Page 63 of Operation: Chosen

Big E’s brother wasn’t on the podium, and neither was Herb. Only one man stood up there, nervously calling bids and searching the crowd. The horse Eric had been sure was stolen was gone, probably back in holding, waiting for the winner to pay, or just hiding evidence.

“Where did they go?” Ali asked him quietly.

Deputy Blake slowly looked over the whole arena in a sweeping glance. “You two, head that way. I’ll go this way. Meet me around the back. If you see anyone, do not engage. Wait for me to get there.”

Eric touched his hat brim to give silent agreement, and Ali followed him around the left side of the arena. Horses stood with their handlers in a line, waiting to go out into the arena. Skyfall would’ve been part of that lineup if he hadn’t found her. But so many other families were missing horses, and he had to make sure this was stopped. Helping abused and neglected horses find good homes had always made him feel like he was doing good work. This was so wrong.

Ali stayed close to his side as they went farther away from the crowd and the safety of being out in the open. Could he protect her if they came upon Big E’s brother or Herb? He wasn’t wearing his gun since he generally only needed it on the ranch. That decision seemed poor the farther they went.

“It feels strange to be back here,” Ali whispered. “I don’t like it.”

He didn’t either. There were too many places for people to hide and surprise them. Walking through the quiet, out of the way area was risky. He held his finger to his lips and concentrated on listening to every sound. People made noise before they moved so he just needed to listen for noises.

Big E’s brother swung out from behind a stock trailer and leveled a pistol at them. “What are you two doing back here?”

Eric put up his hand. “Just exploring. Didn’t figure you’d mind after charging so much for a ticket. I was just looking for a quiet corner to be with my gal.”

“Go find a quiet corner somewhere else.” He waved the gun to the left. “You don’t need to be back here.”

“Are you the security team? I thought I saw the Piper’s Ridge deputy doing that.” Eric stalled and shrugged, hoping he looked and sounded innocent.

“There’s no deputy doing anything. Now, get out of here. This area is private.”

“Sorry, man. I didn’t see it blocked off.” Eric turned but walked very slowly, hoping the boy would just walk the other way. If they made it look like they’d listened, Big E’s brother would have no reason to stay there and he and Ali could continue on their way to meeting Deputy Blake on the other side.

“Just mind your own business and go buy a horse or something.” Clayton spread his feet and crossed his arms, blocking their path.

As soon as they were around a corner and out of his sight, Ali stopped. “What do you think is beyond him that he’s hiding? Is there proof back there?” Her eyes lit up. “We need to get past him.”

“Not sure if you noted this, but he has a gun and we don’t. Plus, and I don’t mean to point out that you’re usually the one to tell me to call the police. We should wait and let Deputy Blake find him.”

“I’m sure he’s coming around the other way. I wonder if Herb headed him off?” She craned her neck to look behind Eric again. “Clayton is still standing there.”

Eric grabbed his phone and called up Lacy’s number. Ali gave him a suspicious look, but he held up his hand for her to wait. “Hey, Lacy. I need a favor.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“I want you to look up any connection between Herb White, my former boss, and Big E’s family, especially Clayton. I’m not sure if there will be anything online, but would you look for me?”

“Sure,” she answered. “I’ll have Brendon help me too. That man, despite hating anything having to do with the internet, can find a needle in a haystack.”

“Great. Let me know what you find, if anything.”

“Dare I ask why? I know you’re at the auction, is Herb dirty?”

He hated to think someone he had connections to might have been practicing something so awful. “Innocent until proven guilty, but it’s not looking good.”

“Sorry, Eric. You left his employment years ago. Nothing he does says anything bad about you.”

“I know.” But that didn’t stop him from feeling anger and resentment. People weren’t supposed to change that much.

Deputy Blake came around the back and stopped where Clayton was standing. Eric waited, listening.

“Can I see your ID, please?”

The boy raised his chin. “I don’t need to show you anything. I’m part of the team running this whole thing.”

“Actually, you do. You see, in Wyoming, it’s legal to open carry if you’re a resident of Wyoming and over the age of twenty-one. If you do not fit the requirements, then we have a problem.”

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