Chapter 5

Jake pushed open the door to Kelly’s shortly after noon.  The place was packed.  Ranch hands in dirty jeans with sweat stained Stetsons in their laps, sat among shop owners and clerks in various attire.  The general din was barely below a roar.   Jake saw a hand go up in the back, made eye contact with Myrr, and nodded.

Steven Myrr was almost six feet tall, around 160 pounds.  Sharp angeled cheek bones protruded from a hollow face which reminded Jake of starving prisoners of war in the old photos his grand dad showed him as a kid.  He wore his brown hair cut close to the scalp, high and tight, a left over style from his time in the marines.

“Steel,” Myrr said as Jake slid into the booth across from him.

Jake scratched his upper lip.  “Myrr.”

“What can I get you boys?” Kelly took an order pad out of her apron.

“I’ll have a tuna melt, no cheese,” Jake said.  “And water.”

She turned brown eyes on Myrr.  “And you Sheriff?”

Sheriff Myrr shook his head.  “Coffee is fine.”

Kelly’s eyebrows shot up.  “Ooookie Dokie then,” she said.  “Be right back with the drinks.”

“What’s this about?”  Jake asked.

Myrr gave a slight tilt of his head.  “I’m not here to play games Steel.  You know there was severed leg found out on Wallace Miller’s property.”

Jake sat back.  “Actually I didn’t know that Sheriff.  I was informed the leg was on Ike Miller’s property.”

Myrr’s eyes narrowed.  “Doesn’t make a damn bit of difference whose property it was on and you know it.  The feds have taken over the whole case and no one can work with those idiots.”

“Why would they do that?”  Jake asked.

“Here you go boys,” Kelly said.  “Water for you,” she placed a large glass of ice water in front of Jake.  “And coffee for you.”

“Thanks Kelly,” Jake said.  She smiled, “Tuna Melt will be a few minutes.  My noon girl didn’t show up, so I am doing everything.

Jake nodded.

He watched Kelly walk away and noticed several pairs of eyes on his table, not the least of which was Rina.  Her long red hair glowed in the sunlight coming in the window.  She flashed a peace sign and gave him a wink.

“Three months ago,” Myrr continued drawing Jake’s eyes back to his hollow face.  “The Dawson’s found a severed right leg and hand on the back of their property along highway 89.”

“I heard,” Jake said.

“We did everything by the book, line of custody, autopsy, everything.  We checked fingerprints with the national missing person data base and came up with a hit.”  Myrr took a sip of coffee.  “But there was no information, no name, no state, just a phone number for the FBI.  We called it and within 24 hours they sent a truck load of agents  out to investigate.  By the end of the second day, they told me it was no longer a Carr County concern.  They took the Jon Doe remains and went back to Virginia.”

“That defies just about every protocol,” Jake said.

Myrr nodded.  “Damn straight.  And those bitches wouldn’t even give me the John Doe’s name.”

“Bitches?”  Jake queried.

Myrr snorted.  “Yeah.  They sent a couple of skanks down here from the national office, to be in charge, like I give a shit.  They pushed me off the case so hard it gave me hemorrhoids.”

Something deep and satisfying filled Jake’s belly.  “Now you know what it’s like.”

Myrr frowned.  “How’s that?”

“Having some dick head take a case that belongs to you,” Jake cocked a brow and took a drink of water.

“Only a few dick heads ever get away with taking what’s mine,” Myrr gave Jake a toast with his coffee cup.

Jake wanted to smash his face.  “For the record Sheriff, I don’t appreciate you coming into my county playing at an office you weren’t elected too.”  Jake gave him a level stare.  “If you ever attempt to cross the county line on official business without going through proper channels again, I will arrest you, throw your ass in lock up, and let a judge sort it all out.”

Myrr smirked.  “You think you’re some hot shit cowboy cop doncha?  Played college ball, local hero, women drool for you.   But you’re weak.  You don’t command respect.  You’re damn right I took that case from you, just like you took Sally from me.  And it felt good.  You can’t do a damn thing about it.”

Jake shrugged, though inside he was raging.  “Doesn’t look like your gonna be doing much with it either.  A couple women took it you say?”

“Go to hell asshole,” Myrr said, stood, and threw two dollars on the table.  “You’ve been officially notified, and only because the feds are involved.”

The room quieted as Sheriff Steven Myrr charged out.  By the time the door met the jamb the room was once again at a near roar.

Kelly dropped into the vacant bench across from Jake and placed a tuna melt on a white plate in front of him.  Her face was red from the heat of the kitchen, and small perspiration stains shadowed her underarms.

