The Payback Man. Carolyn McSparren

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СКАЧАТЬ banged her fist on the table. “I hate this.”

      “Do your job, follow the rules, stay out of the way of prison politics, and you’ll do fine.”

      “And if not, I wind up in cement shoes?”

      The only thing that kept Raoul from choking a second time was the fact that he had his tortilla only halfway to his mouth. “I doubt it. And he won’t rake your car with submachine gun fire, either.” His tone turned more serious. “But you could be mugged coming out of a department store, or carjacked at a fast-food drive-through. Totally random, no connection with Mike. Do you carry a gun?”

      “Of course not!”

      “Do you have a permit?”

      “I had to go through the course and get a permit before they’d hire me at the farm, but I certainly don’t carry one. For one thing, it’s illegal inside the gates.”

      “It’s not illegal in your house, and there are lockers outside the gates for you to store stuff in while you’re inside.”

      “That’s such a bother.”

      “Think about it, that’s all I’m saying. And I would definitely keep one beside your bed at night.”

      “I’m beginning to wish I’d never taken this job.”

      “Actually, you’re safer inside than outside.”

      “That’s what Ernest Portree says. I’m starting to disagree.”

      By common consent, they spent the remainder of their lunch talking about Raoul’s two children, on whom he obviously doted, and his wife, a speech pathologist, whom he adored. They were silent on the way back to the farm.

      As he parked in front of the barn to let her out, he said, “There’s an old New Jersey saying—don’t mix in. So don’t.”

      She nodded. “I’ll try.”

      She had beaten the men back to the barn by ten minutes or so. The place was completely deserted. She walked into the now completely open barn, half-painted in white enamel.

      She found her laptop still sitting plugged in on her desk. The screen saver flashed scenes of green fields and mountains.

      She heard conversation outside, and a moment later Selma stuck her head in the door, saw the computer and said, “Damn. Didn’t think. You need to requisition a safe to lock that computer up when you’re not here.”

      “The credenza locks.”

      “I could open it with a paper clip. Besides, you’ll need to store paper and things, won’t you?”

      “Why would they steal the computer? They couldn’t use it.”

      Selma came in and leaned against the doorjamb, easing her back against the angle of the door like a bear. “God, that feels good. Listen, they snatch the computer, they stash it somewhere outside, call a buddy, and shazaam, that night it’s picked up and sold before morning. The men aren’t moving around much on their own yet, but they will be when they start working the cows, won’t they?”

      “Yes.”

      “So requisition a safe.”

      Eleanor nodded. “Right. Okay. And the warden finally agreed to issue an extra set of clothing to each man to keep here for emergencies. I thought we could put each set into a grocery sack with each man’s name on it. Think that would do?”

      “You’ll have to lock the clothes up, too,” Selma said. “Won’t be room in the safe or the credenza.”

      Eleanor thought for a minute. “Okay. I’ve got an old footlocker at my place I used to pack books. It’s a little musty, but it’s got a good padlock. How about I bring that down tomorrow?”

      “Sure.” Selma grinned. “The least I can do is contribute the grocery sacks. My family hoards them.”

      Eleanor looked at her watch. “I’m leaving for my regular shift at the clinic in about fifteen minutes,” she said. “Will you take the laptop home with you for tonight?”

      “Sure.”

      “You will be back tomorrow, won’t you?”

      “I think so. Will you?”

      “I beg your pardon?” Eleanor asked.

      “Pretty obvious this isn’t what you thought it was going to be. So, are you going to pack it in or stick it out?”

      Eleanor didn’t answer her right away. Instead, she headed out to her truck, Selma right behind her. Part of her wanted to leave this place and never come back, even though it meant finding another place to live. At least she wouldn’t be faced with Steve Chadwick every day. She wouldn’t have feelings she didn’t want to admit to herself, nor would she have to worry whether he was innocent or guilty. And if he really was innocent, what on earth could she do about it?

      She slid into the front seat of her truck. Selma stood outside the door, hands on her ample hips. Finally Eleanor leaned out the window. “I’ll be here tomorrow and the next day and the next. I’m not quitting.”

      “Good,” Selma said, then laid her hand on Eleanor’s arm. “Remember, if you want to keep your peace of mind, keep your distance from the men—all the men.”

      CHAPTER FOUR

      ELEANOR FELT HER FACE FLAME as she drove out through the farm gates toward Creature Comfort. She should have realized Selma would know that something out of the ordinary had happened between her and Steve.

      He was plausible, good-looking, charming and intelligent. Of course, he might also be a sociopath and a liar. He probably had a dozen women writing him fan letters and coming to see him on visiting days. She sure did not intend to be one of them.

      When she drove into the Creature Comfort staff parking lot, Jack Renfro, the ex-jockey and veterinary technician, and her boss, Sarah Scott, met her before she had a chance to climb out of her truck.

      “Guess what you’re going to do this afternoon?” Sarah said. “You like sheep?”

      “Not one of my favorite of God’s creatures.”

      “I’m sure you’ll learn to love them before the afternoon’s out. You’ve got to vaccinate a herd of about thirty and oversee dipping them.”

      Eleanor stared at Sarah. “You’re not going with us, are you? The last thing a pregnant woman needs is to be around all those chemicals.”

      “Nope, you and Jack are on your own. You’ve got coveralls and rubber boots in the truck, haven’t you?”

      “Of course.”

      “Took time to persuade her to stay out of it,” Jack grumbled. “Sheep kick and butt like goats. I’ll not have you putting my godson in danger.”

      “I do miss going СКАЧАТЬ