Cooper’s Redemption (Crimson Romance)

by D'Ann Lindun

  Cooper knelt and examined the dirt, but he couldn’t distinguish anything special about any of the prints. In all the hubbub last night there’d been up to ten people walking through there, all leaving footprints. The sheriff, the deputy, the ambulance crew, and the coroner had all tread through numerous times.

  Standing, Cooper went and checked each stall. In the third one, he found prints in the soft earth. Bending down he noted that someone had been in here wearing high-heeled, average size cowboy boots. Hell, what a clue. Half of Salt Lick’s population wore a medium-sized boot. These weren’t his prints; he had a size eleven foot. Frowning, he tried to recall what size Lyle wore, but nothing came to mind.

  “Are you ready?” Elizabeth called from the doorway.

  “I’m here.” He momentarily forgot about the mystery when he saw how Elizabeth had dressed herself. Cooper wasn’t sure which looked more ridiculous, her knee-high boots, a helmet buckled under her chin or the thin, skin-tight pants she wore. “Is that what you’re wearing?”

  Her chin lifted a notch. “What’s wrong with it?”

  He nodded at her legs, trying not to stare. “Those pants might get snagged. Plus, they’re probably not too warm. You’d better get some jeans. And long-johns underneath. You’ll need a heavy coat, too.”

  “I’ll see what I can find.”

  “Hurry. I’ll saddle your horse.”

  She dashed back toward the house calling over her shoulder, “My saddle’s in the trunk. If you would get him out and lunge him a few minutes, I’d appreciate it.”

  Lunge him? She must think they were going to a horse show. Cooper could guarantee the paint would be worn out by the time they spotted a single cow, but he opened the door. Like a shot the horse whirled away. Cooper stepped into the stall. “What’s the matter, boy? What are you scared of? Something or somebody spook you last night?”

  The horse dove away, slamming into the wall, then stood trembling. Hot anger burned in Cooper’s stomach. Who the hell had beaten this horse? Elizabeth? He couldn’t picture it, but someone had made the animal a nervous wreck.

  With a careful touch, he laid a hand on the horse’s hip then edged it up his back, to his furry neck. He grasped the halter. With blinding speed the horse reared up and jerked Cooper off his feet, grazing his shoulder in the process.

  He stood and tried again. Once more, the horse thundered by. They repeated this routine until Cooper again caught the animal and rubbed his soft, white nose until he calmed down.

  After leading the horse out to the aisle, Cooper tied him to the post. Turning away, Cooper opened the trunk and found a flat, English saddle. He snorted. If this horse was half as rank to ride as he was to catch, how the hell could a city woman like Elizabeth handle him with only that little piece of leather between her legs?

  That question brought to mind a steamier image: one of his own body stretched out between her creamy white thighs. Cooper gritted his teeth. He would not get involved with Elizabeth Adams.

  Maybe there was an old stock saddle around here she could use. He checked the tack room and found Henry’s saddle hanging from the rafters. Dust had settled two inches thick on everything. Cooper removed the old McClellan from a hook and carried it to the aisle. The saddle needed a thorough overhaul with leather soap and oil, but it looked in decent shape. Taking a bandana from his back pocket, he wiped the seat clean.

  “What are you doing?” Elizabeth called from the doorway.

  “Putting on a saddle you can ride.”

  She moved closer. “You’re being absurd. I’ve ridden in dozens of events, including everything from pleasure to hunter hack classes.”

  “That may be the case, but after the way Henry’s horse tried to run away from me a few minutes ago, I’d say you need good tack. Something you can hold on to.”

  “What do you mean ‘ran away from you,’” Elizabeth demanded. “He’s a lamb, a kitten.”

  It was Cooper’s turn to be astonished. He turned to face her. “I can tell you that your lamb chop tried to run his body through the wall when I opened the stall door.”

  “There’s no way he would do that,” Elizabeth protested. “I’ve been feeding him every day, and he’s sweet as candy.”

  “Lady, I’m telling you he did. This horse wouldn’t let me touch him. He even ran me over and one of his hooves grazed my shoulder. I don’t know how you handle your animals, but beating him isn’t the answer.”

