“Yes, sir?” Deke responded, halting his pacing.
“The second one you gave me is registered to Chet Winchester.”
“Thanks. That’s all I need for now,” Deke said,a sense of clarity settling over him.
“If you need backup, you let me know. I’ll call Autumn Falls.”
“Killian, Rawley, and I are at a restaurant, and the two older Winchester boys are here. I wanted to check the tags. According to the waitress, they got here just before we did. I think we’re going to get our meals to go and wait in my truck. I don’t want those guys to see us.”
“Okay. Let me know,” Dave replied before hanging up.
Deke quickly called Killian. “Yeah?”
“Get the meals to go. I’ll wait out here,” Deke instructed, his mind made up.
“You got it,” Killian agreed, understanding the plan.
Ten minutes later, Deke spotted Killian and Rawley making their way toward him across the sun-drenched parking lot. The heat shimmered off the asphalt in waves, distorting their figures as they approached.
“We’ll eat in my truck and wait,” Deke suggested. The three of them climbed inside, the interior stifling with midday heat.
Rawley handed Deke a crinkling brown paper bag containing his lunch, and a bottled water. Soon, the small space was filled with the rustling sound of bags being opened and the scent of burgers and fries wafting through the air.
“Can you turn on the A/C? It’s like a fucking furnace in this truck,” Rawley complained, wiping sweat from his brow.
Deke glanced over at Killian with a smirk. “Does he always bitch this much?” he asked, amusement in his voice.
Killian chuckled. “You get used to it,” he replied.
“Fuck you both,” Rawley retorted with a mock growl, though he joined in the laughter.
“Hell, he’ll probably fall asleep after he eats. We’ll be on our own,” Killian teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Hey, I have never fallen asleep on the job,” Rawley protested, punctuating his defense with a grin that made them laugh again.
“Seriously, you’re both damn good agents, and I’m glad to have you with me on this,” Deke said.
“Happy to be here. I want those men,” Killian said.
“I think we all do. I wonder what they did with the cattle,” Rawley murmured.
“I’d bet it’s not good.” Deke sighed as he bit into his sandwich, keeping an eye on the entrance of the parking lot.
Deke peered through the driver’s side window, his posture shifting to alertness. “Here they come,” he murmured, noting how Killian and Rawley remained focused on their tasks. Their instincts were finely tuned for moments like this.
“I see them,” Killian confirmed, his eyes fixed on the side mirror. He observed the two men silently maneuver behind the truck before slipping into a car. The vehicle’s dull metallic sheen caught the afternoon light, marking it as their target.
“Is that the right car, Deke?” Rawley inquired, his voice steady.
“Yep,” Deke affirmed with a nod. “I’ll give them a few minutes, then we’ll tail them.”
Deke’s gaze flickered to the rearview mirror, catching Rawley’s watchful eyes trained on their quarry. Moments later, Rawley spoke again, “They’re pulling out.”
With precision, Deke allowed the car to exit the parking lot first, carefully engaging the truck’s gears before following at a cautious distance. As they cruised down the street, the surroundings blurred by, causing Deke to silently hope their destination wasn’t back to Maple Ridge. But the road signs indicated otherwise.
“Damn it. It looks like they’re heading home,” Rawley muttered with a hint of frustration.
“Yeah, it looks that way,” Deke replied, shaking his head, a frown etching his brow.
