The Cowboy’s Justice (Naked Cowboys of Smoky Hill #4)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Portia had removed the cash from the safe and was reaching for the jewelry cases when her phone rang.

“Ignore it!” William barked.

“But it’s Devlin,” she exclaimed, glancing at the screen. “If I don’t answer he’ll wonder why.”

“I don’t give a shit. Let him wonder. If he comes over I’ll be gone by the time he arrives. Now get those cases out and empty everything into one box. What was that?” he abruptly demanded as a faint chime echoed through the house.

“The doorbell.”

“The doorbell?”

“Yeah, the doorbell,” Portia repeated. “I must be getting a delivery.”

“Forget it. Finish what you’re doing,” he snapped, then suddenly stepped over to the window. “What the fuck? I don’t see a van.”

In a flash she saw her chance.

Grabbing a large, round, glass paperweight off her desk, she charged towards him and slammed it against the back of his head. To her shock he didn’t make a sound, but his legs crumbled beneath him and he toppled into a heap on the floor. Dropping the globe and dashing out, she ran into the living room and was about to crouch down to help the sheriff when he abruptly sat up.

“What’s happened?” he asked urgently, hastily pulling the cuffs off his ankles. “Where’s William?”

“In my office. I hit him on the head with a glass ball and he sort of—fell down and didn’t get up. Lord, I hope I didn’t kill him.”

“I doubt it, and I don’t approve of citizens takin’ chances like that, but good for you,” he exclaimed, snatching up his phone. “Before I check on him I’d better see who’s ringin’ your bell.”

“Sheriff, look, Devlin’s here,” she exclaimed, staring across at the sliding glass doors.

As she hurried through the room to let him in, the sheriff strode to the front door and found Cade McLean, Andy Baker and Brody King.

“I guess you’d better join us, but what are you fellas doin’ here?”

“We’re the cavalry,” Andy replied, “though if you’re in charge I guess everything’s under control.”

“It’s gettin’ there, but mostly thanks to Portia,” he replied as they followed him inside. “She just told me she hit the guy on the head and knocked him out. I need to check on him.”

“Portia? You did what?” Devlin demanded.

“I saw the opportunity and I took it. It was no big deal.”

“Uh, yeah, it’s a very big deal.”

“I have to see how bad he is and get him in cuffs,” the sheriff declared striding from the room.

“Hey, Portia, where are you goin’?” Devlin asked, hurrying after her as she followed the sheriff.

“I want to be there. Can you blame me?” she shot back, continuing down the hall.

“Stop! You’ll just be in the way,” he said firmly, grabbing her arm as the sheriff opened the office door.

“Uh, Portia, there’s no-one in here,” the sheriff declared, staring around the room.

“But he was there!” she exclaimed, pointing at the floor, “and there’s the paperweight I used.”

“Dammit, and that window’s closed,” he muttered, marching over to it. “He’s still in the house. I’m callin’ in my boys, and you all need to leave.”

“We can help you search,” Devlin suggested.

“He’s armed, Devlin, I can’t take that chance.”

“But we’re armed too, and it will take time for your deputies to arrive. He could get out.”

“I can’t let you stay in the house, but you can keep watch outside in case he hasn’t left and he tries to make a run for it. Just make sure you all have cover. ”

“Sheriff, I just had a thought,” Portia piped up. “He might already be gone. The basement has a door that opens to a path running down the side.”

“Show me.”

* * *

In the small bathroom in the basement, his gun at the ready, William prayed his ruse would work. When he’d left through the side door he’d immediately spotted three cowboys in the driveway. There was no way he could get past them and head to his car without being seen. Hurrying back inside, he’d left the door open and slipped into the tiny bathroom. Now he was hoping it would appear he’d managed to get away.

“It’s just a big, empty storage space!” he heard Portia say. “I want to turn it into a workroom like my grandfather’s. But look, that side door isn’t closed all the way. He must have left through there.”

“But go where?” Devlin asked. “The guys were out front, and even if he got past them he can’t just walk down the road.”

“He might have run across the street before they arrived. I’ll get my deputies to check out the woods.”

William bristled.

His car would be found.

“Well, I guess there’s nothin’ else to see down here,” the sheriff continued. “Let’s go back.”

“Wait,” Devlin interrupted. “What’s this door Portia?”

“A small bathroom.”

Before the sheriff could intervene, Devlin slowly opened it. Though he couldn’t see William, he immediately sensed the man was pressed back against the wall hoping he wouldn’t be found. He paused, then made a snap decision.

“Nothin’,” Devlin said, closing it quickly. “Let’s go back up and tell the fellas. Looks like he got away.”

* * *

Letting out a heavy, relieved sigh, William sank down to the floor. His head was throbbing, the stabbing pain had returned to his ankle, and he was desperate for a drink.

But a smirk curled his lips.

He’d fooled them.

After sunset he’d sneak out and get to his car, assuming the sheriff hadn’t towed it away. Even if it wasn’t there he’d still make his escape, and maybe he’d stop by Rainbow Ranch.

He imagined drugging the dogs, then tying Devlin up and making him watch while he jumped on Portia.

“Yeah,” he sneered, “I’ll make sure you’ll both regret screwing with me.”