Chapter Thirteen

Dad managed to have a talk with Dabir and got the location of Ichabod's body from her. She said Soleimani had buried him in a remote part of the desert next to Gillespie Dam Bridge.

Mom flew Dad, Sergeant Bergman, and Dante out to the site. Using ground penetrating radar, they soon discovered a literal graveyard and once again the Feds got involved.

I was scrambling eggs for breakfast when Dad stomped into the kitchen.

Julie took one look at his furious expression and started for the door.

"Stay put Julie. This includes you too," Dad commanded.

"Really?"

"You are part of this family." Dad pointed to a kitchen chair. "Sit."

Julie sat.

I took the eggs off the burner. "I know you're angry I went to Grandpa for help, but I needed to know if Ichabod was dead or alive. He has connections, you don't."

"Does he?" A muscle twitched in Dad's jaw. "Did you even think to ask me, kitten?"

I chewed on my lower lip. Crappity, crap, crap. I took a deep breath and laid it all out. "The terrorists came so close to destroying everything you've worked for and to put it bluntly Grandpa doesn't have any ethics."

"When it comes to my family, I don't either. I will do whatever is necessary to protect you," Dad growled.

"I'm not letting you ruin your reputation."

"So, you were going to sic your grandfather on them? No matter the consequences?"

I raised my chin and met Dad s angry gaze. "Yes. I caused all of this and it's my job to fix it."

"None of this was your fault," Dad snapped. "The only person responsible is Ichabod."

"I brought him into our lives."

Julie sighed. "You've got to let go of the guilt, Gemma. An armed robber shot Ichabod's mother, not you. For God's sake you took that cold-blooded murderer down."

"She bled out in my arms. If I had been twenty seconds faster, she would still be alive."

Dad wrapped his arms around me. "You were only sixteen, kitten, and your actions stopped the robber from shooting the other customers."

"I need to see Ichabod's body. I need to know he's dead. I want this nightmare to end."

"We've recovered eight bodies so far. As soon as we get the autopsy reports, we'll know who they are."

Julie interjected, "Facial recognition is out?"

"Yes." Dad's cell phone dinged, and he glanced at the text message. "Gotta go, your mother is waiting for me. You two are still under house arrest. Stay put."

"Yes, sir," Julie and I said in unison.

"And next time you need help, come to me first."

I nodded. "I will. I promise."

Dad paused at the back door. "I have to admit, I would have enjoyed watching the Feds search the shit tanks."

Julie giggled. "Us too."

"Are the boys going with you?"

"Just Lucas and Nate." Dad's cell phone beeped again. He glanced down at the screen and typed something. "Sergeant Bergman will be checking in on you two."

"Thanks for the heads up."

Dad grinned and jogged across the backyard.

"Are you going to keep your promise?" Julie asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, I hurt him by going to Grandpa first." One glance at the congealed eggs and I dumped them in the trash. "How do you feel about chocolate ice cream for breakfast?"

"I'm always up for chocolate."

I opened the freezer door. "Rocky road, or chocolate fudge?"

"Chocolate fudge."

We ate the entire tub. I let out a groan. "God, that was good, but now we need to work off all that sugar."

"I'll say. Let's get our swimsuits and do a hundred laps."

"How about twenty, my muscles are still screaming bloody murder if I move wrong," I countered.

Julie grimaced. "Felt like I aged thirty years in one night."

"More like forty," I groused and did my interpretation of a hunchback seventy-year-old woman walking at a snail's pace.

Laughing hysterically, Julie pantomimed the old person shuffle.

"Hey, I was walking that way," I chortled and headed into our bedroom. Julie put on a red bikini which displayed her awesome figure. Me? I wore a high-necked, blue one-piece. I slipped on a pair of sparkly flip-flops and grabbed two towels. "Let's go."

Julie picked up a tube. "We can't forget the sunscreen."

"But I do lobster red so well."

Julie snorted. "Too well."

I stopped at the refrigerator, grabbed two bottles of water and some grapes. Which should hold us for a while. I opened the patio door and stopped. Bodacious was grazing in the backyard. "Who let him out?"

"Probably Lucas. He does like tormenting us," Julie replied.

