Page 41 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

“They did. We found them diggin’ near Gino. Why do you ask?”

“Whoever did this planted some chicken under the dirt to keep them busy,” the sheriff said with a sigh. “This was carefully planned.”

“But how would the killer know we’d come up here?”

“I think that was coincidental. He knew his victim, and I’m guessin’ he’s been watchin’ him while he was watchin’ you, so he knew about the dogs. He had that chicken ready for whenever he was goin’ to strike.”

“That sounds like the work of a pro,” Cade murmured. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprise, not after everything I’ve heard about Gino Stallone.”

“Yep, it was done by a pro for sure.”

“Uh, Sheriff Cooper, is it safe for us to stay here at the ranch?” Karen asked nervously. “Whoever this is might come back.”

“If they’d wanted to harm you they would have, but ifyou’d feel safer stayin’ somewhere else for a while I wouldn’t blame you. But now you’ll have to excuse me, and I need to ask you to leave. I have to secure the scene, and the ambulance is on its way. Oh, and Karen, my detective friend from Dallas is comin’ in. I’m sure he’ll want to talk to you.”

“Okay, Sheriff, thanks for gettin’ here so quickly,” Cade said gratefully. “Karen, are you okay to get back on Lily?”

“Yes, in fact I want to. I loved sitting on her coming up here and my legs are a bit shaky at the moment. It’s terrible what’s happened to Gino, but at least I don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

“No, you don’t,” Cade replied as they moved to Lily’s side so he could give her a leg up. “I just wonder who it was and if he’ll be caught.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

The ambulance arrived just as Cade and Karen emerged from the trees. In spite of the activity the horses walked calmly past and continued on to the barn. Climbing off and leading them inside, Cade glanced around and called for Joe. Receiving no response, he strode down to the feed room and opened the door.

“I wonder where he is,” Cade remarked as he returned. “I didn’t see him when we were riding back here. Did you?”

“No, but I did notice the wheelbarrow in one of the paddocks.”

“Huh, that’s weird. Let’s get these horses out. Hopefully he’ll show up by the time we’re done.”

A few minutes later, Cade and Karen walked Moon and Lily into their pasture, and with an uncomfortable feeling still rippling through him, Cade started towards the house to see if Joe was there. But a moment later he heard Joe calling him. Turning around he saw his ranch hand jogging towards him from the back of the barn.

“Hey, Joe, where have you been? I was worried.”

“Long story, but what’s all the commotion about? Why is the sheriff and ambulance here? Did something happen on your trail ride?”

“That’s a long story as well.”

“Who was hurt?”

“The guy who was after me,” Karen piped up. “Someone got to him first. I can’t imagine who it was, but it was a really grisly scene…like out of a horror movie.”

“Sorry, you probably don’t want to talk about it, but what do you mean?” Joe asked with a frown.

“Prepare yourself,” Cade said solemnly. “We found him with his throat cut.”

“I figured,” Joe muttered. “You’d better come with me.”

Before Cade could respond Joe had turned and was walking briskly towards the shed where the farm machinery was kept.

“Joe, what’s goin’ on?” Karen asked as they joined him.

“Uh, Karen, I’m not sure you want to see this.”

“I just stumbled across a horrible man with his neck sliced open! I can’t imagine it’s any worse!”

“Go ahead,” Cade said with a sigh.

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