Page 42 of The Cowboy's Wild Side

“Okay. You’ve heard of Jack the Ripper? Meet Paddy the Slicer,” Joe exclaimed, opening the door.

Staring into the shed, Cade saw a man sitting on the floor sporting a black eye and a bloodied nose. He was blindfolded with a cleaning rag, while duct tape was across his mouth, wrapped around his ankles, and his arms were secured behind his back. Cade guessed they’d be taped as well..

“I knew him in Dallas,” Joe continued with a heavy sigh. “He’s a professional enforcer and killer for hire. Knives are his thing. I suspect the guy you found up Smoky Hill contracted him to come after Karen and something went wrong.”

“I’ll call the sheriff, but first I want to hear exactly what happened, and I mean every last detail,” Cade growled, stepping forward and pulling off the gag. “Start talkin’.”

“I just saved her life! You should be thanking me, not making demands.”

“You came here to kill her. Now what happened, what stopped you, and I swear if you don’t tell me I won’t cut your neck, I’ll put a noose around it and you’ll never befound.”

“I highly doubt that. Americans are weak.”

“Listen, and listen carefully,” Cade growled, crouching down next to him. “My family goes back to the Wild West. One was a hangin’ judge, another was a gunslinger, and a few were outlaws. And that’s just for starters. Gino was aimin’ his gun at me when I lassoed him and he ended up hog-tied. The genes live on, so you’d better talk or I’ll get real mad and my wild side will show up again. I’ll ask you this only once. Why did you bail on Gino Stallone?”

“Okay, okay,” Paddy grunted. “There wasn’t enough time to plan properly, but after I saw her I didn’t want the job anyway,” he muttered, glancing across at Karen. “When I told him I was out he threatened me. He said he knew things about me, and he does, or rather, he did. It was only after I was on my way out it occurred to me if things went wrong he might try to make a deal with me as his bargaining chip.”

“So you came back to make sure that didn’t happen.”

“Yeah, Gino had watched the ranch from that bank across the street. I was there as well, and I remembered seeing the two dogs. That’s why I brought the chicken with me, in case I needed it to keep them out of the way.”

“I take it you took Gino by surprise.”

“Totally, it was done in seconds and I took off. I was almost at the bottom of the hill when the sheriff arrived on an ATV. The timing was great…but then I ran into Joe. Or rather, Joe’s fist ran into my face. Fucking came out of nowhere,” he said woefully. “Then he punched me in the gut and knocked the wind out of me. Next thing I knew he was dragging me over here and shoving me into this fucking shed.”

“How do you know him, Joe?” Cade asked, finally turning his attention away from Paddy.

“He tried to frame me for one of his many murders. It didn’t work, but my alibi wasn’t exactly legal and I was busted. Somehow he still squirmed his way out of trouble, but now look at you, Paddy,” Joe said, glowering at him. “You’ve ended up in the middle of nowhere and about to get arrested. Karma’s a bitch, but revenge…damn it’s sweet.”

“And on that note,” Cade exclaimed. “I’m callin’ Sheriff Cooper!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The police activity at the ranch continued throughout the day. Detective George Hawthorne arrived from Dallas with a forensics team, a vehicle to transport Gino Stallone’s body, and another car to drive Paddy O’Brien to a medical facility to patch him up before taking him into headquarters. Though Joe was questioned and released, he was cautioned not to take matters into his own hands again. He’d remained quiet and nodded, but Cade knew his ranch hand wasn’t sorry.

“What a day,” Karen mumbled, leaning against Cade as they finally watched all the vehicles drive away.

“It was one for the books,” Joe muttered. “When I saw Paddy O’Brien I damn near had a heart attack.”

“I don’t care what the sheriff said,” Karen continued. “I’m very grateful you were here and able to stop him. As far as I’m concerned you’re a hero.”

“That makes two of us,” Cade interjected. “We’re in your debt.”

“Are you kidding? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you for giving me a job here. I love being on this ranch. In fact, I think I’ve finally found my calling.”

“It’s obvious the horses sure like you. How would you feel about workin’ here full-time?”

“That would be great. Thanks, Cade.”

“Hey, I’m glad you’re open to it. The business is growin’ and I need you. In fact, we’d better get the horses in for the night. It’s gettin’ dark and all this activity has unsettledthem.”

“If it’s okay with you I’m going in,” Karen mumbled. “I’m really tired.”

“I was just about to suggest you do that, and take Jack and Diane. They’ve had big day too. I’m sure they’d love to settle down with a couple of milk bones before dinner.”

“And I’m going to have a glass of wine,” she said with a heavy sigh, then called them over and walked slowly towards the house.

“I hope she’ll be okay,” Joe remarked as he and Cade headed to the paddocks. “Poor girl has been through a lot.”

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