Page 53 of Midnight

“Well now,” Gunner said.

Asher nodded. “That call didn’t come from a concerned friend of Dad’s, because everybody here in town goes to Pearl for information, or asks us when we’re out and about. They wouldn’t cold-call the hospital. Somebody is antsy about him still being alive.”

Gunner reached for his laptop and logged into the police database. “What are the names of Pete Brandt’s sons?”

Asher read back through his notes. “Everett and Freddie,both last names Brandt.”

Gunner nodded, typed in the names. “They both have priors. Last known address on Everett is Fort Worth. Last known address on Freddie is Mansfield, which is a suburb of Dallas. We have their mug shots. What if Dylan showed those mug shots to Dad?”

“We have nothing to lose. Do it,” Asher said. “While you’re sending those to Dylan, I’m going to check the DMV to see if they own cars or trucks, and what kind.”

* * *

Dylan was at the hospital, standing in the hall outside his dad’s new room, waiting for the nurses to get him settled. Moving him out of ICU was a relief, because it meant he was getting better. And, that he was no longer limited to ten-minute visits once an hour.

He wondered what was happening back in Austin, and if the crews were all showing up on time, and how many orders had been delayed or back-ordered. Building a house was one thing, but constructing whole housing additions took an assembly-line mindset, with attention to fine details and good work crews. And his business would be going to hell right now were it not for Angie. He missed her like crazy, but he couldn’t not be here. Their dad was everything to them, and there had to be a reckoning with this atrocity.

He was still standing in the hall when his phone signaled a text. It was from Gunner.

These mug shots are of Pete Brandt’s sons. Show them to Dad, but don’t tell him who they are. We want to know if he recognizes them. If he doesn’t, then that means we’re looking in the wrong direction for theshooters. Let me know yea or nay ASAP.

Looking at the faces of those men made Dylan’s skin crawl, then he sent a response.

They’ve moved Dad into a private room. I’m waiting in the hall for them to get him settled. Let you know as soon as possible.

A short while later, the last nurse exited Jacob’s new room, and Dylan went in, closing the door behind him.

Jacob was exhausted by all of the relocating, and it showed.

“Dad, are you okay?”

Jacob nodded. “Just trying to find a comfortable spot, and waiting for the pain shot to kick in.”

“Gunner just sent me a couple of mug shots he wants you to look at. If they look familiar, or if you know who they are, we need to let him know. They’re just going through a process of elimination, I think. Are you up for it?”

“Of course. Show me,” Jacob said.

Dylan pulled up the first mug shot and watched his dad’s face.

“Show me the other one,” Jacob asked.

Dylan swiped the phone for the next photo to appear and showed it to Jacob. “Do you know them?” he asked.

“Those are the two men who tried to buy the bar. Joe and Darren Wilson were the names they gave me. Who are they?”

“Pete Brandt’s sons. Everett and Freddie.”

Jacob paled. “Son of a bitch. Then it does have something to do with that damned robbery. But what’s the motive? What do they have to gain by killing me?”

“Could you recognize them as the men who shot you?”Dylan asked.

“I never saw their faces. The only thing that could link them was one of them telling me I should have sold the bar. But that’s just my word against theirs, isn’t it?”

Dylan nodded. “For now, yes, but this will be a huge help to Ash and Gunner. They’ll know what to do next. Give me a sec. I need to call them and let them know.”

The revelation was enough to silence Jacob, and the pain meds were kicking in. When Dylan saw his dad drifting, he walked into the bathroom and shut the door to call them.

Gunner answered on the first ring and put his phone on Speaker so Asher could hear. “What did Dad say?”