“Since the body is decomposed, it’s most likely been there awhile. I wouldn’t be concerned for immediate safety with living here. I’d say the most likely scenario is, someone used the land to bury the corpse, potentially not even knowing whose property it was,” Warner says.
The sheriff nods. “Absolutely, that seems most likely. This is a hairy situation, and it really just depends on if you want to enter the messy, legal side of an investigation. I’m here as a favor to your late father. I know you’re good boys, and I don’t want to see another one of you get locked up because of a misunderstanding. But my sway only goes so far.”
Warner stands, clapping the sheriff on the shoulder. “And we appreciate it, greatly. The heads-up on this means a lot. We’ll discuss it, and I’ll be in contact. You know these hardworking ranchers just can’t catch a break these days.”
The sheriff nods, his wrinkled face frowning. “It’s a damn shame. Good family like yours doesn’t deserve this.”
“While you’re here, do you want some steaks from ourlast cow we butchered? We’ve got a freezer full.” Holden says.
The sheriff rubs his hands together, nodding. “I’d appreciate it.”
Holden grabs the steaks before he and Warner walk him out and return to the living room.
I collapse into my leather chair. “Fuck. Where was it?”
“Over in the south field, near the windmill,” Cash says, eyes on Holden.
“Jed,” I spit.
Holden grimaces, nodding to confirm.
Holden murdered Jed after he helped kidnap Rosie and held her captive on our land. He was a former ranch hand, disgruntled by us firing him after we caught him torturing the animals. He was always an annoying piece of shit, and I was glad when we finally got rid of him. I helped dig his grave; we all did.
We have an unspoken agreement that if someone loses their life at one of our hands, we all help take care of the body. All of our hands are equally dirty. Sam has been a part of it, too, on several occasions. It’s happened too many times over the years, and here I am, planning another murder.
Warner taps a finger on the rim of his empty glass. “I don’t like this. If they start digging, they might find more.”
Holden rubs the back of his neck. “We might need to pay them off.”
“Risky as fuck,” Warner says.
Cash starts pacing. “What other choice do we have? They find out it’s Jed, they’ll definitely find out we’re linked to him. He worked here, and we fired him. Whoknows what kind of shit he spread about us that could be framed as a motive.”
“Where’s the closest body to his? If they bring dogs out here, how many more will they find?” I ask.
Warner rubs his eyes. “I hate that we have to do this, but we might need to do some of our own searching. You know where they all are, right?”
“Yeah, we know,” Holden says, grimacing. “But they’re spread out.”
“How far?” Warner asks.
“Twenty to thirty acres each,” Holden answers.
“The ones we don’t want them to find are the ones with blood relations, like Sam’s sperm donor,” I add.
Warner clears his throat. “Of course, I would assume this is common knowledge, but while we’re dealing with this, we can’t be adding any bodies to the pile.”
I grit my teeth, my eyes rising to meet Holden’s gaze. He shakes his head.
Well, damn. There goes my Friday night plans to kill my fuck buddy’s ex-husband.
The rest of the week drags on at a snail’s pace.
I text Dallas after she gets the boys back to ask her how they are doing, but all she says is,Good.
Jensen confirmed that her ex had actually stayed home all weekend. He had a few visitors come and go.
Now that Dallas has the twins, she hasn’t talked to me. It stings, but I’m trying to give her space. We’re supposed to have roping lessons tonight, and I’m hoping she shows up for it.
