Page 59 of Homicide in Water Creek

Everyone nodded, so he pushed the button.

“Did you get the financials? Daddy’s getting antsy.”

“I’m trying. They moved the papers. I was in the office, but the drawer was empty. I did get the financials for the other ranch.”

“We got those images. They were the only thing that saved your ass. Unfortunately, we need both ranches for this to work. We can’t move forward with the acquisition until we’ve seen both. Daddy is getting restless. You know, when he sets his sights on something, he doesn’t back down. Can you get the records for the Double J or not?”

“Fine, yeah, I can. I’ve got a good relationship with the granddaughter. I’ll butter her up and lay on the charm. She’ll tell me what I need to know.”

“And if she doesn’t tell you anything?”

“If she doesn’t, I’ll take her into the woods and make sure she does.”

Jacks gasped, but King took her hand, pausing the recorder. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t want you to hear that part, but it has to be on the record. I love you, and I won’t let him hurt you. Trust me.”

Once she nodded, he pushed the recorder again.

“You have until Monday, and then you'd better have the information.”

“I’ll get it. Relax. Why is Daddy so hung up on this no-man’s-land anyway? Water Creek is the smallest damn town you’ve ever seen.”

“That’s need-to-know information you don’t need to know. Just do your job, and we’ll all walk away with plenty of money in our pockets.”

“Fine, fine. I’m ditching this phone and switching to phone three. I’ll be in touch once I’ve spoken with Jacks and gathered the information we need.”

“Make it happen sooner rather than later.”

“Tell Daddy I’ll be in touch.”

That was the last thing Chinos said before the line went dead.

Silence pervaded the room for several heartbeats.

“Who’s Daddy?” Keene finally asked.

“We aren’t sure,” Jacks said, flicking her gaze to King, who nodded with a shrug. “But we think it may be Palatino Parenti.”

“Wait, doesn’t he own a bunch of casinos?” Jackson asked. Jacks and King nodded. “That makes no sense. You can’t build commercial properties like that on this land. The only reason I can have the rodeo school is that it’s a working ranch. The students work as ranch hands during their time here.”

“He obviously doesn’t know that, or if he does, he doesn’t care,” Keene said astutely. “If he went to the trouble of sending that schmuck here to do his dirty work, I’d bet he’d do anything to wrestle the land from us, but it would be from my cold, dead hands.”

King shook his head. “Not going to happen. This is my town, and I’m the law, not to sound like some Wild West sheriff. However, we have another problem to address.” King pulled out the folder and opened it. “When Unita County went through Vonita’s bag, they found this contract to buy your ranch.” He turned to Jackson. “And one for yours. Were you two in negotiations with her lawyers to sell her the land?”

Both men tilted their heads in the same direction, confusion written across their faces. “What? No,” Jackson said, shaking his head. “The only place this ranch is going is into Jackie’s capable hands. I’ve never even met the woman.”

Keene stood slowly, his six-five frame towering over the table. “I haven’t seen or heard from that woman since you were cutting your second tooth, son. I can’t believe it would even cross your mind that I’d sell to that homewrecker!”

King grasped Keene’s arm and held it. “I don’t believe it. That’s why I’m confused. This doesn’t make sense, but Jacks and I both read the contracts. They look legitimate. Vonita was definitely after the ranches.”

Jackson tapped the bottom of the last page of the contract. “There’s no place for Jackie to sign.”

“Astute,” King agreed. “We noticed the same thing. It was as if they didn’t know Jacks owned part of the ranch.”

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Keene spat. “None at all. Why would she think she could waltz back into town thirty years later to buy our ranch? She’s not even related to us!”

King held up his hand again and sighed. “There’s more. A letter arrived today from a law firm in Hollywood. Vonita left me her entire fortune.”

Both men stopped breathing for a moment as they took in his words. “Are you serious?” Keene whispered.