Page 44 of The Cowboy's Justice

“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.”

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?”

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