All the Lost Little Horses (A Desperation Creek Novel Book 2)

by Janice Kay Johnson

  “He won’t hire me if he knows we’re friends.”

  “Fortunately, you weren’t at my house long. Go with the truth. You’re drifting around the country, haven’t found anyplace you want to settle.”

  Niall mimed astonishment. “And I tell him I fell for Fort Halleck, Oregon?” He waited for Jed to claim this was the most beautiful place in the U.S., when in fact much of the dry landscape was butt-ugly and really Jed was only here because of Linette.

  Jed didn’t even try. He only shrugged. “Say you won’t promise more than a year if the fit isn’t right, but you’ll guarantee to stay that long.”

  “Hmm.” Niall picked up his fork again and ate a few bites of the cashew chicken stir fry before saying, “What about Linette?”

  Her mouth opened, but Jed didn’t give her a chance to assure them she’d be fine by herself.

  “I talked to Alex Burke. He’s going to lend us one of his ranch hands. They may rotate in and out, he may take a day or two himself, but he says he won’t send anyone who doesn’t know horses and isn’t willing to carry and use a gun.”

  Linette closed her mouth.

  “He seems like a good guy,” Jed added.

  Niall sensed his reluctance. Was Jed mostly worried because neither Burke nor the borrowed ranch hands were likely to have experience in protecting a vulnerable woman? That was a worry Niall shared.

  But Jed looked at Linette and said bluntly, “You need the help, and the security of having a second person here. Burke already knows some of what’s been going on. He offered to help, and he meant it. He can afford to loan you an employee.”

  Even though she held his gaze with hers, he wasn’t sure how she’d react, but after a minute she nodded.

  “Won’t they wonder about Niall?”

  “Burke didn’t ask about him. The only time any of his employees would have seen him was the morning the horses were chased out on the road. But I did imply we think this has to do with the cattle rustling. His outfit was hit, you know. His cattle were insured, but he’s still angry.”

  Showing perturbation, Linette said, “That was…a little deceptive.”

  “I can’t always be honest.” He hesitated. “Or tell you what I’m working on.”

  Her eyes dilated. The way the two stared at each other, Niall wished he could easily slip away.

  But Jed flicked a glance at him, which broke whatever tension that stretched between him and Linette. No, Niall thought; all was still not well in that department.

  She said softly, “I understand,” before aiming a smile that looked a little forced on Niall. “Is this one of the reasons you turned in your badge?”

  This was something he didn’t talk about. Niall moved his shoulders uncomfortably. “Ah…no. Actually. After Clarissa, I didn’t have any relationships I’d call serious, and I’m not sure my family ever realized how much I didn’t tell them.”

  “People don’t, do they?” Linette commented with a trace of sadness.

  “You okay with this?” Jed asked her.

  “Why are you asking her?” Niall complained. “I’m the one who has to go to work.”

  Linette laughed, as he’d intended, and said, “Yes. I’m fine with it.”

  “I’m game, too,” Niall agreed. “That drifting thing was getting old. I assume this will still be home?”

  Jed grimaced. “We sure don’t want you seen living at my house.”

  “And if someone did notice me there and asks about it?”

  “An army buddy gave you my name as someone who’d probably put you up for a night or two, might know about job openings.”

  “As you did.”

  In the ensuing pool of silence, Linette jumped up. “I have chocolate mint ice cream.”

  They both agreed they’d like a bowl.

  The minute she disappeared to the kitchen with the now-empty ceramic serving bowl, Niall looked straight at Jed, his expression dead serious.

  “I hope you mean whatever you’ve been telling her.”

  Jed’s eyes iced over. “What’s between us is nobody else’s business. Got that?”

  “Yeah. I got it.”

  *****

  At seven-thirty a.m., a shiny black Ford F-250 pickup truck turned into the driveway. Burke himself.

  Jed wanted to be sour about it, but he respected what he’d seen of the man. Even felt a degree of trust, which allowed him to leave for work after thanking Burke.

