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

Chapter Twenty-Nine

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

By the time the deputies arrived, the sheriff had searched the rest of the house and found no sign of William, but he’d sent two of his men across the road to the woods. When they’d radioed in and said they’d found a vehicle, the sheriff had called for a tow truck.

“I reckon that’s how he’d planned to make his escape,” the sheriff declared. “Now he’ll have a real problem. He might try to steal a car, but that won’t be easy around here. Everyone has dogs, and most people garage their vehicles.”

“Do you think you’ll catch him?” Portia asked.

“I’ve set up roadblocks at both ends of the main road leadin’ in and out of Smoky Hill. If he does manage to get a car or truck he won’t get past them. Try not to worry, you’ll get your things back.”

“It’s not the value of what he stole, it’s what they mean to me,” she said sadly. “What if he’s on foot? Won’t he be able to sneak past them?”

“If he’s on foot he’ll have a real problem come nightfall. It gets real cold in these parts, and don’t forget, you hit him on the head. No tellin’ how he’s feelin’.”

“I hope he freezes his, uh, tail off,” she grunted. “Do you think he’ll come back here?”

“He might try, but we’ll keep watch. If he does he’ll be caught real quick. You and Devlin can go back to the ranch. I’m headin’ to the office to write up the report.”

“Yeah, we’ll be goin’ soon,” Devlin replied. “Jezebel and Jethro will be wonderin’ where I am, though they’ve probably gone next door to play with Jack and Diane.”

“Jack and Diane?” Portia repeated. “Who are they?”

“My dogs,” Cade exclaimed, walking up to join them. “Bye, Sheriff.”

“Bye, Cade, and thanks for the help.”

“Not a problem.”

“Goodbye, Sheriff, you’ve been amazing,” Portia said gratefully, walking him to the door.

“I’m just doin’ my job.”

As she closed it behind him and moved back into the living room, she found Cade, Brody, Andy and Devlin huddled together and talking.

“It’s been great to meet you all,” she began. “I’d love to thank you properly, maybe have you all over for dinner or something.”

“Hey, we stick together around here,” Cade said with a warm smile. “Devlin, do you want to tell her?”

“Tell me what?”

“William’s still in the house,” he said, lowering his voice. “He’s hidin’ in the bathroom basement.”

“I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell the sheriff?”

“We know the court system is slow and has all kinds of loopholes, and that guy’s a connivin’ lawyer who knows just how to exploit ‘em. We’ve decided to show him some real justice.”

“Yeah, cowboy justice,” Brody piped up.

* * *

In spite of his uncomfortable hiding place, William had decided to wait until nightfall before attempting to escape. But he didn’t know if he should try to sneak down to the road, or take the trail behind the neighboring properties.

And he was starving.

He was about to leave the cramped space and make his way to the side entrance when he suddenly heard a voice and immediately recognized it as Devlin’s.

“I can’t imagine how that guy disappeared, but once we lock this door there’s no way he can get back inside and we can finally take off. Portia will rest easy at the ranch.”

“Yep, and the forensics team should be here any minute,” a second male voice declared. “They’ll go over this place with a fine tooth comb. Maybe they’ll find something to indicate where he’s gone.”

“I doubt it, but I hope so. There! All locked up,” Devlin continued. “Let’s go. It’s reassuring to know the sheriff will have his deputies watchin’ the place overnight.”

As he heard them leave, William let out a long, exasperated breath.

He had to get out, and right away.

Waiting until he was sure Devlin and his buddy had left, he pushed his gun into his waistband, picked up the box with Portia’s jewelry, then slipped out of the bathroom and walked stealthily up the short staircase.

The house was in darkness and there wasn’t a sound.

Cautiously making his way to the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator and found only a bottle of vodka. Downing a mouthful, he quickly checked the cupboards looking for something to eat, but there was only a package of chocolate chip cookies. Stuffing a few in his pockets, he moved into the living room and cautiously peeked through the closed drapes to the front of the house. A deputy was sitting in his car in the motor court. Moving quickly across to the sliding glass doors, he slid them open, crouched down and peered along the track behind the neighbor’s home. A deputy was patrolling.

The only way out was up Smoky Hill.

The air was chilly.

Hurrying back to the closet by the door, he was relieved to see he’d left a jacket there. It was thin, but better than nothing. Hastily pulling it on and zipping it up, he put the gun in one of the pockets, and stuffed the box with Portia’s jewelry and cash in the other. Returning to the patio, he closed the doors behind him and hurried to the gate. Quietly opening the latch and slipping through to the trail, he started up the hill.

It was dark, and as he continued on it seemed to be getting darker. Glancing up at the sky through the overhead branches, he saw clouds criss-crossing the moon.

A chill rippled through him, a mixture of cold and fear.

He quickened his step.

But a moment later he suddenly tripped and fell headfirst onto the forest floor.

Gasping, he tried to push himself up but there was a weight suddenly pressing on his back.

“Goin’ somewhere?”