Evan woke early on Saturday morning with the sun shining bright. It had rained the night before so the sun reflected off the water still on the grass. A few days had passed since the last time he and Ginger went for a ride and he wanted to surprise her before it got too hot. He packed them a picnic breakfast before he messaged George, the hand working the weekend, to saddle two horses. When he walked into their room, the bed was empty so he waited for her to come out of the bathroom. She still looked sleepy as she walked toward him.

“Morning beautiful,” he said as he kissed his spot.

“G’morning,” she mumbled.

“Get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”

“Mmm. I usually like the ones you give me in bed.”

Evan chuckled. “You’ll like this one too, but you gotta wake up to enjoy it.”

Ginger turned around and walked back into the bathroom where she washed her face. When she returned, he was slipping on his boots. “Hurry up. I’ll be waiting in the kitchen.” When she walked into the kitchen, Evan had a thermos and travel mugs, breakfast sandwiches, and a cut apple ready to go.

“We’re going on a ride?”

“Yes. George has the horses waiting.”

Ginger’s face lit up as she hurried to the door. They walked to the barn hand in hand, but by the time they made it to the corral she was skipping like a girl. Evan shook his head because he didn’t think he’d ever tire of watching how excited she became. “Go tell them good morning while I pack the saddle bags and find a blanket.” As Evan was walking into the barn, George came out. “Morning,” Evan said.

“Morning. What do I need to do today, Mr. Riverton?”

“Ride the perimeter of the property. We’re going down by the river for breakfast then we’ll be back. Mitchell should be up shortly. If you see anything suspicious, let one of us know. Make sure the herd is safe and take a rifle with you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Evan loaded his horse as they had before, then helped Ginger onto hers. Just as they’d discussed last week, they only let the horses walk. From time to time they pranced like they wanted to run, but he and Ginger kept them reined in. “She wants to run, and I want to run with her,” Ginger said looking at Evan.

“I know, but let’s not do that until we know. I’ll have George work them harder when we get back. Seems you aren’t the only one with extra energy these days,” he said with a smirk on his face.

Ginger’s mouth fell open. “I can’t believe you just said that.” She cocked her head and sassily said, “I could’ve taken care of myself and not told you. Maybe that’s what I’ll do next time.”

Evan guided his horse close enough to hers that he could hold her saddle. “That better never happen. You always come to me. I’ll always take care of you,” he said with a determined expression. “Always.” He quickly kissed her before the horses drifted apart.

They leisurely walked to the spot where they usually left the horses to finish the walk to the boulder. He knew Ginger loved this spot. With the river rolling in the background, they enjoyed a cup of coffee, and as Ginger was unpacking the food Evan’s phone rang.

Without taking his eyes off Ginger he said, “Riverton.”

“Evan.”

“Hey, Thomas. Everything okay?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. Someone needs to talk but not to local law enforcement. Are you available?”

“I’m down by the river having breakfast with Ginger. We’re on horseback, but I can be back at the house in a couple of hours. How does that work?”

“I’ll have him there.”

“Thomas, what’s going on?”

“Too much to discuss now. It’ll be better face to face.”

“Okay man. See you soon.” Evan disconnected the call and wondered what he’d gotten himself into.

“Everything all right?” Ginger asked.

“I don’t know. Thomas is bringing somebody to the house that needs to talk to me.”

“Do we need to leave?”

“We’ve got time to eat. They won’t be here for a couple of hours.”

As they ate breakfast, Ginger kept scanning the bank on the other side of the river. Evan knew it was because of the man they’d seen the last time they were there. “Darlin, what are you looking for?”

“Just making sure we’re alone.”

“What you got in mind?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Seriously?”

“We don’t have time unless you wanna quickie.”

“I’d rather wait for later when we do have time.”

“Me too. I don’t wanna rush it.” He kissed her as he caressed her breast, “But you can think about it until later.”

“Hmm. I do believe that can be arranged.”

