The Killer Enigma, page 4
“He’s right, Lily. As delicious as we remembered. Thank you.”
Lily beamed and slapped the table with glee. “What do you two love birds have in mind for today? Is there anything I can help with?”
JJ nodded. “Ms. Lily, we want to head over to Hank’s ranch and maybe go for a picnic, if he can loan us some horses.”
“Since the girls’ adoption is finalized, JJ and I want to see Camila and how she’s doing with her new family. We’d really like to ride the same horses we had before—Midnight and Lucy—and head to the reservoir for a swim. Can you please call and alert them?” Jo asked sweetly.
Lily’s hand dove into her apron pocket for her phone. “Oh right, kids. I better call them so they don’t shoot at you when you drive up. They’ve become extra fussy about visitors ever since they adopted the girls. Wished I’d thought to tell Hank that you’d like to come out when he dropped Renata off to work this morning.”
“We thought we’d leave within the hour. If they’re busy we can drive around, no problem. Can we take Renata home for you?”
“Actually, I need her here to help prepare the B&B ready for the fall season. School starts back soon, and I won’t have hours available from her then. I’ll bring her home later.”
The call connected, and Lily punched the speaker button.
Hank answered, “Whatever you’re selling, we don’t need it. If this is about money I owe, leave a message at the tone, and we’ll git back to you when I’ve got something to give you. If this is…”
JJ watched Lily’s face contort into a disgusted glare at the phone.
“Hank, when are you going to get a decent phone that shows caller-ID? It’s me, Lily.” Lily pressed the mute button then looked at the couple. “He still uses that princess phone on the wall from the last century.” Lily pressed to unmute. “I’m calling to tell you visitors will arrive at the ranch within the hour. They want to see Ann and Camila, maybe even you. Don’t do your silly routine with your .45 Colt—BANG, BANG, BANG—halt who goes there—when Jo and JJ show up.”
“No kidding?” he excitedly, replied. “Why didn’t somebody say something about them being here?”
“If you’d answer your emails, Hank, you’d-a known.” She sarcastically added, “Oh, that’s right, you’d have to have an email account to do that, wouldn’t you? They’ll be there in a while and maybe rent some horses from you so you can pay your bills.”
Lily disconnected, threw her hands to her sides with clenched fists, and stomped her feet. “For every one of us trying to keep up with the times and new technology, we gotta have some bonehead Luddite trying to cling to the last century.”
“Lily, thanks for not letting us get shot going to Hank’s,” JJ deadpanned.
“That ain’t happening on my watch, young’uns.” Lily patted Jo’s arm affectionately. “Now scoot so Renata and me can finish the chores.”
JJ slowly pulled the car near the front porch and parked. Before the engine stopped, Camila and Ann boiled from the door. Hank limped behind using a walking stick for balance.
Jo was smothered first with hugs and affection from the girls, then by Hank. JJ got engulfed by both girls and cocked his head to shake hands with Hank.
“Hank, I can’t help but notice you seem to be favoring your left leg. I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
“The old coot’s been limping for almost a week,” Ann snapped. “One of the horses stepped on his foot, but he won’t see the doctor to find out how bad it really is. He’d much rather find what he can get over the counter at the pharmacy for a crushed foot. Stubborn old man.”
Hank looked at his feet for a moment then pointedly looked at Ann as if to start a heated debate. JJ said, “Let me know if I can take you to the doc, Hank.”
Jo looked at JJ and changed the subject. “We met a realtor named Joyce Blackstone at the B&B who said she would search for some property for us while we are here. I think Lily goaded her, but I like the idea of looking, and so does JJ.”
“Jo, I don’t think they’re interested in our notions. We were hoping to rent the two horses, Hank, if they are available.”
“Camila, are Midnight and Lucy up for riding today?”
She nodded with a smile, her glossy curls bouncing. “Yes. Can I go along?”
“Not today,” Ann interjected. “But you could saddle them up. Hank would take forever to walk to the corral.”
Camila raced off. JJ marveled about how healthy and happy she appeared. He sent a knowing smile to Jo about the teen.