  “Beat him? Are you insane?” Her cheeks flushed bright red. “I wouldn’t lay a hand on any animal. Especially Splash.”

  “I can tell you someone scared him witless,” Copper said. “And if you didn’t, who did?”

  They stared at one another as his words sank in. In unison they looked where Lyle’s body had lain the previous night.

  “The gelding was out of his stall when I got here,” Cooper said.

  “I can’t … won’t believe Splash hurt anyone,” Elizabeth said.

  “Probably not intentionally,” Cooper agreed. “But maybe he ran over Lyle, like he did me? Knocked the old guy down and stepped on his head? Horses have the flight or fight instinct. If Splash here felt trapped, maybe he ran over Lyle in a panic. He was a little slow, maybe he couldn’t move fast enough.”

  “I can’t believe Splash would be so afraid of anyone,” Elizabeth protested. “Besides, he was in his stall, and Lyle’s body was in the aisle.”

  “He was out with Lyle when I got here,” Cooper explained. “I put him up.”

  Elizabeth paled. “You’re barking up the wrong tree. I know you are.”

  “If neither one of us killed Lyle, then who did?” He placed the heavy stock saddle on the horse’s back and reached under his belly for the cinch. The horse jumped forward and the saddle fell to the ground.

  When Cooper bent down to get it, he saw something. “Look at this.”

  “What?” She peered at the spot Cooper pointed out. All along the horse’s side were rowel marks. Made by sharp spurs, the cuts were deep, small and almost invisible in the black hair. “Oh my God. I don’t use spurs.” She stroked Splash’s nose. “Poor baby. Who did this?”

  Chapter 4

  Cooper knew it had been a mistake to call the sheriff.

  Marlowe didn’t even try to hide his skepticism. He leaned against the stall door, a dubious look on his face. “You expect me to swallow this cock and bull story? I’m supposed to believe ole Lyle just happened to be in the neighborhood, stumbled in on someone trying to steal a horse, told them not to and got killed for his effort?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “I think it’s a possibility.”

  “That’s your explanation for how he got his skull cracked open?”

  “Yes. Mr. Cooper believes Splash may have run Mr. Pritchett over, but I doubt it,” Elizabeth said.

  Even though he was frustrated, Cooper had to try and point out one more thing. “Sheriff, take a look at this.” He motioned to the gelding’s back left hoof where the wall was cracked and jagged.

  Sheriff Marlowe bent to look. “So what? He’s missing a shoe.”

  “Whoever rounded up my cows yesterday rode a horse with a broken back hoof. I think this may be the same horse.”

  “Are you trying to tell me you believe someone broke in this barn, took this horse and rode him to use in an illegal roundup? Why’d they bring the horse back here? And then to top it off, Lyle got involved and got killed for his trouble? That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard.”

  “I agree it seems odd.” Cooper kept his tone level. “But, yes, I think something like that may have happened. I don’t have all the facts yet, but I do know someone rode this horse in my north pasture yesterday.”

  “Horses lose shoes every day. What makes you think this is the right one?”

  “For one thing, it’s the rear-left hoof. Same as the tracks in my pasture.”

  “All this doesn’t add up to a hill of beans.” Marlowe glared at Elizabeth. “You seem mighty anxious to give Cooper an alibi. Maybe you wer
e the one riding in the pasture yesterday.”

  “I wasn’t. You know I was in town. Lots of people saw me.”

  “If you’re going to get Cooper off the hook, you’d better come up with something better than this story. It’s full of holes. I’ve wasted my time by coming out here today.” He tipped his hat at Elizabeth, ignored Cooper and left.

  Cooper had never wanted to punch something as badly as he did at that moment. Marlowe hadn’t even given their ideas any weight. Cooper hadn’t expected much, but the way the sheriff scoffed at their theory made him want to pummel the man. He should have known better. Who knew better than he how Sheriff Marlowe turned a blind eye to facts?

  “That, that … jerk!”

