AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well.” Prescott sounded nonplussed and Anna didn’t have to see him to know he glanced in Wade’s direction for assistance.
“Chuck Rhodes got into a disagreement with another ranch hand.” Wade sounded impatient as if the subject was of no consequence. “Unfortunately, since Chuck is a much smaller and weaker man, he did not fare as well.”
“And the other man?”
“Fared better.” Wade simply replied.
“May I see him?”
There was silence from the opposite room and Anna held her breath.
“For what purpose? To see if he’s hiding fangs and claws?” His voice started to rise and growing agitated. “I should hate to think you rode all the way out here for that. Though some of my ranch hands may act like animals, I can assure you none of them have long pointed teeth.”
The constable offered an insincere chuckle. “I’m beginning to feel, Mr. Haddock, that you are trying to hide something from me.”
“Because I won’t humor a crazy old man’s ravings?”
There was a pause before the constable asked, “Where’s the boy?”
Wade took his time in responding. “He’s here.”
“In the bunkhouse?” The constable sounded dubious. “I made my stop there first.”
“Without my permission?” He sounded angry. “I will remind you that this is my property and trespassing is still against the law, as far as I’m aware. However, being the constable maybe you can enlighten me differently.”
“Don’t worry,” he replied. “No one spoke or refused to divulge the name of the man Chuck Rhodes got into a scuffle with. However, I did notice the boy was missing.”
“I said he was here.”
“Here?” The constable’s voice was getting peeved. “Where exactly is here?”
“In the kitchen.”
Anna
felt her heart rate begin to pick up speed and stared at the door hard, praying the lawman would go away. Instead, she heard, “Could you go get him?”
There was silence, then Prescott said, “Of course, I’ll go fetch him.”
Instinctively, Anna withdrew further from the door. It opened and Prescott’s face came around the corner. He silently sent her a message of forgiveness before saying, “Peter?”
With her bottom lip beginning to tremble, she bit down on it to stop the revealing sign of her trepidation. Why, however, she wasn’t sure. Chuck had survived the night, she couldn’t be hung for murder. But she could be discovered disguising as the opposite sex, and for some reason the constable planted fear deep inside.
“Come on.” Prescott quietly urged.
She slowly made her way across the kitchen and into the dining room. All occupants turned to look at her. Anna’s eyes shot immediately in Wade’s direction. He looked away.
“Evening boy.” The constable greeted her.
She nodded.
“Can you tell me anything about what happened here last night?”
She paused and her eyes shot out Kathleen. Her face was full of understanding. She gave Anna a nod of encouragement. Glancing back at the constable, she was startled to notice his eyes were staring her down hard. And if she weren’t mistaken, with a silent hatred. She cowered away from him instinctively and took a step back.
“Boy, I asked you a question.” The lawman moved toward her, his voice rising.
“Don’t touch him.” Wade stepped forward and put himself between her and the constable. “The kid doesn’t know anything. You’ve seen him, so I would appreciate you removing yourself from my property.”
