Page 44 of Steers and Stowaways
He started the motor and continued the drive to El Paso. Minutes later, they reached the theatrical center that had purchased Mallory’s steers.
It didn’t take her long to smooth things over with the facilities manager about the steers missing from the order. After assuring him three more steers would arrive within the week, he told her they were square. They shook on it, and she returned to the truck with a sizable money order in hand.
“That was almost too easy.” She clutched the check as if it were a lifeline. Considering the state of her ranch’s finances, it probably felt like one.
“You handled it well, sticking to the facts and not making excuses.” His new business partner possessed excellent people skills. “People understand things go wrong sometimes, but you stood by your product and made it right. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get some referrals out of this.”
“I sure hope so!” She hugged the money order to her chest. “I couldn’t have done it without you, though. You’re right about us making a good team.”
On their way back to Evans Ranch, he noticed a dark SUV weaving through traffic to join the line of vehicles behind them. “They’re back,” he informed her quietly. “It’s the same SUV that roared away from the truck stop after the gunshot.” He’d bet his boots on it.
She drew a sharp breath. “Chip!” She whirled around tothe lanky teenager. “If you don’t start talking, you’re going to get us all killed.”
“No, I’m not.” His voice was low and tight.
“Wrong answer!” She unbuckled her seatbelt and vaulted over the console to dogpile him.
“What are you doing?” They engaged in a wrestling match, and she emerged from it waving his gaming device triumphantly.
“Give me that!” He lunged for it, but she proved too wily for his sluggish moves.
She vaulted back into the front seat with it, rolled down her window, and dangled it outside. “Give me one good reason not to throw this as far as I can.”
“Please don’t,” he begged.
“Why?” Her eyes sparked with anger.
“Because if they can’t reach me, they’ll…” He broke off the rest of what he was about to say.
“I knew it,” she snarled. “This is how you and Cruz have been communicating with the rustlers, isn’t it?”
“I’m not a cattle thief,” he protested. “I’m?—”
“One of them,” she finished coldly. “You called the hit on Tucker back there, didn’t you?”
“It’s not what you think,” he blustered, turning all splotchy.
“Oh, it’s exactly what I think! You’ve been telling them who, what, when, and where,” she accused. “We’re talking felonies here. Serious jail time.”
“I didn’t call the hit on Tucker!” His voice grew desperate. “It’s been out there for months!”
Dead silence settled over the truck cab.
Mallory pressed a hand over her heart, panting. “There’s a hit out on Tucker,” she repeated in a tremulous voice.
“Yes.” Chip sounded tortured.
“And you’re navigating his would-be assassins with this thing?” She shook the gaming device threateningly over the road.
“Yes and no.” His words ended in a wail of protest as she slammed his gaming device to the pavement.
“Not anymore.” She rolled up her window and dusted her hands.
A choking sob tore out of Chip. “I’m dead.” He shivered violently. “That was the only thing keeping me alive.”
“Not true.” She withdrew a pistol that Tucker hadn’t known she was carrying and brandished it in the air. “I’m keeping you alive. So is Tucker, though I’m not sure you deserve it after what you pulled.”
“Mal,” Tucker warned, not liking the way her hands were shaking. He hoped she had the safety on.
