Walker Pride Read online

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Tyson had talked his way into driving with Eric into town. He wasn’t sure why it mattered, but he’d agreed. Russell’s curses were still ringing in Eric’s ear from when he’d called him. But this had to be dealt with. He wasn’t going to have anything happen to Susan or Bethany.

  Douglas was leaned up against his cruiser with another officer parked behind him, when Eric pulled up.

  Officer Smyth lifted the brim of his hat with his index finger and gave Eric that smirk of a grin he’d learned to despise since high school.

  Eric put his truck into park and killed the engine.

  “Smyth,” Tyson said the name on a low growl.

  “You know him?”

  “Biggest pain in the ass officer in Macon,” he said.

  Eric let out a low chuckle. “Yeah. I’m no troublemaker, but you wouldn’t know it if you talked to him. He’s issued me three tickets in the past year. I’ve gotten out of them, but he has it out for me. Has ever since high school.”

  “He’s hit me six times this year,” Tyson said as he opened his door. “Tried to run me in for a DUI a month ago after having seen me at the bar. I’d had one beer. It didn’t hold up. He’s sweet on Lydia too and that doesn’t sit well with me.”

  “Wonder what he’s up to now?” Eric said as he opened his door and stepped out of the truck.

  “Hey, guys.” Douglas smiled as they walked toward them. “Susan wanted me to call you.”

  “How bad did they hit her house?” Tyson asked, his hands tucked in his pockets, just as Eric’s were and he knew it was to keep them still.

  “Tore it up a bit, but only took her computer with her business information on it. She’s packing up a few things and so is Bethany. We’ve taken statements and pictures. As soon as they want to they can begin to clean up.”

  Eric turned toward Officer Smyth. “You just happen by?”

  Smyth moved his tongue over his teeth. “Saw that this involved the two of you and thought it was worth checking out. What do you have going on with Miss Hayes?”

  “We’re seeing each other,” Eric said very matter-of-factly.

  “Nice and tidy, huh?”

  Eric kept his hands tucked into his pockets. “Tidy?”

  “All the vandalism up at your places and now here. Makes it look like the families and their friends are getting hit. I’ve never known the Morgans and the Walkers to be real friendly.”

  Tyson stiffened. “Some things change.”

  “I’ll bet,” Smyth smiled and turned to Douglas. “I’ll head back. Keep me informed.”

  A moment later he drove away and both men let out the breath they’d been holding.

  Douglas gave Smyth a wave and then turned back to Eric. “Not a fan of that man, but he’s thorough.”

  “Makes crap up is what he does,” Tyson added and turned to head up to the house.

  “Heard the Morgan’s house got hit last night too. Lydia’s tires?”

  Eric nodded. “That’s what he said.”

  “Any idea what’s going on? This isn’t normal activity around here.”

  “A few days ago Tyson and I threw some punches assuming we were doing it to each other. But that isn’t the case. My uncle lost some of our land in a poker game. It’s supposed to revert back to the Morgans. That’s all legal, even if I hate the thought of it. But the destruction on both properties doesn’t make sense.”

  “So what is with you and Tyson hanging around? I’m with Smyth. The Morgans and the Walkers don’t mix.”

  Eric removed his hat and ran his hand over his hair. He brushed off the rim and set it back on his head. “My mom was a Morgan.”

  “Oh. Don’t think I knew that. So you and Tyson are cousins?”

  Eric chuckled. “Thought so. As it pans out, my mother had another son.”

  “Makes this interesting.”

  “She left Tyson with Elias Morgan and left. He didn’t know.”

  “Sounds like your world has been turned upside down this week since your grandfather died.”

  Eric nodded in agreement, though that was certainly an understatement.

  “I might have been able to get a jump on all of this had you told me about the animals and the vandalism. The fact that Byron Walker lost the land in a poker game would have helped too. It gives motive.”

  “Sure it does. It looks like someone on our side would be more apt to doing this than on the Morgan’s. They stand to get my home and half our land.”

  Douglas nodded. “You’re right. It does sound peculiar.”

  “You see why I might be a bit tight lipped.”

  “I can’t help you if I don’t have all the facts. Right now I have a case of a stolen car and burglary. It seems a little deeper than that doesn’t it?”

  “I guess I’d keep your ear to the pavement and let me know if other funny things start happening.”

  “Smyth is going to be all over this, you know. I think he’s already got you pegged for something. Morgan too.”

  “I’m sure he does. He always has.”

  Douglas dropped his shoulders. “He’s an ass. He’s pulled me over three times for failure to stop at a stop sign.”

  He couldn’t help it. Eric grinned at that. “Just keep an eye on this place. I’ll have Susan and Bethany with me. I’ll let you know if anything else happens.”

  “You swear it?” I can’t do my job if I don’t know anything.”

  “You’ll be one of the first to know.”

  Douglas accepted that with a grunt as he pulled his keys from his pocket. “On a lighter note, why does Bethany dislike me so much?”

  “You gave her a ticket.”

  “She broke the law.”

  “I guess she holds grudges.”

  Douglas walked around his car and opened the door. “Do you think she’d go out with me?”

  “Your timing sucks.”

  Douglas gave the roof of the cruiser two solid slaps. “Story of my life,” he said as he climbed in and drove away.

  Eric took the path to the house slowly. It made him ill to think someone had been in there. Someone had touched her things. He was very afraid that if he found out who had violated Susan’s space, and if he did it again, he just might kill him.

  Susan walked down the staircase with a suitcase in her hand. “I’m almost done packing.”

  “We can come by tomorrow and get more things,” he offered.

  “I’d rather make just one trip. Bethany’s just finishing up. Do you have a computer?” she asked.

  “I use the one at my parent’s house. Why?”

  “A lot of my documents were stored on an online server. Regardless of what’s going on, I’ve been hired for a job in three days and I need to plan for it—especially if we’re going to use it to get information.”

  He didn’t like the thought of her doing the catering job either, but she was right, they’d have a captive audience.

  “It’s been a long day. I just want to get home. Is your car drivable?”

  Susan shook her head. “No. I’ll have to have the dash put back together.”

  “One of Bethany’s brothers can do that. He’s an expert. I’ll get you anywhere you need to go. I can hang out at my parent’s house tonight for a little bit so you can use the computer too.”

  The smile that crossed her lips warmed him. He admired how she could keep her cool in almost any situation.

  “I’d appreciate that. How do you think Glenda would feel about me using her kitchen to prepare for the dinner at the Morgan’s?”

  “Are you going to let her help?”

  “I wouldn’t expect her to.”

  “That’s not what I asked. I asked if you were going to let her help. Maybe I should reword that. She’s going to want to help you.”

  A blush formed on her cheeks and it absolutely made his heart flutter. “I’d think that was very sweet. Of course I’d let her help me.”

  He lifted his hand to her cheek. “S
he really does like you.”

  “I’m glad. Because I know she thinks I’m good enough for you.”

  And that right there was reason enough to make sure Susan Q. Hayes stuck around for the rest of his life.

  “What does the Q. stand for?”

  She answered with a laugh and turned her attention to Bethany as she pulled her suitcase down the stairs and another box of items.

  Eric looked up at her and cringed. “I thought you moved here with just what you had.”

  “This is it. I won’t let it get in your way. I promise.”

  Eric wrinkled up his nose. Just the thought of two more people in his house was beginning to give him an anxiety attack.