Chapter 30
The sound of sneakers crunching on gravel came from behind him.
“Marshall, stop! Wait for me!”
Turning to see Colette running toward him, Marshall waited for her to catch up to him as he gathered his thoughts. He pulled off his hat, scrubbing a hand through his messy hair.
“You can’t come with me. I’m getting on my horse and going to look for him near the work site where we were fixing a damaged spot in the fence,” he spoke, his hands gripping her shoulders. “I can’t look out for you and focus on Jack.”
“Can I do something here? Maybe call around?” Her eyes were wide with concern, and he wished he could do something to make her feel better. No one would get any relief until they found Jack, safe and sound.
His mind worked furiously. “Wait until I get back. He could be injured and need help. Once me and the guys spread out to search for him, we’ll know more what needs to be done. I’ll keep you updated.”
Colette nodded and waved him off. “I’ll wait for your call.”
He cupped his hands over his mouth, remembering the animals that had been alone since last night. “Can you check on Hank and Pablo? Give them some food. Betsy’s not here this morning.”
“Got it,” she said with an eager nod.
He watched as Colette strode toward the main house.
Now, it was time to focus. Where was the most likely place he could be?
His heart hammered in his chest as he strode to Vinny’s stall. Pausing before entering the building, Marshall took a few deep breaths to calm his breathing. If he walked into the stables upset, the horses would react.
Upon entering, Marshall noticed the hay strewn about the concrete floors.
Everything was messy, as though no one had been in here yet.
His crew kept everything spotlessly clean, as much as possible in a barn.
A bucket of grain was spilled nearby, and his heart picked up a renewed fast tempo.
Jack had taken charge of the cleanup last night when Marshall needed someone to cover for him.
Most of the jobs had been done, just some feeds and checking in on the horses.
Marshall had complained to Jack about the fences needing mending again, which pissed him off because they had recently been repaired.
They agreed to go check on them the next morning.
There was a chance Jack hadn’t gone out to the fields after all.
Marshall swallowed, walking with a quick step to check his office.
Maybe Jack had worked there last night for some reason.
The desk and chair were empty. Retracing the night duties, Marshall could only think of checking on the animals or preparing for the next day’s feed as jobs that Jack would have done.
He was reluctant to touch anything around him; the scene was just so…
disturbing. Jack would never have left the place a mess like this.
A sick feeling settled in Marshall’s stomach, worry wrapping around his shoulders like a heavy blanket.
Marshall made his way through each of the stalls, turning the corner to the other row of horses beyond the office.
Upon seeing him, Vinny snorted and tapped his hoof on the gate of his stall, eager for his morning ride.
There would be time enough for that later.
Marshall peeked into each stall besides Vinny’s; every gate seemed closed and secure.
This end of the stable was tidier, with everything in place as it should be.
Jack must have finished closing up this area for the night and been interrupted before finishing the other side.
Or at least that was the best explanation Marshall could come up with.
“I’m coming, buddy. I’m coming,” he called out to his horse, who kept on making a ruckus in his stall. Vinny was upset, his typical morning routine interrupted.
Walking by Checkers and Mocha, he noticed their stalls were completely normal and cared for. A snuffing and snorting sound persisted from his horse, who was growing impatient. Scanning the rest of the stalls, he headed for Vinny, who was antsy and making it known to everyone.
“Let’s go, boy. We’re going to go find Jack.” Marshall lifted the latch on the gate, his eyes catching on something in the stall with his horse. Denim-clad legs in the golden shavings on the ground, alarmingly close to the animal.
“Fuck,” the word came from Marshall’s mouth as barely a breath. Pulling the gate open roughly, Marshall’s gaze darted between the person on the ground and his horse, assessing the risk.
Vinny was a gentle guy, but he was upset and could react if Marshall startled him. Patting the horse’s belly, he knelt next to Jack, his heart in his throat. The man was laying deathly still, his complexion ashen. His head was turned to the side, and his eyes were closed. Peaceful.
Emotion clogged Marshall’s throat.
Worry clouded his mind, not wanting to confirm his suspicions.
With a trembling hand, he reached to press two fingers to Jack’s neck, where his pulse should be.
A shuttered breath caught in Marshall’s throat. It was a good thing he hadn’t eaten breakfast. It wouldn’t have stayed down. His worst fears had become reality.
Marshall shook his head and backed out of the stall, trying to think of the best way to remove the horse without disturbing the scene.
Pulling out his phone from his pocket, Marshall attempted to call emergency services, but his brain was short-circuiting.
His fingers hovered over the number, sense slowly returning.
Somehow, he made one of the most difficult phone calls of his life.
The first responders were on the way, but there was no saving his friend.
After hanging up, he dialed Evan, wanting to get him back from the fields. He needed his best friend’s help.
“Hey,” Evan answered on the first ring. “Did you find anything?” Marshall swallowed, wondering how one communicated such a discovery, how to explain that he had found Jack, and he was no longer of this earth.
He cleared his throat, no words, only fast breaths coming out.
Marshall clutched his hand to his chest, willing his body to function.
He had to be strong. For Jack. For Edith. All he wanted to do was faint. He couldn’t catch his breath.
“Tell me where you are, I’ll find you,” Evan said, not even waiting for his response.
Marshall could only shake his head as his eyes filled with tears.
“Jack’s dead.”