Page 80 of Lawless Ride

Leaning on his cane, Billy came into the store behind us and gave Brenda a nod.

“What are you doing here, Billy? Get out of my store.”

“No. I’m working on this case, Brenda, and I have a right to be here.”

“I don’t want you in my personal space, Billy Johnson. Wait outside for your cop buddies.”

“Enough, Brenda. Answer the questions. Were you and your sister fighting over Ray Dangerfield?”

“Of course not. Glenda and I are twins, and we share everything.”

“So, you were sharing Ray?”

“I had him first but when I found out he was fooling around with Tanya Boyd and Josie Masters, I moved on to Billy.”

He was doing Josie Masters too? That was news. Four of them.

“What about after you and Billy broke up? Is that when you decided you wanted Ray back?”

Brenda shrugged. “Glenda was liking Ray a lot after you treated her like dirt, Sheriff. I figured I’d stand down and let my sister have some fun with Ray. He was great in the sack.” She turned with a sneer. “You couldn’t even come close, Billy Johnson. Ray was hung like a bull.”

“Enough of that,” I said. “What made Glenda mad enough to kill Ray? Something must have set your sister off.”

“Don’t know what was going on with Glenda and Ray. Like I said, I took a step back when I found out what Ray was doing with Tanya and Josie at the same time.”

“What exactly was he doing, Brenda? Ray was a single guy and he liked lots of women. You knew that all along and so did Glenda. The two of you must have talked about it.”

“Glenda talked about Ray and nothing else. She was obsessed with him, and she was determined to have him all to herself. She wouldn’t kill him. She loved him.”

“We found the murder weapon at her house,” I said. “That’s pretty strong evidence that she did kill him, Brenda.”

“Don’t know why she would. I think you have the wrong person.” A customer came in and Brenda left the counter to help the lady find what she was looking for.

I left a card on the front counter, and we went outside.

“What did you think, Billy? Was she lying?”

“Hard to tell, but every time she mentioned Glenda there was something in her voice. They might have been fighting over Ray. Just a guess.”

Driving back to the station I thought about my list. Brenda was off for now, but I had lots left for tomorrow.

Josie Masters – about Ray and Tanya

Art Andrews – about beating me and Harlan up

Hannah Hargrove – about mustangs she might have in her corral

Tammy and Lucy – about how sorry I am

Wild Stallion Ranch.

After another grueling day with me and Harlan beat to shit, we brought Billy home to the ranch. When I saw Savanna’s truck parked in front of the house, my tired heart beat a little faster. Maybe today would be saved after all.

Billy declined help getting up the steps with his cane and we waited while he managed to get to the door and go inside on his own. He had improved slightly, but not nearly enough to work.

I can’t see him ever coming back as sheriff.

The kitchen smelled great, like somebody who knew what they were doing was cooking. Savanna was over by the stove, and I gave her a hug. After holding her perfect body close to mine fora little longer than I should have, she held me at arm’s length and stared at my face.

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