Chapter 5
Five
“What is it?” Jenna moved to his side.
Kane swiveled his head, looking up across the roofs and listening intently. “It’s too quiet. Where is everybody?”
“I have been keeping my nose to the ground.” Carter stood hands on hips, surveying the area.
“I’d say most of the hands are in the mess hall at this time of day.
They start work at daybreak and usually, if they’re working around here, take a break around ten and then eat again at around one to two.
” He indicated toward Zorro. “Don’t take any notice of that nonsense.
One of their prized bulls is in that shed, and he and Zorro don’t get along. ”
“Where are the dogs?” Jenna dropped her sunglasses and peered over the top at Rhett. “All ranches have dogs.”
“The ranch hands take them out with them.” Rhett shrugged. “Apparently, they are a really good early warning signal if there are any bears around. Well, that’s what they’ve told me anyway. Are grizzlies really a big problem in this county?”
Kane turned to look at him. “No, not a big problem. There’s wildlife all over.
Bears and cats can be a problem with livestock but they’re not stupid.
Most times they hunt at night. I’ve never had a problem with them, but I do have respect for them and carry bear spray.
If I’m being honest, nothing will save you from a grizzly intent on killing you. ”
“Don’t lose any sleep over it.” Jenna smiled at him. “I figure they’re trying to keep you from riding around your spread and checking up on them.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want to be ambushed by a group of guys in some stupid initiation stunt.” Rhett touched his shoulder holster. “This is why I’m carrying. I’ve seen rifles in racks in their trucks and some carry rifles on their saddles.”
Kane nodded. “That’s usual practice for most people on ranches.” He indicated with his chin toward the rancher’s office. “Do you figure Bowman will be in his office at this time of the day?”
“I have no idea. He seems to be there every time I’ve come by.” Rhett turned and headed in that direction. “I guess we’re gonna find out.”
Kane followed Rhett into the office with Jenna close behind. The man behind the large desk stood slowly and stared at Jenna. Kane moved forward and held out his hand. “Dave Kane and this is my wife, Jenna. I figure you know Carter?”
“What brings you out here, Sheriff?” Bowman looked straight at Jenna and raised both eyebrows. “Is there a problem I need to be aware of?”
“No, everything’s fine.” Jenna smiled at him. “Rhett is a friend of ours and we just came out with the family to enjoy a trail ride. This is such a beautiful ranch. We had a picnic by the river.”
Resting his thumbs in his belt, Kane took a nonchalant stance. “We noticed the burned-out cabin and Rhett mentioned it’s where his parents died. I’m guessing you were around at that time. What actually happened?”
“I told Rhett, as far as I remember, his ma and pa went to check fences in the north pasture. It was a warm day and his ma wanted to take a ride. His grandparents had been down for the weekend and had left with Rhett. A wild storm blew over sudden like. We figure they went into the old fishing cabin to take shelter and it was hit by lightning and burned to the ground.”
The story was word-perfect to what Rhett had told them. Kane nodded. “Who found them?”
“When their horses came back, a search party went out looking for them.” Bowman frowned. “I was with the group that found them.” He shook his head slowly. “The cabin had been razed to the ground, apart from that one wall standing.”
“Did anyone come out to investigate their deaths?” Jenna frowned.
“No, we called the paramedics, and they took the remains to the hospital.” Bowman cupped the back of his neck, his thumb moving as if rubbing a sore muscle. “I don’t know what happened after that. The next thing I knew was that a lawyer came by to speak to the rancher.”
Interested, Kane moved a step closer. “Who was the rancher at that time?”
“Rhett’s pa managed the business, but the cow boss at the time, Wade Cutter, was appointed by the lawyer to take over.
When he left, I got the job.” Bowman scratched his chin.
“That’s all I know about the Lawsons’ deaths.
Most people said it was an act of God, but I never agreed.
Chris Lawson was a good man and well respected. ”
“Thank you.” Rhett looked at Bowman. “That’s good to know. I know virtually nothing about my parents.”
“Is Wade Cutter still alive?” Jenna met Bowman’s gaze.
“No. He took his own life. He managed the ranch for only a few weeks.” Bowman pushed back his cowboy hat and scratched his head.
“He took the Lawsons’ deaths real bad. He found the bodies all burned up and I had no idea it had affected him in such a bad way.
He didn’t tell anyone.” He rubbed his chin, thinking.
“After he died, I called the boss—the lawyer overseeing everything—and he put me in charge. I moved into the rancher’s house and gave Mary-Jo Cutter and her son one of the smaller buildings.
She’s still here and is the payroll clerk.
Her son, Branch, is one of our wranglers.
” He nodded slowly. “We have the sons of Josh Greenwood and Dirk Lovall, the foremen, working here as well. It’s nice to see the new generations willing to work alongside their pas. Don’t you agree?”
Kane nodded. “Yeah, it’s a real family business. So where do we find Greenwood and Lovall?”
Behind him Rhett snorted.
“Lovall works with the cattle, and Greenwood with the horses, same with their boys.” Bowman checked a chart on the wall. “They should be around here somewhere.”
“And Branch?” Jenna met his gaze. “What does he do?”
“I took him under my wing. He works alongside me learning the ropes.” Bowman indicated with his chin to the door.
“The hay is being cut and he’s supervising the stacking of bales in the hay barn.
It’s the winter feed. We need to get everything in while the dry weather holds.
” He frowned. “Is there a problem I should know about, Deputy Kane?”
Kane straightened. “Not that I’m aware. I’m just interested in the dynamics of running a place this big. You must need to be watching just about everyone.”
“Not the regulars, they know what to do and instruct the seasonal hands.” Bowman sighed. “My job is mostly making sure everyone has a place to sleep, has food, and gets paid. They come and go frequently; some only make it through the first day. The work is tough.”
“We’ve held you up long enough.” Jenna turned to Rhett. “Where to next?”
“I’ll show you the horses.” Rhett nodded to Bowman and slipped outside.
Kane touched his hat. “Thanks for your time.”
He caught up with Rhett and slapped him on the back. “You okay?”
“No, I’m fuming.” Rhett’s eyes flashed. “He says ‘family business’ as if he owns it. My dad built this place, and if someone hadn’t murdered my parents, I could be running it with my brothers. He seems helpful enough, but I figure he was putting me in my place.”
“You could start advertising for a new ranch foreman.” Carter squinted at the sun and then pushed on sunglasses.
“Cleaning out the old staff and starting again is risky, but it would solve the problem of who was involved in something shady enough to get your folks murdered—but it won’t catch the killer.
We’ve poked the bear. Let’s see what happens. ”