  Jerk? That was the best Elizabeth could come up with? The man was going to put him in jail for the rest of his life and all she could come up with was ‘jerk’? Cooper smiled a little.

  “What do you find so funny?” she demanded.

  “Not a damn thing.” He sobered up fast. “None of this makes any sense. What connection do my cows, Lyle Pritchett, and your horse have? I can’t figure out the tie.”

  “Don’t forget, there’s one more thing.” She looked at him with wide golden eyes. “I think my mother’s somehow involved, too.”

  “How so?”

  “She came here to take care of Henry’s estate, and ended up missing. I think there’s a link. But what?”

  “Where was she when you last talked to her?”

  “That’s just it. I don’t know for sure. What I do know is that she came to Henry’s ranch and left that note on your door.” Elizabeth blinked furiously. “The cops here are no help. They say there’s no evidence she ever even got here, even though her things are here, or of foul play if she did. That she probably just went home. There’s a problem with that theory, though.”

  “Which is?” Cooper prompted.

  “All her stuff is here.” Her throat worked. “Her purse, clothes, makeup. My mom never goes anywhere without makeup. Only her car is gone.”

  “Has she done anything like this before?” Cooper didn’t know why he was letting himself get involved. Another headache was the last thing he needed.

  “That’s the problem. Sometimes she goes away for a day or two on impulse. But this is different.”

  “What’s changed?”

  “She always takes off with friends, lets me know where she’s going, and if it’s for more than a day or two she checks in with me. I haven’t talked to my Mom in over a week.”

  “Sounds fishy,” Cooper agreed. “It’s likely that someone wants to keep you and anybody else away from your house.”

  “Do you think they might come back? If you didn’t know I live here, maybe the rustlers don’t either.”

  He hesitated. Then he said something he couldn’t believe. “I doubt they will. I do think they know you’re here. They had your gelding, after all. Still, would you feel better if you put him up at my place?”

  She chewed her lip. “I could, I guess. I’d feel better if he was somewhere safe. I can’t be here all the time to watch him.”

  “What about you? I’d get a room in town if I were you.”

  “This is the last place my mother was; she might come back. I’m not going to be run off. Besides, I feel like the clue to where my mom might be is hidden here. I just have to find it.” She lifted her chin. “Can I bring Splash over tonight?”

  “Put him the barn next to the bay. I wouldn’t stay here if I was you, but it’s your choice. I’m going after my heifers.”

  “Do you have to do that right now?”

  “Pretty soon. Why?”

  “I’m going to hire a private investigator. Didn’t you say you had to go into town and talk to the branding iron?”

  He hid a grin. “Brand inspector.”

  “If we went together now, we could both take care of business, then I could help you move your cattle later today.” Elizabeth didn’t want Cooper to leave. He was the only person who gave her fears any weight at all.

  “Not the best idea,” he said. “You’d be better off to hire someone in Norwood. It’s far enough away you’ll find someone honest.”

  “I’ll bring Splash over later, then,” she agreed.

  • • •

  Surprisingly, Russell Stone was in his tiny, cluttered office. Papers were strewn across an old-fashioned roll-top desk. The scent of scorched coffee hung in the air.

  “Do you remember me?” Cooper removed his hat. “I own the old Peters’ place out on Hairpin Road. I had you inspect that bunch of heifers I bought from the sale barn down in Montrose about a year ago.”

  “I remember,” Stone said. “Is there a problem?”

  “Yeah.” Cooper took a deep breath. “I’ve lost roughly twenty head of heifers, all branded with my brand, the Double Slash C.”

  “What do you mean, ‘lost?’” Stone’s voice turned cold. Everyone knew Russ Stone couldn’t abide stealing. He was practically legendary on his bull-doggedness to find and prosecute livestock thieves.

  “Around twenty head came up missing from my north pasture two days ago. They’ve been rustled.”

  “You sure?”

  Cooper let the question hang.

  “What do you want from me?”

  “Have you seen anything suspicious at any sale yard? Any brands that have been tampered with? Any cows with a forged bill of sale? Anything?”

  “I haven’t seen anything funny,” Stone said. “Have you talked to Pete?”

