AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, sir, it is. But we need to understand our enemy so we have a sound strategy of attack.”
He looks me over and, for the first time that I can remember, his piercing scrutiny reminds me of Exton. He nods once and smiles. He mumbles a repeated “our enemy” and takes a sip of his tea.
We rise and head for the exit.
“Great meal, Babs,” Kimp says over the noise and into the open diner window to the chef. “Appreciate it.”
“Good seeing you, Kimpton. Don’t be a stranger, you hear?”
We walk out into the arid September day, the early afternoon sun beating down on us with little reprieve.
I shake Kimp’s hand. “Thank you.”
“For what, son?”
Son.
“For this.” I wave my hand back at the diner. “For lunch.”
“Any time.” He straps Colt into his car seat and waves as he backs out of the diner parking lot. The sound of stray gravel crunches under his tires as he does.
I make a phone call as I get into my S7. Instead of heading home, I head south to see Manny Gutierrez and to what I hope is a good decision.
* * *
Brighton
“I got with Randy,and they QCed the feed. They’re not seeing anything that could make this happen.” I gesture to the horses as I speak with Rich Lager.
“Oh?” There’s little concern on his face. In fact, he seems utterly unconcerned with the state of all five of his horses.
“Yeah. The feed is good.”
It could be my imagination, but he’s closer than he was moments ago, standing just inside that bubble people unconsciously know not to cross.
The air in the stable is stagnant, bordering on sour, and the afternoon Texas sun makes this area feel like a pressure cooker.
He raises his eyebrows and leans a bit closer. I refuse to flinch, but he’s close enough I can smell the stale lunch on his breath and do not appreciate it.
No need in dangling a red muleta in front of a bull. I know when a situation requires defusing, and this most certainly qualifies.
I whip around so my side is no longer to his front, but stand opposite him face to face. I’m fairly certain my pony tail swiped his face as I did, and I’m not upset about that.
“I think we need to look at the water supply.” I move around the barn, feeling his eyes never leave me.
Unlike last time, I have my firearm holstered in my waistband at my right hip, a long shirt covering its grip and any evidence that I have it on me. I don’t want him to know I’m carrying a pistol. I do not want to use it and I certainly don’t want to kill anyone. Selfishly, I don’t want to use it indoors, either, since my ears will ring for days.
But last time was the last time I’ll let myself feel that worried when I have the power to be less vulnerable.
“After I do that, though, I want to get some bloodwork.”
“Now that won’t be necessary.” His voice is harsh but low.
“It is, in fact, necessary. I need to run labs on your mares.”
“I said…” he begins. But I move around him, collecting drinking water, picking up some hay as discreetly as I’m able, as I do.
He grabs my wrist and spins me.
