She turned to me. “Sheriff?”
“Come on, let’s go. Call Mom, Calder.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He waved as he took off down the street.
Young climbed into the passenger side of my SUV. “Where are we going?”
I set my coffee in the cupholder and balanced my donut on my thigh as I started the engine. “We need to pay the Kemper family a visit.”
“What happened now?”
“That fire that started at Everly’s last night? It was arson.”
“Shit,” she whispered. “How is she holding up?”
“She’s fine. I can’t say the same about her barn.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
I glanced across the vehicle. “You like her, huh?”
Young’s mouth curved. “She was going to take a punch so she could lay her uncle out. That makes her a badass in my book. And my gram brought her cat to the vet because she wasn’t eating. Didn’t have an appointment, but Everly worked her in and was really kind. That makes her good people, too. So, if I can do something to help, I’d like to.”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.”
For the rest of the drive, we talked over what had happened last night. The likely timeframe we were looking at. I wasn’t exactly sure what I hoped to gain by talking to the Kempers. They sure as hell weren’t going to give me any sort of truth. But I needed to see a reaction, at least.
My SUV bumped and jostled as I navigated the potholes in the dirt road. There was no sign overhead, like most of the other ranches. Only a gate propped open with a log.
“I kind of expected locked gates and armed guards,” Young muttered.
“I don’t think they’ve gone that far.” But it didn’t mean they couldn’t. I kept a close eye on any FBI reports about militia activity in the area. It certainly wasn’t unheard of. Most of the people out here wanted a peaceful life away from the trappings of the city. But some thought it was the Wild West, and they were certified outlaws.
I guided my SUV down the road until a cluster of buildings came into view—an old, large farmhouse, a smaller guest cabin, and a series of barns and outbuildings. As I came to a stop, Allen stepped out of the barn, Ian on his heels. A couple of other men followed behind.
I parked so I faced the road, just in case things went south. “Remember, play it cool.”
“I’m not sure Allen is a friend of mine after I took him in.”
He glared at my SUV. Allen wasn’t a fan of any woman putting him in his place. I checked the gun at my hip. “Hold steady, and we’ll be fine.”
Young and I slid out of the SUV, and I nodded at the group of men. “Morning, gentlemen.”
Not a single friendly face greeted me. Allen took a few steps forward. “You’re on private property, and you’re not welcome here. Leave.”
“You’re free to request that, and I’ll abide, but then I’ll have to take you and Ian in for questioning.”
“What the hell for?” Ian asked.
A door clapped against a wood frame, and I looked to see Everly’s cousin and another older woman appear on the porch. “Ma’am. Ma’am,” I greeted.
The older woman scowled at me, but Adaline looked panicked. Young eyed her carefully, looking as if she wanted to go over and ask her if she was okay. I gave a slight shake of my head. That would take things from bad to
worse.
“My nephew asked you a question,” Allen gritted out.