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Harlan chuckled. “My whole body aches like I’m a bag of broken bones.”

“I hear ya.”

Chapter Sixteen

Tuesday, June 5th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

Harlan was up before me. The dogs were outside, and coffee was made. I dragged myself out of bed, barely able to move. I had to wonder how I’d get through the day.

I shuffled down the hall to the kitchen, the coffee aroma pulling me along. My leg where Annie-girl had cracked me with the shovel was the worst. Hurt like a bitch and my knee had stiffened up and every step I took felt like I was walking on a chunk of petrified wood.

Harlan took one look and said, “I’ll go to the barn and get the chores out of the way. You make us a couple of fried egg sandwiches.”

“I see what you’re doing. You don’t think the old man can cut it.”

Harlan laughed. “You’ll be lucky to lift a carton of eggs out of the fuckin fridge.”

He hit the nail on the head with his teenage insight. My body felt like it was broken in half. My face was blue and swollen with a long scab forming down my cheek—thanks to Hannah Hargrove—my horse-thieving bitch of a neighbor. I felt like shit and looked worse.

When Harlan came back from the barn, we ate together, and he talked about the guy next door that we caught on camera.

“Do you think Hannah sent him over here on purpose?” I asked.

“Could have. She said she’d make me pay for locking her up and now I’m nervous about leaving our own horses alone all day. I can’t let her get to me.”

Harlan shrugged. “Maybe we shouldn’t leave the horses in the corral while we’re working. I’ll put them in the barn and lock them up before we leave. Are we gonna bring in the red-haired guy?”

“Not yet.”

“What about the guys who beat us up? I’d like to bring those fuckers in.”

“Yeah, we’ll cruise up to Grant Andrews’ trailer and see what he’s shooting into his arm today. Is it Meth Monday? Heroin Tuesday, Weed Wednesday, or Fent Friday?”

Harlan smiled. “Today is Tuesday. I’m betting on H.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

While Molly gave the dogs their morning treat, she said, “I was surprised to see one of the Crandall twins in our jail. I’ve been to her dress store in Shelby a couple of times.”

“We have a witness who said Glenda was stalking Ray Dangerfield,” I said. “I had to bring her in on suspicion.”

“Oh, my. I’m amazed by that,” said Molly. “Are you sure?”

“When we did the notification, Ray’s brother, Kyle, said that Ray broke up with Glenda Crandall and after he did, he couldn’t shake her.”

“Any hard evidence?” she asked.

“We’re running her residence today. Need the gun.”

Molly nodded. “That would do it. Hope you find something solid for the DA’s office.”

“We can’t hold her past tomorrow if we have nothing.”

Harlan did the honors and booked Miss Glenda while I stayed out of the way to make it easier for Harlan. My presence clearly antagonized Glenda.

When he was finished entering her into the system, he brought her into the squad room to make her phone call.