Twisted (30 page)

Mike looked at José. “Besides, José, Jeffy and I are both real men. Wearin’ drag isn’t gonna make us any less men.”

José laughed again. “You are much braver than I am, Miguel.”

Smitty still looked dumbfounded. “So do the people in drag wear makeup and stuff?”

I had to laugh at just how perplexed these guys were with gay culture. “Some do, some have really funny costumes like Little Bo Peep, or those big German women that sing that opera and have horned helmets and blond braids. Others just buy some cheap old house dress and a wig at Goodwill and throw it on over their rodeo clothes.”

“I still wanna see pictures.” José grinned.

“Josélito, I never knew you cared so much.” I batted my eyes at him. The table burst out laughing.

“Of course I care, boss. I care to see the pictures!” We all laughed some more.

Maria looked at me. “Is there a gay rodeo in the Northwest, Jeff? It sounds like a fun place to visit.”

“No. There used to be, but not anymore. Closest one is in the Bay Area.”

“I’m really lookin’ forward to it. This’ll be my first gay rodeo.” Mike was clearly really anticipating the rodeo.

“I reckon then you’ll be the one to go in drag. You know, buddy, like an initiation.”

“At least then we know I’ll stay on the steer, Jeffy.” He smiled at me, insinuating that I’d fall off.

“Yeah, I reckon you’d have an easier time of that than I would. Someone’s gotta dog the steer. Someone who can.” I’d just implied that he couldn’t wrestle the steer.

“I reckon we’re just gonna have to see who has the most belt buckles at the end of the rodeo.”

I nodded at him. “Yeah, it’ll probably be Jeanette.” Everyone, including Mike, laughed at that.

“All jokin’ aside, we’re both really lookin’ forward to the rodeo. It’ll be our first rodeo to do some of the team events together. It should be fun, no matter who goes in drag. Right, Mike?”

“Right ya are, Jeff!”

“When are you heading out, boss?”

“Well, José, our flight’s a week from Friday at nine in the mornin’ from Wenatchee. We change planes in Seattle and get into Phoenix at five fifteen in the evening.”

“I can take the two of you to the airport, if you’d like.”

“That would be great, José, gracias!”

“No gracias is necessary. Just get me a picture of either you or Mike in the wild drag race.”

“No problem.” I reckoned I’d get him a picture of whoever didn’t go in drag. We had a nice evening with our friends. Mike and I decided to head back to the ranch. Smitty and José were hoping to dance with the ladies, so Jason asked if he could bum a ride back with us. As we set off down Main Street to my truck, I looked up at the sky. It was alight with a million stars. The Milky Way was clear as it stretched across the sky. I could see Orion overhead and used the belt to pick out Taurus. I pointed out the sky to both Mike and Jason. Mike leaned into me. I put my arm around him as we continued to identify stars and planets.

Jason wasn’t paying too much attention to the stars, but more to Mike and me. “Do you think I’ll ever get a boyfriend?”

“You’re not exactly an old maid, Jason. I’m sure you will. You got plenty of time.”

“Jeff’s right, Jason. I’m sure you’ll get one someday.”

“I just wish I had someone to hang with the way you guys hang together.”

“You have lots of friends, Jason. There’s José, and Maria, and Sandy. I know Smitty is your brother, but it seems like he’s a friend to you too. And you got me and Jeff.”

I nodded at Jason after Mike spoke up. “You got plenty of time, Jason.”

“One of the guests we had asked me if I’d sleep with him.”

“What?”

“Relax, Jeff. I said no. I remember what you said when I first started working at the ranch. Besides, Mike’s dad was telling me I should have more self-respect than to just hop in the sack with anyone. Mike, I don’t know if you remember tellin’ me it’s usually best to get your bread and meat at different stores.”

Mike looked a bit shamefaced. “Well, I’m glad you understood what I meant. I’ve been thinkin’ someone would think it’s weird how Jeffy and me both work at the ranch and he owns it.” Jason’s and my mouths dropped open.

“What do you mean by that, Mike?” I asked him.

“I reckon it’s just some of my insecurities again.”

“Mike, anyone who looks at the two of you can tell you’re made for each other. You don’t have to worry about that. Hell, even Bert, José, and Josh are always saying you two are the perfect couple.” Jason patted Mike’s arm as he spoke to him. By this time we’d reached the truck, and we hopped in and began the drive back to the ranch.