Should I tell her Lucas has the hots for her? "You. He likes tormenting you."

"God, I don't know what I did to make him hate me so much," Julie sighed.

I shook my head. "He doesn't hate you. Lucas likes you. A lot."

"No, he doesn't. That bomb blast really rattled your brains." Julie stormed over to the picnic table.

Huh? Did Julie have the hots for Lucas too? Would she end up being my sister-in-law? I smiled. That would be so cool.

Bodacious raised his head and bellowed.

"Sorry buddy, I don't have any oats, but I can give you an ear skitch."

His tail twitching happily, Bodacious ambled over to me and butted my chest.

"Easy. I still have some owies." Putting the towels, grapes, and bottles of water down on the table, I scratched that special spot behind his ears. "Like that, don't you, big guy?"

Someone let out a wolf whistle and made those disgusting kissy noises.

"What the hell?" I peered around Bodacious.

Frank was standing at the gate, grinning like a loon.

I gave him a one-finger salute.

Laughing, he yelled, "Heard you had some excitement."

"If you're into flies and chicken shit," Julie hollered back.

Frank made a face. "No, thanks. If you need anything, text me."

"We will." Julie dove into the pool.

I watched Frank get in his patrol car and drive off. God, I wanted to go back to work so bad.

"No! Don't you dare," Julie cried.

I spun around.

Bodacious jumped into the pool. Sploosh ! A tsunami of water rolled over the sides and deposited Julie on the cool decking.

I rushed over to her. "You okay?"

"Yeah, so much for swimming, he has been rolling in the manure again." Julie got to her feet. "Your Dad is gonna be pissed."

I eyed the pieces of manure floating on the surface and shrugged. "It's his bull."

"Getting him out won't be easy."

Bodacious seemed to be enjoying himself. "I'll go get some oats."

"Yoo-hoo! Gemma, you home?" A woman's voice called.

I frowned. "Miss Hazel, is that you?"

"Yes, I need help."

Julie and I hurried over to the battered gate and opened it.

Miss Hazel was our very spry eighty-two-years-old neighbor. She always wore jeans, a colorful western shirt, and a battered straw sombrero. "I'm madder than a wet hornet," she said.

I had never seen her this upset. Not even when Bodacious trampled her tomato plants. "What's wrong?"

"There's a strange woman in my bathroom taking a bubble bath," she spat.

Julie's mouth dropped. "A bubble bath? Are you kidding me?"

"You have no idea who she is, Miss Hazel?"

She shook her head. "No, never seen her before. I had been out in the back forty, mowing down those damn weeds and I really needed to pee, so I came back to the house. When I opened the bathroom door the bitch yelled, ‘Close the damned door. I'm taking a bath here!' So, I grabbed her clothes and came here."

"You did the right thing," Julie said, giving her a hug.

My gaze froze on the double-barreled shotgun in the gun rack between the seats of her ATV. "You didn't shoot her, did you?"

"No, but I wanted to. That hussy was using my special geranium oil bubble bath."

I fought back a laugh. "Did you call 9-1-1?"

"No siree Bob, I came right here. I knew you would help me."

Julie looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

I shrugged and patted Miss Hazel's shoulder. "Of course, we will." We were still under house arrest, but we couldn't let Miss Hazel get hurt. "Wait right here. We need to go get our weapons."

"Okay, but hurry, there's no tellin' what that hussy will do."

"Yes, ma'am," Julie replied, and we sprinted for the house. "If we get busted…"

I cut her off. "We won't."

"Sergeant Bergman always catches us."

That was true. "I'll text Frank and have him meet us there. If we need to make an arrest, he can do it."

"Good idea."

We hurried into our bedroom. I changed my flip-flops for combat boots and strapped on my service holster.

Julie did the same.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and burst out laughing. "Oh, my God, look at us. Between the swimsuits, combat boots, holsters and ponytails we look like Barbie gone wild."

"Shit. The bad guys will take one look at us and start laughing." Julie hurriedly pulled on a T-shirt and reached for a pair of jeans.

"Gemma? Are you coming?" Miss Hazel called from the back door.

