Page 5

5

“Like I said, Mr. Stone,” Attorney Ellis Steele spoke from behind his dark mahogany desk, encircled by matching bookshelves adorned with stacks of law books and gold-framed degrees and awards. It was evident the space was meant to appear rich or elite, but it was merely dark and musty and gave off a cold and eerie vibe. If walls could talk, this place would surely tell tales of misdeeds and mayhem.

“Like I said… it’s Coy .” He scolded, seeming unimpressed.

“Right, Coy.” Ellis said in a smarmy manner, “I cannot discuss the details outside of whatever is already in writing. Attorney Client privilege exists, even out here in the middle of nowhere, small town USA.”

“The client is deceased,” Devyn interrupted. “By law…”

“I am quite aware of the law, young lady.” He sneered, “And the law says I am in no way obligated to share anything, even if the law says I can. I took an oath. I have morals and ethics that forbid me from saying another word on the matter. I’m sorry. I simply cannot help you.”

“But Mr. Steele,” Kenzie added from the back of the room where she stood, studying this character and the space he operated in as if it held the key to the vault where all the secrets went to hide.

“Sheriff, I don’t see how you have any influence on the matter, so we’ll just leave it at that. No law has been broken, and you aren’t family.”

“She’s family.” Coy interrupted.

“Interesting. Delilah didn’t mention you as such.” Ellis stood from behind his desk and looked to his watch, “If you don’t mind, I have clients due who actually have appointments. I’m sorry this will came as a surprise and that your mother hid it all from you, but perhaps you need to look a little closer to home to find out why. I am certainly not the answer or the problem.”

Coy and Devyn stood and turned to leave, but Coy stalled and turned to Ellis. “Oh, Mr. Ellis…”

“It’s Mr. Steele. Ellis is my first name.”

“Riiight.” Coy sneered with a wicked grin over his intentional insult, “Are you new around these parts? I know I’ve been gone for quite some time, but surely I’d remember you.”

“Fairly new. A little over a year maybe, give or take.” Ellis answered suspiciously. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason. Just like to know our neighbors. Small town, USA, and all…” Coy’s mouth curled at the corners, “You have yourself a great day.”

“Prick,” Coy said as they exited Ellis’s office and passed the empty reception desk.

“Did anyone else feel…” Devyn began.

“Like we were being lied to? Of course.” Kenzie said. “The whole thing was a lie.”

As they reached the lobby exit, Coy stopped and noted the photos on the wall. “This guy is either really smart or really dumb.”

“You see it too, huh?” Kenzie added. “While you guys were bantering back and forth with that asshole, I was taking a mental note of everyone he’s pictured with on that wall in there.”

“Quite the socialite,” Coy added, pointing to select pictures on the wall. “Governor, head of the… Well, head of everything. Look at that.”

Shaking her head, Kenzie sighed, “Head of the livestock commission, the actual commissioner, ranchers coalition, builders coalition. If there’s anyone elite down here in our neck of the woods, it’s all of these guys.”

“Judge Adams, huh? This guy a politician looking to run for something?” Coy asked.

“Anyone want to bring me up to speed?” Devyn asked. “Or are we going to play a round of Clue again?”

“If this guy’s only been here a year or so…”

Kenzie snorted, pointing to one of the pictures, “Then how was he rubbing elbows with my deceased father?”

“Shit, Kenz.” Coy sighed. “What the hell is this guy into, and how do all of these people factor in?”

“Anyone going to fill me in, or am I really supposed to guess at this point? Remember, I’m not a fancy bad guy hunter like you two. I’m just a fricken lawyer.”

“Sis, I think this guy is in deep pockets,” Coy said. “That’s what we’re getting at here. Anyone and everyone with influence or an ounce of power is on this guy’s wall.”

“And that means?” Devyn shrugged.

“It means everything and nothing.” Kenzie went on. “Dev, this guy is either full of ego and showing off his friend roster to intimidate people or elevate himself. And by intimidate, I mean, don’t come for me –– I know people type.”

“You think he’s dirty.”

“Simply put. Probably.” Coy said.

“All because he knows influential people.” Devyn surmised.

