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“Why not more?”
“Because they weren’t necessary.”
“Do you always carry a firearm at the ranch?”
“No, sir. I have one. We have several, but, unless it’s rattler season, it’s not always on my person.”
“So why that day?”
“Because of the threats. Because the security footage showed an odd vehicle at our family home. Because we saw two figures moving around the ranch without permission or invitation. But mostly, Mr. Krause, because my ten-month-old nephew was in my care and even with the Sheriff and his deputies on the grounds, there was still room for concern.”
“I understand you were a competitive shooter, Dr. Ranger.”
“Years ago, I competed. Yes.”
“And you’re still a decent shot?”
“I wasn’t concerned about hitting one of my animals, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Let me ask that a different way. Are you good enough that you could’ve impaired Mr. Paulson without killing him?”
I think for a second. The answer is yes, but…
“I would like to think so, but history has proven that isn’t so. Given enough time, with no threat to me or to my nephew… Knowing no one else could be in jeopardy, I’d like to think I could. I didn’t have the luxury of time, unfortunately. I didn’t want to end a man’s life. All I thought was about protecting Colt. When it came down to me or the intruder, sir, as I stared down the barrel of a loaded gun, I made the only choice I could to go home to my family. And to make sure Colt went home to his.”
“And that was to end a man’s life?”
“I never had that thought, Mr. Krause. I only had a thought to save my nephew’s. I need you to know, I’d have died trying.”
“Do you regret killing Mr. Paulson?”
“I regret that a man is dead and I hate that I had to make that decision. I’d never want anyone I love in that situation—either to be threatened or to have to defend their life by taking another. But, knowing what I know now and loving my nephew as much as I do, I’d make the same decision again if I had to.”
Eli shifts in his chair, and I sense his discomfort.
I continue without prompting. “I regret the outcome, Mr. Krause. I wish I’d never had to protect myself in that manner.”
The DA continues with additional questions. None are landmines like that one. I know so little about the rest of that day, from firsthand knowledge, anyway, that I’m not credible as a witness.
At the three-hour mark, he ends his line of questioning since there’s little I can contribute beyond my experiences in the barn from sunrise on the day that Pop was shot until we left to go to Austin.
When the cameras are turned off, Percy stands and extends a hand to me. “Thank you for your time today, Dr. Ranger. We appreciate your cooperation. I know there are far easier things to do on a Friday than be questioned.”
I say nothing in reply. I can only stick my foot in my mouth and I need to avoid that entirely.
Eli and Pop shake hands with the man, and we all exit, staying silent as we make it our way to our cars. I hug Pop and give him a kiss on the cheek. “See you at the ranch in thirty?”
“Take the rest of the day off, precious girl.” He looks over my head to Eli. “You too, son. You’ve been working too hard.”
Eli nods and says nothing until we’re in the car pulling away. “Little in this world impresses me anymore. Kindness maybe. A good work ethic. Following through on a promise, especially when it’s hard.” He pulls my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “And Brighton Ranger, cool as a cucumber under pressure, taking the DA’s legs out from under him and owning the fucking room.”
The smile that breaks across my face is put there by the pride in Elias’s face and the knowledge that he means every word of what he’s saying.
TWENTY-FOUR
THE SUN, THE MOON, AND NOW THE STARS
BRIGHTON
