We watched Bass start the conversation with Justin and Tyler. It was obvious the boys were caring of Justin and Tyler's feelings. The girls oddly remained quiet and watched. We then noticed Det. Yathers' smiling at them. A thumbs up elicted a smile from Alice and Antonia.
The boys even asked to do the dishes. Drawing Justin and Tyler into the group a little more. We learned a lot as their conversations continued. Yes we were eavesdropping. Then Angel came out to ask if the boys could use the pool.
"Sure," I told him. "Just remember to be down before sunset." Some of the boys laughed as they heard me.
"Dante had lights put in," Daniel told me with an impish smile. I turned to look at Dante through narrowed eyes, who smiled that devious smile of his.
"Oh! I was going to tell you about that," he told me with a kiss. "Well I had to do something up there."
"Thank you," I said with a smile. Then I gave him a kiss. "So go get changed boys.
"Shawn, Jessie if you would go with them?" I asked. They said yes.
"But we don't have any trunks," Justine pointed out.
"You can use those shorts we got you," Dante told him. "And underwear please!" The boys were already running to the bunk house. Whoops and hollers could be heard as they ran.
Jessie and Shawn laughed as they followed the boys. We were all laughing as well.
It didn't take them long to come roaring back. Jessie and Shawn told us as they passed, they never made it to the bunk house.
Bass, Charlie, Daniel and Angel kissed their mothers as the came running past. Kevin and Peter kissed their dad.
Jean and Diane took Sherry and Sam(antha) to the other end so we could talk. Dante and his dad, Sam, stayed with us. And for once, Dante wasn't in my lap.
"Det. Yathers," Mr. Ashworth said starting it off. "Could you tell us about the Rio Rancho, bust?"
"How did your people happen upon it?" he asked her.
"The S.O. didn't," she told him with a smile. "An off duty Rio Rancho Detective spotted Julio with one of his known dogs from a gas station."
"He then called his captain and followed Julio. We got the call after they found out where Julio was going."
"But isn't Rio Rancho in Sandoval county," Dante asked. "Sorry."
"Don't be," She answered him. "Because you're right, for most of it. But one neighborhood was built in Bernalillo county."
"Sandoval county got burned on a drug bust on the same street a few months ago," she told us. "It got thrown out for illegal search."
So the Detective was expecting to bust a dog fighting ring," She told us.
"So what was the dog doing there then?" Mr. Ashworth asked her.
"He was there because he was a winner," Yathers told him. "Julio treats his male dogs to sex with one of the boys for winning."
"I killed that one and a second was put down by a patrolman when it broke loose."
"Did you get the rest of his dogs?" I asked her.
"Fortunately," she said. "Julio has over a dozen properties across several counties. Maybe more."
"And the house they were in?" Mr. Ashworth asked.
"We're not sure," Darlene told him. "But we didn't find any money in the house."
"So Julio is a customer?" I asked her.
"Julio owned the house and us," Justin told us. He and Tyler had come down to get something.
"Are you sure Justin?" Darlene asked him.
"YES!" Justin snapped at her. Bob had gotten up. Justin turned to cry as Bob hugged the young man.
"Justin," Mr. Ashworth said. "Det. Yathers and other officers will need to ask you these questions."
"Then they will have to verify the answers to you give," I told him.
"So our word is not good enough," huffed a now angry Tyler.
"No," Mr. Ashworth told him. "It will go a long way. But will have to be verified."
"So you'll have to question us again?" Justin asked.
"We do," I told them. "But Monday will do for that."
"Enjoy the week end," Dante said with a smile. "And remember. Jean and I will be there for you any time you need us."
"Justin, Tyler. We want the men who did this to you," Mary told them.
"Why do you care?" Justin demanded from her.
"Because some men did this to my cousin when I was younger," She told them. "They let a client...Well he died."
Justin rushed over and hugged Mary. He sobbed that he was sorry as he hugged her. Tyler joined him.
"Now we're going to get anyone involved," Mary told them with a kiss to each. "Julio's a start."
"Hey! There you two are," Jeff said as he and Mattie came down.
"Yeah!" Mattie said. "Where's the water? We're dieing of thirst up there."
"Sorry boys," I told them. "But we needed to ask Justin and Tyler a few questions."
"Water's in the pantry fridge," Dante told them. "You can go through our bedroom. It's faster."
Justin and Tyler kissed Mary quickly and they were gone. A moment later they came roaring out. Alice and the girls followed.
Jean chuckled and said she had it. the other ladies followed her. But Sherry went to change a fussy Lil Billy. Then she followed them up.
We talked about another hour. Dante wanting to know how the U.S. Attorney's office had gotten involved. Mr. Ashworth smiled.
Mary told him that they had found. Justin and Tyler, and the other boys had been bought in an online auction for sex slaves. They had been brought in from other states and one foreign country.
Dante and I then got our bedroom ready for Mr. Ashworth and his wife. We grabbed some clothes for the next day and headed for the bunk house.
