Page 68 of Heart of the West

“No, I’m his great, great, great, great, grandson. Five generations of law enforcement, son. Fuck around and find out how a small town sheriff takes out the trash.”

Chapter 41

Effrem

I stroked the back of Ruby’s hand with my thumb. I’m so damned proud of her for staying calm and for trusting me with the sparkling cider. This one is a mixture of peach and apple. She liked it best on New Year’s day when Xavier made faux mimosas for everyone with it.

Jessi’s already blowing up my phone about having a baby shower and am I going to turn the guest room into a nursery. When is Ruby moving in and when am I going to get off it and ask her already. All things my daughter has texted me in the last week.

I watch Roger’s body language throughout the confrontation. I sent a text to Boyd as soon as he showed up. He’s wanted for questioning as a suspect in the bakery fire. Blow hard was fine bullying Ruby. The moment I step in, sweat beads at his brow.

I top off Ruby’s glass. She smiles and takes another long drink before smiling at Roger.

“It’s just like you to throw something good away.”

Barb thrown at Ruby and turns his attention to me.

“I guess you’re not the father, or do you care about FASD?”

“Let me set a few things straight, Buffet, but first, what do you think you know, and where did you get the information?”

He smirks. “Wouldn’t you like to know. I have a copy of blood test results confirming one Ruby Buffet is pregnant. You lose! Everything.”

I squeeze Ruby’s hand to let her know I got this.

“Not according to the real prenup. You’re legally separated, which allows both of you to see others without breaching the prenup. Problem is Roger, you stepped outside your marriage on multiple occasions. I have the exact number in a file. The same file that the judge has seen, along with the state's attorney and several federal officials.

“Also, I should point out. I’m the father of three, soon to be four. Something you can’t say, Roger, because you’re the one that’s sterile.”

Ruby gasps beside me. Roger’s face turns red. He’s about to blow. The last is an educated guess. Unlike him, Gillian didn’t break any laws to get medical records. She also didn’t tell me what she found in his medical records. Not until she can meet with Ruby.

“How dare you throw out false accusations. I’ll sue you for defamation.”

“It’s only defamation if it's false. Is it false?”

“It’s none of your business. You’re still letting a pregnant woman drink.”

“First, Ruby does what she wants. It’s not about me letting her or not. Second, we’re drinking sparkling cider because I’m not an idiot. I thought enough about my girlfriend and our unborn child to have the restaurant prepare a cold bottle. Somehow I doubt you’d have that much forethought, not where it concerns someone else’s needs.

Before Roger replied, Deputies Boyd and Jeffries show up.

“Roger Buffet, you’re under arrest on suspicion of arson, conspiracy to commit a felony, and anything else I can think of.”

Boyd grabbed his hands and put it behind his back before he put the cuffs on him and read him his Miranda rights.

“I’ll be out in an hour. I’ll sue the city.”

“Good luck with that. Judge is out of town until next Tuesday. You’ll be a guest of Wolf Creek until then.” I say with a smile.

As Boyd leads Roger out in cuffs, our server delivers our appetizers. Deviled eggs with caviar, bacon wrapped dates, and charred Spanish octopus.

“Will you split the French onion soup and Lyonnaise salad with me?”

“I will. Do you know what you want for the main course?”

“Rack of lamb.”

“Good choice. I’m going with the steak and fries.”

---