“That’s usually how it goes. It’s a big assumption, but one we didn’t come to without knowledge and experience.” Kenzie said. “And also, because you can see the random men we photographed the other day in the background.”

Devyn rolled her eyes, “Seriously? You probably should have started with that. Here I thought, knowing the governor made you dirty. Mama knows him well. And just about all of these people pictured.”

“Wait. She does?” Coy asked.

“Mama was on just about every committee and board in these parts. Of course, she knows them.” Devyn walked closer to the wall and pointed to one picture in particular, “There she is. Looks like the Texas Ranchers Foundation Fundraiser if I’m reading that sign in the background correctly.”

“And she’s standing with my father,” Kenzie said quietly. “Coy? What the hell were they into?”

“I have no fucking clue, but the timeline is starting to line up, isn’t it? He arrived here a year or so ago?” Coy questioned.

“That’s about when the cancer hit hard. Nash figured it out, found out about the bank loan, and everything else went downhill,” Kenzie said. “Am I missing anything?”

“It’s also when Nash and Mama met Charlotte,” Devyn added as she scanned the wall of pictures. She stepped closer to one and pointed, “And isn’t that her father?”

“Sure is. In uniform, even.” Kenzie sighed.

“So, we can’t trust her?” Devyn asked, searching their faces for clues. “Or, can we? I’m new at this.”

“She’s good. She’s been vetted by multiple layers of security at this point. Her father, on the other hand, who fucking knows.” Coy ran his hand through his hair, then held the door for the ladies to exit first. “I guess we need to dig a little deeper on Daddy Banks.”

They walked along the sidewalk with a building on one side and the street on the other, back to the car. Coy positioned himself on the street side to protect Kenzie and Devyn. Quickly scanning their surroundings, Coy promptly found Rip, oddly blending in, his hair pulled back into a low bun and a baseball cap on, wearing jeans and some band t-shirt that barely fit him. He snickered at the sight. Rip almost looked the part, combat-type boots being the exception.

Rip walked along the sidewalk on the other side of the road as if he were out for a leisurely walk along the river that ran through the center of town where they were. As the group approached their vehicle, Rip stopped to tie his shoe, which was already tied, to buy time and stay near as they got into Kenzie’s car. He was the lookout, after all.

Coy was careful to park strategically so Kenzie and Devyn would exit and enter the vehicle on the sidewalk side of the vehicle for an added layer of protection. At the same time, he drove her car and was the only one at risk, streetside. He’d thought of every possible scenario and acted accordingly, clearly keeping Rip in on his plan. What looked like an everyday occurrence to most, just a couple of people coming and going, was a tactical event they’d carefully planned.

Kenzie got in the front passenger side first, but Devyn had a hard time opening the rear door. Coy fiddled with it and tried to open it, but they were quickly distracted by a tiny sound from under the car.

“Did you hear that?” Devyn asked, looking around.

Rip had taken a seat on a nearby bench directly across the street from where they were. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees in a leisurely manner, pretending to skim through his phone, but really, it was so he could see whatever it was they were looking at. Or, looking for.

“I did,” Coy said. “What, was that a cat?”

“If it was, it’s a tiny one,” Devyn said, pacing back and forth, hunting for the tiny mewing sound.

Coy glanced Rip’s way as if assuring he was engaged, albeit subtly and from a distance. Something felt off. The air had shifted, the temperature dropped, and terror was on the horizon. He could feel it. When Rip stood and started across the street in their direction, he knew Rip felt it, too.

“There you are,” Devyn said in a sing-song voice. “Oh my gosh, you are tiny. You poor little thing.”

Devyn was behind the car, crouched down on her knees, speaking sweet nothings to a little black and white pile of fluff staring back at her.

“Come here, sweetheart.” She said, coaxing the kitten out.

“Dev. Get up off the street. We got to go.” Coy warned, watching their surroundings for the next shoe to drop.

“Are you kidding me? We aren’t leaving this little one out here.” She fired back, attention fixed on the kitten. “Where’s your mama, you little precious?”

“Then grab the damn cat and let’s go. This isn’t safe.” He warned once more.

“Coy, we’re in the middle of town, broad daylight. We can spare thirty seconds to save a life.” Devyn scolded. “If it’s that unsafe, why are we out here in the first place?”