Hank limped closer and leaned on his walking stick. “Paying a realtor six-percent commission is like paying an escort service a commission for introductions to a… You know what I mean, young man.”
Ann smacked the hand on top of the stick, and hissed, “Hank, none of that in front of Jo. I’m glad Camila took off.”
“What I meant to say…” Hank cleared his throat. “You might take a look while you’re riding to the reservoir. There’s a piece of property across the road adjacent to ours. It recently came on the market. No one’s lived there in over twenty years, maybe twenty- five. Someone mentioned the taxes stopped getting paid a couple of months ago. If it goes on the market, it’ll be at a discount to get the taxes paid and property renovated. I haven’t been on the land in a long time, but I recall lots of holes, like someone pulled out trees or maybe tried to put in fence posts closer to the ranch building. It’s fairly rundown and would need to get leveled, but the barn might be worth salvaging.”
JJ noticed Jo’s grin and enthusiasm making her eyes brighten. “Hank, that’s a great thought. We’ll try to take a look and maybe get some pictures. If we’re interested, we’ll need a sketch of the boundaries, and maybe your thoughts on what it’s value should be.”
“I’ll work on a sketch while you’re out riding. I used to have drawings of the neighboring tracts. I’ll try to find them.”
They walked to the corral, moving slow so Hank could keep up.
“Hank, would you recommend they buy that parcel with a ramshackle building? I thought you liked this couple.”
“I do like them. They’d be close for the girls, and someone would be living there rather than the squatters which sometimes show up in the summer. You’ve seen them.”
Ann looped her arm through his. “I knew you cared about them.”
JJ and Jo added bathing suits and lunch into the saddlebags. Grinning like Cheshire Cats, they mounted their favorite rides and waved see-ya later, as they guided the horses out of the gate. The clopping of the hooves sounded like drumbeats for a song. The weather was warm with a gentle breeze that rustled the leaves and let the clouds meander across the blue sky.
JJ waved his right hand with open palm over the scenery peeking through the trees. “The countryside is beautiful.”
“It is. If we get into the foothills a bit higher in elevation, I bet the vistas are heart-stopping. Thank you, honey, for letting me talk you into Magnolia Bluff. I feel peaceful here. And I love to ride.” Jo used the ends of the reins and flicked them. “Ya, ya, Midnight,” she added. And the race was on.
JJ realized her slight head start might prevent him from catching let alone beating her. Her skills were superb, riding Midnight like they were one. He admired the view for a moment. “Giddy-up, let’s get ’em, Lucy.” JJ hated inhaling the dust behind her and kept to one side. When they reached the intersection and she slowed to a stop, he shortened her lead.
JJ noticed her look toward the heavy wrought-iron gate that opened to the former ranch belonging to Mateo Hernandez. The stronghold had housed youngsters trafficked by his cartel until it got busted up on their last trip here.
He stopped beside her. “Jo, are you all right, sweetheart?”
“Yes, I am recalling that part of our visit. It was horrific, but we helped put them out of business.” She looked at him her eyes heavy with moisture. She brushed away the tears. “We saved Camila and Renata too.”
“Yes, we did good together.” He watched to see if she broke down.
Jo held her chin high. “It’s a shame Madison had to face her ordeal with those monsters. Lily shared pieces of the story, but it must have nearly broken her. She’s one tough lady.”
“Madison sure is. I hope we get the chance to see her. She had Hernandez sent to the supermax prison in Colorado. The place from which no escape is possible. Too bad he bought his way back to Beaumont and escaped from there. The man’s got friends in high places.”
They nudged the horses down the trail toward the reservoir.
“I did ask around while I was in Matamoros but got nothing specific. I was told it might take a while to receive information on him. We won’t tell Madison he got free, will we?”
“Sooner or later, Mateo will make a mistake, and he’ll pay for his crimes. However, my dear, we have some property to scan, which I think is on the left.”
