The Rancher's Redemption

“Hey, Mr. Morgan. What’s up?” Nate asked.

“Some guy was threatening Bella Williams.”

Nate frowned. “I assume Jay isn’t around?”

“If he was, you’d probably be investigating a murder,” Billy said dryly. “No one would be stupid enough to misbehave with the mother of a retired Navy SEAL if they knew he was on the premises.”

“So it was probably a good thing you were around instead.” Nate gestured at the open door. “Is Mrs. Williams in there? Is she okay?”

“Yeah, she’s a bit shaken up, but no harm done. She said for us both to come in.”

Billy went through the back door and into the large kitchen where Bella dealt with all the culinary needs of the Red Dragon Bar. She was sitting at the kitchen table with a cafetière of coffee and three mugs.

“Morning, Mrs. Williams.” Nate touched his hat. “Is it okay if I come in?”

“Of course, take a seat, Nate.” Bella smiled, but still looked a little upset. “Did Billy tell you what happened?”

Nate sat at the table and took out his notebook. “He gave me the basics, but I’d like to get your take on it. Did you know the guy who was harassing you?”

“Yes, he’s been working here as my assistant for the past three months.”

“Great. So you have his name and social security?”

“His name is Axel Jordan. He came with good references from a San Francisco hotel, but I did notice he’d moved around a lot.” Bella sighed. “Everything was going okay until last Friday when he didn’t turn up on time. It’s our busiest day and we were really shorthanded. When he did arrive, he was sullen, uncooperative, and kept messing up the orders.”

Bella sipped her coffee and cradled the mug in her hands, her brown gaze distant. “At first I thought he was sickening for something, but it was more than that. Eventually, Jay got mad and told him to go home and only come back when he was willing to put in a day’s work for a day’s wages.”

“And he turned up today?” Nate asked.

“Yes, after three days of nothing and me having to do everything myself.” Bella grimaced. “I tried texting him and calling, but he didn’t bother to pick up. Today he came seeking his wages for last week. I told him that Jay was the only one who can authorize those payments. He didn’t believe me.”

“Which is where I came in,” Billy said. “He was demanding his wages and threatening to take them if Bella didn’t cooperate.”

“Do you have his address here?” Nate asked. “I’ll go and pay him a visit.”

“He rents a room over Ted Baker’s garage,” Bella said.

Nate got to his feet. “Then if you don’t mind, I’ll go over there and see if I can head him off at the pass. I’ll come back for your full statement later this afternoon.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be fine.” Bella waved him on. “Thanks for coming so quickly.”

“Thank Billy,” Nate said, smiling at her. “He’s the one who texted me.”

Billy waited until Nate shut the door behind him, and turned back to Bella. “Are you sure you’re okay? Would you like me to call Jay?”

“No, I don’t want to worry him. He’s gone to an appointment at the VA and I would hate for him to miss it.”

“You still look a bit shaken up,” Billy said slowly.

“It’s not the first time this has happened, but it’s never pleasant.” She let out a long breath. “Thank you for being there. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” He dug out the letter he’d found mixed in with his mail. “I was just coming to deliver this. It was in the wrong box.”

She picked up the letter and laughed. “This must be the first time the IRS has ever done something right.”

“Fancy that.” He joined in her laughter and noticed that she was starting to look a lot better. He hated to bring her back on topic, but he had no choice.

“I’m worried that you’re all alone here if Axel comes back.”

Bella patted his hand. “I’m not entirely helpless, Billy.” Her smile was both charming and wicked. “I know how to shoot a gun. Jay taught me.”