Chapter Eleven
Ethan
When I arrived at Buck’s Steakhouse after dropping Andrea off at the real estate office where she worked, Smoke, Coop and Luke were already waiting for me. Bucks didn’t open for another couple of hours, but everyone had graciously agreed to take time out of their day to meet me there.
“Thanks for meeting with me at such short notice,” I said by way of greeting.
“’S no trouble,” Smoke said, in his usual gruff voice. “We were getting ready to open.”
“Sorry about dinner last night,” Luke said. “Been thinking I should have kept my mouth shut. I know how Andrea gets about our father.”
I shrugged. “Maybe that apology would be better directed at her?”
Luke ducked his head and murmured, “Sure.”
“You got anymore news about the FBI?” Coop asked.
I heaved a sigh. “No, nothing you don’t already know. There are a couple of things I wanted to speak to you about though—and both are things I think you can help me with as it happens.”
“What do you need?” Coop asked.
“Firstly, I need to ask you about Marty Holden’s poaching issue. I got called over there again last night. He lost another doe.”
“Fuck, Smoke bit out. How many’s that now. Five?”
“Six,” I corrected. “Forty thousand dollars worth.”
Coop let out a low whistle. “You got any suspects?”
“Not a one. I was hoping you or Smoke might have heard some whispers from someone drunk and stupid.”
“Sorry, Ethan,” Smoke said. “I hate poachers. Nothing but common thieves. If I’d have heard something, you’d have been the first to know.”
“I figured as much,” I said. “But it was worth a shot. You’ll keep your ears out for me.”
“Of course,” Coop said. “I hear anything, I’ll call you.”
Smoke nodded. “We don’t serve Venison here, too fancy for my table, but I’ll have a chat to my supplier, see if they’ve been offered any animals lately. Whoever is stealing those deer has to be offloading them somewhere.”
“Thanks, Smoke. I’d appreciate that. My second bit of business today has got to do with our drug problem in Creede.”
Coop sat forward in his seat. “What’s shaking, bro.”
“Well, as you know, it went quiet around here after we got Ryker locked up. Didn’t have any more cases like Arlene’s for a while.”
Coop frowned. “You saying the dealers are back in business around here?”
“Afraid so. I got a call this morning from a doctor at the hospital. I’m heading over there as soon as I’m done here. There’s been another overdose. I want you to keep this under your hats until I get a chance to interview everyone and talk to the family, but it was Mike Lassiter’s kid, Stephen. He didn’t make it.”
There was a chorus of curses.
“The doctor told me it was the same thing that happened with Arlene. The boy’s girlfriend said he never took too much. Must have been laced with something lethal. I can’t tell you how important it is that we catch Steele and put a stop to this situation before I get more dead bodies on my hands.”
“I want to catch that fucker as much as anyone,” Luke spat.
“We’re here for you,” Coop said. “We’ll help in any way we can.”
Smoke nodded. “Just say the word. I’m at your disposal.”
I nodded. “Thanks, boys. I appreciate it.”
“That it?” Coop asked.
I scrubbed a hand over the stubble on my chin. “There’s one more thing. Andrea told me this morning that she’d like you to drop the security detail and I gotta say, she made some valid points.
“This morning?” Coop said with a grin. “Shit. You work fast.”
Luke glared at him. “Fuck, Coop. That’s my fucking sister you’re talking about. Shut your mouth.” He turned his penetrating gaze on me. “You hurt my sister and I’ll kick your fucking ass, we clear sheriff?”
I nodded. “Of course. It goes without saying.”
“Been wondering about the security detail myself,” Coop said. “I can’t see that she’d be a target. After what happened to Luke, everything was raw and I didn’t want to take any chances, but if Steele is going to come after anyone, I reckon it will be me.” He grimaced. “Or Faith.”
“You good with dropping Andrea’s guard, Luke?” I asked.
“Yeah. I wish we could be more certain of that asshole’s intentions, but we can’t keep the brothers on babysitting duty indefinitely so I guess I gotta be good with it. Just hope we’re not making a huge mistake.”
“Yeah, you and me both.”
“I’ll let the brothers know they’re done watching her.”
“Thanks, Coop. I’ll call Andrea and tell her the news.”
“Tell her to watch her back,” Luke said. “Now more than ever.”
“Will do.”