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“I have a meeting with your boss.” He shifted his gaze to her cheek. “That was a pretty stupid thing you did.”
“Yeah, but it worked.”
The concession surprised him; the haughty confidence did not. He reached out and took hold of her chin, tilting her face for a better look at the reddish-blue bruise. “It was a reckless plan. This could’ve been a lot worse.”
Confusion clouded her eyes before she pulled free. “What do you care?”
“I don’t like to see anyone get hurt,” he said as she opened the gate and waited for him to step through. While she closed it again, he added a note of warning to his voice. “Or take needless risks.”
“Well, this is my turf. You’ve got no say here.”
She stalked ahead of him into the barn, leaving him to follow with a grim smile. He was really going to enjoy these next few minutes. Then he noticed a slight tremble in her hand as she reached for the door of what looked to be their tack room. She wasn’t as unaffected as she’d have everyone believe. So what the hell was she trying to prove?
Inside the stable office, he accepted the coffee cup Mark offered. After stirring in a little cream and sugar, he leaned against the wall by the window. Much as he wanted to tear someone a new one over what’d just happened outside, he reminded himself he was here for the investigation, nothing more.
“I assume Ryan briefed you on the reason I was brought to Colorado?”
“He did, even though I’d already heard the rumors.”
“Yeah…I love that about this town.” A twitch of Mark’s lips was the only response to his sarcasm. “Ryan wanted me to review the ranch’s contract, but I’m also going to need to talk to your staff. In particular, whoever typically guides your overnights into the park.”
“That’d be Casey, Britt and Mitch.”
He still had his reservations about Casey, but hadn’t met the other guy yet. Brittany was a contradiction he didn’t want to think about. “Can I trust each one of them?”
“Explicitly.”
Joel nodded, and Mark called the others in to join them. The only one who offered a somewhat congenial greeting was Mitch as he took a seat on the couch against the wall. Casey sat on the opposite side of his co-worker, his demeanor cool and reserved. Despite plenty of room, Brittany remained standing, her resentment tangible.
He kept the meeting short, only giving them a very brief overview of the most general details of his investigation while stressing everything remain confidential. The main thing he needed was for them to watch for anything unusual on their trail rides—one in particular.
“I want to know immediately if anyone local books the Wildlife Ride, or if you notice any repeat riders, even from the past couple years. Highlands is the only stable allowed into that particular area, and all of the hiking trails near there have been closed. So, besides the rangers, you guys are the only ones with access. How often is the ride scheduled?”
“Once a week on Thursdays,” Mark answered. “It depends on the guests. We have to be assured they have the riding ability to handle the rough trail.”
“There are other areas in the park where the bighorn graze for the summer,” Brittany pointed out.
Joel zeroed in on her. “Yes, and those areas have been sealed off and will be patrolled on a regular basis. But your trail leaves a main area open to the public. It may be regulated through your ranch, but it’s still open.”
“Then why are you allowing us access?”
“If it was solely up to me, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. The whole area would be closed to everyone.”
“So it’s not your decision?”
The challenging lift of her eyebrows questioned his authority in front of everyone and poked his ego—exactly as he was sure she intended.
He locked his gaze with hers. “For now, I have decided not to question Ryan’s judgment. However, at any time I feel the need to restrict your access, I won’t hesitate to do so.”
His slight emphasis on your had her pressing her lips together as if trying to hold back a retort. Go on, say it, he urged silently. He’d love any reason to shut them down right now.
“We understand,” Mark said, his warning tone unmistakable in the silence. “We want whoever is doing this caught as much as you do. Whatever we can do to help, we’ll do it.”
“Good. Then we’re on the same page.” He didn’t shift his gaze away from Brittany’s. “Another thing I want to be clear on, no going into the park alone.”
Renewed resentment filled her expression. “You can’t dictate—”
“I can, and I am. This guy murders animals for money, and based on what I’ve seen, my gut says he’s moving beyond financial gain. What you were afraid I might do up there,” he pointed out the window toward Long’s Peak, “this guy won’t think twice about if he catches you alone.”
