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“Great information, Jud. I appreciate you going to all that trouble. I’ll keep you in the loop.”

“Appreciate it, Sheriff.”

“You know a guy named Carter Raza?”

“Don’t know him, but I know who he is. He’s Suzie’s foster brother.”

“Thanks. I needed to know that. Great. I’ll have the truck towed right away. Nice one, Jud. I owe you one.”

“Miller, Sheriff. I drink Miller.”

“Same.”

The call from Jud was an eye-opener and shone an entirely different light on the case. Gave a whole new meaning to the word pre-meditated.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

I showered and put on a clean shirt, then I sat at the kitchen table with Billy telling him how much I did not want to take Glenda out for dinner.

“Have another beer and mellow out, boss. You’ll have good food at the Inn and your debt will be paid to Glenda and you won’t have to see her again.”

“That’s the best outcome. She has a low opinion of me, Billy. I said no relationship and she turned on me. Jekyll and Hyde. When she didn’t get what she wanted, she went cold as ice and the horns came out.”

Billy grinned. “I’m glad Brenda is nothing like her sister.”

“I am too, for your sake, buddy. You don’t want to be hooked up to an iceberg for the rest of your life.”

“Brenda ain’t an iceberg. Just the opposite.”

I held up a hand. “Don’t give me any details. I’m not strong enough to handle it.”

Billy laughed.

My cell rang and I saw who it was. I got to my feet and said, “Sorry Billy, I’ve got to take this.” I hurried down the hallway to my room and closed the door.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“Hey, Dale. How much longer are you going to be?”

“Couple weeks. Have you got me a place to live?”

“Yeah, I rented you a ranch house in Pecan Valley. Got property like you wanted and a barn for your horse.”

“How many acres?”

“Fifty. Most of it fields and bush. I went and had a look at it. House needs fixing up. It’s been a rental for a while.”

“What about our other location?”

“Not yet. We’re not ready anyway.”

“Yeah, there’s only you and me. And Lukas. He’s coming from California to live with me and help us get started.”

“Let me know when you’re leaving butt-crack.”

“Yeah Cutter, as soon as I know the day I’m pulling out, I’ll call you.”

I went back to the kitchen and Billy gave me a funny look. “Long phone call. You don’t get many personal calls.”