JJ spotted the signs for No Trespassing and Private Property. “Honey, it appears we won’t get in without breaking the locks on the gate. Plus, with those signs, we could end up seeing Chief Tommy Jager under the wrong circumstances.”
Jo dismounted and looped the reins around a tree. She took out her phone and started clicking. “JJ, do you see a building over there? It sure is tough with the wild overgrown mess.”
JJ stood in the stirrups; Lucy stepped sideways at the weight shift. “Easy, girl. Hold on.” He grabbed his phone and snapped some pictures.
Jo mounted Midnight. “Let’s ride down the fence line and take more shots. I like your idea of getting photos from different vantage points.”
They rode down the trail aligned to the property, catching different angles. “I like the openness, JJ. It needs a lot of work. Any idea how much land is here?”
“Maybe ten acres or a little over four hectares, but it’s hard to tell without the plat map. Hank may have that when we return. Check out the house with the flattened roof.”
“I’d say it’s about two hundred meters from the gate.”
“Right. The adjacent building, which might be the barn, seems intact but weathered.”
Jo stopped and stared at JJ. “Do you recall the antique store in town last year? They had signs painted and carved on weathered wood from old buildings. Maybe that’s a popular artform here.”
“I do remember seeing a couple of hysterical sayings, like ‘One drink away from telling everybody what I really think!’ struck me.
They laughed and snapped a few more shots at the corner of the parcel. “Let’s find that water and enjoy a swim,” JJ announced. “Every reservoir has a dam to control the water intake. At some point a hike might be in order to see it.”
“I’m hungry, too. The way Midnight is pawing the dirt, I think he smells water.” Jo patted the horse’s neck. “Midnight, let’s go.” They took off at an easy trot.
Both horses headed to the water’s edge and bent for refreshment, slurping the liquid over their bits. JJ watched Jo slide off her saddle and gather towels wrapped around the wine bottle. There was nothing he enjoyed more than watching his pretty wife. He dismounted then pulled out their food and some oats for the horses packed in feedbags.
“You got the horses, JJ? I’ll go find a spot for them…and us.”
“Yep. Got ’em.” He held the reins. Once they drank their fill, they shook their heads sending a spray of droplets in all directions. He secured them to trees in the shady area where Jo had set up camp. He turned in time to see the pile of her jeans and tee shirt on the ground. His breath caught and jaw dropped when she turned.
Jo pirouetted. “You like, honey?”
The cat caught his tongue, so he nodded, captivated by the sight. JJ appreciated her in any outfit, or nothing at all.
She stomped her foot with the pretty glittery-pink toenails catching the sun. “Please say something.”
JJ cleared his throat. “Sweetheart, you’re lovely. Four perfectly cut triangles of brown and black geometric shapes, connected by translucent ties, showing every possible square inch of skin, yet decency maintained, complements your bronzed skin, perfectly. How’s that?”
Jo laughed then scampered toward the water, her dark hair waving on her back. She looked over her shoulder. “That is exactly the sort of sweet talk I was hoping you’d say. Come on, and please, bring a towel. I forgot.” She squealed when she splashed into the water.
JJ skimmed off his pants and shirt, stacking them neatly by her clothes, then dashed after her. Walking into the tepid water he noticed it felt wonderful against his skin. He looked at Jo and didn’t notice goosebumps so assumed she felt the same. They swam a bit, splashed, laughed, and enjoyed the refreshment.
“How ’bout we dry off some and eat? I’m hungry,” JJ suggested.
“Good idea.” She playfully jumped on his back piggy-back style. “Carry me out and we can look at our photos while we eat.”
He set her down, then grabbed the towel and wrapped it around her. JJ shook his head, tossing drops everywhere, and pushed the strands out of his face. Jo toweled off and wiped down his back as they walked toward the horses. They received a whinnied welcome.
JJ attached the oat feedbags to the horses while Jo set up the blanket and laid out the food.
“Honey, open the wine, please.”
JJ grabbed the bottle and corkscrew, making short work of the easy task. They sat on the blanket, and he poured the wine.
Jo raised her glass. “To us, and maybe a new vacation home.”