“Jason, that was pretty mature of you to say no like that. Which guest was it?”

“It really doesn’t matter, Jeff. You told me that guests were gonna come on to me, and you were right. I really like my job, and don’t wanna do anything to screw up. Besides, I think whoring around with the guests would be like a betrayal of you guys, Bert, and José.”

“Good man, Jason. You handled that better than a lotta waddies I know.”

“Thanks!” You could practically see him glowing with praise.

W
HEN
we got back to the ranch, Jason headed off to the bunkhouse, and Mike and I went into the house. We took off our boots, hats, and jackets and settled down in the living room. I’d grabbed the mail from the kitchen counter, where I’d thrown it earlier today.

“Did my class schedule come, Jeff?”

“Yeah, buddy, it looks like this is it right here.” I handed him the envelope. I continued opening the mail as he looked over his letter.

“Hey! I got all the classes I signed up for!”

“Did you sign up for a GED study class?”

“No, I been just studyin’ with the prep books you bought me. Besides, the test is next week, and classes don’t begin until after we get back from the rodeo. Plus, they’re online classes.”

“What classes you got?”

“Introduction to the Hospitality Industry, and Introduction to Hotel Management.”

“You are gonna be one busy cowboy this spring, buddy.” I continued opening the mail as he read his schedule. At the bottom of the pile was a typed envelope with no return address. I ripped it open and read the card inside. Some photographs fell out. I could feel the color draining from my face. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt paralyzed. I stared at the photographs in horror, and then I looked up at Mike.

“Someone walk across your grave, Jeffy?” I didn’t answer immediately, and Mike continued. “You cold? I can turn up the heat?”

“No, I ain’t cold.” I could feel the shock drain away. Color rushed back into my face as a white-hot anger took the place of the fear that had briefly passed through me.

“What’s the matter, Jeff? I handed the paper and photos to him.

“Just touch the edges. I’m gonna call the sheriff.” I could see the color drain from Mike’s face as he looked at what he held.

Chapter Thirteen

“
J
UST
what in the hell do you mean by ‘just send it to me’? These boys are in danger!” Sheriff Johnston was quiet for a few moments while he listened to the phone.

“Holder, I do appreciate that, but I need to protect my community and Jeff and Mike.” Mike and I sat on the couch. We were both a bit freaked out and a bit more than sickened.

“I don’t know what in the hell you can do there that you can’t do here…. Yes, it was mailed from San José.” He listened another few seconds. “That finally makes some sense.”

“Yeah, I know you’re worried about them too. Jeff is just like one of my sons to me, and Mike’s become just the same.” He sighed.

“Well then, keep me advised of anything, anything at all.” The sheriff raised his voice again. “Of course it works both ways. Our goal is to catch this sick son of a bitch.” He hung up the phone. Mike and I were in the sheriff’s office. We’d just had our fingerprints taken to be able to rule them out in the fingerprinting on the note and photos I’d received. The sheriff had gotten on the phone with Agent Holder, who was in California. He’d asked the sheriff to forward him the note and photos as soon as possible. I was more than happy to get rid of it. The note itself was simple. It was composed of characters cut from various magazines and newspapers and glued onto a piece of paper. It said, “You’re on the list Jeff.” Accompanying it were several photos that were the stuff of nightmares. They showed several of the victims in various stages of torture. I don’t think I’d ever forget them. I felt totally sickened and revolted by the evil that a human mind could conceive. Mike was still pale as a ghost. He wouldn’t let go of my hand. I shook my head to clear it and looked at the sheriff.

“Why single me out, sheriff? From what you and Agent Holder said, it’s seemed until now that he has a certain type, but the guys who were that type were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“This is just a guess, Jeff, but I’d bet on it. First of all, you are his type, lean and wiry with dark hair cut short, facial hair. He also goes for guys who are athletic and muscular. You’re all of the above. As to why you specifically, I’d reckon he’s seen and read a lot of the articles about you guys. You were instrumental in busting up the rustling ring last year, and can obviously hold your own in a fight. You’re a challenge to him. He’s probably become obsessed with you. Besides, if you remember, we do think he has stalked some of his victims prior to kidnapping them.”

“Wow, lucky me, to have such a devoted fan.” The sheriff just stared at me. A thought occurred to me. “If he’s targetin’ me, then why did he go after Mike when we were out skiin’?”

