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“Oh,” he murmured.
He pushed open the door and climbed out of the car. He gave her one last fleeting look and then took off running toward a nice-looking RV that was parked near a cabin beside the barn.
As she watched him run off, she couldn’t help but think that he wasn’t as bad as she’d thought. He was respectful, however high-energy. But what boy his age wasn’t super talkative and borderline annoying at times?
Bella got out of her vehicle and headed for the house. There was no telling why she was here. It wasn’t an emergency situation from the looks of it. No one had come rushing out to speak to her. Dispatch hadn’t given any information as to why she needed to come out this way, either.
She pulled out a notebook and pen from her pocket as she climbed the wooden steps to a house that looked like it belonged in a historical documentary. While it had been well-maintained, it definitely looked like it had been built more than a hundred years ago.
There was a porch swing to the side and the porch appeared to wrap around the whole house. If she didn’t find this town as dull as she did, she could imagine living in a place like this. To have lazy afternoons with lemonade was supposed to be the dream.
But that wasn’t where her interests were. She craved the action and adventure of discovery. She wanted to become a detective for a reason. Her mother lived in the city, and she’d been disappointed to learn that Bella was moving out to the country—at least, that was what she’d said. Secretly, she was probably relieved that her daughter wasn’t going to be caught up in anything dangerous.
Where was the fun in that?
Bella knocked on the door but when no one answered, she leaned out and took a look toward the barn. Around here, they were busy. She’d learned that the night Dee Bradley had been killed. It wasn’t just this ranch—all the cowboys were usually busy with one thing or another. It was hard to catch them when they weren’t working.
She skipped down the steps and marched toward the barn, happy to find one of the Reese men exiting, leading a horse by the reins. He stopped and stared at her with surprise until she waved her notepad.
“I got a call to come out here. Is Eli Reese around?” The town was small enough she didn’t doubt that she’d learn everyone by name, but for now, she only had about two dozen people memorized.
He nodded toward the barn and grunted something indiscernible.
“Thanks.” She waited for him to pass before she entered the barn. “Eli? Eli Reese? It’s Deputy Bella Whitfield with the sheriff’s office. You requested someone to come out and speak to you?” she called out after not seeing anyone right away.
Eli poked his head out of a stall and smiled at her—albeit grimly. “Yes. Thanks for coming.” He headed toward her, glancing backward as if he thought someone might follow him. When he turned his attention to her, he motioned to the door. “How about a walk?”
They moved far enough away from the barn that anyone who might be nearby wouldn’t be able to hear their conversation. Then Eli got right to the point.
“I think we have some criminal activity going on around here that should be investigated.”
She smiled. “Unless there’s a chargeable offense, I can’t?—”
“It’s mostly vandalism, and it’s deliberate.” He let his words sink in, his pointed gaze making it feel like he was waiting for her to start writing things down.
Bella jolted into action and nodded with her pencil poised. “Okay, tell me what’s going on.”
“Fences have been cut. There was a small fire set in a paddock—thank goodness we were able to put it out before much damage took place. I found a window to the storage shed smashed in. And someone spray-painted not only some work vehicles, but a tractor, too. It’s all senseless, and maybe it’s not connected…” His voice trailed off.
“But you think it is,” she clarified.
Eli nodded.
“Do you think you might know who would be capable of this stuff? Any clues to point us in the direction of a person of interest so we can call them in for an interview?”
For the first time since they’d started talking, Eli seemed to hesitate. Then he let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “All of this started when Grant Shaw showed up.”
Her whole body went rigid. Grant? The Grant Shaw she’d met today? He might have a less-than-stellar history with keeping an eye on his kid, but surely he wasn't capable of causing damage intentionally.
Eli took off his cowboy hat and raked a hand through his hair. “I hate to point fingers. I know he doesn’t seem like the type, but neither does anyone else around here. I can’t imagine any of the men I’ve hired would do something like this. It’s just… too coincidental.” He replaced his hat and gave her a look—one that made it clear he wanted her to suggest something else, anything else that would make sense.
She didn’t have a chance to give him her input before an older woman came rushing toward them. “Eli!” she called. “Eli, you have to come quick. It’s happened again.”
Eli stared at her briefly then he groaned. “I’m sorry, Deputy, I have to take care of this.”
“What’s going on?” she asked, barely able to keep up with his long strides.
“Someone or something keeps getting the dogs all riled up and letting them into the pasture with the cattle.”