“Whoa,” she said.  “He was pissed.”

Jake’s jaw hurt from grinding his teeth together.  “I can’t stand that bastard.”

“By the look of it,” Kelly held up a finger to stall a waiting customer.  “I’d say the feeling is mutual.  And now I’d say it’s pretty public too.”

Jake shrugged.

“Listen,” Kelly leaned in and put a cool white hand over his clenched fist.  “Don’t let him rile you Jake.  Look how calm I am.  I mean he came in here and didn’t eat anything. I’m somewhat offended.”  She smirked.  “I have to get back to work.  Can I ask you real quick what you found out, or is it top secret?”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Jake said.  “Two female FBI agents have taken the case.”

Kelly laughed out loud and stood.  “No wonder Steven was so pissed off.  He only has two uses for women, and outranking him ain’t one.”

Jake smiled and felt the tension ease from his shoulders.  What’s done is done, he thought.  He pulled the plate forward, picked up the sandwich and took a bite.  “MMMMMM.”

Kelly patted his shoulder.  “You sure know how to flatter a girl.”  She leaned down and whispered in his ear while he chewed.  “Hitting the Sheriff of Carr County seems a good way to lose your job Jake.  I know you wanted too, and so did everyone else who was paying attention.  He’s not worth it.”

Jake continued chewing.

“Besides,” she said.  “I have some good news and some bad news.  The good news is lunch if on me, and if you’re a good boy and eat all tha,t I have blackberry cobbler for dessert.”

Jake smiled, brows wagging, and took a big bite.

She rolled her eyes.  “The bad news is Rina’s on her way over.”  Smiling, she walked toward the waiting customer.

Rina McMyers, town vet, high school friend, and one time lover, took Kelly’s place on the bench opposite him.  They were the same age but Rina didn’t look a day past thirty.  Her white porcelain skin was crease-less, her red hair a perfect frame.  As always when he saw Rina up close, memories of tangled sheets, sweaty bodies, and the cinnamon of her perfume assailed him.

Jake held out his hand.  “Rina if this is about…”

“What?”  Rina smiled.  “The leg?  Pfft.  Old news Jake.  I probably know more about it than you do anyway.”

He took a bite of his sandwich and shrugged.  Mouth full, his blue eyes were all attention.

Rina flipped a strand of red hair over her shoulder and took a pack of cigarettes from her purse.  “Mind if I smoke?”

Jake raised an eyebrow but kept chewing.

“Damn.”  She sighed.  “Can you believe this stupid state passed a no smoking law?  Bunch of suburban house wife fascists.”

Jake chuckled and took another bite.

Rina put the cigarettes back in her purse.  She leaned forward so the other patrons couldn’t overhear.  “Seriously Jake I need you to check something out.”

Jake swallowed and took a sip of water.  “Rina if this is about your difference of opinion with someone round here, about how they should treat their animals…”

She cut him off.  “It’s nothing like that Jake.  I know you’re busy with this whole leg thing.  I imagine it is keeping you busy anyway?”

Jake shrugged.

“Tight lipped as ever I see,” Rina sighed.  “Whether you are busy or not, I want you to do me a favor.”

“What is it Rina?”  Jake asked.

“Angela Davey,” she said and sat back.

“Davey?”  Jake repeated.  “Why does that name sound so familiar?”

Rina growled and leaned forward on the table.  “Because you big dummy she has five kids and lives in a shack outside town.  When we were together you used to drive me out there to drop off groceries?”

It all came back in a flash, Rina sitting beside him in the truck with the windows down, red hair blowing, holding a bag of groceries.  The white clap board house with an outhouse in the back.  The dirty faces and grass-less yard.  “I thought she only had three kids.”

Rina sighed.  “Just because I haven’t had sex since we broke up doesn’t mean everyone else stopped too Jake.  Come on.  Has Sally’s new boobs distracted you from reality?  She had three when we were together.  Now she has five.”

“You’re striking the wrong tone Rina if you want my help,” Jake said and took the last bite of his sandwich.

“Yeah well you’re lucky it’s just a tone I’m striking,” Rina smirked.  “I want you to send someone out to check on the kids, or do it yourself.  You know Angela refuses any kind of aid.  Gah it’s so frustrating, I’ve offered to take those kids more times than I can count.  Hell I even offered to let her live with me in that big old house my folks left.  But nope.  When she needs money she dresses herself up and heads to Baker Street Bar.  One of these yahoos are always willing to give her cash for trade, if you know what I mean.  ”

“Which explains why she has 5 kids and no husband,” Jake said.  He wondered briefly if Deputy Adams was aware of this bit of solicitation.  He made a mental note to askr.

