Tuck’s dad gave me a grin that looked like he’d meant for it to be charming, but it came across smarmy. “Comforting you, huh? Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
Anger came off Tuck in waves, I could almost feel the heat of it. “Don’t be a jackass. Look at her fucking barn.”
Craig turned to check out the building, and his eyes widened. “Shit. When did this happen?”
Tuck cracked his knuckles. “Sometime last night. What are you doing out here?”
Craig gestured to his truck. “Riding the fence line. That’s not breaking the law, is it?”
Tuck ignored his father’s barb. “You see or hear anything suspicious last night?”
“No, officer, I did not.”
Craig had always belittled Tuck’s choice to go into law enforcement, and at this very moment, I wanted to sock him in the face for it. I stepped closer to Tuck, placing my hand on his back, trying to give him a show of silent support. Craig’s gaze caught the movement, and he shot Tuck a shit-eating grin. He opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of tires squealing had him looking in another direction.
Walker’s truck tore up the hill, gravel flying everywhere. I held up a hand for him to slow the hell down, and he did. The last thing I needed was my horses being freaked out more than they already were.
Walker jumped out of his truck and strode towards us. “Show me.” The order was directed at Tuck, but I led the way around the barn. “Fucking hell.” Walker turned to Craig. “You see or hear anything last night?”
Craig shook his head. “Not a thing.”
Walker turned to me, pinning me with his best big-brother stare. “Why did you call Tuck and not me?”
I groaned and let my head tip back. “Maybe because this was his case?”
Walker scowled. “It might be his case, it might not, but I’m your damn brother and the deputy chief of police.”
Tuck stepped between us. “Now, children, can’t we all just get along?”
Craig chuckled. “Yeah, I’m sure Jensen had arealgood reason for calling Tuck and not you.”
I was going to murder Tuck’s father right here and now. I wondered how that would impact the future of whatever it was that Tuck and I had going on. I also wondered if my brother would arrest me or help me try to cover up the crime. Either way, Craig Harris was getting my boot up his ass at the very least.
23
Tuck
I was goingto murder my father. Or at least, deck him. Why it had become his mission to try and ruin every good thing that came my way, I’d never know. But by now, thewhydidn’t even matter.
I glanced in Walker’s direction. He didn’t seem to have picked up on the insinuation. He was still railing on Jensen about not calling him.
I moved my gaze back to my father. I hated that his blood flowed through my veins. That his DNA and guidance had a role in who I was as a man. My stare hardened. “I think it’s time for you to get back to the ranch. This is a crime scene, and the techs will be here soon.”
A muscle in his cheek ticked. The same one that flickered in mine when I was pissed. “Remember who your elders are, boy.”
“I’m well aware. But on this playing field, I’m the one in charge. Why don’t you go spend some time with Mom.” It was a dig designed to piss him off, and it was successful.
My dad’s face reddened, and he stormed off back to the pickup on the other side of the fence. Good riddance.
“Where’s he going?” Walker asked.
I turned back to the siblings. “Said he had some work to do.”
Walker nodded, but little worry lines appeared in Jensen’s brow. “You okay?” she mouthed.
I gave a small nod. I wasn’t, but there was nothing to do about that. “Walk, your guys on their way?”
He crouched by the barn, studying the footprints in the snow. “Yup. They should be here any minute.”
