Finishing her coffee, Jenna nodded. “I agree it would be only natural for me to ask about what happened to your parents and the background that goes with it. Most old-timers are more than happy to tell the story of what happened all those years ago.”
“I figure whoever murdered your folks still lives here and they’ve been running criminal activities since before your parents were murdered. They wouldn’t appreciate anyone interrupting them, so you need to watch your back, Rhett. One wrong move and you’ll be on their list—the reason being that they would have known the ranch would have gone to you after your father’s death. Your grandparents would have been too old to take over the running of a place this big, so there would have been two options: Either sell the ranch, and in most cases the leading hands are often asked to remain along with many of the employees when a ranch changes hands. The second option would be exactly what happened to you. A lawyer takes over the running of the estate until the beneficiary is of age. A suitable rancher is chosen to manage the day-to-day running of the place and is selected from one of the leading hands, and the company goes on as usual with little actual supervision. As long as it makes a profit each year, no one would be the wiser to any underhand dealings.”
“Yeah, but only a short while after my parents died, my grandparents were killed in a car wreck.” Rhett looked miserable. “What if they killed them as well, to make sure the second option played out and they could continue whatever underhanded scheme they were involved in?” He shook his head. “I should replace the lot of them. If I don’t, I’ll be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life.”
Concerned, Jenna squeezed his arm. “That might be the only option if you intend to keep the ranch, but don’t fire anyone just yet. I want to bring the person who murdered your parents to justice.”
Five
Suspicion had always been a part of Kane’s nature. His instinct to sense danger had saved him many times in battle. The strong odor of horse and cow dung hung heavy in the air as they headed toward the rancher’s office. Many people worked on this ranch and yet not one person was in sight. No dogs rushed out to greet them. The unnatural silence lifted the hairs on the back of Kane’s neck in that familiar primal feeling that something was not quite right. His concerns were echoed in Zorro. Carter’s Doberman could sniff out a bomb or explosives from some distance away and had worked beside Carter in bomb disposal during his time in the SEALs. The dog was also extremely protective, and seeing his sudden stiffening gait and the hackles all along his back rise, Kane raised his hand immediately to the M18 pistol strapped to his thigh. He held a hand out in warning to the others and scanned the area. Buildings spread out all around them—barns, bunkhouses, stables, various other structures for accommodation, a hay barn—and he made out the aroma of food drifting on the air from a cookhouse, set some way from the corrals containing cattle.
“What is it?” Jenna moved to his side.
Kane swiveled his head, looking up across the roofs and listening intently. “It’s too quiet. Where is everybody?”
“I have been keeping my nose to the ground.” Carter stood hands on hips, surveying the area. “I’d say most of the hands are in the mess hall at this time of day. They start work at daybreak and usually, if they’re working around here, take a break around ten and then eat again at around one to two.” He indicated toward Zorro. “Don’t take any notice of that nonsense. One of their prized bulls is in that shed, and he and Zorro don’t get along.”
“Where are the dogs?” Jenna dropped her sunglasses and peered over the top at Rhett. “All ranches have dogs.”
“The ranch hands take them out with them.” Rhett shrugged. “Apparently, they are a really good early warning signal if there are any bears around. Well, that’s what they’ve told me anyway. Are grizzlies really a big problem in this county?”
Kane turned to look at him. “No, not a big problem. There’s wildlife all over. Bears and cats can be a problem with livestock but they’re not stupid. Most times they hunt at night. I’ve never had a problem with them, but I do have respect for them and carry bear spray. If I’m being honest, nothing will save you from a grizzly intent on killing you.”
“Don’t lose any sleep over it.” Jenna smiled at him. “I figure they’re trying to keep you from riding around your spread and checking up on them.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want to be ambushed by a group of guys in some stupid initiation stunt.” Rhett touched his shoulder holster. “This is why I’m carrying. I’ve seen rifles in racks in their trucks and some carry rifles on their saddles.”
Kane nodded. “That’s usual practice for most people on ranches.” He indicated with his chin toward the rancher’s office. “Do you figure Bowman will be in his office at this time of the day?”
“I have no idea. He seems to be there every time I’ve come by.” Rhett turned and headed in that direction. “I guess we’re gonna find out.”
Kane followed Rhett into the office with Jenna close behind. The man behind the large desk stood slowly and stared at Jenna. Kane moved forward and held out his hand. “Dave Kane and this is my wife, Jenna. I figure you know Carter?”
“What brings you out here, Sheriff?” Bowman looked straight at Jenna and raised both eyebrows. “Is there a problem I need to be aware of?”
“No, everything’s fine.” Jenna smiled at him. “Rhett is a friend of ours and we just came out with the family to enjoy a trail ride. This is such a beautiful ranch. We had a picnic by the river.”
Resting his thumbs in his belt, Kane took a nonchalant stance. “We noticed the burned-out cabin and Rhett mentioned it’s where his parents died. I’m guessing you were around at that time. What actually happened?”
“I told Rhett, as far as I remember, his ma and pa went to check fences in the north pasture. It was a warm day and his ma wanted to take a ride. His grandparents had been down for the weekend and had left with Rhett. A wild storm blew over sudden like. We figure they went into the old fishing cabin to take shelter and it was hit by lightning and burned to the ground.”
The story was word-perfect to what Rhett had told them. Kane nodded. “Who found them?”
“When their horses came back, a search party went out looking for them.” Bowman frowned. “I was with the group that found them.” He shook his head slowly. “The cabin had been razed to the ground, apart from that one wall standing.”
“Did anyone come out to investigate their deaths?” Jenna frowned.
“No, we called the paramedics, and they took the remains to the hospital.” Bowman cupped the back of his neck, his thumb moving as if rubbing a sore muscle. “I don’t know what happened after that. The next thing I knew was that a lawyer came by to speak to the rancher.”
Interested, Kane moved a step closer. “Who was the rancher at that time?”
“Rhett’s pa managed the business, but the cow boss at the time, Wade Cutter, was appointed by the lawyer to take over. When he left, I got the job.” Bowman scratched his chin. “That’s all I know about the Lawsons’ deaths. Most people said it was an act of God, but I never agreed. Chris Lawson was a good man and well respected.”
“Thank you.” Rhett looked at Bowman. “That’s good to know. I know virtually nothing about my parents.”
“Is Wade Cutter still alive?” Jenna met Bowman’s gaze.
“No. He took his own life. He managed the ranch for only a few weeks.” Bowman pushed back his cowboy hat and scratched his head. “He took the Lawsons’ deaths real bad. He found the bodies all burned up and I had no idea it had affected him in such a bad way. He didn’t tell anyone.” He rubbed his chin, thinking. “After he died, I called the boss—the lawyer overseeing everything—and he put me in charge. I moved into the rancher’s house and gave Mary-Jo Cutter and her son one of the smaller buildings. She’s still here and is the payroll clerk. Her son, Branch, is one of our wranglers.” He nodded slowly. “We have the sons of Josh Greenwood and Dirk Lovall, the foremen, working here as well. It’s nice to see the new generations willing to work alongside their pas. Don’t you agree?”