“She can’t afford a doctor when those kids get sick and wouldn’t use one if she could,” Rina said.  “So she brings them to me.  Now I ask you, what the hell am I supposed to do with a sick child?”

“Take them to the doctor?” Jake offered.

Rina slapped a hand across her eyes and dragged it down her face.  “You think she’s gonna let me take her kids to the doctor when she won’t do it?”  She waived her hand.  “No, no, it doesn’t matter.  Listen, she brought the third child, Elie, in to see me with a broken arm a couple months ago.  Said he fell.  I set it, no big deal.  But this morning she brought him to me again.  This time, broken leg, and two hand size bruises on his neck.”

Jake grimaced.  “You think she’s hurting the boy?”

Rina gave a long suffering sigh.  “No Jake!  She loves those kids in her own way.  She’s moved a real piece of work in with her and I think he’s doing it.  I’m afraid for little Elie.  He is only six Jake and seen so much meanness in the world.”

Ah, there it was, finally, the real reason for the whole conversation.  Most folks in town considered Rina at best a big mouth, at worst a trouble maker.  She loved animals with a passion and often publicly humiliated anyone foolish enough to mistreat or neglect one.

But Jake knew her biggest secret.  She adored children.  One of the reasons they split, besides the fact her mouth drove him nuts, was her inability to produce children.  She was certain he would want children later and broke it off.  Ironic that.  Sally never intended on procreating. 

“I am heading out toward the Ward’s later.  If I remember right that shack is somewhat on the way.  I’ll stop in and check on the boy.”  Jake offered.

“Oh he’s not there,” Rina said.  “I convinced his mother he needed constant care, not being able to get around and all.  He’s staying with me and Trayleen.”

Trayleen was a chef and friend Rina took in some years ago from Minnesota, something about a breakdown.  Jake remembered the woman’s soft spoken manner and quiet presence.  He didn’t know she was still in Jude.  He shook his head surprised at how out of touch he was. 

“Ok Rina.  I will stop by and check things out.”  Jake said.

Rina hopped up and gave Jake a quick peck on the cheek.  Her hand cupped his chin.  “You are a good man Jake Steel.  I shoulda married you instead of letting Sally High Brow beat me to it.”

Jake started to respond but she pressed a warm finger against his lips, sparkle in her eye.  “Don’t.”  She gave her best Scarlett O’Hara impression.  “Tis better the words of adoration seeking release from your lips are thus silenced.   Lest we are unable to turn back.”  She raised a weak wrist to her forehead.  “I shall go.”  She ruffled his hair, gave him a wink, and walked away.

Jake laughed out loud.  God, he still loved that woman.

Kelly placed a bowl of blackberry cobbler with heavy whipped cream on the table before him.  He spent the next ten minutes in heaven.

Chapter 6

On the way back to the station, Maso Raila stopped him in front of the boarded up Barber Shop.

“Been looking for you Jake,” he said.  “Got a minute?”

Jake smiled.  “Sure Maso, always good to see you.”

“Come on I have some cool drinks in the back of my truck,” Maso said.  They walked the few feet to the back of Maso’s green pick up.  Maso opened a cooler and pulled out two bottles of water, then dropped the tail gate so they could sit.  Jake didn’t often wear his hat, and today was no exception.  The sun baked the top of his head.

“How’s Wanda and the kids?”  Jake asked.  Maso smiled.  Wanda and Maso Raila were part of Jake’s group of friends in high school.  After graduation Maso married Wanda and continued training to take over the family ranch, the biggest in the area.

Maso’s grandfather was full blooded Pima Indian.  That blood reflected in his grandson’s reddish brown skin and long black hair.  He wore it in the native fashion, pulled up with a leather thong.  Today a white feather hung from underneath the Stetson atop his head.

“Wanda is good, kids are almost grown.” Maso said.  “How is Sally?”

Jake smiled.  “Great.”

A bone white smile split his red brown face.  “You have to bring her for dinner soon Jake.  We haven’t seen much of you since the wedding.”

Jake sighed.  “Sorry about that Maso.  She was working long hours in Prescott the first year or so, then started working in Kingman.  She lives there during the week.  I only see her on the weekends, and we, don’t get out much.”

Maso nodded in understanding.  “Whenever you can make it is fine Jake.  Wanda would love to see you both.”

Longing pierced Jake’s breast.  Maso was his best friend, best man at his wedding to Sally,  and he missed spending time with him.  He would talk to Sally tonight, before she left.  Something needed to change.  They were missing too much.

