“Except we don’t have real evidence yet. So he wants to run for sheriff next election? That’s not going to come as a shock, probably. Unless we can tie him directly to the vandalism, he’s not doing anything illegal. We don’t have proof he knew about it, just that he’d be angry with Sam.”
“But she could watch him closer?”
Yasmin frowned. “Val believes in McNaught, or she wouldn’t have picked him to promote when the chief deputy position opened up.”
Nick said, “We need more evidence. Who were the men who came to get money from you, Yasmin?”
“Reggie Urban did the talking. His cousin Roy was with him. It was all very smooth, about how we need a Neighborhood Watch with the cops being shorthanded and all. No threats, except by the context.”
“What’s Roy like?”
Yasmin shrugged. “Quiet, not the sharpest tool in the box, works for the highway department. I think he did some years in the army. Probably follows orders well.”
“Sam’s the hothead of the bunch,” Nick said. “At least, the bunch we know of.”
Brian didn’t trust that planning something tone of Nick’s. “What are you thinking? He knows you. And me.”
“Yeah, but he’s still the weak link. He’ll be in a bad mood, after getting told off last night, feeling unappreciated—” Nick pulled out his phone. “Hey, Charlie, how’s daddyhood today?”
Whatever Charlie said made Nick laugh. “You think they can spare you to go drinking with Sam tonight? You got your meds down enough for more than one beer?”
Yasmin said, “I could visit with Lori and the baby if she needs a hand. I don’t mind holding a little one for a while. I think I remember how to change a diaper.”
Nick nodded toward her, but he was listening to Charlie. “Yeah. That would work. Hey, ask if Lori wants a visit from Yasmin tonight… okay. Yeah, I’ll be by in an hour or so and we can talk strategy.” He stuck the phone in his pocket and turned to Yasmin. “Lori says if you can remind Helen King that a twenty-one-year-old is able to care for a child, then please do come over. Apparently, she’s getting helpful-neighbored to death.”
Yasmin stood stiffly. “Then she doesn’t need me. But I might go anyway, just to see the little peanut.” She glanced at Brian, then turned back to Nick. “Your man and I need to get back to work. The farm won’t run itself. But keep us informed and don’t treat us like we’re stupid. Right?”
“He didn’t—” Brian protested weakly.
She cut him off. “When you have something concrete to go to Val with, let me know. I can call her outside of official channels.”
Nick’s hand twitched toward his phone, enough that Brian was pretty sure he was thinking about his own direct number to the sheriff, but what he said was, “I will. Thanks.”
Brian followed Yasmin out the door and Nick brought up the rear. As they stepped outside, Luger raised his furry head from his down-stay position by the steps, but didn’t break the command. Brian had to grin. They were becoming a real team. “All right,” he said to the dog, with a sweep of his hand. Luger leaped up, tail wagging, and then put his nose to the ground, patrolling the farmyard intently in some pattern only he understood.
Yasmin watched him trot back and forth. “It’s starting to be a comfort to have that dog around.” She gave Brian a warm look. “Now, are you up for getting dewormer into some sheep?”
“Sure.” He flexed his hands, feeling the play of actual muscles in his forearms. He’d never be all buff, but his softness was getting a stronger layer under it.
Nick put a hand on the small of his back. “I’ll call you—”
His words were cut short by a deep, harsh bark from Luger. They all whipped around to check the dog. Luger stood poised at the edge of the farmyard closest to the woods, pushing the limit that Brian had worked hard to teach him. His eyes were fixed on the trees and his hackles slowly rose. He gave another loud bark, then growled.
Brian hurried over to him with Nick and Yasmin close behind. When he put a hand on the dog’s back, Luger quivered but didn’t look at him. “What is it, boy?” He stared into the woods. Is that a person? A tree moving in the wind? He flicked a look at Nick. “Should I let him go?”