"Yes, ma'am." I got our Glocks out of the gun safe. I slid the pistol into my holster and grabbed my cell phone. "Let's go." I handed Julie her weapon.

"God, if anyone sees us dressed like this, we'll never hear the end of it." Julie holstered her weapon.

Typing rapidly, I sent Frank a text message. "With the way our luck has been going, there will be a reporter hiding in the bushes."

Miss Hazel took one look at us and giggled like a twelve-year-old. "Ain't you cute."

Julie and I exchanged glances and followed her across the backyard.

Bodacious bellowed from the pool.

"Sorry, boy, we've got police work to do," I called.

"Let's go. Let's go." Miss Hazel called. She climbed into her ATV and revved the souped-up engine.

Julie slid into the front passenger seat, and I jumped in the back.

Miss Hazel hit the gas pedal and off we zoomed.

"Did you see any strange cars parked in the area?" Julie asked.

"No, missy, I didn't." Miss Hazel took a sharp right.

I hung on for dear life.

"That bull of yours is chasing after us," Miss Hazel said.

"What?" I looked over my shoulder and sure enough, Bodacious was right behind us. Crap. I guess we could consider him backup since Frank hadn't answered my text yet.

Julie pointed at an oleander bush. "Pull over there."

"Okay, missy." Miss Hazel slammed on the brakes.

I hit the back of Julie's seat. Ugh, just what I needed. More bruises. "Which bathroom is she in?"

"I've only got one bathroom," Miss Hazel replied.

"Right. Stay in the ATV and if you see any strangers, honk the horn."

Miss Hazel eyed Bodacious. "What about him?"

"Think of him as a really big guard dog," Julie said.

Miss Hazel shot her a narrow side-long glance. "I think you've been out in the sun too long, missy."

Julie rolled her eyes.

"Did you leave a door open?" My cell phone beeped. I glanced down at the message. Frank was heading our way.

"Back door."

Pulling our weapons, Julie and I entered the house. Our mystery guest had made herself a sandwich, drank a bunch of beers, and was singing Love Story off key.

The stench led us to the bathroom. We paused at the door, and I held up three fingers.

Julie nodded.

On three, we burst into the bathroom. A bleached blonde in her late forties, erupted from the bubbles. "Get out! Get out! Get out!"

"Not a chance. You are under arrest for burglary," Julie stated.

"Burglary? You ain't no cops."

Crap. We had left our IDs at home. "Get out of the tub."

"Don't wanna."

Julie tossed her a towel. "Out or I'll tase you."

"You wouldn't dare!"

I gave her my crazy Debbie Sunshine smile. "If she doesn't, I will."

"Wait until Tiny gets here. He'll break every bone in your body."

"This is your last chance. Get out or feel the effect of 50,000 volts zinging through your teeth." Julie aimed her taser at her sudsy chest.

The bleached blonde stepped out of the bathtub.

My eyebrows rose at all her demonic clown tattoos. "What's your name?"

"Fuck off."

Julie pulled out her cuffs. "Well, Fuck Off, turn around and put your hands behind your back."

"Stupid bitch." The bleached blonde lunged for Julie, slipped on the wet floor and fell.

I jumped on her back and twisted her right arm behind her back. "Keep fighting and I'll break your arm."

"Aw, I wanted to tase her," Julie grumbled, handing me her cuffs.

Taking down a naked suspect while wearing a swimsuit was all kinds of icky. I quickly cuffed her. I gestured at the soggy floor. "You would have lit us up too, partner."

"Good point."

Miss Hazel frantically honked her horn.

"Shit."

Julie hurriedly zip-tied the blonde's feet.

"You are so fucked," the bleached blonde chortled.

The thunderous roar of motorcycles was followed by shouts, gunfire and the bellow of an enraged bull.

If they shot Bodacious, Dad would never forgive me.

We ran out the front door and stumbled to a stop. One thousand pounds of raging bull had demolished the motorcycle gang's Harleys. The three bikers rolled around on the ground, clutching their butts and groaning in pain.

Miss Hazel had her shotgun pointed at them. "Stay down or I'll shoot you again."

"Are you using bird shot, Miss Hazel?" I carefully took the shotgun away from her.