Maso gave a little laugh.  “As much as I like ya Jake, I didn’t stop to ask you to dinner.”

“What’s up?”  Jake asked.

“Well,” Maso said.  “I’m not sure.  You know that little watering hole on the back of my land, between Miller’s place and Doc G’s?

“Yeah, I thought it dried up years ago,” Jake said.

Maso nodded.  “It did.  I think the underground well that fed it went dry.”  He took a sip of water, white feather dancing on his shoulder.  “I came across something pretty disturbing the other day when riding back there.  I found four stakes in the ground with rope tied to each, and a ripped shirt about the size of a little boy.  There were small hand prints in the dirt, and some abnormally deep soled adult boots.”

Jake’s heart sank.  “Anything else?”

Maso shook his head.  “No, no, that’s all.  It could be kids playing games, or it could be something more sinister.  Considering what has gone on around here the last few days I thought it’d be wise to let you know about it.”

Jake nodded.  “You seen anyone strange around your property?”

“No, no,” Maso said.  “I take on occasional day laborers, and some of them are pretty rough.  And I run kids partying off from time to time, but nothing out of the ordinary.”

Jake’s gut was talking to him.  “What’s the nearest family with kids round you?  I mean nearest to that watering hole?”

Maso rubbed his chin.  “Well Doc G’s daughters are all gone but one, and she’s in high school.  I don’t believe we have any small children around my ranch, oh wait, yes we do.”  His dark eyes met Jakes.

“The Davey Children?”  Jake finished.

Maso nodded.

“I’m going out there to check on things today Maso,” he said.

“Good,” Maso stood.  “I have to go, we are mending fences today.”

Jake followed his lead.  “It was good to talk with you my friend,” he shook Maso’s hand, turned and headed for the station.

Cesar greeted Jake at the front door of the police station.

“Hey there boy,” Jake squatted to rub the German Sheppard’s head and back.  “You tired of being inside?  Wanna take a ride?” 

Deputy Adams spoke from the reception counter.  “It’d do him good.  He’s driving me crazy.”

Jake gave him a final pat and stood.  “The leg was on Ike’s property.”

Deputy Adams nodded.  “I know.  Sheriff Carr dropped off this report in which he clearly states it was on Ike’s property.”

Jake nodded.  “He can clearly state it, and rub my nose in it, because he knows I am not getting the case.”

Deputy Adams nodded.  “Yeah, I read that too.  Was the meeting, bad?”

Jake laughed.  “If you consider his parting words to me were ‘go to hell asshole’, bad, then yeah I’d say it was.’”

Tracy’s eyes widened.

Jake stretched.  “I’ve played catch up all day on this case,” he said.  “Now I think I will ride out to Angela Davey’s place and check on things.  Which reminds me, did you know Angela is pulling tricks out of Baker Street Bar?”

Deputy Adams shrugged.  “I don’t think she takes money for sex Sheriff.  Men probably give her money though.  Everyone in town knows she needs it.  But I don’t think she is taking it for sex.  I can check it out if you want.”

“Just keep an eye out,” Jake said.

“I’m taking the cruiser unless you have a call,” Jake said.

Tracy shook her head.  “I am copying this theft report for the Ward’s.  I was going to run it out to them later.  They were pretty upset, some of Mrs. Ward’s family jewelry was taken.”

“Make it, I’ll wait.  The Davey place isn’t far from the B and B.  I’ll take it to them.”  Jake said, thinking a chat with the two agents was in order.

He leaned against the counter while Tracy started up the copy machine, her back to him.

“I want you to know I thought about what you said in the car Sheriff,” Tracy said without turning around.  “And I appreciate it.”

Jake smiled.  “Does that mean the Viking will get his date?”

Tracy shrugged.  “He called a little while ago, apologized for making me uncomfortable.  Says in his line of work he sees all kinds of injuries, and judging from the scars on my face, I shouldn’t be alive.  Thinks there’s a reason I’m alive and single.  He’s pretty arrogant.”

She placed the original on the glass, closed the lid, and hit the copy button.  “But I already knew that.”  The machine whirred and hummed and produced two copies of the theft report.  She picked them up and brought them to the counter.  “His mother is from Australia, he’s some sort of progeny.  We’re going to a concert in Phoenix this weekend.”

Tracy handed Jake the reports.  There in her face, was something he never thought to see.  Hope.

Jake smiled.  “Good.  That’s very good.”

“You don’t mind pulling the weekend?”  Tracy asked.

Jake laughed.  “Not a bit.”

“Thanks Jake,” she said and smiled.