“From the sound of Thomas’s voice, today may not be a good day to play. We will soon, though.”

She entwined her fingers at the back of Evan’s neck. “I look forward to it,” she said with a sweet smile.

They packed their things and mounted the horses for their ride back. It was a slow ride, but they enjoyed their time. “Who do you think Thomas is bringing out?”

“I have no clue. He just said it was too much to discuss on the phone.”

“That’s cryptic.”

“I agree. I’m sure Mitchell will say the same thing.”

As they finally made their way to the barn, Evan sent George a text. He wasn’t back yet so Evan took the saddles off the horses while Ginger fed each a piece of apple. George would work them more when he returned and brush them down.

As they walked into the house Evan asked Ginger to let Mitchell know people were coming to the ranch while he took a shower. The water was still running when Ginger walked into their room. To Evan’s surprise she stepped into the shower. When they walked out of the bathroom, Evan only had a few minutes. Once he dressed, he pulled Ginger close. “Thank you. That was unexpected. I think we can both make it until tonight now.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Evan turned when he heard the banging on the door then Mitchell’s voice, “Evan, your visitors are here!”

“Thanks. I’ll be there in a minute,” he called back. “What are you gonna do while I’m gone?”

“Maybe lie down for a while.”

“I’ll be right down the hall. If you need me for anything, come get me. You’re my priority,” he said with a convincing stare.

“I will.”

Evan kissed her forehead before he left. When he opened the door, Mitchell was waiting for him with a look that made him uneasy. As they walked down the hall Mitchell whispered, “It’s Judge Bishop.”

“What?”

“He’s your unnamed visitor.”

“You gotta be shitting me.”

“Nope.” He shook his head for emphasis.

Evan gathered his composure and shifted gears, wondering what Judge Bishop wanted to talk about, but knowing he needed to stay open minded. When they reached the living room, Evan stretched to shake his hand. “Judge.”

“Good afternoon, Evan. Thomas, why are we here to speak with the Riverton boys?” The Judge inquired.

“We’re here for you to speak with Evan. You asked if I knew someone not with local law enforcement. Evan’s federal,” Thomas responded.

The Judge turned his attention back to Evan with raised eyebrows and wide eyes. “If you wanna speak with me as a federal agent, let’s move to the office. Right this way, gentlemen.” Evan led them down the hall and asked them to take a seat wherever they felt most comfortable as he closed the door behind them. The Judge walked straight to the far end of the sofa while Thomas stayed at the near end, and Evan grabbed a chair to face them. Once everyone seemed comfortable, he asked, “Judge, how can I help you?”

Thomas motioned for the Judge to start. After a few moments, the Judge produced a picture and handed it to Evan. He was looking at the kid who trespassed on their property a month or so back. After he’d taken a good look at the picture, he looked back to the Judge with expectation for him to continue even though he kept the photo.

“He’s my son,” Judge Bishop quietly said.

While Evan’s thoughts ran in different directions, he remained stoic. “Let me get a notepad. I may need to jot some things down as we go.”

He moved to the desk while he wrapped his head around the bomb that had just been dropped and wondered how many more were coming. When he returned he said, “Forgive me, but I never knew you had a child.”

The Judge nodded his head. “Not too many people did.”

“I don’t know how far you wanna go back so that I understand what’s going on, but you presided over Harley’s hearing. I need to understand where that came from.”

The Judge proceeded to tell Evan what he’d told Sheriff Cahill about Harley. Then he said, “He finished the technical college in Cloverville to be an auto mechanic and went to Jimmy’s garage looking for work. That’s where he met Richard Beal, and that’s when he started to change. Instead of getting a job with Jimmy, he hung out with Richard. Then these other fellas came into town. Jimmy introduced them to Richard and explained he could fix up their cars. One Sunday afternoon Harley came to the house and told me he’d found a job. He was excited about fixing these cars for some men from out of state and thought it was a good opportunity with great potential.”

“Did he know what these men did? Why they were in town?” Evan asked.

