GLITTER GULCH

Chapter 26: Can Opener

The freakish sideshow wagon rumbled to a halt in front of the sprawling ranch house. The circus car shuddered as a cruel man with a garish red jacket and knee-high black boots stepped off the sideboard. He let his narrow eyes scan the house for signs of life before waving his driver on. With one flick of the reins, the driver took the cart to the small house behind the ranch and began to unload its gruesome cargo.

Talpa straightened his jacket and walked into the ranch house.

He startled Cale who was napping on the settee.

"Lord Talpa, I was just…"

"Where is everyone?"

Cale looked decidedly nervous. He ran a hand through his dark hair. Talpa had to admit that he liked the scar that now adorned the Sheriff's face. It gave the burly man a dangerous air. "They're in their rooms, Ringmaster Talpa."

"Well, fetch them! I don't have all day. I want to know how things have fared in my absence."

"Yes. I will go get them."

Talpa waited impatiently in the parlor. He noticed a fine sheen of dust covering the furniture. How unlike Judge Dais to allow such untidiness.

He watched as Mayor Sekhmet shuffled into the room, barely glancing up to acknowledge Talpa's presence. He was followed by a sleepy-eyed Judge Dais. Then Cale entered the room with Damon in tow.

"So, what have you managed to accomplish while I've been away?"

Cale's eyes darted to each of the others in the room.

"My Lord Talpa, I was not aware that you would be returning this evening," Damon said as he crossed the room slowly.

"I decided I would concentrate solely on obtaining the property from Miss Wilkerson."

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to…"

"You what?! That was the only thing I expected you to do while I was away! How dare you…"

"I found him, Lord Talpa." Dais' voice could barely be heard.

"What did you say?" The Ringmaster's eyes focused on the Judge.

"I found your Ryo Wildfire."

Talpa tried to hide his urgency as he strode quickly to where the Judge stood. He grabbed his lapels and lifted him off the floor. Cale's nostril flared, and he started forward, but Dais held up a delicate white hand to stop him.

"Where is he?" Talpa hissed.

"He's on the Halo Ranch." All eyes turned to Dais in incredulous disbelief.

"You'd better not be lying-"

"Why would I lie to you? I saw him. He's there with the violet-eyed cowboy. I can only assume that he's the Ryo Wildfire you've been looking for. Unless there is more than one."

Talpa lowered Dais to the ground and chuckled. "He's there? He's been under my nose this entire time?"

"No. He and the cowboy just arrived the other day. They haven't been here long." This time it was Cale's turn to speak as he closed the distance between him and the Judge. He cast a concerned glance to Dais before turning back to Talpa. "They've actually been causing quite a bit of trouble. It shouldn't take too much to…"

"Get him. Get him and bring him to me now."

"I have a better idea, Lord Talpa."

Teeth bared in a snarl, the Ringmaster grabbed Dais by the throat. Cale actually reached out and gave Talpa a warning glare. Narrow eyes slitted, Talpa growled, but the Sheriff held his ground.

"They are coming to you, Lord Talpa. Tomorrow night. They will be here for dinner."

"If you are lying to me…"

"I do not lie, Lord Talpa. Not to you."

Talpa relaxed his grip. "So, Ryo of the Wildfire is coming here tomorrow night, is he?" He smiled wickedly. "Good. I just hope I can wait that long."

Kento had wandered back into the kitchen just to prove to himself that yes, Philip did indeed exist.

"Kento, could you open this jar for me?" Cye held out a jar of green beans.

"Uh, sure." Kento reached out to take it.

"I can do that for you, Cye. Why didn't you ask me?" Philip snatched the jar from Cye's grasp.

"I…uh…Kento…"

"This shouldn't be too tough." Philip grasped the lid of the jar and tried to open it. It didn't budge.

"Here. I'll…" Kento reached out to take the jar from Philip.

"No! I can do this. It'll just take me a minute," Philip gasped between struggling with the jar and repositioning his hands.

Kento sighed and shook his head. "I'll be in the living room if you need me." He shot a glance at Cye who smiled apologetically.

"It's been ten minutes. Aren't ya gonna help?"

"Nope."

"He's never gonna get it open."

"I know."

A slathering of curses could be heard from the kitchen as well as some loud banging noises.

"Come on, Kento. It's killin' me. Help him, so he'll shut the fuck up!"

"Not until he asks." Kento blissfully whittled away on a piece of wood.

Rowan went back to trying to read his book.

A few muttered curses later and a jar was shoved unceremoniously in Kento's face. "Here."

Without taking his eyes off the British man, Kento reached up, grabbed the jar, and easily twisted off the lid on the first try. The Brit stood there stunned.

"Must've just loosened it up for me."

"Um, yes. That's precisely what I did." With a snort, Philip sauntered back into the kitchen. "Here, Cye love, I got it for you."

Kento sighed and Rowan rolled his eyes. "God, that guy's a prick."

"Yep."