“I’ve been thinking about that, Jeff. First of all, it was dark. Second, from what I’ve seen of cross-country skiers with moustaches or beards, when you exhale, the moisture in your breath condenses on your facial hair. At least around your mouths, your face was covered in ice. You also had hats on, and you and Mike are the same height and build.”

I heard Mike next to me inhale sharply. “You mean he thought I was Jeffy?”

“I reckon so, Mike. Guys, this isn’t news. Remember that we spoke about this before? This is just confirmation that we’re on the right track.”

“He’s gonna have to go through me to get to Jeff.” Mike looked angry.

“I ain’t all that easy to get either. Maybe he’s bitten off more than he can chew.”

“Guys, this thing works by stealth. He’s a coward. That’s why he jumped out from behind you, Mike, and used the chloroform. He’s not going to come at you face on.”

Mike looked at the sheriff hopefully. “Do you think that the stuff he sent is gonna help capture him? I’d reckon that it’s more information than has been available in the past.”

“Holder said the same thing, Mike. Maybe this is the break we’re looking for.”

“Let’s just hope that break comes pretty damn quick.”

“You can say that again, Mike. Jeff, you’re awful quiet all of a sudden.”

“I was just thinkin’ on how not to give the asshole a chance at me or me and Mike. I reckon if we don’t go off by ourselves in an area that he can drive to, and really pay attention to our surroundings, we should be as okay as possible.”

“Are you two still planning on going to the rodeo in Phoenix?”

Mike looked at me as the sheriff asked his question. “I don’t see why not, sheriff. He’s never struck in Phoenix, that we know, we’ll be surrounded by people almost all the time, and we really aren’t gonna have a schedule he can use to track us.”

“You might wanna think twice on going. He’ll be outside his area, but so will you.”

“Sheriff, last year with the rustlers thinkin’ we knew more than we did, we had to hole up at home and lay low. I don’t wanna do that again. I ain’t gonna live my life in fear because some sick son of a bitch is obsessed with me.” The sheriff started to speak up, but I cut him off. “Sir, that don’t mean I ain’t gonna be real careful, but I can’t stop livin’. Look at how long it took to capture the Green River Killer, or the BTK killer.”

The sheriff stared at me for a couple of minutes. “Just be careful then. I’ll call the police station in Phoenix and let them know what’s going on and when you’ll be there. I don’t expect though that they are gonna do a whole hell of a lot. Also, keep your doors locked, and don’t go near any trucks or vans you don’t recognize. You may want to let the guys at the ranch know what’s going on. I seem to remember, they really tried to step in when the rustlers were threatening you last year. I reckon you got friends in your rodeo circuit?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Let them know what’s going on and stick with them. Surround yourselves with people.”

We talked with the sheriff for a few more minutes and then headed out. We decided to stop by and see Mary Grace in the artists’ co-op and see if she wanted to go to breakfast with us. We headed out into the street and walked to the co-op. It was just across the street from the sheriff’s office. Granted, in Winslett, pretty much every place was just across the street or just down the block from everywhere else.

As we walked into the co-op, I heard a cheery hello from Mary Grace.

“Jeff! Mike! It’s so good to see you two!” She rushed forward to give us each a hug. It seems like forever since I’ve seen you! How are you both doing?”

“I’d say fair to middlin’, Mary Grace. How about you?”

Before Mary Grace could answer, Mike looked at her. “Yeah, Mary Grace, how’s one of the loveliest ladies in the valley?” She giggled and then gave Mike a stern look.

“That must mean you don’t have any more belts or hatbands for me.” Mike looked sheepish all of a sudden.

“I, uh, I’ve been kind of busy, Mary Grace. I’ll get on it today.”

She then turned to me. “And as for you, young man, you’re just lucky that your sculptures are going for so much, or your work would be all sold out like Mike’s.” I looked over to the nearest pedestal, which had one of my sculptures on it. It was of several horses running. I was really pleased with how it turned out. The manes and tails of the horses streamed behind them. I’d tried using a heavier polish the first go round, which actually scratched the metal, then I polished over the scratches after putting some chemicals in them which would make them stand out. The experiment worked out really well. It actually looked like the wind was hitting the herd as it ran. I was particularly proud of it. Then I glanced at the price.