“Both,” the man said, choking up… “Both on a girls’ trip to Napa when it happened. They went every year for the past ten. We left notes, but after two weeks we had to leave our homes. Do you think they will ever be back?”
“I hope so,” said James. “I surely do.”
Minutes later, Jason was teaching Fishing 101 with the right bait. The man caught one straightaway, hollering like he had won the Powerball Jackpot. James pulled Jason aside when they came back to shore.
“Are you planning to use your trailer again?”
“Not unless you kick us out.”
“That won’t happen. These folks need a home and not in town. If Judge Lowry or Kate see them again or decide they don’t want any loose ends after all, it’s over for them. They shouldn’t be out here, like cattle waiting for slaughter.”
“Agreed,” replied Jason, “and I know Lauren would agree too.”
* * * * * * *
Chapter Five
Headed to Second Chances Ranch
Weston, Colorado
“You drive,” said James. “Let’s put the kids up front with one dad and the other father back with me in the bed.”
There was no convincing needed for the starving group to move into a home of their own. Rules, however, would need to be set, for they were fugitives in the town of Weston. Jason and Lauren’s trailer was still thankfully unoccupied. The families were dropped off with enough food for a week, probably two, and a water filter that could be used in the river on the property.
“We will check in on you in a couple of days,” said James. “To put things in perspective,” he told the men only, “the murder you witnessed was carried out by what’s soon to be the two most powerful people in the town of Weston. Keep your heads down, don’t leave the property, and radio me if anything happens; he finished by handing them a radio.
Jason wrapped the body and laid him in the barn, but not before James took a few pictures with an old Polaroid camera—the kind that immediately printed the pictures. Children used to shake the photos when they came out of these cameras until the images magically came into focus. James told Jason it was the only insurance policy they had, since nobody in town would be examining the bones for a match down the road. Sheriff Johnson’s remains would be buried at first light, with the tractor doing the digging. The family meeting—adults only tonight—was quick and to the point, with James stating, “Nobody else can know of this…not yet.”
* * * *
James and Jason worked in town the next day, checking on the greenhouses and meeting with City Planners on the next water-distribution phase. Kate positioned herself up in the Sheriff’s office, like she already owned the place, they heard from several deputies—off the record, of course.
“I wish you would run, James,” said the lead deputy. “I know everyone here would back you.”
“I appreciate that,” he replied, holding his tongue and not saying that the election was a farce and already predetermined. “Do your best to work with her, or whoever the winner is, and we’ll see what happens. I’m still the Mayor-elect, and I’ll do everything I can for the citizens of Weston. You can always come to me with anything. You know that, right?”
“Yes, sir. We all do.”
* * * *
Kate called a meeting mid-afternoon, mandatory for all City workers and officials, at the Courthouse.
“We will be expanding our town by 40 miles in all directions, except for Trinidad,” she started. “It was Sheriff Johnson’s plan to declare it before another city does, and when I’m…I mean, if I’m elected Sheriff on Saturday, it will be my first act.”
Ken was in attendance and stayed behind after the particulars of the election were discussed. He wasn’t sure where this new development landed him. Was he free to go, working for the City, or could he end up back behind bars? “I’m sorry about your fiancé,” he said.
“You mean my last boyfriend,” she replied. “It’s tragic for sure…his death, I mean…but I realized recently he wasn’t the right guy for me. Another holds my heart and always has. Thanks for coming today, Ken; it means a lot to me. Don’t worry. Your job is safe and I have big plans for you. We’ll talk soon.”
* * * *
Kate drove home, smiling the entire way except when passing someone walking. Then she put on her sad face—like flipping a classic Zippo lighter top…open-close, open-close. Tonight was her night to purge and binge. Two bottles of sweet red wine and a small firepit in the backyard would surely make her a happy girl. She started with his clothes, burning all of them. Shirts, pants, socks, saving the boots, belts, and hats for last. Next were the letters, birthday cards, and anything else personal she could put a flame to. This ritual took her through the first bottle and starting on the second.
“Now for some fun,” she said aloud, tossing his collection of Guinness World Records books, one by one, into the fire, saving the special edition to the side. A full two bottles in, she picked up the Guinness World Records 1975 book—featuring Evel Knievel and his Snake River rocket jump that nearly killed the love of her life—and tossed it end-over-end into the fire, declaring “It is done!”
In a lower voice and the sweetest Southern drawl she had been practicing, she said, “I’m coming for you, Ken, and I’m truly sorry about that girlfriend of yours; I’m sure she’s very nice.”
* * * *
Judge Lowry found a young boy nobody had ever heard of, maybe 18 or 20 years old, and paid him one silver coin to put his name on the ballot.
“But what if I win?” the
