the pasture with the cattle.”
“This is a common occurrence?”
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “It didn’t used to be.”
Well, there went her suggestion that the person of interest could be a rival member of another ranch. It also destroyed the possibility of a bunch of hoodlum teenagers wreaking havoc on a dare. “You really think the person doing this is one of the people who work for you?”
“It has to be, right?” Eli shook his head again. “Nothing else makes sense.”
“Have you recently hired others—more than just Grant?”
The cowboy nodded. “Sure, but most of my new hires were before my niece got married. We’ve been slowly adding to the staff around here.”
“And you don’t think one of them has finally gotten comfortable enough with the routine to be capable of vandalizing your property? Have you fired anyone recently? Maybe someone is sour over losing their job and they still know their way around here.”
He shook his head as they made it to the pasture. “No one has been fired. I don’t know on that other thought. I suppose it’s possible.”
He yanked open the gate and before he could shut it, she held up a hand.
“Let me help. I’m good with animals.”
Eli scrutinized her for a moment. “I didn’t realize that your promise to protect and serve extended to cattle.”
Her lips quirked upward into a smile. “I like to think of it as going above and beyond in the line of duty.” Bella shoved her notebook into her pocket and hurried into the pasture.
It didn’t take much effort. When Eli whistled, most of the more well-behaved dogs came running. After that, there was only one smaller pup who continued yapping and bouncing around. Eli ended up needing to scoop the dog up and stick him under his arm.
When his eyes met Bella’s, he muttered, “We just got this one. Haven’t had the chance to train it like we prefer.”
“Are all of your dogs trained?”
He nodded. “That’s the weird part. Most of these animals wouldn’t do this. It would take something special to get them this worked up.”
Bella retrieved her notebook again as they headed toward the front of the property. “I’ll do some research and try to figure out what could cause something like that.”
“You don’t have to?—”
“Mr. Reese, part of figuring out who has been doing all of this is nailing down the how and the why. If I can find out why the dogs are going nuts, then I might be able to narrow down who has the ability to make it happen.”
Eli appraised her with what could only be admiration. “I was only referring to the fact that we don’t exactly have any detectives around here. I thought your job description precluded you from?—”
She waved at him dismissively and shoved the notebook away once more. “I don’t mind. Rocky Ridge is a sleepy town, and this is the most interesting thing that has happened since I’ve gotten here.”
“You should have moved here sooner. You would have been intrigued with what went down at Twisted Rivers Ranch.” He tilted his head slightly. “Come to think of it, they had some vandalism out there during that time, too. But it’s definitely not connected.”
The sound of a truck pulling up drew their attention and Bella glanced toward the intrusion. Grant’s truck, complete with the Tennessee plates, was sparkling clean. There wasn’t a speck of dust or mud on the entire thing.
Tempted to tell him he’d broken the rules by not following her straight here, she ultimately had to let it drop. At least the vehicle was clean and safer to drive at night.
Eli touched her arm. “I’m going to head back to work.” He glanced toward Grant and back to her. “Thanks for your help.”
Bella swung her eyes over to the truck just as Grant got out. If he’d been busy washing his truck, then he wouldn’t have been able to let the dogs out. It didn’t give him an alibi for the other vandalism, but hopefully the more digging she did, the less guilty he’d look.