  He hadn’t reached town when his phone rang. Dispatch.

  “A Mason Thayer called to report cattle were taken last night.”

  Now, this was a twist.

  After establishing that nothing else of any urgency had happened, he let her know he’d go straight to Thayer’s place.

  Already scowling, Mason came out of his house the minute Jed pulled in. Jed got out of the SUV and rounded the hood to find the other man walking toward him.

  His first words? “I can’t believe this. I thought your damn patrols were supposed to stop it.”

  Jed said mildly, “The patrols could have covered more ground if all local ranchers had given some time.”

  “So this is my fault?”

  Had this been kindergarten, Jed would have had a retort. As it was, he said only, “Show me how you think they got trucks onto your property.”

  The padlock on the gate near the barn had been cut. Unlike when the horses were chased out at Linette’s ranch, the padlock and chain lay where they’d fallen. He’d take the padlock for Erin to fingerprint, but only to show due diligence. If the cows and calves had really been stolen, the rustlers had undoubtedly worn gloves. Mason Thayer’s fingerprints would be on this padlock, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to find those of any of his buddies, too. The results wouldn’t help Jed.

  Given that the land was flat and devoid of trees, he could agree that there wasn’t an animal left in the pasture. He turned on his heels and studied the barnyard for tire tracks, but the ground was predictably hard-packed after several weeks of dry weather.

  “You didn’t hear a thing.”

  Thayer glared. “I was in town until late. Should have looked around when I got home, but I didn’t. I fell into bed, okay?”

  “So you assume the cattle were already gone when you got home.”

  “’Course they were!”

  If he’d fallen into bed because he was drunk, he might not have heard an elephant trumpeting outside his bedroom window. But there was no harm in agreeing.

  “Seems likely.” Jed put his left hand into his pocket but kept his right hand dangling casually not far from his weapon. “Where were you last night?”

  Thayer took an aggressive step forward, fury – real or simulated – twisting his face. “I’m the victim, and you’re investigating me? You’ve had it in for me from the start, haven’t you?”

  Jed made sure to sound calm and keep his expression unaltered. “You believe the theft happened when you were…wherever you were, making it reasonable to suppose someone saw you and made a call to give the go-ahead, wouldn’t you say? If you remember who was in a position to do that, it would be helpful.”

  “Did you ask the rich fuckers where they were while their cattle were being stolen?”

  Jed held his gaze. “I did. I certainly know where Gary Webb was.”

  Swearing, Thayer shook his head. “I wasted my time calling this in.”

  “You did if you won’t cooperate with the investigation.”

  He glared, but finally bit out, “I was at a tavern. The Bar Double-D.”

  If Jed wasn’t mistaken, that’s where Cassie Ward had once gone in an effort to interview this very man. According to Grant, she could well have been gang-raped if he hadn’t followed her there. The ‘Double-D’ part of the name served as a warning, since posters featuring topless women with huge breasts decorated the walls in back, around the pool table. Following a brawl, Jed had made several arrests there shortly after taking this job.

  He took out his notebook and pencil. “And who
did you recall seeing during the evening?”

  Mason Thayer offered names, subtracted some, added a few back. He’d first listed his closest confederates, including Gene Baxter and Brian Warring. It must then have occurred to him that Jed would talk to the bartender. Somebody had certainly moved the cattle last night. Jed’s money was on Baxter and Warring. Thayer wanted to give them an alibi, but hadn’t thought through the pitfalls.

  This crowd had been careful so far. They wouldn’t have risked moving the cattle in daylight. Safer to do it after dark – while the ranch owner got conspicuously drunk in town. Of course, Thayer spent a lot of time at the tavern, so that wasn’t uncommon.

  “I’ll talk to these people,” Jed said, closing his notebook.

  “You’re not going to look around here?”

  “Can’t think what there’d be to see. If there were tire tracks, they’ve been obliterated—”

  “Is that an accusation?”

