Page 3 of Barry

Barry blinked and then shrugged. “When you say it like that, it sounds like I’m crazy.”

“I don’t use that term, nor did I suggest you were. I’m trying to understand your thought process.” Doc Wheeler smiled at him when Barry shot a look at the guy.

“It was a Flying H sledgehammer that was used at the stockyard. One I had in the back of my truck. No one can explain how it got from my truck to the stockyard. Other pieces of evidence point to me, and yet someone is trying to hurt me by poisoning my dog. Then there are the shots fired at Tegan and me and the missing pylon. None of that can be explained unless you factor in the fact Fish could be alive, and he could be coming after me.”

“I can’t explain what happened to the marker.”

“Pylon,” Barry corrected.

“Pylon,” Doc Wheeler amended. “Or the other things. How would Fish know where you are?”

Barry shook his head. “I don’t know.” He’d floated around the country and ended up in Hollister as a last resort. Andrew had given him that chance, and he’d be damned if he’d fuck it up. He wouldn’t get another one.

Doc Wheeler spoke, “I can tell you these types of incidents would concern me if I were in your shoes.”

Barry snapped his head up and looked at the doctor. “Really?”

“Hell, yes,” Doc Wheeler said. “Even if the pylon wasn’t meant for you, who took it down, and how did they do it with all the cops on top of that bluff? The entire town watched them swarm the area. The fact someone took the sledgehammer out of your truck is concerning. Who and how? You have every right to be concerned, as do the rest of us.”

“Those are the exact questions I’m asking myself. Do you see now why I question if Fish is actually dead?” Barry hoped like hell that last bout of doubts and self-hatred wasn’t something he’d manufactured.

The doctor opened his mouth and then closed it. He repositioned in the chair before speaking. “I can see why you have questions. But … whoever did this can’t be Fish. The man is dead. The government has buried him.”

Barry lifted an eyebrow and cocked his head. “And the government hasnevergotten anything wrong before. Right?”

Doc Wheeler’s laughter wasn’t what he expected. “Has anyone ever told you that you are a very smart man?”

Barry flinched. “No.” He swallowed hard. He’d been called many things in his life, but smart was not one he remembered.

Doc Wheeler pointed at him. “We’ll talk aboutthatreaction on another visit. But for now, we’ll admit there are too many questions to be answered. You understand the fact that what has been happening around here, all the suspicions and activities, have been, for some reason, pointing the blame at you. The people who matter know it wasn’t you. The others are noise. With this in mind, there are a few things I want you to work on until our next appointment.”

Barry dropped his head back and stared at the ceiling. “I hate this part.”

“I know.” Doc Wheeler chuckled. “But it is the part that gets you out of that pit of anger.”

“Then hit me with it, Doc.” He had a beautiful woman he was falling in love with who deserved to see him like he once was, not the freak show he was currently. She was his to lose, and he’d make damn sure he never did a thing to make her walk away.

CHAPTER 2

Kathy Prentiss pulled up in front of her small home on the very southern edge of Hollister. She grabbed her grade book and the stack of tests she had to transcribe into the school's computer program and got out of her old truck. It wasn’t anything flashy, but her dad had made sure it was well-maintained, and after she’d totaled her car this past winter, she was happy to have the truck. She opened the door to her house, and Mitzi, her Sheltie, sprang out the door and barked happily. “Hello to you, too.” She laughed, and Mitzi sprinted to the backyard to do her business.

She left the door open so the dog could come back inside, then dropped her paperwork onto the table. Mitzi came back in and danced around her as she poured herselfa glass of iced tea. After giving her dog a treat, they both headed for the bedroom. Kathy changed into worn jeans, an old t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers that had seen many better days. The soles of the shoes were actually duct taped to the top. They both headed outside. She grabbed a tennis ball and a launcher on the way out the door. Mitzi bounced a foot off the grass as she waited for the ball to be tossed. Kathy whipped the launcher through the air and watched the yellow ball fly into the land bordering her property. Mitzi retrieved the ball at least ten times before a car she knew well pulled up in the drive. The ball was instantly forgotten as Mitzi went to greet her grandma.

“Oh, there’s my baby puppy.” Kathy’s mom, Lorna, grabbed the dog and lifted her up into her arms. “How is my grand puppy today?”

“Hey, Mom.” Kathy bent down and grabbed the tennis ball, putting it back into the launcher. “What are you doing out this way?”

“I just got back from Rapid. The material and thread you wanted are in the back seat. You’ll have to get it. Mitzi and I are having a moment.”

“You should have taken one of her pups.” She didn’t know the dog was pregnant when she’d bought her from a breeder in Rapid.

“Oh, you know I’m happy to have a grand puppy, but your dad and I are always on the go. I’ll pup sit when you need me to, though. Won’t I, beautiful girl?” Her momkissed Mitzi’s nose, and the dog sneezed. “Oh, I didn’t need that.” Her mom mopped at her face. “Now, I need to wash.”

Kathy retrieved the material and smiled at the assortment her mom had bought for her. Perfect. Five different shades of blue would make a beautiful quilt. Mitzi was trotting off with a chew stick as she entered the house. “You’re spoiling her.”

“I know,” her mom said as she dried her face with a paper towel. “So, who are you making that quilt for?”

“As if you don’t know.” Kathy could feel her face burn and knew she was as red as a radish.

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