"No, rock salt. It hurts like a mother, and they won't be able to sit down for a week."

A giggle escaped Julie. "You shot them in the butt."

"Yes, I did. Just because I'm old, doesn't mean I'm helpless."

"No, ma'am, helpless you're not," Julie quickly agreed.

Bodacious turned the last motorcycle into scrap metal.

"Easy, boy, everything is okay now." I approached him cautiously and noticed the blood. Shit! A bullet had grazed his back. Dad was going to kill me. "Want an ear skitch?"

Bodacious stomped on the mangled motorcycle some more, then ambled over to me.

I handed Julie the shotgun and she backed slowly away from the bull.

"You're such a good boy. Yes, you are." I scratched his ears. "I know your back hurts, but we'll get it taken care of and if you don't trample Doctor Burham, I'll get you a big bucket of oats. How does that sound?"

The bull snuffled my hair.

Julie laughed.

"Don't tell me. Bull snot?"

"Big time."

Two patrol cars raced down the dirt road. The first one was Frank's, and oh hell, the second one was Sergeant Bergman's.

"I think the shit is about to hit the fan," Julie commented.

"Yep."

In an amazing athletic feat, the bleached blonde hopped out of the house. Her perky triple E boobs never moved a centimeter. She looked around wildly and let out a horrified scream. "What happened to our Harleys?"

Bodacious bellowed.

"That fucking cow did that, didn't he?"

"Shooting a Brahma bull is never a good idea and if I were you, I'd shut the hell up, before he stomps on you too," I warned.

She collapsed on the grass. "Why did you shoot them, you old hag?"

"They shot at me first and I taught them some manners," Miss Hazel answered gleefully.

Sergeant Bergman and Frank got out of their patrol cars and surveyed the carnage.

"Don't you be yelling at the girls. I asked for their help," Miss Hazel said.

A faint smile touched Sergeant Bergman's mouth. "Did you now."

"I found that hussy in my house taking a bubble bath, and they arrested her."

Julie and I nodded.

Sergeant Bergman's narrow-eyed gaze roamed over us. "A spur-of-the-moment decision I see."

"Yes, sir." I tried not to fidget. "We couldn't let anything happen to Miss Hazel, now could we."

"Absolutely not." Was the Sarge laughing at us?

Desperately trying to maintain a serious demeanor Frank asked, "What happened to the Bandits and their motorcycles?"

"They shot at me and my guard dog; and I filled their backsides with rock salt," Miss Hazel replied.

Frank frowned in confusion. "Guard dog?"

"Bodacious," I supplied.

Sergeant Bergman rubbed his jaw. "He just happened to follow you here?"

"Yes, sir. It kinda surprised us too," I said.

A big, burly dude with an orange mohawk cried, "Where are the paramedics? We've been shot."

"With rock salt, which won't kill you," Julie shot back.

"We didn't do nuthin'," another biker whined. "That bitch shot us for no reason. I want her arrested for assault."

I rolled my eyes. "Why are there bullet holes in Miss Hazel's walls?"

"The bitch shot at us first. We had the right to defend ourselves," Mohawk spat.

I hid a smile. The judge would take one look at Miss Hazel and dismiss the case.

Frank keyed his radio mic, "Charlie-26 we are code four, and I need you to start the paramedics to my location."

"Copy Charlie-26."

I raised an eyebrow as two more patrol cars headed down the dirt road. "You called in the cavalry?"

"When the two of you are involved, I never know what I'm going to find. Take Bodacious home before he damages any more vehicles," Sergeant Bergman ordered.

"Yes, sir." I patted Bodacious's shoulder. "Let's go get you some oats." He followed me like a puppy. I pulled out my cell phone and sent a text to the vet.

Julie handed Frank the shotgun. "This is Miss Hazel's gun."

"Rock salt, huh?"

"Non-lethal and hurts like hell." Julie trotted after me.

My phone rang immediately and before I could say a word, Doctor Burham yelled, "Shot?"

"It's a graze wound. I just need you to check Bodacious over."

"Does your father know?"

"Not yet."

"Are the police involved?"

I winced. "Yes, they are, and the suspects are in custody."

