LITMIR.BIZ

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we didn’t see anything helpful except for how the fence was destroyed in that area, we decided to come back for the night and leave early in the morning on a stakeout of the entire ranch and beyond, if necessary, on horseback. We won’t return then till we find the missing cattle.”

      “‘We’?” Clarence demanded, glaring at Melody.

      Odd that, after wondering the same thing, Casey now felt he had to defend Melody and the fact he had decided not to protest any longer. He understood her rationale. And her presence might cost him time, since he would have to protect her above all else. But she was the ranch owner’s employee. She had the kind of knowledge that could help him, as she’d mentioned. What she was doing could definitely be of assistance.

      He noticed she didn’t mention the charm she had found. Well, it might not mean anything, anyway. But he’d take care of checking into it.

      “Ms. Hayworth was kind enough to offer to come along,” Casey said. “We’re going on horseback, and I’m sure, with her experience, she’s a lot better rider than I am. Plus, she knows your land better than I do. I hope you’ll allow her to come, sir. I think it will be to your advantage.”

      The selectman’s expression changed from hard and angry to…well, resolved—and perhaps inquisitive. “And to yours, too, maybe, Deputy.”

      Casey saw the shock appear on Melody’s face, even as he felt himself flush slightly. Had the selectman intended to be suggestive? Maybe not, but just in case, Casey said, “I intend to do my job and do it well, and I appreciate any assistance with it.” He hoped he sounded strictly professional.

      “Well, okay,” Clarence said. “Hopefully that’ll work. And I like what you said, Melody. You won’t come back until you find my cattle. Right?”

      “That’s right.” Melody looked relieved as she nodded vehemently.

      “Right,” Casey echoed. “So now I’ll head back to town and return here early in the morning, around six thirty, okay?” He aimed his gaze at Melody.

      But Clarence was the one to answer. “No, stay here tonight. We’ve got some apartments available in our bunkhouse, where our hands stay. And they’re fairly nice, right, Melody? ”

      “Absolutely, Clarence,” she responded, which made Casey tilt his head slightly in confusion. She’d called him “sir” before, and now she was using his name.

      Informality might be in order at the moment.

      “I appreciate your invitation to stay here,” Casey said to Clarence, “but I do need to go home. I’ll need to bring the right clothing to wear on our stakeout, for one thing.” And other appropriate things, as well, particularly since he didn’t know how long they’d be out there.

      “I get it,” Clarence grumbled.

      Good. But if Casey could have stayed, he would have; maybe he would have met more of the ranch hands. Gained more of their input about what had happened. But that wasn’t in the cards right now.

      He thanked the ranch owner and again said he’d be back bright and early the next day.

      But Clarence wasn’t buying that. “Nope, that’s not happening. You can go home, get what you need and come on back as fast as you can—now. You’re going to have dinner with Melody and me right here, just the three of us so we can talk, and then you’ll stay here for the night.”

      The way he spoke allowed for no argument, but that was okay with Casey. He decided he liked this idea, since they’d be able to get an earlier start in the morning. He assumed that was also why Clarence was so insistent about his staying here overnight. Still, there were a couple of things he’d need to handle first.

      “I’m still on duty,” he told the older man. “And this is part of an assignment. I need to check with the sheriff first.” Which he’d intended to do, anyway, although he had no doubt Jeremy would approve this intense way of tackling his investigation.

      Staying at the ranch added another level to it, but that was likely to be all right, as well.

      Especially if Casey—and Melody—actually found the cattle and the people who’d taken them.

      But to do the stakeout as now planned, Casey would also need to pick up the camping gear he had at his home as well as some more supplies at a local store.

      When he mentioned that, Clarence put up a hand and moved it as if he was erasing what Casey said. “No need. We’ve got it all here. You’ll get it together tonight, Melody, right?”

      “Of course,” she said.

      But Casey remained adamant that he needed to get some things. And so, a few minutes later, he found himself in his car driving along the rural ranch-surrounded roads toward town as the sky began to turn dark. There were a few other cars that were heading in the opposite direction, but no one was heading to town, like him.

      He used the Bluetooth to call the sheriff. “Yeah, Casey?” Jeremy answered. “Did you find those missing cattle? And whoever stole them?”

      “Not yet, for either of them.” But Casey explained the situation to his superior officer, and how he was going to go on a stakeout with one of the ranch hands the next day.

      “Would that ranch hand happen to be Melody Hayworth?” Casey could hear the suggestive tone in his boss’s voice.

      What was it with guys? Casey thought. Did they not believe in his professionalism?

      Or did they find Melody as attractive as he did, and therefore let their imaginations run wild—their jealous imaginations?

      Maybe he would change his mind and give it a try…

      No. He was a professional. And clearly Melody was, too.

      “It is Melody,” Casey said in as formal a tone as he could muster. “She’s good with horses, and she knows the ranch.” Great reasons, even though talking about them was feeling a bit stale to Casey right now. “But looking for the cattle and the thieves—that’s all we’re up to. And I’ll keep you informed.”

      But he realized as he hung up that he’d need to make a stop at the department to have one of the evidence guys check the charm for prints or origin, in case it could help lead to the perpetrator.

      And there was something scratching at the back of his mind about it—but that was probably just because he hoped it would lead to something.

      He still had a little ways to go before reaching the discount store he was heading to first, so he made another call, this time to Everett, who worked for the FBI in Phoenix. Everett was older by a couple of minutes, and they didn’t look much alike. And for twins, their personalities weren’t much the same, though they’d both gone into law enforcement.

      “Hey, bro, what’s up?” Everett said as he answered.

      “On an interesting case,” Casey replied, then described the cattle rustling and how he was attempting to find the missing animals and solve the situation.

      He didn’t mention that the ranch hand helping him was a woman, though. He’d never hear the end of it from Everett.

      “I’ll be out on a stakeout for as long as it takes,” he informed his brother. “The ranch’s owner has things set up so I should have power for my phone, but I haven’t tried that yet.”

      “Well, better call the folks before you go, to let them know what you’re up to in case you become unreachable.”

      Which Casey did next. He’d reached the store’s parking lot, so he sat there as he talked to their parents, who both got on the phone.

      Neither of them was in law enforcement. Dr. Ryker Colton, their dad, was an oncologist in town, and their mom, Maribelle Colton, ran the Cactus Creek post office.

      As he finished and told them he was probably—but not absolutely—going to be reachable over the next few

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