He shook his head. “I don’t think he did at that time. He liked the cars and guns, but stayed away from the drugs. He was adamantly against them because he saw what they did to his mother. I took him hunting a lot when he was growing up. I taught him about guns, how to shoot, to respect firearms, how to clean them. He wasn’t reckless with them because he knew he’d lose the privilege if he was.”

“If he was in town so much, how come Mitchell never saw him until that day on our property? He only saw that Camaro one other time, at Richard’s.”

“That car was a graduation gift. He wanted to fix it up himself, and he did. He had a motorcycle he drove until the car was ready. He worked on it with Richard at his garage until he finished it, so it wasn’t on the road often. That weekend was the first time he was able to really drive it so he brought it out to the house with such pride.”

“Okay, let’s back up. When did Harley learn what was happening?”

The Judge’s expression was pure apology. “He was in the car that tried to run over Ms. Gregory.”

“He told you about that?”

“Yes, he was scared. Richard wanted him to ride with them to see how this fella’s car was running they’d been working on. He wanted to see if Harley heard or felt something he didn’t, or so he said, which Harley took to mean Richard felt he was a good mechanic. It stroked his ego. Maybe he needed that.” The Judge shrugged a shoulder and shook his head. “I don’t know. Anyway, the next morning he came out to the house and explained what had happened. Like I said, he was scared. He heard the driver and Richard talking about the girl’s parents living next door to him. The driver made mention his boss wanting the property, and his job was to scare them into selling. At that point I knew I needed to get Harley away from this group.”

Evan noted that everything the Judge said matched Nathan’s account. “Why haven’t you come forward with any of this information?”

“He’s my son, Evan!” For the first time, the Judge showed real emotion, which he was never known for, so he took a minute before he continued, “We never changed his name so he could remain anonymous. If people knew who he was, they’d use him against me.” With a sad laugh he said, “The joke’s on me because they did anyway. I assume Harley told them who his father was. I think that’s why they kept him around and made sure he was with them when they tried to hurt Ms. Gregory.” He ran his hands down his face revealing the look of a mourning father.

Before the Judge could continue Evan said, “Thomas, would you get the Judge some water?” As Thomas reached the door Evan addressed the Judge. “Unless you need something stronger.”

“Water is fine, thank you,” he quietly said.

“Do you need to take a break? This can’t be easy,” Evan said as Thomas left the room.

“I just never thought I’d be blackmailed.”

“Blackmailed?”

The Judge moved around in his seat trying to find a more comfortable position. “That’s basically what it’s turned into. After the attempt on Ms. Gregory, Harley didn’t want to be in a car with the guy who drove that night. That’s when he started spending more time with Sam Booker. Since Harley knew drugs weren’t a temptation for him, Mr. Booker felt like the safer choice.”

“Why didn’t he just leave?” Evan asked.

“Pressure to have friends? The cars? Guns? Your guess is as good as mine. He saw the drugs and guns coming in and where they’d house them on Richard’s property. He told me what he saw, but I didn’t say anything because I was forming a plan to get him away when the trespassing happened. I thought it was perfect timing.” He took a deep breath and picked at a thread on his pants. “Our names were different. No one knew he was my child. So before the hearing, the prosecutor had told me about his deal with Harley to provide him information, and I knew that was a suicide sentence so I gave him the thirty days. I knew the reputation I have for handing out sentences that fit the crime, not necessarily what the law says. I was hoping by then I’d have a plan, or the police would’ve done something. At that time I didn’t know county officers were involved, too.”

“Excuse me? You know who’s dirty and you haven’t told anyone?” Evan’s eyes were big as saucers when he heard the door open. As Thomas handed them both a glass of water and took his seat, Evan got up. “Fuck, Judge! How deep are you in this shit?”

“I’m telling you now, aren’t I? I suspected, but didn’t know until yesterday. That’s when I was given that picture,” he said as he pointed to the picture still in Evan’s hand. “Deputy Smith brought it to me with a warning.” The Judge relayed everything that happened in his office from the day before until Thomas called him this morning.