  The guy was a jackass. Jed had no idea what his problem was. He also couldn’t figure why Thayer believed claiming to be a victim would remove him from the list of suspects. Baxter had a better excuse for taking this route, with an easily identifiable trailer. It would make more sense if the supposedly missing cattle had been insured. Mason could have double-dipped – collected on the insurance and sold the animals, too.

  Jed’s best guess was that he had just panicked. This was a guy who acted on impulse rather than reason, and who, giving him something in common with Oren Calderon, seemed driven by resentment because he hadn’t had the success he was sure he deserved.

  Shaking his head, Jed said, “You have a real chip on your shoulder, Thayer. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get on with tracking down these folks.” He’d opened the driver side door when he turned back. “By the way, do you know Harrison Seward? The police chief? I hear he runs cattle, too.”

  A nerve jerked beneath Thayer’s right eye. “The police chief? Why would I know him?”

  Keeping it casual, Jed said, “Ranchers in these parts all seem to talk. Not that populous a county.”

  “I suppose I’ve met him. What of it?” he challenged.

  Jed smiled. “Just making conversation.” He swung himself into the cab, slammed the door and fired up the engine.

  Mason retreated toward the barn without ever turning his back. Jed had long since known he had a gift for scaring people. Maybe the intense focus required of a sniper had burned itself into his irises, belying his every attempt to appear harmless or sympathetic.

  He grimaced. Nobody had ever called him warm and friendly, even when he was a kid.

  *****

  Phone to her ear, Linette sat on a stump kept in the tack room to serve as a chair.

  “I think they’re letting me go Friday,” Troy said. “I could come back to work, like, Saturday or Sunday.”

  “What did the doctor say?” she asked, suspicious.

  “Oh, um, I don’t know, he kind of said maybe next week, but—”

  “Then next week it will be.” He argued, but she interrupted again. “Troy, you got shot. It’s…not very safe here right now. Jed and Niall are different because they’re army veterans and cops. They carry guns and know how to use them. I’d never forgive myself if you were hurt again. I know your mother wouldn’t forgive me.”

  “But…the horses.”

  “I have temporary help. The owner of the Arrowhead Creek Ranch insisted on lending me one of his employees every day until you come back.” She didn’t add that today’s help was Alex Burke, the ranch owner himself, or that he was currently mucking out a stall with the ease of experience. “You wait until you’re really healed, okay? And if you’re worried about me replacing you, I won’t. You’re a great employee, and I want you back.”

  She’d barely slid the phone into a pocket when Niall drove up in that bright blue pickup truck, so much showier than Jed’s. Was the bold color another part of Niall’s veneer?

  There’d be no hope of hiding the multiple vehicles tonight. For some reason, she’d assumed that he would lurk in town or something to avoid explaining to Alex that he was staying here.

  In fact, the neighboring rancher, a tall, handsome man, came out of the barn the minute he heard the truck, his bodyguard duties obviously on his mind. His eyebrows lifted quizzically.

  Niall went to meet him, hand extended, as Linette hurried to join them. Was she supposed to come up with an explanation for his presence?

  But the two men shook, and Niall said, “I’m a friend of Jed’s. I’ve worked in law enforcement, too. He asked if I’d stay out here nights so we can switch off sleeping. I’m asking you to keep that to yourself.”

  “I’ll do that.” Alex glanced at her. “Jed seems confident that there’ll be another attack.”

  “He might be a little paranoid, but I’m sleeping better nights with the guys staying here,” she admitted. “And I really appreciate you helping out, too. Oh!” She told both men that Troy was on the mend and would likely be back to work by early next week.

  “That’s good news,” Alex said. “Seems like a nice kid.”

  “He is, and great with the horses.”

  The pleasantries completed, Alex went back to the stall.

  Linette had been banned from working any horses on an obstacle course she’d created out of natural terrain on her land because Jed deemed it too exposed, but she could spend time in the enclosed ring with the foals. The minute she thought Alex was out of earshot, however, she asked, “How did it go?”