JJ touched her glass and kissed her. “To a fun future. You always have great ideas.”
They munched and sipped. Jo reviewed her photos. “JJ, if we cleared the brush, we could have both a vegetable and flower garden.”
“We could, but because of the huge deer population, we need to build some tough fences. I don’t know exactly how it would be maintained while we’re away.”
She frowned. “Oh, right. I hadn’t thought about that. I’m just dreaming. Oh, but hey, this near to Hank and Ann, perhaps we could have Camila as the caretaker while we are away.”
He hugged her close. “Dreams are good. I think the house needs removal. It doesn’t seem like there’s enough to salvage. What sort of house would you like? One story, or two?”
She giggled. “Is this a maybe we could build something? If so, then two.”
“Okay, but only if we have the bright colors like our home in Brazil. It makes me happy to walk inside every day. I’d like a similar look and feel.”
“I can do that.” She chewed on the crackers and cheese. “A nice relaxing spot, honey.”
“I agree. We need to finish here and get the horses back. If you’ll pick up, I’ll take the them for another drink. Uh, you want to wear that back to the ranch? It looks good.”
She laughed and kissed his cheek. “But not comfortable when I take off at a gallop to reach the ranch first.”
“Oh, you’re on, baby. An even start this time, and you can eat my dust.”
JJ and Jo tied in the race back to the ranch. Camila accepted the horses, promising them both a good rubdown and brushing.
“Good race, honey,” JJ said, with a smug facial expression. “We tied.”
“It was a blast.” Jo patted his arm. “Next time I won’t let you win.” Camila tugged the reins to coax the animals towards the corral. “Thank you, Camila,” Jo said with a quick hug. “Midnight is amazing.”
Camila grinned. “He’s my favorite too.”
“Glad you packed the oats,” JJ added. “They enjoyed every morsel, and the apples made them whinny.”
Hank hobbled onto the porch with a roll of paper held loosely in one hand. “Come into the shade. Ann’s bringing out some fresh lemonade.” He sat in the closest chair to the rectangular table, and unrolled the paper. “Kids, I found the plat maps with my tract, and those in the near vicinity. Come take a look.”
JJ pulled up a chair. He reached for a couple of stones on the ground to help hold the map corners. Jo sat on the other side of Hank.
Ann arrived with a tray. She poured glasses of sweet and sour lemonade. “Fresh-squeezed, Jo. Let me know what you think.” She set the tray on the side table, then took the seat across from Hank. “Our spread is the spot lined off in the middle of the map,” she announced with a hint of pride.
JJ traced some of the lines with his finger. Based on the notations, he mentally calculated the size of the property. “It appears like your parcel is around twelve or thirteen hectares or, as you would say, about thirty acres. Was that the standard division of the land?”
“You’re right, son, we have just over thirty acres. These parcels each contained five acres. We bought the adjoining pieces to get the water. Ann liked this view for the house with the road close for mail and such.” He swept his arm toward his wife. “Our borders extend another twenty acres into the west behind Ann. We keep a modest number of cows on that land and rotate them between pastures for grazing.”
“Ten acres seems like an enormous amount of property to maintain, Jo.”
Jo pulled her bottom lip under her front teeth as if chewing on it, then wrinkled her nose. “It is, especially if we are thinking of a getaway location, not fulltime. But I do like the open space. We aren’t grazing cows.”
JJ sipped the chilled glass and licked his lips. “Ann, this is mouth-puckering delicious with a sweet kick.” He took another taste. “I agree, Jo. Hank, do you know anything about the owners of the property? We took a bunch of pictures from many angles, but what appears to have been the house is definitely toast. The other building seems salvageable, but until we look around, we won’t know. Do you know anything about the prior residents?” JJ watched Ann and Hank, hoping they’d share the history.
Hank leaned back in his chair and stretched out his legs. His head tilted as if recalling. “Thomas Stevens, and his pretty bride Marissa, lived there as newlyweds. Thomas was a nice enough lad, handy around the place. He worked at the bank as an auditor, I think. Is that right, Ann?”