“Son-of-a-bitch! How much did you know, Thomas?”

“Nothing until late last night. I called the Judge to tell him to come to the hospital, and mentioned the police were trying to find the next of kin. That’s when he told me he was the next of kin. He told me he wanted to speak to law enforcement that wasn’t local, so I called you the first chance I got this morning.”

“Do you think the Sheriff’s dirty, too?”

“No, I don’t think he suspects anything either, but he’s grooming Deputy Smith to take his job. I’m not sure you know, but Deputy Smith and Chief Curtis Taylor are cousins. They’ve been waiting for Smith to become Sheriff so they can rule the whole county. Harley told me he saw one of those out of town guys pay off Taylor. No one could pin Smith to anything until now.”

Evan looked at Thomas. “Was he already at the morgue or was he brought in while you were there?”

“When the Judge called, I had just come on shift and hadn’t made my rounds yet. I had called down to the morgue to see if any new white males had come in. At that time, I was told no. I can only assume he came in after I went on shift because a couple of hours later, one of the nurses said the Dr. Crosby had requested I come to the morgue as soon as I could get away.” Thomas leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees. “I saw a couple more patients before I went down. As soon as I walked in the door, Dr. Crosby told me a young man had arrived about a half hour before he had called. I knew it was Harley from seeing him here that day.” Thomas recounted all the facts that took place with the Sheriff.

“How’d he die?” Evan asked.

“It doesn’t appear to be suicide even though that was the initial thought. He was beaten pretty badly, enough so he wouldn’t have been able to put up a fight then injected with heroin, enough for an overdose. The official cause of death is blunt force trauma.” Thomas raised his eye brows before he continued, “The heroin was overkill. He was found leaned up against a stump in the swamp, but couldn’t have been there long because the gators would’ve gotten him before the drugs finished him off. Since gators brumate in the winter, they’re ready to feed this time of year. If a warm bleeding body was right there for the taking, they would’ve. I’m thinking the person that did this, or at least the one who called it in must’ve stayed and watched over him until the police arrived. When I finished the autopsy, Dr. Crosby called the Sheriff and I called the Judge.”

“Do you know who called it in? Who was the first to arrive on the scene?”

“I haven’t seen the official police report yet,” the Judge said. His tone was one of sadness mixed with anger.

“Judge, let’s get all of the reports before we jump to any conclusions. I’ve already got a call into a friend at the state police. Please don’t do something that’s gonna get you into more trouble. How deep do you think the corruption runs?”

“Harley told me about Curtis Taylor. He was definitely paid off by that Masterson Investments group. He also turned his head on crimes involving people Masterson Investments wanted to scare. That Dribble fella at the Zoning Department reported any activity on property Masterson Investments wanted to Curtis. At the very least, he was taking bribes. Now there’s the Deputy. I don’t have any evidence, but rumor has it something funny is happening at the bank. I don’t know, but that’s the scuttlebutt.”

“Let’s deal with what we know, not what we think we know. Where’s the money coming from? If Zoning is reporting back to Curtis, then Curtis has to get the money from somewhere to pay off the zoning guy. Deputy Smith used your son to blackmail you into silence. We need to find out who called in Harley’s body and which officer was first to respond. Was the body found in town or out? The swamp encompasses some of both.”

“I called the Sheriff’s department this morning while I waited to hear from Thomas. I was told I could pick up the police report on Monday,” the Judge said.

“I’m leaving town Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. I’ve gotta report back out west. I’ll make some calls before I leave and see what I can find out. Do you want me to call you directly, Judge? Or Thomas?”

“You can call me. Thomas has my number. Thank you for anything you can do,” the Judge said as he stood to shake Evan’s hand.

“You’re welcome, Judge.” When Evan shook Thomas’s hand, he nodded to let him know he did the right thing. He followed the men out then searched of Ginger. He needed to hold her. First, Masterson, then Ginger, and now this. What the hell was going on in this town? When the men left and Evan walked into the living room, his expression told Ginger, Mitchell, and Kayla the meeting was intense.

