“I am a detective from the Houston Police Department. My name is Brian Russell.” Cheyenne looked perplexed. He was sure that her mind was reeling and he wanted to calm her fears, but he was at a loss for words as he was confronted head on with her stunning beauty as she stood in front of him.
“What can I do for you?” she asked cautiously. Russell started out slowly and chose his words carefully.
“I come bearing bad news. I was called to the scene of a homicide this morning.”
As he spoke he noticed her blonde flowing hair, falling in loose ringlets down her back now that she had taken her cap off. The smell of sweet pea lotion in the air drove his imagination wild and he could imagine how soft her skin would be against his calloused palms.
“Did you know a man named Charles Wingate?”
Cheyenne shifted in the saddle in stunned silence as the blood appeared to drain from her face.
“Detective, I have never seen my father. Of course I know the name, but that is where my knowledge stops. I am sorry but I don’t know what I can do for you. I have not even heard his name spoken aloud in over fifteen years. To be honest with you, I could have gone another fifteen without hearing it.”
“He was the victim of the homicide this morning.” Detective Russell said.
He watched her features closely to see any glimpse of loss forming and realized that he was not going to find any sympathy from Cheyenne.
“My mother told me that he left us before I was born and he never looked back. After my mother died when I was eighteen, I always hoped that he would come for me, save me.” Her voice trailed off.
“My mom left me penniless with a little brother to try and raise, but I couldn’t handle it. After six months I had to send him to live with my mother’s best friend Edna, who adopted him. I found a job as a floral assistant and have been there every since. If you are watching to see if I suddenly develop a sense of longing for the father I never knew, you will be disappointed. Can you tell me what happened to him, Detective?” She asked as she dismounted her horse.
“He is being autopsied in the morning so we should have more answers when it is complete, but I can tell you what I do know, Miss. Wingate. I was called out this morning around four- thirty to the scene. I found your father slumped over his desk with a single gunshot wound to his right temple. I have interviewed everyone at his company and no one seems to know anything.”
“What company are you talking about?” She asked with curiosity in her voice.
“Miss. Wingate, your fathers was one of the wealthiest men in Houston. He owned Wingate Drilling.” he explained. “As soon as you can, I would suggest you come to Houston. You have a lot of affairs to handle and it would be much easier to do with you there. You can even ride with me.”Brian Russell stated. “I will call Maria and let her know that we will be on our way if you would like for me to do so,” he offered. “Who is Maria?” she questioned.
“I’m sorry. Maria has been his maid for the past twenty five years. I got the impression that she runs the house. Would you like for me to call her?” he asked again. Cheyenne looked perplexed for a moment.
“Miss Wingate, I don’t mean to rush you but Houston is a long drive. Will you come with me?” he asked in his most understanding tone.
“Detective Russell, I see no reason to lie to you. I feel like I need to go with you, but I don’t like the idea of riding with someone I have only just me. At the same time, I don’t feel like I have a choice. My truck is not dependable enough to make the trip alone. Also, part of me resents the hell out of having to take care of his affairs. He never bothered to take care of me!”
“I understand your reservations but I can assure you that you will not find someone safer and more reliable than me.” He replied with confidence.
“As for your last concern, I can’t answer to that. I can only sympathize with what you have been through.” Her honesty was refreshing but Brian knew that there was much more that she wasn’t saying. Anyone who carried the pain and resentment that was evident upon her face did not walk away without some scars.
“That would be helpful. We can leave right away.” she said as she walked inside to pack her bags.
Brian waited on her front porch for her return. She did not take long, which surprised him. Most women he knew would have taken forever to get packed and back out of the door. As she locked the front door, he began loading her bags in his truck. Once she stabled her horse, they were on their way. The detective called Maria, and they were expected later that evening. Brian watched her closely as they drove out of Slidell. Studying her, he learned several things rather quickly. The trip to her father’s was evoking strong emotions. As she sat in the passenger seat, she bounced her leg nervously while she chewed on her bottom lip. Her lifelong expectations for meeting her father were not being realized it seemed. And through the short time he had known her; it was obvious that life for Cheyenne Wingate had not been an easy one.