  “Marlowe?” Cooper restrained a sarcastic comment. The brand inspector and the sheriff were friends. “He says he’s too busy to look into this.”

  “There isn’t a livestock sale until Saturday,” Stone said. “Something might turn up there.”

  “Where is it?”

  “There’s one down in Delta, and there’s another the same day over in Monticello.”

  “It’d be easier to sell the cattle here in Colorado,” Cooper mused. “Although Delta’s pretty far away. Still, not as much hassle as crossing the state line.” Although Salt Lick was in Colorado, it sat only about seventy-five miles from Utah.

  “For a rustler, distance isn’t an issue.”

  “Keep your eyes open, will you?”

  “Will do,” Stone said. “I’ll call Pete right now and see if he’ll open up to me a little more than you. I’ll also tell him to keep an eye out for anything fishy.”

  “Thanks, let me know if you hear anything.” Cooper said and squared his hat in place, surprised by Stone’s helpful attitude.

  “I won’t tolerate thieves,” Stone said.

  • • •

  Sabrina Frazier wasn’t what Elizabeth expected. Wearing a pink sweatshirt with a barrel racing logo across the front, Wranglers, and bright red Ropers, the big-boned blonde looked like she’d be more at home leading a 4-H meeting than in the office that had her name and Private Investigator emblazoned across the door.

  “Can I get you a cup of coffee?” Sabrina indicated the pot with a nod.

  Elizabeth didn’t need more caffeine; her nerves were already rattled, but she took it to have something to do with her shaking hands. “Please.”

  Handing her a cup, Sabrina motioned to cream and sugar on a sideboard. “Help yourself.”

  After Elizabeth doctored her coffee, she sat. Sabrina studied her with calm, brown eyes. “Tell me what you need. I’m all ears.”

  “Do you have experience finding a missing person?”

  Sabrina side-stepped the answer. “Who are you looking for?”

  Elizabeth opened her handbag and pulled out the note her mother had left on Cooper’s door. “My mother left California to come here and settle her brother’s estate. She left this note on my neighbor’s door. This proves my mom was here, but no one actually saw her.”

  “It’s your mom who’s missing, then?” Sabrina scanned the paper. “Since when?”

  “I last spoke to her a little over a week ago.” Finally. Someone believed her.
Cooper believed her, she remembered. “I need help. The area’s too big. I don’t know where to start … ”

  Sabrina sat forward and put her hand on Elizabeth’s. “Calm down, honey. I’m a local. I know this land like the back of my hand. Now, did your mom rent a car?”

  “No. She drove her own SUV so if she wanted to take anything back, she could.”

  Turning businesslike, Sabrina drew a yellow legal pad out of her desk. “I need to know when your mom left, and from where. When she showed up in Salt Lick. Anything at all.”

  Elizabeth filled her in, then paused a moment. “The only person who admits to seeing Mom is J.B. Cooper, my neighbor. He gave me that note.”

  Sabrina shot her a sharp glance. “Cooper? Up on the divide road?”

  Elizabeth’s heart sank. Here it came. Another lecture on how Cooper couldn’t be trusted. She didn’t want to hear it. He’d been straight with her. “Yes, the same.”

  “He seems like a decent sort,” Sabrina said. “I met him when he hired me to look into something last summer.”

  Amazed, Elizabeth stared at her. Sabrina hadn’t told her to run screaming from Cooper. After handing over a recent photo of her mom, she said, “There’s one more thing.”

  Arching an eyebrow, Sabrina waited.

  “Someone was murdered in my barn last night.”

  “Holy Pete! Are you kidding me?”

  “No, not at all.” Elizabeth told Sabrina everything. “I’m really frightened. The deputy, my cousin Tom, insists Cooper had something to do with it, but my intuition tells me he didn’t.”

  “I don’t know for sure, but I do know this, you better be extra careful,” Sabrina warned. “I’d stick close to home. Leave the searching up to me.”

  “I can’t do that, but I will check in daily. With my mom out there all alone, lost — ” Elizabeth’s voice broke “ — I can’t sit around and twiddle my thumbs.”