Page 86 of Cowboy's Last Stand
He shrugged, not denying it.
“Are you going to take over for your parents?”
“No.”
“What are you planning to do with your life?”
Gabe shrugged again.
“Your sister went to college.”
“So did you.And yet, here you are.It’s like you never left.”
Wade ignored the jibe.“You could join the sheriff’s department,” he said on impulse.“It’s not that different from military service.You have people skills, language skills.We could use you.”
“I’d rather die.”
Wade studied Gabe’s handsome features in annoyance.Then he surveyed the restaurant’s decor.The striped tablecloths were still bright, the chairs freshly painted.“Have you ever wondered why Billy hangs out with you?”
Gabe gave him a petulant stare.“No.”
“You’re under the legal drinking age.Your license was revoked after the DUI, so you can’t drive.What does he see in you?”
“Maybe I’m not a judgmental prick.”
“Do you believe everything he says?”
“No.”
“Are you interested in Natalie’s version of the story?”
“What did she say?”
“She said Billy and the Stoddard brothers attacked her boyfriend.It was three on one, with some brass knuckles thrown in.”
“The Stoddard brothers were there?”
Wade nodded.“Her boyfriend thinks she was the target, but they went after him first.”
“The target for what?”
“Sexual assault.”
Gabe absorbed this information with a sick-looking swallow.He wasn’t naive or stupid.He understood that Billy was a bad influence, capable of dark deeds.Maybe Gabe was too drunk or too jaded to care.“What’s this got to do with me?”
“She’s Mike’s widow.”
“So?”
Wade leaned forward, his voice low.“Natalie received a threatening note yesterday.Someone’s been following her.”
Gabe appeared concerned for a split second.Then his expression changed as he realized Wade hadn’t come here just to get dirt on Billy.Gabe was on the list of suspects.He took a deep breath and held it, as if he’d inhaled a puff of smoke.
“I’m assuming you weren’t involved.”
“Of course not.”
“You draw the line at bashing mailboxes?”
