“Crops and animals?” Free paused typing on the keyboard, “Do you live here in Atlanta?”
“I do. My boy and I are from Texas. We own Walker’s Farm Ranch just north of Highway 74 and the I-75 interchange. Got us a beautiful seventy-five acres out there. Lots of crops, actually did good this spring. My boy just opened our place up for business and it’s taken off.”
Free gave Mr. Walker his full attention now. It was something about his southern accent and the pride he showed when he talked about his son and his property. Free loved that. The ranch talk reminded him of someone. “So you have a fully functioning farm with animals and horses and bales of hay…all that?” Free clarified. He was starting to get a crazy idea.
The old man laughed, his bushy gray beard shaking as he did. “With a red barn and all.”
Free sucked in a sharp breath and the old man gave him a curious look. “Like barns do ya? Wouldn’t think it with that fancy accent of yours.”
“And you’d be right. But my um…” Free paused, wondering if he should say it. Screw it. “My boyfriend grew up on ranch in Lubbock, Texas.”
Mason’s brows rose, but Mr. Walker didn’t miss a second. “Well bring ‘em on by. Let him take a look at our operation. You say he from Lubbock. What parts?”
Free nodded enthusiastically. He was glad the guy didn’t flinch at the word boyfriend. “I’m not sure exactly where but, yeah, it’s a pretty big farm there. Like, two thousand acres.”
The man sat up higher, startling Free and Mason both. “Two thousand! Goddamn, boy. I might know ‘em cuz that ain’t no dang’on farm that’s a ranch. Who’s his poppa?”
“My boyfriend’s last name is Hart, and I’m pretty sure his father’s name—”
“I knew it!” Mr. Walker stamped his cane on the floor. “Well I’ll be dipped in buttermilk and stirred around. It really is a small world. You talkin’ bout the damn Hart Hope Ranch. One of the biggest ranches in not only Lubbock, but all of Texas. There ain’t many ranchers that don’t know them. I tell you. We weren’t neighbors, my land was over six hours away in La Vernia. Big Bull and I left Texas last year after the flooding wiped us out.” A touch of sadness reached Mr. Walker’s strong voice. “You can bring him by anytime.”
“We have some down days in a couple weeks. What was it you were needing police help with, catching vandals, yes? Maybe we can work out something, Mr. Walker.” Free was getting more and more excited at his insane idea. “Best way to catch anyone these days is on film.”
Mason joined back in, having been polite enough to let Free go on about nothing that had to do with police work. “I told him if he could set up a better surveillance system then—”
“My boy said we ain’t got the money to install a new security system that’ll cover that far along the property,” Mr. Walker stressed.
Free hurried to calm him. “No worries. This isn’t gonna cost you a thing.”
Mason’s confused expression quickly transformed into an energetic one. “Oh man. Mr. Walker if this guy is willing to help, then let me tell you, those guys are as good as caught. Freeman is the best there is with computers. He can do anything. He can even get into the—”
“Okay, Mason. Thank you. I think he gets it,” Free urged, giving Mason the eye.
“Actually, I don’t.” The older man looked cute, making that bewildered face while watching the exchange between him and Mason as if he were observing a ping-pong match.
“Mason, the report is back up and I sent it to the right printer. Remember, they’re on a different network now. Go ahead and process that and you’re finished, yes?” Free asked.
“Um. Yeah. I’m sorry, Mr. Walker but this really is all I can do. If you get some proof, then please let us know and we’ll get some arrests made. But for right now, I strongly suggest you accept Mr. Freeman’s help.” Mason urged.
Mr. Walker struggled to his feet, quickly waving off Free’s offered hand. He only came to Free’s shoulder and his body was compact but still wiry for his age. He righted himself with his cane and turned to Mason, “Thank you for your time, son. I appreciate what you did.” Mr. Walker’s smile was genuine and warm.
It really did remind Free of someone special to him.
“See, but you did. While you may not have been able to assist me all the way. You were smart enough to call on your brother for help. If you hadn’t done that, then I wouldn’t have met the person who could assist me the rest of the way. I sure appreciate it. You did say this guy was the best, right?” Mr. Walker laughed, pointing at Free.