"I'll be there in twenty." Doctor Burham hung up.

Julie snorted. "Geeze, you'd think Bodacious was his bull."

I shrugged. "Dad pays him a small fortune to do those electro-ejaculations, which Bodacious hates and every time he sees the vet, he goes berserk."

"I would too if they were sticking an electrical probe up my butt."

"I keep telling Dad to do it the old-fashion way, but some of the buyers are in Mexico and Canada." I smacked my forehead. "Oh, crap! I didn't take any evidence pictures!"

A big smile formed on Julie's face. "Don't worry, I got it all on video."

"Oh, thank God. You are the best partner ever."

Julie came to a complete stop. "Oh, hell."

"What?"

She pointed at our pieced-together gate. Mom, Dad, and the boys were standing there, and they all looked pissed.

"I want to know who snitched on us." Assuming a cheerful demeanor, I called, "Don't worry, Miss Hazel is fine, and the suspects were arrested."

My family kept a healthy distance from Bodacious while Julie and I answered their questions.

"I've got it on video. Let's get out of the heat and I'll show it to you," Julie said and everyone, but Dad followed her to the house.

Dad angrily examined the bullet wound on Bodacious's back. "How many bikers?"

"Three. The vet will be here shortly, and you know how he gets around Doctor Burham."

Dad nodded and we headed to the barn.

Soon hoots, laughter, and jeers could be heard from the kitchen.

"She broke in to take a bubble bath?" Dad asked in disbelief.

I wrinkled my nose. "Yep, and she really needed one too."

"You're sure Miss Hazel is all right?"

I laughed. "Are you kidding me? She had a blast taking those bikers down."

"I'm glad Julie and you were here to help her, kitten." Dad gave me a hug.

"Hey, Miss Hazel did all the work and Bodacious was a total badass," I chortled.

A horn honked.

"That's got to be the vet."

Dad glanced over his shoulder. "It is. Get Bodacious into his stall and I'll go let him in."

"C'mon big guy, let's get you some oats." I opened the stall door.

Bodacious snuffled my hair again and didn't move.

"Aw c'mon, it's not a trick."

Bodacious snorted.

Okay, it sorta was.

A hand holding a bucket of oats appeared over the top of the adjoining stall.

Quickly grabbing the bucket, I poured the oats into the trough and dodged the hungry bull. I closed and locked the stall door. Whew! Who was my mystery helper? I sniffed the air and smiled. Sandalwood aftershave. "Snookums is that you?"

Dante stood up, reached over the stall's gate and effortlessly picked me up. "I do not answer to Snookums."

"Too bad, I had something naughty in mind." I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered, "Very naughty."

Dante's mouth closed over mine in a toe-curling kiss.

"What the hell!" Doctor Burham exclaimed.

Dad let out a growl of disgust. "Knock it off you two. You're worse than hormonal teenagers."

"So are you and Mom," I shot back.

Dad shrugged. "When you've got it, you've got it."

Dante and I exchanged grins.

Bodacious let out a low-pitched guttural bellow and threw his considerable weight against the stall door. The wood made an ominous cracking noise.

"Shit!" Dante pulled me into the adjoining stall.

The bull slammed into the gate again.

"Run," Dad yelled.

Doctor Burham sprinted for the house.

"Easy boy, easy. I won't let him hurt you," I cried.

Muttering some really creative curses, Dad bolted for the tack room.

Bodacious kicked the door repeatedly. Snap! Crack! The wood splintered and the chase was on.

"Oh, crap." Dante and I ran out of the barn.

With the bull in hot pursuit, Doctor Burham ran circles around the pool, "He has gone mad!"

"What do you expect," I yelled. "You keep sticking an electrical probe up his butt."

A horrified look on his face, Dante asked, "Why?"

"It makes him ejaculate."

"That's so wrong."

"I know."

Dad rode out of the barn on Max, his cutting horse, and herded Bodacious into the holding corral.

I hurriedly closed the gate. "Well, that was fun."

Dante wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close. "I'm off duty now. How do you feel about dinner at The Sicilian and some slow dancing?"

"It sounds perfect."

"I'll pick you up at seven." Dante gave me a smooch and headed for his Camaro.