Page 40 of The Cowboy's Justice

“What about the windows?”

“Well, I suppose he could smash one, but I imagine it would be seen or heard by one of my neighbors. Though there’s no-one next to me on the west side.”

“With your permission I’d like to take a wander around your property and check it out. Your back yard is nestled at the base of Smoky Hill, so it would be fairly easy for him to get here. All he’d have to do is follow the trail through the trees.”

“Yes,” Devlin agreed emphatically, “in fact, there’s more you should know. Come on up to the house. I have something for you.”

“I’m callin’ my deputies,” the sheriff said as they started walking. “They need to stop by the other homes around here and let folks know to keep their doors locked and stay vigilant.”

As they reached the house and walked inside, they were excitedly greeted by Jezebel and Jethro.

“I left them in here to guard the place,” Devlin said as he opened the refrigerator. “If William Buckley is stupid enough to try to get in again they’ll scare him off.”

“Dogs are great burglar alarms, that’s for sure,” the sheriff agreed.

“So, my apologies. I probably should have brought this to you sooner, but this is spiked coffee,” Devlin declared, placing the half-filled water bottle on the table.

“Spiked with what?”

“Rohypnol. I was on the trail ridin’ Marge and I was on my way down to Portia’s house when I saw William pour something into her coffee cup.”

“Damn.”

“Devlin called and warned me,” Portia interjected. “I was able to sneak into the bathroom, tip the water out of that bottle, and pour in the coffee. I’m sure William is still wondering why it didn’t affect me.”

“You should’ve turned this in sooner,” the sheriff said with a frown, “and why didn’t you let me know about this when it happened?”

“To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to do,” Devlin admitted. “And there’s more. A little while ago we learned he tried to forge paperwork to sell some of Portia’s stock portfolio and steal the money.”

“Damn,” the sheriff repeated. “But gettin’ back to this coffee. How do you know it contains Rohypnol?”

“I had my vet test it for me…off the record.”

“Devlin, there’s this thing called chain of evidence, but I’ll take it to the station and log it in. Portia, you’ll have to make a formal statement, but when did he try to drug you?”

“Just a couple of days ago. Devlin met me at the back gate and got me out of there.”

“Okay, well, thanks for all the information, I just wish you’d reported it when it happened. I’ll run over to your house and check it out, though I doubt he’ll be there.”

“Actually, can I come with you? I need to pick up some things.”

“Sure. Devlin, are you joinin’ us?”

“I’m sure Portia will be safe with you. I’ll stay here just in case he decides to make a return visit.”

“Sounds good. Okay, Portia, let’s go.”

* * *

William had managed to make it up the Smoky Hill trail and down the other side to the back gate, but it hadn’t been easy. The pain in his ankle had turned into a stabbing pain, and he was a nervous wreck. Downing a drink and pouring a second one, he sat on the couch, removed his shoes, then limped to Portia’s bedroom and settled on her bed.

As his heart began to settle, he looked around at the expensive antiques and wondered if he’d be better off taking what he could and getting out of there. He’d sell them as he’d already planned, and find another way to get the larger sums of money he needed. Picking up his glass and taking a sip, he was trying to decide his next move when to his horror, he heard voices.

He recognized Portia immediately, and the deep male voice was all too familiar.

Sheriff Cooper.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

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