“What happened now?”
“That fire that started at Everly’s last night? It was arson.”
“Shit,” she whispered. “How is she holding up?”
“She’s fine. I can’t say the same about her barn.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
I glanced across the vehicle. “You like her, huh?”
Young’s mouth curved. “She was going to take a punch so she could lay her uncle out. That makes her a badass in my book. And my gram brought her cat to the vet because she wasn’t eating. Didn’t have an appointment, but Everly worked her in and was really kind. That makes her good people, too. So, if I can do something to help, I’d like to.”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.”
For the rest of the drive, we talked over what had happened last night. The likely timeframe we were looking at. I wasn’t exactly sure what I hoped to gain by talking to the Kempers. They sure as hell weren’t going to give me any sort of truth. But I needed to see a reaction, at least.
My SUV bumped and jostled as I navigated the potholes in the dirt road. There was no sign overhead, like most of the other ranches. Only a gate propped open with a log.
“I kind of expected locked gates and armed guards,” Young muttered.
“I don’t think they’ve gone that far.” But it didn’t mean they couldn’t. I kept a close eye on any FBI reports about militia activity in the area. It certainly wasn’t unheard of. Most of the people out here wanted a peaceful life away from the trappings of the city. But some thought it was the Wild West, and they were certified outlaws.
I guided my SUV down the road until a cluster of buildings came into view—an old, large farmhouse, a smaller guest cabin, and a series of barns and outbuildings. As I came to a stop, Allen stepped out of the barn, Ian on his heels. A couple of other men followed behind.
I parked so I faced the road, just in case things went south. “Remember, play it cool.”
“I’m not sure Allen is a friend of mine after I took him in.”
He glared at my SUV. Allen wasn’t a fan of any woman putting him in his place. I checked the gun at my hip. “Hold steady, and we’ll be fine.”
Young and I slid out of the SUV, and I nodded at the group of men. “Morning, gentlemen.”
Not a single friendly face greeted me. Allen took a few steps forward. “You’re on private property, and you’re not welcome here. Leave.”
“You’re free to request that, and I’ll abide, but then I’ll have to take you and Ian in for questioning.”
“What the hell for?” Ian asked.
A door clapped against a wood frame, and I looked to see Everly’s cousin and another older woman appear on the porch. “Ma’am. Ma’am,” I greeted.
The older woman scowled at me, but Adaline looked panicked. Young eyed her carefully, looking as if she wanted to go over and ask her if she was okay. I gave a slight shake of my head. That would take things from bad to worse.
“My nephew asked you a question,” Allen gritted out.
“Does that mean you’d rather answer my questions here?”
He straightened. “We don’t recognize your authority here. This land is sovereign and not under your corrupt power.”
“Is that a yes, or a no?”
Allen spat onto the dirt. “I’m curious enough to see why the hell you’re bothering me.”
“Need to know where you and Ian were last night.”
Ian stepped forward, shoulder to shoulder with his uncle. “Why?”
Young and I had turned our backs towards each other slightly so our positions protected us from any possible ambush, but both had eyes on the two women and the group of men. I drummed my fingers against my thigh. “You answer my question, and I’ll answer yours. Seems like a fair trade.”
“We were here all night. You can ask Cybil and Addie,” Ian gritted out.
I looked to the women. “They were both here? All night? You know for sure?”
Neither woman said a word, but Addie’s eyes shifted to the side as if she didn’t want to respond.
“Answer the man,” Allen barked.
“They were here,” Cybil said.
Addie nodded. “I went to bed early, but I didn’t see anyone leave.”
That was an interesting way to put it. “Did you hear anything out of the ordinary?”
Addie blanched, and Allen stepped between his daughter and me. “That’s enough. We’ve answered your questions. Now, tell us your business here.”
“Someone set Everly’s barn on fire last night.”
Allen’s expression was carefully blank, but Ian took a few steps forward, his knuckles bleaching white. “That’s my land. So, it’s my barn. If we had burned it down, it would’ve been within our rights to do so.”
“So, you did burn it down?” My fingers itched to reach for the butt of my gun, but I forced them to remain at my side.
“I said if. But, apparently, they don’t teach you the English language at pig school. If I burned it down, I wouldn’t be able to sell it for as good of a price now, would I? Everly will turn it over to me eventually.”
Allen clamped a hand on Ian’s shoulder. “We’ve given you what you asked for. Now, leave.”
I tipped my head to the women on the porch. “If you ever need anything, the department is always open to you.”
Allen stepped into my line of sight again as if he could block my words from reaching their target. “They don’t need anything from you. We provide for them. Protect them. And they know that.”
Cybil wore outrage carved into the lines of her face. But Addie? She had bone-deep sorrow in her eyes. I forced my hands to stay relaxed, but I clocked every movement around me. “That offer isn’t just for them. It’s for any of you. If you need help, my door is always open.”
One of the men who’d been hanging back scoffed. “Don’t need no pig-help. Rather be set on fire.”
“That’s your choice.” I inclined my head to the SUV, and Young and I headed back to it. It was a conscious decision to turn my back to the men. It could’ve been a costly one. I counted that four of the six were armed. But I also couldn’t show weakness. Instead, I watched the shadows on the ground, watching for even minor movement. But there was none.
I started the engine and headed down the drive. It wasn’t until we hit the pavement that Young let out a whoosh of air. “That was…”
“Messed the hell up?”
“I was going to use even stronger language, but that works, too.” Young glanced over her shoulder at the disappearing ranch. “Addie might break rank. She sometimes has a stall at the farmer’s market in town. Sells jams and stuff. She’s kind and seems interested in the world around her, not full of hate like the rest of them.”
I knew Addie could be the one to turn. But what would it cost her if she did?
17
Everly
I kicked at a charred piece of wood. Everything smelled as if I’d been living in a large bonfire—I guessed I was. And it wasn’t only the barn. Three trees had to come down, as well. Thankfully, the cabin hadn’t gone up, but I kind of wished the main house had. I still hadn’t been able to venture inside. My gaze traveled back to the destruction. I’d need to order a dumpster and buy a chainsaw.