  Niall grinned. “You need to ask? I’m now an FHPD officer. I’m to pick up a uniform in the morning and start work. They’ve already issued me a gun and badge. Want to see?”

  She made a face at him. “No, I believe you. Did I ever mention I don’t actually like guns?”

  He sobered. “Jed’s all about guns, you know.”

  Linette saw red. “Don’t say that! I thought you were friends. There’s so much more to him. I think he likes law enforcement, but I know he hopes he never has to shoot anyone again.”

  Apparently silenced by her vehement defense, Niall took a moment before responding. “You’re right about that.” His face wiped of expression, he said, “Since you’re not alone, I’m going to catch a few hours of sleep. Besides, I’ve got to change out of my good clothes.”

  His ‘good clothes’ were stiff new blue jeans and a western style shirt with snap closures. Watching him walk toward the house, she recognized the boots, scuffed and worn but still suitable in these parts for a job interview.

  She grabbed a miniature halter and a lead rope and ducked between fence rails to round up the first foal, trying to decide why she was so mad at Niall even as her own vehement defense of Jed alarmed her.

  Had she made a decision without realizing it?

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Linette’s Thursday temp worker turned out to be Curt Deeter, the young guy who had hit and killed her colt with his truck. When Alex called, he’d asked if she would mind, and she was being honest when she said, “No, of course not.” Curt had seemed like a nice guy, genuinely torn up about what happened.

  Turned out he was a good worker, too, his ease with horses natural enough he even managed to stroke Rey, before the stallion realized he didn’t know this man and shied away.

  “At least he didn’t bite my fingers off,” Curt said cheerfully, when he noticed Linette watching.

  She laughed. “He’s been known to try.”

  Jed arrived at five-thirty, looking weary and grim. He and Curt exchanged a few words before Curt headed out in his old pickup, Linette calling after him, “Thanks for doing this.”

  “Happy to,” he said, before slamming his door and starting the engine.

  “Decent worker?” Jed asked her.

  “Really good. I’d hire him any time.”

  He nodded. “Niall not back yet?”

  “He didn’t call you?”

  “No.”

  “He’s staying in town to have a burger and be
er with some other officers. ‘Undercover,’ he said.”

  Jed’s laugh sounded half-hearted. “Sounds like he’s being accepted.”

  “Niall has a talent for making friends. Most people don’t notice—” She stopped.

  Jed’s eyebrows rose.

  It still felt weird to have to unlock her front door, but he watched in approval as she produced a key from her jeans’ pocket.

  Inside, he turned the deadbolt and followed her to the kitchen. “Don’t notice?”

  “Oh, that his good humor and charm are only skin deep.” She didn’t look at Jed, instead going to the sink to scrub her hands. Reaching for the dishtowel, she saw that he’d stopped in the doorway.

  “You look really beat,” she exclaimed. “You and Niall can’t go on like this, barely sleeping four or five hours a night.”

  Jed smiled in that gentle way she didn’t remember from the old days. “Sure we can,” he said. “It won’t be forever. We can sleep in this weekend.”

  She reached for a saucepan as an excuse to turn away to prevent him from seeing that she was on the verge of tears. Stupid. There was no reason, and yet her eyes burned. Once she’d put water on to boil for the noodles, she checked the chicken paprika she’d started in the crock pot that morning. Inhaling the spicy aroma helped. Feeling more herself, she said, “We need a vegetable.”

  “You may. I can live without.”

  Okay, now she was smiling, too, and the danger that she might actually cry had passed. “You’re right. Who cares?”

  “Let me go change,” he said, and disappeared. Unlike when Niall went up and down stairs, she didn’t hear Jed – except, apparently, when he wanted her to.

  He returned in well-worn jeans, athletic shoes and a faded tan T-shirt that was probably a leftover from his army days. Niall had worn desert camo pants one day, but Jed never did. Tonight, he’d left his badge upstairs, but was still armed.

  Jed’s all about guns, you know, Niall seemed to whisper in her ear. Linette shook off the memory. Jed had never carried a weapon when he was off-base in the old days.