Acting Sheriff Danny Montoya was the las
t to arrive, and he pushed through the crowd to step beside Lee’s body. Danny appeared pale. He looked at Hunter, “You were on the phone with him when this happened?”
“Yes.”
“Did he see his killer?”
Hunter took care this time when answering, “No, Sheriff. He didn’t know he was in danger. They ambushed him.” She pointed at the hill, “The murderer shot from there. I left the .308 casing where I saw it and didn’t disturb the scene.”
“How did they get away?”
“In a helicopter.”
He kicked the ground. “What is it with you, Kincaid? It’s like everyone around you is in a free-fire zone!” He looked at her, “And now you get my Deputy killed.”
A tear ran down Hunter’s cheek as she stared at him. “I can’t believe you said that to me, with him lying here. Lee may have been your deputy, but he was my friend!” She wiped the tears with her palms, “You’re a gold plated, hundred percent son-of-a-bitch, Danny.”
Turk touched Hunter’s arm, “Come on.” Hunter didn’t argue, and walked with him to the helicopter. As they rose into the air, Turk shot the Sheriff the finger.
“That’s gonna get you in trouble.”
“It was worth it. Did you see his face? He looked like he swallowed a golf ball.”
The next three days saw the Big Bend area inundated with people from various agencies and departments, as well as news teams attempting to add their own unique spin and stand out from the others on the murder of Deputy Sheriff Lee Rodriguez. The funeral in tiny Redford, Texas quadrupled the little hamlet’s population as several hundred people gathered for the service. Hunter did all right and held it together until she gave her condolences to Lee’s wife, Jody, and two daughters. When she hugged Jody, the tears came again.
As she left the cemetery, Hunter scanned the crowd until she saw the one she hoped would be here. She approached him as he reached his car.
He saw her coming and turned from the open car door. “Yes?”
“I’m Hunter Kincaid, and I have something that might be important to you.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Lee mentioned you. Well, not your name, but your appearance.”
“So, you don’t know me.” He was wary.
“Not yet. I’m hoping you’ll tell me your name so we can get off to a better start.”
“Here, at the cemetery after we’ve buried a friend? You want to do this now?”
Hunter felt flustered, “It doesn’t have to be here, but I didn’t know any other way to contact you.”
“I’m sorry, but maybe another time.” He turned to get into his car.
“Wait.” She held out the broken watch.
He stopped halfway into the driver’s seat and looked at the watch, then emerged from the car and faced her. “Who are you?”
“I told you. I’m a Border Patrol Agent and we need to talk.”
He said, “Show me your credentials.”
“Seriously?” Hunter pulled out her wallet with the badge and official identification, showed it to him, and put it back in her pocket.
He looked at the watch in her hand. “I’ll need that.”
“We talk first, then maybe I’ll let you have it.”