Page 45 of Silos and Sabotage

“Funny. I figured you just liked the sound it makes,” Gage grated out.

“That, too.” Johnny took a running leap onto the end of Gage’s desk, swinging his legs conversationally. “I have a proposition.”

“No.” Gage pointed at the door. He was in no mood for another bet, especially one his opponent was almost guaranteed to lose.

“You owe me a rematch,” Johnny argued. “I wore your stupid gas mask for over an hour yesterday. I earned the right to redeem myself.”

Gage wasn’t sure there was any redemption for the perpetual prankster. “I’m running out of ways to torture you.”

“Somehow, I doubt that,” Johnny chuckled. “So, here’s the deal.” He dropped his voice. “I’ve been doing a lot of hanging out with the locals lately?—”

“Code words for partying,” Gage interjected. “From what I’ve heard.”

“Lemme finish.” Johnny glanced toward the door. “Get a load of what one of the Bolanders’ grain operators let slip after a few too many frothy beverages last night.”

Gage’s interest was thoroughly piqued. “Lay it on me.”

“There are two abandoned steel silos in one of the back pastures at Bolander & Sons.”

“Okay.” He wasn’t sure what was so big about that.

“The ranch hands swear it’s haunted.” Johnny looked fascinated by the notion.

Gage made a mental note to go check it out on his next visit to the ranch. “You’re telling me this because?”

“Because I want you to dare me to capture some video footage of an actual ghost.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Gage glanced toward his computer screen. He had real work to do that wasn’t going to do itself.

“You don’t think I can do it?” Johnny puffed out his chest. “Or are you afraid that I can?”

“I don’t believe in ghosts.” Gage’s interest in the conversation was fast waning. He sat at his desk and reached for his keyboard. He had emails to catch up on and a few reports to file.

“Then you’re at a very low risk of wearing my biggest belt buckle for a full twenty-four hours, including bedtime,” his coworker wheedled.

Gage flicked a bored look at him. “How big are we talking about?”

“Seven inches wide and just shy of five inches tall.” Johnny sounded smug. “Solid silver plate with a solid gold bucking bull on it.”

That was one massive belt buckle. It also sounded valuable. “One of your big wins, I assume?”

“My biggest win,” Johnny affirmed. “Since I couldn’t possibly top it, I retired the next day.” He hopped off of Gage’s desk. “Whelp. I’m off to go capture me a ghost.”

“Good luck with that.” Gage didn’t look up as Johnny swaggered back toward the door.

“While I’m at it, you can be coming up with a suitable punishment if I lose again.” Johnny stepped through the doorway.

Gage gave him an exasperated look. “I haven’t yet agreed to—” He stopped talking when he saw the doorway was empty.

Johnny’s ghost hunt had already begun.

Chapter 9: Unlikely Allies

Monday

“Idon’t recall signing up for this,” Johnny Cuba grumbled. He was holding the leash of one of the two Golden Doodles Ella was walking at the lake’s edge.

“Shh!” She teasingly held a finger to her lips. “You’ll hurt Ollie’s and Daisy’s feelings if they hear you.” They were siblings from the same litter. Unfortunately, they’d been abandoned by a young couple who’d gotten divorced and left town without them.

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