LITMIR.BIZ

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Caught the cat and called Game and Fish to take him away. That was probably four years ago. If your boss has been over this area that long, he’d likely remember the case.”

      “He covers this project and a few others. I have to call him about the SUV. I’ll ask about traps.”

      The sheriff went on outside and Wyatt filled out the form.

      Sheriff Anderson returned, printed the photo off and clipped it to the report he had Wyatt sign and date. They shook hands and Wyatt left to go order pizzas. He’d spent longer than anticipated with the sheriff. He hoped the side trip wouldn’t make him so late that Tandy would give up on him and cook supper.

      The owner of the pizza shop recognized him but didn’t really know who he was. The man mentioned he hadn’t seen Wyatt in a while, when he used to be a regular.

      “I’ve been out of town for my job,” he said, not wanting to draw attention to himself lest anyone in the establishment not be happy to see him back.

      While his take-and-bake order was in progress he stepped outside to call his boss. He currently headed a five-state wolf repatriation program.

      “Is the hostility bad enough you want to be pulled from the area?” his leader asked after hearing Wyatt’s story.

      “I wasn’t threatened, Joe. It may have been kids, although I doubt it.” He relayed what had happened to Tandy at the rancher’s meeting. “I want to continue.”

      “Good. We have some of our Mesquite pack dead down in the Chiricahua sector. I’ve sent all available biologists down to see if the wolves died from natural causes. We should get you an unmarked vehicle. Any chance you can spare time to drive to Silver City? I know you have a cabin there. If it’s something you can manage, I’ll swap out vehicles and get yours in for repair.”

      Wyatt had barely started and would hate to stop now. On the other hand, it might be better to take a few days now rather than after locating the Mission pack. “It’s not my cabin so let me check with my friend who owns it. When I’m not there he sometimes lets other guests use it. Can I get back with you in a day or so?”

      “Sure. Just take care. I’m damned tired of fighting ranchers over something they ought to be able to see rights the ecosystem. But telling you is like preaching to the choir. So you know, I’m having flyers printed up on the success of our program with the Fox Mountain pack. They’ve remained on their release range for five years. We have some testimonials from those area residents. I’ll try to have a batch printed that you can take back for distribution.”

      “Sounds good, Joe. I’m for anything that helps people understand there’s room on our planet for wild animals and domestic.” He said goodbye and went back inside.

      The cook signaled his pizzas were ready. Wyatt paid and carried the boxes out.

      He soon left the town behind. He slowed when he approached a corner where he knew there was a cattle crossing. The ranch road to Spiritridge turned off the main road shortly after passing the crossing. It was a good thing he’d cut his speed. Not only was he staring directly into the sinking sun, but a large flock of sheep, not cattle, were moseying across the highway.

      Because he heard dogs barking, Wyatt put his SUV in Park and opened his door, hoping to see the animals he’d caught sight of earlier. But the coloring wasn’t right. The two dogs were sleek yellow Labs in the company of a young boy and a girl, who were probably the sheep owner’s kids.

      Wyatt settled back, refastened his seat belt and prepared to wait for the flock to pass. A bit tired of delay after delay, he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and toyed with the idea of phoning Tandy to let her know he had the pizzas and was on his way.

      At last the final woolies passed by. Dust began to clear and he saw the boy close the gate so no sheep could turn back. More than ready to roll again, Wyatt fired up his motor and drove to the ranch turnoff.

      It so happened he drove in just as Tandy, Scotty and Manny were exiting the barn. He parked halfway between the main house and the casitas, figuring he could give the old cowboy his liniment and his pizza. Then he’d be available to unload the heavy bag of dog food he’d bought for Tandy.

      She jogged up to his door, leaving Manny hobbling along and Scotty skipping with his dog.

      “Good grief,” she yelped as Wyatt started to climb out. “What in the world happened to your car? Did it look like that yesterday? I remember passing it this morning and don’t recall seeing all those awful marks.”

      Wyatt hadn’t intended to bring the incident up. He didn’t want to worry her—she might think someone would do the same to her since she was renting him a place to stay. “It happened in town. I didn’t see the perpetrator. Sheriff Anderson had me fill out a complaint and he took photos. Can you take the pizzas? I’ll give Manny his order then haul everything else into your house.”

      Tandy nodded, but her gaze remained on the damage until Scotty ran up and flung his arms around Wyatt’s legs. “Did’ya remember to get us pizza, Wolf Man?” he asked. “I love, love, love pepperoni pizza.”

      “Scotty.” Tandy tugged him away. “Mr...uh... Wyatt was about to give me the pizza boxes. I need you to open the house. I’ll take these to the kitchen and bake them.” She handed the boy the house key. “Go on. Scoot. And please don’t call him Wolf Man.”

      “I sure hope the pizza cooks fast. Wait!” He spun back around. “Were you able to find a wolf book at the library? Sorry if you don’t like me to call you Wolf Man.”

      Feeling a bit like he’d been hit by a semitruck, Wyatt let the boy’s run-on chatter roll over him until Manny arrived, took in the scene and laughed. “That boy can talk an ear off a flea. I’ll take my order off your hands, Wyatt. Today was warmer. My joints feel some better. But I hope you found liniment. I can still use it.”

      Wyatt opened the back door to the SUV, ducked inside and found Manny’s things. He passed them to the man and gave Tandy the two larger pizzas. He actually hoped she’d go on in. He’d like to ask Manny about the hybrids.

      She drew Manny’s attention to the scratched paint. “Any idea who might do something like this?” The man had worked for her parents from the time they’d bought the ranch. “You know everyone who lives around here. And probably most newcomers. People never used to even lock their houses or barns. I can’t recall anyone ever having anything like this happen, can you?”

      In the fading light, Manny bent closer and studied the marks. “Looks like you sideswiped a fence post or a telephone pole. What happened?”

      “I don’t know. I can only guess,” he said, returning to slip out his book before lifting the remaining bags from the back seat. “I notified my boss. He’s going to arrange for me to trade it for an unmarked vehicle. It’s getting late. Shouldn’t you both put your pizzas in to cook?”

      As if Tandy got the message that he’d rather not discuss the incident, she tightened her hold on the pizza boxes and turned away.

      He immediately felt bad. He certainly hadn’t meant to dismiss her. He just thought it’d be worse to turn wolf dogs into a big deal. Especially because he didn’t want Scotty to grab hold of it and start asking endless questions. “I was in the grocery store when it happened, Manny. Someone keyed my vehicle. It could’ve been personal, or a random act by hoodlums. Say it is personal, like aimed at driving me away from staying to do my job with the wolves. Maybe the less attention given the act, the better. What I don’t want is to bring more anger down on Tandy and Scotty.”

      “I agree. Curtis would appreciate you caring about her and the boy. When she told me about how Preston Hicks ranted at the local rancher’s meeting, I recommended she lay low and avoid that group. At my age, I can’t help thwart any problems. I tried to help her hire a younger cowhand. Three times I thought we had someone, only to learn Preston Hicks or Jim Haskell swooped in and offered them higher wages. I’m gettin’ stonewalled trying to buy her a bull, too. She ordered one from Stew Darnell. He keeps

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