Ulmstead’s nerve bolstered Zach’s flagging courage. “I don’t owe you a damn thing. You took over everything, and I haven’t seen a penny since Grandpa died.”
“You lying little shit,” Ulmstead said, spraying spit everywhere. “You’re the only one with the password for the bank account. I demand you turn it over.”
Zach had the password right after Grandpa died, but he gave it to the lawyer, who said he’d change it. “You want to know where the money is, call the lawyer. I told you, I can’t access the account.” A not-so-subtle reminder that the money was far away and out of Zach’s hands. “Now get out of my way. I’m leaving.”
“You’re not going anywhere until you sign things over.”
Zach shook uncontrollably. Creepy Guy scared the crap outta him. Even if Zach gave Ulmstead what he wanted, it wouldn’t be enough. Ulmstead had incurred a debt, and he expected to use Zach to pay the bill. “I told you, talk to the lawyer.”
“Listen you little asshole.” He jabbed his finger in Zach’s direction. “Your grandfather swindled me. I need the money he stole from me, and only you have the password.”
Anger, red hot, and boiling over, shouldered Zach’s fear aside for a minute. Ulmstead filched everything from Grandpa’s tent. Every picture, letter, family heirloom – all of it. Zach had nothing left to connect him to his family because Ulmstead stole the entirety of Jeb Baxter’s life and threw out anything he couldn’t sell.
Zach’s hand clenched white around the handle of his violin, and his free hand was curled into a fist so tight, his nails dug into his palm. “You have everything. If it wasn’t there, the lawyer has it. Now, get out of the way; we’re leaving.”
Dragging Colton into this wasn’t fair, and later he’d apologize—if he could—but he did what needed to be done. The badge put everyone back on their heels. Ulmstead, however, lookedas desperate as Zach felt. Whatever mess he made with Creepy Guy, it was off the charts bad.
Ulmstead’s gaze flickered about, anywhere but toward his companion. That man’s face gave nothing away now. He was scary as fuck. Finally, Ulmstead focused on Zach’s violin. “Fine, you can leave, but the violin stays with the show.”
Zach felt like Ulmstead slapped him with a two-by-four. This was the last bit of his grandfather he had left, and Ulmstead thought he could take it? “Like fuck it does. Grandpa bought this for me.”
“With money from the show. That makes it company property.”
If things weren’t so serious, he’d have laughed at the man’s stupidity. “Grandpa owned the show. He could spend the money any damn way he wanted. And I own Grandpa’s controlling share now. That means this is my show and my violin.”
Given how bad Zach was trembling, his bravado wasn’t likely to cut it. It sure wouldn’t have without Colton’s presence there to dissuade anyone from acting the fool. He felt the others draw closer.
“That’s close enough.” Colton spoke for the first time and put his hand up to stop the brothers from coming near. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I know enough. Zach doesn’t want to stay here. You can’t stop him. If he owes you money, file a claim, and the courts can sort it out. You don’t get to keep him against his will.”
“Fine, but he can’t leave with the violin.” Ulmstead grinned like he’d won the lottery. “It’s too valuable.”
Another lie. The instrument was good quality, and it might be moderately pricey had his grandfather paid full price. Instead, he’d gotten a deal from some ‘guy’. But Ulmstead knew Zach wouldn’t leave without it. “It’s mine.”
“Prove it.” Ulmstead said.
Zach didn’t need the college degree he didn’t have to know they were stalling. A dozen cannonballs dropped into his stomach as he imagined Creepy Guy had friends in the area. They had to leave now.
“You prove it isn’t.” Zach’s voice cracked. He took a deep breath to steady himself. “Grandpa’s lawyer told you the majority interest was left to me.”
“Seems to me that if Zach has been playing it all this time, and he has it now, it’s his. You don’t like it, take it up with the court. For now, possession is nine-tenths of the law. Zach’s been using it all week. Common sense says it’s his, not yours.”
“Deputy,” Creepy Guy drawled. The voice made Zach shiver. “You really shouldn’t involve yourself in things that don’t concern you.”
“Is that right?” Colton said, calm as still water. Zach saw Colton click his radio twice under the guise of readjusting his vest. “Since my uncle is the sheriff, and this here ishiscounty, I’d say this is way more my business than yours.”
“I’ve got six witnesses to prove it belongs to the show, and not him.” Ulmstead pointed to the brothers and Maddie. “Ask them before you let him leave with company property.”
“And what about owning the show?” Colton nodded and exhaled. “Got six witnesses who’ll lie about that too? Like I said, you got issues with Zach, take him to court and let them sort it out. For now, however, I’m going with it’s his. If I were placing bets at the Montana Nugget, I’d be all in on you can’t prove a thing.”
Ulmstead glanced behind Zach and gave them the barest nod.
Fuck! He nearly threw up what little he had in his stomach. Shit was about to go tits up.
“Is there a problem, Colton?” Greg appeared behind Ulmstead and Suit Guy, hand on his unsnapped gun, and his eyes looking to shoot someone.
