In Western Counties Read Online Free Page A

hair. They had not yet met. “Ma’am, are you sure?”
    Bethany nodded.
    â€œCan we get a look at that barn?” the other officer asked, motioning with his thumb.
    Bethany nodded again, unable to meet their eyes. The male officer went off toward the barn. Bethany watched him open the swinging doors and go inside. She felt the redheaded woman’s eyes on her.
    â€œI should get your name,” the female cop asked. “No matter what, I ought to get your name.”
    â€œBethany,” she said. “Bethany Evers.”
    The male officer was already coming back. He shrugged his shoulders at the female officer, said, “I got nothing. Five or six dogs. Not uncommon on a farm like this. No other signs of anything unusual.”
    The redhead studied Bethany’s face and then glanced toward the barn. She said, “Bethany, if you ever need to reach me for anything, here’s my information. Sorry to disturb you.” She handed Bethany a business card. She donned her hat again, smiled brusquely, and turned. Bethany exhaled. The female officer turned back.
    â€œBethany,” she asked, “what do you all farm out here?”
    Bethany paused, thought quickly. “There’s no money in farming anymore. It’s just cheap is all. And quiet.” She smiled, though her eyes pleaded with the officer.
Your partner is in on it
, she thought.
A barn full of pit bulls. He never mentioned they were pit bulls
. “The dogs like it,” she said, lying. “My boyfriend inherited the land from his grandmother.” She did not want them to go.
    * * *
    Aida nodded, kicked the dry ground, began walking away. In the distance she saw a circle of old, disturbed coals. The memory of a large fire. She walked back to the police car. Her partner was already in the car. It was unusual that she would ride with another officer and had spent most of her career patrolling alone, but her lieutenant had suggested that Lombard ride along. The address in question was in the middle of nowhere, and Officer Battle was close to retirement.
    â€œI don’t need that on my shoulders,” he joked. “You go out and don’t come back. So close to retirement and fruity drinks on some Floridian beach. No. Take Lombard along, guy couldn’t find his ass with both hands. Show him those back roads.”
    They drove back down the gravel driveway and through the hulking shadow of the red barn. At the road, they met Kruk’s truck. He waved happily to them, rolled down his window, and stuck an elbow out. In the bed of the truck were three pit bulls, their tongues lolling. “Hello, officers,” he said. “Can I help you?” He blocked the sun from his eyes, squinted.
    Aida peered at the dogs in the bed of the truck, their nails loud on the metal. They barked incessantly. “What kind of dogs are those?” she asked.
    â€œTerriers,” he said, nodding. “Magnificent dogs.”
    â€œPit bulls,” she said, nodding back at him. “Right? Pit bulls?”
    He spat at the ground, grinning. “I don’t call them that, Officer. They’re my pets and I love them.”
    â€œThat why you’ve got them riding in back?” she replied. “If you loved them, you might let them ride in the cab with you. Maybe even buckle them in. Fact is, I could give you a ticket right now.” She wanted to see more of his face, but it was obscured in the shadow of his visored hand.
    â€œAida …” Lombard said quietly out the side of his mouth as he pretended to peer out the passenger-side window.
    â€œWe just came from the creek,” Kruk said. “They were playing. Havin’ a ball. I didn’t want to smell like wet dog. My girlfriend hates that.” He smiled again, his teeth showing.
    â€œYeah, we just met her,” said Aida, putting the cruiser into park. “Nice lady. Showed Officer Lombard here the barn.” She tried to remember