“You shouldn’t be offering me this, considering it’s illegal and I’m the sheriff.”
“I knew you when you were in diapers, boy, running around on short stubby legs. There ain’t nothing you can say that will get me to stop. Do you want some or not?”
“Peach flavored? I’ll take one home.” Live and let live where Crompton was concerned. It made life easier, or he would be out at the farm every other day. He did no harm, loved his horses and the wildlife, and kept an eye on things, so TJ knew when something happened.
TJ stood by the monitor and watched the footage captured by the trail cam and when Orsen Catlow appeared, TJ sighed. “His pap threw him out?” Crompton asked.
Glancing at Crompton, TJ answered. “Not quite, but he will.”
“Cause he’s gay like that young Cody lad?” Crompton straightened and took his cap off. He pushed his hair back, then shoved his cap back on. “Bastard father needs a shotgun up his ass for treating his kid like that.”
“Orsen’s gay? How do you know?”
Crompton narrowed his eyes. “You gonna deal with Ambrose? He should be looking after Orsen, not treating him like a piece of shit.”
“I’ve done as much as I can from my end. I’ve called child protective services numerous times, and they always tell me they’ll deal with it.”
“Get him here and he can work for me. I’ll show him how to look after the horses, see to the cattle.”
“It’s not as simple as that.” TJ put his hands on his hips. If only it was that simple. “The law states he lives with Ambrose until he’s an adult.”
“Let me find my gun and he’ll soon see things my way.”
TJ smiled but shook his head. “I wish I could, but I have to follow the law on this.” Watching the footage again, he noticed something. “He isn’t setting the traps.”
“No, but we know who did.”
“Ambrose. Can’t touch him unless we catch him in the act. All we have is Orsen trespassing. I can talk to him about it but—”
“Ambrose will beat the shit out of that kid. We both know how quick he is to anger.”
“I think you know more than I do and you’re all the way out here.”
“You think people don’t talk to me?” Crompton narrowed his brown eyes, the wrinkles deepening. “I’ve lived here damn near seventy years. I get calls from those townsfolk all the time. I might be a bastard, but they know I can be relied on. As do you, which is why you don’t bust my ass over my home brew.”
TJ nodded. Every word Crompton said was true. “Tell me what you know, then.”
“That Ambrose abuses his boy. Heard a rumor he might be considering selling him if he gets him enough money.” Crompton lowered his head, his eyes focused on TJ. “We’re not talking about work, either. He’s young and fit and the girls like looking at him. Orsen would get Ambrose plenty of money from the right people. There are rumors of drugs too, but you know about them.”
TJ hissed and stepped back, shaking his head, ignoring the drugs part for now. “I need something concrete. We’re talking possible sex trafficking. We’ve never had that happen here. We’re a small town.”
“Got fuck all to do with it, TJ. When a man’s as desperate as Ambrose, he’d sell his own son for a quick buck.”
“I need something to go on. Anything.”
Crompton nodded. “Let me make a few calls and I’ll get back to you. When you get him, tell that boy he can stay with me. I’ll teach him about horses, make sure he gets to school. He has a good head on his shoulders. Shame the kid’s dad’s a bastard, but we don’t get to pick our families.”
“Why Orsen?” In all the years TJ had known Crompton, he’d never known him to open his home to anyone. What made Orsen so special?
“He has a way with the horses. They’re calm with him, like to be around him. Seen him in the fields with the cattle, too. They don’t shy away from him. He has something that can be used. Something he can build on. Shame to waste it.”
“Call me when you get something, and I’ll see what I can work from my end.” That was all he could do at that point. He needed evidence, and if Crompton could get him some, then he could do something to help Orsen.
“Don’t forget to take a bottle on your way out. Drink it when you’re not at work the next day. Told that young officer the same when he was here.” Crompton gave TJ a bottle. “Heard that Taylor is due back soon.”
TJ rolled his eyes as he sighed. “Is there anything you don’t know?”
“No, and you should come out here more often, Sheriff. You never know what you might pick up.”
