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Kelly
Acting on a high from what I just found out, I’m giddy about how and when to tell the guys. I stand from my seat and pace the floor between the kitchen and the great room, searching my mind for any actual evidence.
I don’t really have anything that connects Elizabeth to any crime here except the fact that she lives here.
Just because the couple’s name has been discovered, doesn’t equate them to sabotaging the ranch. Even with no present evidence, I know in my heart that Elizabeth is the one behind everything happening here.
She has the motive, which of course is revenge and she wants Owen and Trent off the land. She also has the access as she lives here most of the time, only going back to her place once, maybe twice a week.
Snapping my fingers an ‘aha!’ moment presents itself. Sitting at the table, pouring over the notes regarding specific details surrounding the happenings, I see that Elizabeth’s comings and goings line up with when stuff happens.
It makes sense that if she’s here on the ranch, it’s easier for her to enact the revenge she desperately wants.. One or maybe two, she sprays crops with the agent orange. Another night, she removes cattle. She definitely has the skill to lure animals away. And the cut in the fence aids her in moving the animals.
Perhaps it’s time to schedule another chat with the burly old woman.
Not yet, though. I need to get this information in front of Trent and Owen, so that they can decide which way to proceed. But, it’s also on me to present them with a plan of action in order to get proof of Elizabeth’s wrong doings.
Before I do anything else with this case, I decide that I need to get some cameras up in certain places around the ranch. With the guys up to their ears in exhaustion and worry about how to get another barn, I take off into town in search of what I need.
While sitting in my car, I prepare a list of the items that I require to set the woman up. I’m not certain if I should tell Owen and Trent about the cameras, but I’ll make that call later. I open the door and walk across the street to the army store.
A little bell over the door announces my presence to the person behind the counter. “What can I do for you, little lady?” he places an elbow on the counter and leans over it, supporting his upper body.
“Good afternoon,” I say as I approach the counter. “I’m in need of four awesome surveillance cameras capable of recording, and they need to be easy to install. I would like them in black if possible.”
“Very specific,” he says, sizing me up with his eyes. “Whatchu need them for?”
“Police business,” I say and I show him my badge and ID. “I’m in a hurry, so could you please suggest a few and I’ll get them?” I turn to look at the store, but turn to face him again. “Oh, and I need some camo clothing.”
He comes from out behind the counter and walks to the left of the store. “You’re mighty tiny and purdy to be a cop,” he looks at me, the hungry wolf eyes betraying his thoughts. “These here will suit you just fine. Four, you say?”
I nod my head, “Yes. Can you take them to the counter and I’ll be there as soon as I get the camouflage.” And I see the rack of clothing I need to purchase from.
With a shirt and pants, I head to the counter, smiling. “Thanks for your help, I appreciate it. How much?”
“No worries,” he says as he rings the merchandise up. “That’ll be two hundred fifty-five and sixty cents.”
I pay the man and head for the door, chiming the bell again. I can feel his eyes staring at my ass end as I leave. I can’t blame him, it’s my best feature. I chuckle to myself. On the way back to Hawk Hollow, I decide to drive by the dump one more time.
Nope, still no sign of the missing signage. I get back just before dusk and see no one out and about. Everyone probably hit the sack early tonight because of the early morning fire. I get to work installing the cameras and head back to my place on the ranch.
Once I get the software installed on my laptop, I gather all of my findings and walk to the big house. Through the screen door, I see Owen and Trent sitting at the table, drinking beers. They look up as I open the door and walk in.
Owen is sullen and has a bit of a guilty look, like a puppy being scolded for misbehaving. “Before you say anything, Kelly, let me talk.”
“Okay,” I say and sit at the table. Trent opens another beer, sliding it to me.
“I’m sorry about earlier in the barn, what was the barn,” he says. “I was angry and I took it out on you.”
“Thank you, but I have some news for you guys,” I take a drink of my beer and seeing that I’ve got their attention, begin laying out the details. “Couple of things. One, the lab results from my field samples tested positive for agent orange.” They sit up with their eyes wide in disbelief.
Trent starts to say something, but I hold up my hand. “And two, you’re going to like this. The couple that bid against you for this ranch are George and Elizabeth McNally.” Waiting a moment for that to sink in, I take another drink of my beer and sit back.
Trent shakes his head while Owen still stares at me, his mouth open. “What, how?”
“Why would she do this?” Trent says.
“I don’t have any proof that connects Elizabeth to any of this, but it’s my strong suspicion that she is behind all of this.”
Trent stands and paces, “We need a plan to catch her.”
Thinking about whether or not to tell them that I installed cameras on their property, I give in and tell them. “Earlier, I bought some cameras and installed them and the software for recording it. I should have gotten your approval, but I wanted a way to show you how sorry I am for the botched investigation.”
They both wave a hand and Owen asks me, “So, what’s the plan?”
I just nod my head and say, “Oh, I’ve got a plan.”
Just feed her some bait and she’ll do the rest.