“Are you okay?” Ginger asked.

“Between the picture of you and the one I saw in there, someone is into photography. I know who took the one I saw in there, and he better start praying to a merciful god if he took the one of you.” He squeezed her tighter. “Darlin, I’m gonna have to do a little work over the next few days. We may not be able to leave until Tuesday morning. I’d like this settled before we go.”

“I understand.”

“How are you?” He kissed her on top of the head again.

“I’m good. The magazine called and is buying my article, so I’m excited about that. I couldn’t wait to tell you.” She smiled, but it wasn’t the smile that made her eyes dance.

“That’s good news. I knew they would.”

“What was that all about?” Mitchell asked.

“Did you talk to Roger?”

“Mitch was on the phone with him the whole time you were in the office. Y’all may have to replace a few boards in here from where he’s walked a groove in them,” Kayla said with a sad smile.

“Can you tell us what the hell that meeting was about? You’re not going to like what Roger had to say.” Mitchell’s patience had come to an end.

“I can’t tell you a lot, but what I can is what will hit the local news by Monday. Harley Youngener is dead. His body was found last night,” Evan said matter-of-factly.

Kayla and Ginger gasped while Mitchell’s hands went to the top of his head. “What?” he asked.

Evan nodded. “The kicker the news channels will salivate over is that Harley was Judge Bishop’s son,” he finished.

“You have got to be shitting me,” Mitchell said. “Suicide?”

“Doesn’t appear so.”

“What’s going to happen?” Mitchell asked.

“If an investigative team wasn’t dispatched to the scene last night, they’ve sent one out today even though the scene has probably been contaminated by now. I’m gonna call Ben again and let him know about this.” The weariness in his voice was unmistakable.

“Are you going to do that now?” Ginger asked him.

“Right after Mitchell tells me what Roger said.” Evan looked at Mitchell impatiently.

“Roger said that morning they drove the herd and didn’t get back until close to noon so they didn’t see anyone.”

“Fuck! When did people stop abiding by Posted signs?” Evan said as he ran his hand through his hair. “Is that all?”

“He said he didn’t notice any tracks, but then again he wasn’t looking for any either. I told him to keep watch on anything unusual.”

“Security system, Monday,” Evan said to Mitchell then turned to Ginger. “I need to make this call or I’ll think about it all night. I’m sorry, just a little longer,” he said. Defying his body, he kissed her softly then walked angrily down the hall.

Ginger called, “Do you need anything?”

“No, darlin’, I’m good.” He wanted this call over with so he could concentrate on her.

* * *

She watched him as he pulled out his phone and searched for a number. That was the life of a law enforcer’s wife. She was strong enough to handle being alone, but was she strong enough to survive if anything happened to him? If there was a little one growing inside of her, would she be strong enough for them? Tears stung her eyes.

“You really do care for him, don’t you?”

Ginger faced Kayla. “I know it’s hard to believe because sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming, but I do love him. I want to make a life with him, whether it’s here or Iowa or wherever. He’s honestly the only man I can see myself growing old with.”

“I’ve never seen him with a girl the way he is with you,” Mitchell said. “Thank you for making him happy.”

A saucy smile spread across her face. “My pleasure.” When Ginger looked up, Evan was walking toward her. “That didn’t take long,” she said.

“Because he’ll be here tomorrow. I’m sorry, darlin’.”

“It’s fine. That’ll give me time to start another article. Do you need any laundry done? I can help get your clothes ready for your trip.”

Mitchell held up his hands. “I’m convinced. If you’re willing to touch his nasty laundry, I know you love him,” Mitchell said with laughter in his voice.

Evan flipped him off. “We can wash whatever we’ve dirtied up together.”

Ginger had calmed tremendously. She loved how it didn’t matter who was in the room. His first priority was her. She needed to show him he was her priority, too.