We were barely in the room when the boys charged in. Jessie and Shawn in tow. Bass stayed standing as the others sat on the floor.
"Uncle Bill, Uncle Dante! Can we talk?" Bass asked. Obviously as the spokesman. The boys all looked serious.
"Sure thing Bass," I told him. "My love?"
"Of course," Dante said with a raised eyebrow.
"We want to know what we can do. To help you protect Lottie, Tony, Justin and Tyler?" he asked. As I looked at Jessie and Shawn who nodded.
"They were talking about it till the girls showed up," Jessie said, as the girls walked in, Arms crossed and mad.
"And we would like to know as well," Alice said. Staring daggers at Charlie. And Antonia at Bass.
"And the girls have been talking about it since I arrived," Genevieve told us with a smile.
"Well a few simple questions," I said. "Lottie, Tony. How do you feel about it?"
"It would take a load off my mind," Tony said.
"I wouldn't mind," Lottie said.
"Justin, Tyler?" Dante asked.
"Well once we're friends I guess," Justin said.
"I agree with Justin," Tyler said. But Peter stood up with a huff.
"But we are your friends!" Peter said sounding more than a little hurt. "Just like we are for Tony and Lottie." Peter looked from Katy to Kevin. They nodded to his unasked question as he rose.
"We're your friend like Charlie, Daniel, and Angel are our friends," Peter told them as Charlie, Daniel, and Angel gave him pats on the back. "Even after our mom...after our mom tried to kill Billy and shot Charlie by accident."
All along their parents were watching from the hall. Linzie kissed Ethan's cheek.
As they all hugged each other. I told them. "Bass you've answered your own question."
"Just keep doing what your doing," I added.
"Well we have a big day tomorrow," Dante said. "Girls do you want to help Justin and Tyler do a little shopping?"
"If Justin and Tyler want our help," Amelia said.
"It's late," I said. "Help them work on a list for shopping. In the morning."
"Can I tell them about the Marshal's posse?" Peter asked. "It's for search and rescue."
"Petey!" Katy roared.
"That's great thinking Peter," I said cutting her off with a smile. "Peter would you tell them about it in the morning."
"Sure thing Billy," Peter said.
"We'll be in to check on you in a little bit," Dante said as they exited.
We allowed enough time. Then we checked on the girls. then the boys. As we walked to our room, I pulled Dante in close.
"God I missed you," I said just before we kissed. We got into our room and made love for I guess an hour. Or two.
Then about 1:30 there was a pounding on our door. Then it burst open.
"Billy! Dante! Justin's freaking out!" Daniel roared. "It's the coyotes that are freakin him out."
"Come on Dante," I said as I grabbed my jeans. But Dante had his sweats on and was following Daniel to the boys room.
I pulled my jeans and belted on my pistols. I slid into my shoes and was gone. When I got there. Dante was holding the shaking and sobbing Justin.
"It's all right Justin," Dante told the terrified boy. If you want. We'll sleep in here tonight."
"Really?" a sobbing Justin asked.
"Really," I told him.
Then the Coyotes started up again. But there was a deeper bark mixed in.
I quickly had Daniel and Angel get our bedding. Bass and Charlie went to get a couple of the futon mattresses.
"What else do you need?" Dante asked me.
"I need to get my rifle," I said.
But before I could finish. "It's in Tommy and Sebastian's gun safe," Dante told me. "Take Jessie and Shawn with you."
I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I love you." Then I pounded on Jessie and Shawn's door. They opened their door dressed. "Boss?"
"We're going for a walk," I said as I opened the safe. I grabbed the 45-70 and we left.
We walked up to the upper corral first. Zeb had the mares huddled in the corner. We got George's mare and foal into the barn and a secure stall. We set the security bars to protect them.
We walked around the whole place. We heard the coyotes and the deeper barking from time to time. But never from the same place twice. Then we heard nothing.
We headed back to the bunk house. I put my rifle away and joined Dante and the boys. I told Dante what we did. Justin and Tyler were laying next to him. By morning most of the boys were on the floor with us.
We were awakened to the sound of cameras clicking. Linzie and Jean stood there taking pictures as Donna just laughed.
"We'll want to see those pictures!" Dante demanded.
"We will see about that," Linzie sneered.
"Mom! Come on!" Bass roared as he pulled up the covers.
"Don't worry you big babies," Linzie said. "It's only for a few people. And definitely not for the girls."
"Now get moving," Donna said. "Dr. Jones is here for breakfast."
"Well ladies if you'll leave we can get dressed," Dante said.
"Yeah," Kevin said. "I have to get up there to help with breakfast."
"Don't worry Kevin," Jean told him. "Jason and his Peter are up there cooking."
"Now I have to go," he told her.
Author's note: Apologies for such a long delay. But it was health related and I can see much better. Enjoy. I have roughed out up to chapter 54.