Page 155 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“In addition to harassment and stalking, I see evidence of a smear campaign involving the Blackfield Daily News.” The mayor held up a newspaper. “They will testify you attempted to get them to write a negative article about the Sterlings.”
“But…” Mitzi countered.
“And the use of social media in an attempt to out them is additional evidence of your harassment campaign.”
“Mr. Mayor, these two are the ones with the campaign.” She aimed a raised arm at Wyl and Rod. “They attempt to pin all their troubles on me. I cannot be blamed for gay slurs painted on their ranch entrance structure or rocks thrown through the front window of their home.”
Jack spoke up. “What did you say, Mrs. Sterling?”
Mitzi glanced at the sheriff. “They try to blame me for their troubles.”
“No…the part about rocks thrown through their window.”
Mitzi nodded. “The rock with the note that saidyou’ve been warned. Why blame that on me?” A flash of ‘oh shit’ crossed her face, quickly replaced by a scowl. She attempted a cover with a hand on her hip to show indignation.
Jack pulled out his handcuffs again. “Mrs. Sterling, you are under arrest for destruction of property, collusion in the commission of the crime of arson, and unlawful harassment.”
Her indignation morphed into terror. Her eyes darted around the room. First at the commissioners, then at Rod and Wyl, then at the door. She bolted for the exit just as one of Jack’s deputies stepped into the doorway.
“Going somewhere, Mrs. Sterling?” The mayor asked.
Mitzi jerked her arms in the air to avoid cuffing. “You can’t arrest me. I have a ch…” She clamped her mouth closed.
“You have a what, Mrs. Sterling?” The mayor asked.
She shook her head and lowered her arms, staring at the floor.
Jack moved behind her and cuffed her wrists. “No information about the rock through the window or the location of the fire was ever made public. You could only know about it if you participated in the crime.”
“But…” Mitzi muttered to the floor.
Jack turned to Alfonso. “Mr. Ortega, given your history with the Sterling gentlemen and your association with Mrs. Sterling, I need you to come to the station for questioning.”
“I had nothing to do with those crimes,” he protested.
“Nevertheless, your threats during this meeting are enough grounds for questioning.”
One of Jack’s deputies stepped forward to usher Alfonso from the council chambers.
The mayor spoke up as Jack led Mitzi to the exit. “Mrs. Sterling, rest assured, your desire for this story to appear in the newspaper will come true. You can bet these proceedings will be in tomorrow’sBlackfield Daily News.” The mayor glanced toward Ken Markham, BDN reporter.
“Wyl and Rod, any future contact from Mrs. Mitzi Sterling or Mr. Alfonso Ortega is to be reported to both your attorney and the city attorney. This city will condone no further stalking, harassment, or extortion attempts from either party.”
Wyl stood and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Mayor.”
“That completes our agenda for this meeting.” The mayor banged his gavel on the desk, and everyone rose.
“Looks like your issues with Mitzi are over,” Sam said. “She certainly was determined to get her hands on a chunk of Sterling money. At least she will be out of commission for a while.”
Rod nodded. “You’re right, Sam. Whether she goes to trial remains to be seen, but I bet the stalking is over.”
“I wonder what she started to say at the end?” Wyl said. “Do you think she has a child?”
Rod chuckled. “If she does, poor kid. Can you imagine having Mitzi for a mother?”
* * *
Wednesday morning arrived. After showers and breakfast, they saddled up Sarge and Princess. Rod needed no help with Princess, and Wyl watched with pride as Rod expertly handled the saddling and bridling process.
They rode out to the bluff, where Wyl had taken Rod the first time he put him in a saddle. The view from the bluff was magnificent: the green spot in the valley where the spring flowed, the vast open prairie, the mesas rising in the distance. And most of what they saw belonged to them.
They dismounted and stood admiring their land. “I love the view from this bluff,” Rod said softly, “but I love you more than anything.”
Wyl stood behind Rod and wrapped his arms around him. “Your love keeps me going, Roddy,” Wyl whispered. “This is all ours, and you belong here with me. As long as we’re alive, and the government doesn’t give us any nasty surprises, this is home, and we are safe here.”
So much had happened in the past year. Just over one year ago, Rod had never heard of Wyl Sterling and was planning a long career at the college. And, figuring he would spend the rest of his life alone, he never envisioned having another partner. And now, he had the best husband ever, owned half of a large ranch, and had so much money it was scary. At least Mitzi was out of their lives for good…or at least for a few years. Given their challenges that year, was something else waiting to haunt them? Fingers crossed, he was just being paranoid. Rod could hardly wait for his first uninterrupted autumn on the ranch with Wyl.
THE END
