Page 25 of Badges
Rubbing the heels of my hands into my eyes doesn’t make my brain work any better. “In the beginning, he told me that the ranch had taken something important from him—”
“Taylor Dairy?” Wade jumps in.
“No,” I snap at him. I’ve already told him this, why is he questioning me about it? “The Black Gulch. I asked once why I was sent to the other place, and Mad Man said it was because they had to ‘cool off’ from the main place, but that this other farm was affiliated and had to pay, too.”
“Did he say what they did?” The D.A. jumps in.
“Nope. But he was mad about them anyway. Kept calling the gal who ran it a ‘bitch’. Acted like he knew her maybe?” I shake my head at my own doubts, focusing on a scratch in the metal table to trace with my nail.
“I’ll talk to them. Libby’s cooled down a little and might be able to add more information.” Wade crosses his muscular arms and tilts his chin up far enough that he watches me down his nose.
“Yea, make sure to tell her again that I’m sorry,” I grumble. “I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“Going over what you’ve already stated, he would call with a task, and leave the items at a different location each time? What did he say would happen if you refused?” The District Attorney glances up, then back to his papers.
I feel like I’m on repeat.
We’ve been here for hours already.
“Yes. The vials were in a baggie behind a rock on the side of the road. The feed sacks were left stacked outside of this burnt down house a few miles from here.” My throat is starting to get dry. “I was told to just rip the tops off and dump them in a field. I hadno ideathey had metal shit in them.” I can’t strain that part harder. “He told me it would make their milk dry up. I swear.”
I want them all to know I didn’t kill those cows on purpose.
“It’s why we’re here,” Wade says quietly. “To find the truth. What did he tell you about the explosive?”
A hollow ache fills my chest. “That was the first time he really acted like I was supposed to hurt someone. His exact words were ‘take someone they love like they took one from me’. Did the people that own that ranch kill someone? I didn’t want to, I don’t think I’d be able to live with myself if I did.”
Fuck, I feel like I’m going to puke.
“I spent days watching to make sure when would be the best time when no one was around. Do you know they worka lotat a dairy? I had no clue.” It surprised me that the middle of the afternoon was the slowest time.
Wade’s caramel eyes narrow. “They didn’t kill anyone.”
“You can see my client did the best she could under the circumstances.” My lawyer squirms back to life next to me.
I fight the grin that threatens to tug at my lips when I see the D.A. throw him a glare. Seems like I’m not the only one who finds him mildly annoying.
Letting out a long exhale, the older man flips the folder in front of him closed. “I’ll go over this more, but we should be able to begin the terms of your probation in a few days.” His manicured finger points directly between my eyes. “You’re going to continue to cooperate, and we’ll find this son of a bitch. If he’s aiming to kill, it isn’t going to be long before he tries again.” He pushes out of his chair, then turns to the sheriff.
Who’s still watching me.
I glower at Wade.
But he smirks back.
“Let’s track down the connections to Black Gulch. There has to be something there pushing whoever this is.” The District Attorney straightens his tie, then starts to amble out the door.
“Wait up, Pete.” Lynn, my practically mute lawyer, hops up and grabs his briefcase to follow out into the hall.
There’s a click of a latch, then it’s just Sheriff Rowland and I.
The electric buzz of the halogen lights above us is the only noise.
“What?” I finally give in.
His hat brim dips low, covering his upper face. “Do you remember the names of the men your father was friends with? What they looked like?”
I bury my nose into my elbow on the table, squeezing my eyes shut.
