Gatekeeper's Secret
Copyright© 2026 by Fick Suck
Chapter 24
Grady looked on as the women around the table continued to talk, ignoring his presence. He glanced over at Enrique and Chano, but they were carefully not looking at his table. He had long since finished his meal, and no one else showed the slightest desire to move from their seats. Even Mrs. Trang had returned from the kitchen and taken a seat. She was deep in conversation with Jessica Witt.
Watching Linh usher the last table of other diners out the door did nothing to raise his hopes. He imagined himself trapped in a corner from which there was no easy escape. Linh flipped the open sign to closed, before turning around and staring him straight in the face.
Christina reached across the table and slapped his hand. “Stop ogling the waitress. You look like a creep.”
Grady gave her his best stare down. “She isn’t a waitress. She is Cai’s sister, and I haven’t seen her in two years.”
“Creepy, creepy, Grady,” Christina said, waving her index finger.
Jessica took her daughter’s finger, pushing it down. “Stop picking on Grady. We’ve had this discussion.” Christina started to protest when Linh came forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s okay,” Linh said. “I’ve known Grady his whole life. He’s one of the good guys.”
“Go finish your setups,” Mrs. Trang ordered. “Then we will see.”
“Yes, Mother.”
To say that Mrs. Trang was entranced with the ongoing sagas of the newly arrived Witts, the returned Bettina, and how all of it appeared to revolve in some fashion around the Twin Sisters Ranch, was an understatement. This woman who had taught him how to sit at the table with proper manners and how to use chopsticks, acted like a soap opera junkie. Each vignette drew a bigger response from her.
The only person missing was Brianna, who was keeping an eye on the ranch. Not only was Grady grateful that someone was overseeing the property, but that Brianna and her impulsive declarations were behind a locked gate. He looked over at Chano and Enrique, but they were madly tapping on their cell phones, ignoring him.
As the conversation wound down, Bettina leaned over him and called to her brothers, “Did they find him?”
Enrique pointed to his phone. “Someone is reporting on the Facebook page that they saw his truck being escorted to the county line by a Sheriff’s deputy.”
Bettina scoffed at the report. “The bastards. The deputy who came to the dealership tried to warn me off from filing a complaint. I don’t know his name, but a different one interviewed me at the hospital. At least the second one didn’t try to stop me. Did everybody go to his frickin’ church?”
“Perhaps Luke McKinley knows the name of the deputy, or his daughter caught his name,” Grady said. “First things first. If he’s fled the county, which direction did he go?”
Enrique started typing again. Chano finally lifted his head. “Route 285, heading south. Why?”
“Why not,” his brother said. “The man is out of his head. He smacks Bettina because she is buying a van he can’t afford. Then he beats the shit out of his wife. Is she going to live? This man is totally out of control with no thoughts in his head. But, he’s a white Jesus man, and that’s good enough for a lot of people.”
“I agree,” Grady said. “Now what? It’s after dark. Rev. Masters has fled the area. For the moment, the streets are safe.”
“Your old truck is still parked at the dealership, Grady,” Bettina said.
“Did you ask for an oil change at least? You know, throw it in for Ole’ Grady to sweeten the deal.”
She gave him the middle finger. He smirked.
“I’ve got school tomorrow,” Christina said. “The gossip and the rumor mill are going to be awesome.” Grady thought her smile along with her rubbing her hands together were disturbing.
“Homework,” Jessica said, patting the table. “I’ve kept you out later than I expected. We’re going home and you’re going to finish your homework.” She turned to Grady. “I’ve got a potential buyer coming down tomorrow. As soon as Christina is off to school, I’m heading to the ranch. I’ll call Brianna ahead of time to give her instructions. Do you need anything?”
Grady looked at his watch. “The grocery store is closed. If you plan on eating in the kitchen tomorrow, we’re going to need a dozen eggs and a gallon of milk. I’ve got a chuck roast defrosting in the refrigerator.”
“Enrique is taking me home,” Bettina said. “Mother insisted. I’ll get the truck back to you tomorrow, I think. I’ll text you.”
“Well, Mrs. Trang, your turn,” Grady said. “You’re completely caught up on me and mine. Am I allowed to see Linh?”
“Saturday morning,” she said slowly. “I will bring her out to the ranch, and you may spend some time. Linh still has a ways to go to prove to me that I can trust her. Do you understand?”
Grady thought about her comment for a moment. “No, ma’am, I don’t, but I trust you.”
“Good enough,” she said. “Let me see you all out.”
“I’ll pick up the tab for tonight,” Jessica offered.
Grady chuckled, “I have a revolving bank account here. Everything was charged and paid for before your meal was served. Right, Mrs. Trang?”
Mrs. Trang looked at the gathered crowd. “He wants to be his grandfather. One day. Please, let me show you out.”