Page 15 of Murder at Rescue Ridge

“Call me Hank,” Mr. Zilker said. “And follow me.”

Hank turned toward the cabin. Turning his back to Conrad was a sign of trust. He appreciated the gesture.

They followed Hank inside. Irene was busy in the kitchen. She turned long enough to wave them inside with a wide smile on her face.

“You’re Harrison Guidry’s girl,” Hank said as he motioned for them to take a seat at the kitchen table.

“Yes, sir.”

“Hank,” he insisted.

“Could I use your restroom?” Nikki asked.

“Yes, of course,” Irene said. “I’ll show you. There are supplies in there that you’re welcome to use.”

Nikki smiled, and he could swear the temperature in the room warmed a couple of degrees.

“You’re in trouble,” Hank said as the coffee machine finished working its magic.

“Yes, I am.”

“I know you, Conrad,” Hank said. “You’re a fine person. You wouldn’t hurt another soul unless it was self-defense.”

“Thank you for your confidence in me.” Would the rest of Saddle Junction feel the same or assume Conrad was as bad as his father? “How’s Jake?”

“You know, living in Dallas now,” Hank said with a shrug. “Prefers the city to being out here in the sticks, as he calls it. Says there’s a whole lot more to do in Dallas than in Saddle Junction.”

Conrad knew Jake’s opinions of their hometown. He was making conversation. “Does he get back here often?”

“No,” Hank said. “We usually make the drive on the first Sunday of the month to see him and have lunch. I don’t much like the traffic, but it makes my wife happy.”

Conrad smiled. “You know what they say, ‘Happy wife, happy life.’”

Speaking of Irene, she returned to the kitchen, rubbed her hands together, and said, “Who wants breakfast?”

“Sounds like heaven to me,” Conrad said as he took the mug of fresh brew being handed to him.

“I hope you’re hungry.” Irene’s words were from the angels themselves.

“I could eat.”

Hank reclaimed his seat and clasped his hands around his coffee mug. “Tell me what’s going on…why they’re searching for you.”

Conrad gave a quick rundown. Quick, because he didn’t know a whole helluva lot. Hank nodded a time or two.

Then came, “I never much liked Harrison Guidry,” Hank said with a disgusted grimace.

“You never much liked Beaumont either,” Conrad pointed out. It was one of the reasons he trusted Hank.

“No, I did not. I’m sorry for your loss, though.”

“He wasn’t much of a father, so it’s easy to move on.”

Nikki joined them a moment later, and Conrad rose to excuse himself to freshen up in the bathroom.

“I laid out supplies for you, too,” Irene said, her smile widening. “In case you wanted to freshen up.”

“Much appreciated,” he said before heading to the restroom.

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