Free Reapers by Edward W. Robertson Page B

nodded. "And the gun?"
    "I was afraid they were going to hurt each other. I fired into the air to make them quit." Dee stared at the torn-up grass. "Sam wasn't armed. He wasn't even wearing shoes."
    "I take it everyone's all right."
    "Quinn's got a black eye, but I think they hurt the grass more than each other." Dee scowled through the trees toward the Chase house. "What the hell's his problem?"
    "I'm afraid it's me." Ellie drank the rest of her water and pulled herself to her feet. "Is George inside?"
    "He's with Quinn."
    "I'm going to ask a few questions. If Sam comes back, stay inside the house."
    Dee nodded and followed her inside and locked the door. Ellie left her glass beside the sink and headed down the hall to Quinn's room. The door was half open but she tapped it with her knuckles.
    "Knock knock."
    Father and son swung up their heads. They were seated on the edge of the bed and Quinn had his shirt off. Welts reddened his chest. His left eyesocket was swollen and the color of an underripe plum.
    "Yeah, but should I see the other guy?" Ellie said.
    Quinn cocked his head. "Huh?"
    "What happened out there?"
    George planted his palms on his knees. "That trash who lives beside us was spoiling for a fight."
    "I'm asking Quinn."
    The boy shook his head. "Sam came over drunk and shouting. Next thing I know he's throwing punches."
    "Rest assured I'll be speaking to the sheriff," George said.
    Ellie didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. "Let's go out back, George."
    He touched Quinn's shoulder and smiled paternally, then followed her to the back porch. The air was brisk and now that Ellie's pulse had slowed her sweat felt cold on her skin.
    "The way that Chase boy carried on, you'd think I stole his favorite dolly." George shook his head. "The youth are crazy these days."
    Ellie made a noncommittal noise. "This wasn't the first incident."
    "Oh, I know they have a history. Chase seems to think Dee is a prize to be won."
    "Last week, I saw someone lurking around your yard. Yesterday morning, Quinn found Ringer in the woods. He'd been stabbed."
    George's jaw dropped. "Sam Chase did that?"
    "He has an unhealthy fixation on Dee."
    "And when were you intending to tell me?"
    "Once I had hard facts."
    The man slowed his voice like an idling car. "A man has the right to know when his family is being terrorized."
    She met his eyes. "That's a little dramatic."
    "My dog has been stabbed. I can think of few things more dramatic." He tugged down the hem of his coat. "I am off to see Sheriff Hobson."
    "Why?"
    He thrust his finger in the direction of the Chase house. "That fool assaulted my boy! He belongs in jail."
    "Last I checked, we don't have one of those," Ellie said. "And the esteemed Sheriff Hobson is both self-appointed and a civilian. I checked up on him. He taught literature in Buffalo. Big fan of Chandler and Arthur Conan Doyle."
    George laughed harshly. "I know what this is about. As usual, you think the most qualified man in the room so happens to be yourself."
    "I used to work for the government."
    "Doing what, exactly?"
    "That's classified." She gestured at the scraggly wheat fields. "Why don't you bring in the grain already? The mice are getting at it."
    His brows met in a peevish glower. "I had intended to. Now my assistant's hurt."
    "Quinn will be fine." Ellie cleared her throat; the run had worked up some phlegm. "See to your fields while I do some poking around. Once you finish, if you're not satisfied with my results, then take the issue to Sheriff Hobson."
    "Why don't I head straight there?"
    "Because we're family. I like to keep our business our own."
    George nodded slowly. "You have three days. After that, I go to the sheriff."
    "Deal." She folded her arms. "Mind if I sleep here tonight? I'd feel safer knowing we were all under the same roof."
    "Of course. You can have my room."
    That was hardly necessary, but now wasn't the time to argue. Not when George was trying to reassert control of his homestead. Ellie checked