Sweet Carolina(64)

“I don't think you did it, Dell. I know you didn't. But someone did.”

“Well, it damn sure wasn't me.”

“The car is disqualified and they're talking about taking the win away as a penalty.”

Dell raised his face to the ceiling and counted to ten. This couldn't fuckin' be happening.

“I think I know who did it, or at least who's behind it.”

Dell snapped his head down. “Yeah, I have a pretty good idea myself. But how did he do it? He has to have someone in our garage or the pit crew.”

“Or maybe someone who has access to the gas cans before they get to the pits.”

Dell ran it through his head. “No. There's no way of knowing which cans are going to which pits until they get there. It had to be done after the can was delivered to our pit stall.”

Caro nodded. “You're right. And anyone could have put the empty container in your locker. The hauler is open, and there aren't any locks on the lockers.”

“That narrows it down, at least.”

“I can't believe one of our own could do this to us,” Caro said, scanning the clusters of men standing around waiting for instructions. “Maybe they thought they were helping.”

“I thought about that too, but they all believed we had a winning car. They're all behind you, one hundred percent, Caro. I talked to them a few weeks ago. None of them would have done this. The only reason to do it was so this would happen.” Dell waved his hand to indicate the fiasco around them. “Someone wanted the car disqualified, and you and I both know who it is.”

“Yes, we do. I never thought he'd go this far. I thought he was more into personal intimidation.”

“What are you talking about? Personal intimidation? Did he do something else you haven't told me about?” He'd kill the fucker if he laid a hand on Caro.

“I wasn't going to tell you, but tonight pushes the bounds of fair play. Renfro has gone too far this time.”

Dell listened as Caro related the incident in her motor home. The block of ice in his gut turned to cold, hard steel, sharp enough to cut anyone in his way into tiny pieces. And Butch Renfro was in his way.

“I'm going to kill him.”

“No! Dell!” Caro ran after him.

“You can't stop me, Caro,” he yelled over his shoulder. “The bastard had no right to touch you.”

Caro caught up to him and stopped him by yanking on his arm. He stopped long enough to dislodge her fingers from his sleeve. “Wait, Dell. Let's do this the right way. I'll tell the officials what happened. They'll believe me now. They'll handle Butch.”

“You're mine, Carolina. No one touches you. No one assaults you and gets away with it.”

“Dell, you have to stop. I know you want to beat up on Butch, but it won't solve anything. It will only make it worse.” Caro stood her ground. She had to make Dell see before things got out of hand.

“I'm not going to beat him up, Caro, I'm going to kill him.” Dell turned and she grabbed at his sleeve but missed.

“Dell!” Oh lord. Why did she tell him about what happened in her motor coach? Now he was going to go off and get into the kind of trouble that couldn't be solved with a fine or by taking away a trophy. Caro sighed and took out after him again.

She caught up to him seconds later around the corner of the garage. He'd come to a halt, and she saw he was talking to someone. She closed the distance between them.

“Out of my way, Dickey,” Dell said as he tried to sidestep his half-brother.

“Wait, Dell.” Warner put a hand on Dell's chest to stop him. Caro wanted to kiss him for slowing Dell down enough for her to catch up.

“I won't say it again,” Dell warned.

“Look, Dell, news travels fast around here. I know what's going on, and I think you should hear me out. I may be able to help.”

“Dell,” Caro said. “Let's hear what Warner has to say. We could use all the help we can get right now.” It was a testament to her desperation that she was willing to listen to anything one of Renfro's drivers had to say, especially this one. She didn't trust Warner as far as she could throw him.

“Unless he's here to tell us Renfro is dead, I don't want to hear it.”

“Wait, Dell. Please. I think I can help,” Warner said.

“Dell…” Caro pleaded.

“Spit it out. I haven't got all night.”

“Is it true? About the fuel additive?”

“You came to find out if the rumors are true?” Dell shoved past Warner. “I don't fuckin' believe this.” Caro lunged after him.

“Stop! Just stop for a damn minute. Let's hear him out.”

It was a miracle. Dell stopped and turned around. “This better be good,” he said.