“Because it was a controlled situation. This is not controlled.” Coy was getting nervous, and he didn’t get nervous. Something wasn’t right, and he felt it as soon as the hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention. “Get the damn cat and get in the fucking car before I throw you in and leave the fleabag behind.”

Devyn gasped, “You wouldn’t.”

A car had turned off a side street and onto the main road through town, which they were currently stalled on. It didn’t help matters when another vehicle approached from the opposite direction. This was a small town with no traffic, and now he had two cars headed toward one another at what appeared to be higher than usual speeds, given the quick approach. What were the chances that one or both of these vehicles were their enemy out to do harm? Or was that paranoia creeping in, not knowing what he could and could not trust anymore?

Coy couldn’t help but question his instincts because the stakes were different this time. This wasn’t a standard open and close case with strangers. This was his family. This was his life. And he’d already traveled this road once too many times and had vowed never to find himself on this path again. But here he was. Home. And trouble felt like it was around every corner –– and the kind of trouble he attracted was the kind that wreaked of devastation.

“I sure as hell would, now grab it,” Coy demanded as he stomped his foot to shoo it out from under the car.

The kitten sprung from its spot under the car, raced into the street, and Devyn followed.

“Damn it, Dev,” Coy shouted as he tripped when he tried to grab her.

“Come here, sweetheart.” Devyn coaxed with a slow approach to the kitten, who was balled up in the middle of the road, afraid of the noise that startled from behind it and the larger-than-life man headed in its path. Rip.

Oblivious to what was escalating around her, Devyn crouched down a few feet away and extended her hand to the kitten, in hopes that it would succumb to curiosity and mosey back her way. But it didn’t.

The two cars were approaching quickly, and one began to sound its horn, warning Devyn and likely the kitten, if they could even see it, to get out of the road. The sound, however, only frightened the kitten more, and it charged off in Rip's direction just as the other vehicle accelerated.

“Now look what you did.” Devyn stood and followed the kitten, unaware of what was transpiring around her.

“Dev, no!” Coy yelled just as the honking car slammed on its brakes right in front of him.

Kenzie got out of the car, weapon drawn, unsure what was going down entirely but able to understand the body language Coy and Rip were exuding.

Rip ran at full speed and scooped up the kitten as it tried to run past him before snaking his arm around Devyn’s waist and pulling her out of the crosshairs that had been fixed on her. A loud scream escaped her as she saw the speeding car race by without hesitation as it barreled right through where she had been standing when Rip grabbed her.

In perfect sync with one another, Rip and Coy exchanged roles with a simple, knowing nod to one another.

“Keys.” Coy hollered, and Rip tossed him the keys to the vehicle he had been driving. “Get them to the ranch. Do not stop, man. Protect them.”

“With my life.” Rip seethed as he cradled Devyn’s trembling body against his.

“Coy?” Kenzie yelled as he ran across the road at lightning speed, about to jump in Rip’s vehicle.

“You stay with Rip. Kenz. I mean it. Stay with him. Watch his six. They know who he is now.”

Kenzie nodded with hesitation and raced to the front of her car, shielding Rip and Devyn while she waved on the car that had stopped after Coy raced off in the direction of the vehicle they’d nearly gone head-to-head with.

“Where is he going?” Devyn asked between sobs.

“After the bad guys, darlin’,” Rip said as he checked her over.

“So that was intentional? Not just someone not paying attention?”

“I’m afraid that looked pretty targeted.” Kenzie shared. “They didn’t even slow down after they passed. If anything, they went even faster.”

“To get the hell out of here.” Rip chided. “Especially since they missed their target.”

“So, I’m the target?” Devyn questioned.

“I think you were just the easy target, given you were in the middle of the road.” Rip scolded. “What were you thinking.”

Devyn began to breathe heavily, and her face paled, concerning Rip.

“Are you okay? Anything hurt?”

Kenzie shared his concern. “Dev? Honey? I think she’s in shock.”

“I can’t… I can’t believe…” the tears began to roll down Devyn’s cheeks again, and her breathing hitched with each word. “The kitten…”

Rip scooped her up and, cradled her in his arms, and made his way around the vehicle. “We need to get out of here… now.”

