“Good point. What I want to do now is—”
“Let’s not spook them. Plus, you’re in Wildcat Bluff County, not Dallas County. If you agree, let me run this by our police chief. If need be, he’ll alert the county sheriff.”
“That’ll take time.”
“But if you go off half-cocked, we might lose them.”
“I won’t do that. But I bet there’s incriminating evidence instead of collectibles in their van.”
“Requires a search warrant.”
“True.”
“Our law is as frustrated and anxious to stop these fires and catch the culprits as we are.”
“I wish we could put a police tail on that van.”
“Maybe we can.”
“Should we warn Ruby?”
“Not yet. J.P. and Charlene may be innocent. Let me make a call.”
She nodded in agreement.
Trey wanted to run out and confront the Gladstones as much as Misty did, but they had to handle the situation intelligently. He pulled his cell out of his pocket. The entire police department, augmented by sheriff deputies, was on duty during Christmas in the Country. He’d try to get hold of the police chief first. Harry was an old friend, and Trey had his cell number.
He kept calling till he finally got through. “Harry, it’s Trey.”
“Trouble at the chili cook-off?”
“No. All’s fine here. Look, I’ve had an idea about the arsonists.”
“Now? In the middle of Christmas in the Country?”
“Timing’s lousy, I know.” Trey ran a hand through his thick hair. “But it’s the perfect time to set another fire with everybody so distracted, isn’t it?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Could you spare somebody to put a tail on J.P. and Charlene Gladstone? They’re staying at Twin Oaks. And they drive a white van.”
Trey heard Harry clicking on his computer. “Okay, got a hit. Nothing stands out about them.”
“They left the chili cook-off a bit ago.”
Misty tugged on Trey’s arm. “Just a hunch. See if he’ll check for them at the tree farm where we put out the last fire.”
The thought made Trey’s blood run cold. It’d be right across from Wildcat Ranch again. And it’d be an arrogant, smug, in-your-face kind of thing to do.
“Who’s that with you?” Harry asked.
“I’ll introduce you later,” Trey said. “Misty Reynolds. She’s a troubleshooter for Texas Timber. She wants to stop the fires as much as we do.”
“Is she our Christmas angel?”
“Yep. That’s her.”
“Okay. I’ll pull Jeremy off downtown and send him to Ruby’s. If the van’s not there, he’ll go on to the tree farm. If he doesn’t get a hit there, I’ll see if the sheriff can spare a deputy.”
“Thanks, Harry. Stay in touch.”
“Will do.”
Trey put his phone back in his pocket. “Could you hear any of that?”
“Bits and pieces.”
“Okay. Harry’s our chief of police. He’s going to send Jeremy over to Ruby’s to check on the van. If it’s not there, he’ll go to the tree farm.”
“That’s a relief.”
“We may be barking up the wrong tree.”
“True. But we can’t take a chance.” She looked up at Trey with a determined glint in her eyes. “And if that fails, we can drive backcountry roads all night till we do find the Gladstones.”
“I can think of better things to do.”
“Not if we catch them in the act.”
“True.” He squeezed her hand. “Harry’s on the ball now. Till we hear from him, we might as well enjoy the hayride. Want to try?”
“Let’s do more than try.”
He pointed toward the line of ATVs with their colorful trailers.
“I don’t mean to be ungrateful, but where are the horses?” Misty asked.
Trey sighed. “Everybody wants horses. They used ponies back in the day, but we’ve opted to hayride the easy way. Less mess. Less fuss.”
“It’ll still be just as much fun.”
“That’s right.”
“Are you driving one of those rigs?”
“Not tonight.” He pointed at the front of the line. “Kent leads the pack in his ATV. I bring up the rear in mine. We don’t haul hayriders. That way, if there’s an emergency or something, we’re free to run up and down the line or go for help. And we’re connected with our cell phones.”
“Are you sure you’ve got room for a passenger?”
“You’ll be right beside me.” He put an arm around her waist and turned her toward the end of the line. They saw Bert Two walking up to them.
“Evenin’,” Trey said.
“Enjoyed the chili.” Bert Two nodded at Misty. “Good to see you again. You had a fine idea to raise funds for animal oxygen kits.”
“Thanks for your support,” Misty said.
“Anything to help our fire-rescue.” Bert Two glanced at Trey. “Dad and I depend on them to help us. And we appreciate all the effort.”
“Regret we haven’t been able to save your buildings,” Trey said.
“Most you can do is try. And hope there’s an end to the harassment.” Bert Two gestured toward the hayride trailers where folks were stepping aboard. “Don’t let me hold you up. Just wanted to stop by and say thanks.”
“Appreciate it,” Trey said.
Bert Two tipped his cowboy hat to Misty. “Now, don’t go forgettin’ my offer.”