“I agree.” Kenzie went for the driver’s side door, and Rip stopped her.

“Nope. You have my six, remember? You should be on my heels right now, Sheriff.” He warned.

Seeming to understand the seriousness of the situation and that Rip was left with the responsibility of seeing them both to safety, she didn’t argue and made her way to the passenger-side door.

“Sure thing, boss.” She said sarcastically. “But just to clarify, I have your six because I’m fucking capable.”

Rip was able to open the rear passenger door with ease, unlike earlier when Devyn had attempted to get in, “Which is why Coy must’ve given the orders he did. I’m only successful if I have someone watching my back, too. I’m honored it’s you. I’ve seen your record. It’s impressive.” Rip informed before leaning in to help buckle Devyn in, who wasn’t quite herself and trapped in whatever state of mania the events of late had left her in.

“Of course you have.” Kenzie rolled her eyes.“That means Coy has too.”

“There isn’t much we don’t know or that we can’t find out, Sheriff. He’s well aware of your service and accomplishments.”

“So much for classified.” She muttered under her breath.

He reached inside his shirt, pulled out the tiny kitten, and placed it in her hands. Her eyes lit up as they filled with emotion once more. “You saved it?”

“Yeah. I fucking saved the damn cat.” He said with gruff.

Rip scanned their surroundings, keeping a mental note of all that was going on in that moment –– who was present, who was looking their way, and, more importantly, who was trying hard to avoid eye contact. He jumped in the vehicle and didn’t look back.

“Anything?” Kenzie asked.

“Not a fucking thing. Any one of them could be spotters.” He said, referring to those who could be lookouts for their elusive and no longer discreet enemy.

“You?” he asked.

“A lot of familiar faces, but after what we saw in that lawyer’s office, familiar doesn’t necessarily mean safe,” Kenzie admitted.

“Coy? What about Coy? Devyn said, looking over her shoulder and out the back window. “Why are we going this way?”

“Because this is the way to safety.” Rip deadpanned.

“He’s alone, Rip. We have to turn around.”

“Your brother works best alone.” He fired back.

“But…”

“But nothing, Devyn. This isn’t up for discussion or argument.”

“Excuse me, but…”

“There it is again. You don’t get to do that. You hear me? You don’t get to say, but… This is non-negotiable. You aren’t safe here. Not even a little bit. None of you are. You are going back to the ranch, and we’ll wait for Coy there.”

“You’re not going back out? You’re not even going to try and help him? He could be charging right into the lion’s den right now and…”

“He’ll be fine. Coy’s always fine.” Rip’s tone was flat, lacking emotion, and his expression grim, revealing that this was hard, even for him. “If he needs backup, he’ll tell me. This is what we’re trained for. Otherwise, we’ll see him at the ranch.”

“And if we don’t?”

“Are you always like this?” Rip said, looking between the road and Devyn through the rearview mirror.

“Like what?” Devyn asked with her tone full of offense.

“Spoiled. Argumentative. Bordering bossy.” Rip began. “Listen. In case you have already forgotten, something very dangerous has just happened back there. Something that could’ve got you killed. This isn’t the time to play the buts and what if’s game. You’re not going to negotiate your way out of this one, counselor. You’re going to the ranch. We all are. And we’re going to stay there unless Coy says otherwise. Period.”

“I am not spoiled.” She argued.

“If that’s all you took away from what I just said, then you just proved my damn point. You could’ve died back there, Devyn, and in the process, got your brother or any one of us hurt… over a cat.”

“Well, I…” she paused, unsure what to say. “I… Kenzie?”

“Honey, I love you, but he’s right,” Kenzie said as she turned in her seat to look Devyn in the eye. “That was dangerous. Your heart was in the right place, just at the wrong time. I’m glad Rip was able to rescue that kitten for you, but that could have gone a hundred different ways.”

“And Coy?” Devyn asked with a quivering lip.

“Will be fine,” Kenzie said with hesitation. “He’s… going to be fine.”

Devyn shook her head and cradled the kitten tighter, “Who are you trying to convince Kenzie? Me? Or yourself?”