Chapters (50)
- Also by
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- CHAPTER ONE
- CHAPTER TWO
- CHAPTER THREE
- CHAPTER FOUR
- CHAPTER FIVE
- CHAPTER SIX
- CHAPTER SEVEN
- CHAPTER EIGHT
- CHAPTER NINE
- CHAPTER TEN
- CHAPTER ELEVEN
- CHAPTER TWELVE
- CHAPTER THIRTEEN
- CHAPTER FOURTEEN
- CHAPTER FIFTEEN
- CHAPTER SIXTEEN
- CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
- CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
- CHAPTER NINETEEN
- CHAPTER TWENTY
- CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
- CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
- CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
- CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
- CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
- CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
- CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
- CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
- CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
- CHAPTER THIRTY
- CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
- CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
- CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
- CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
- CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
- CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
- CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
- CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
- CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
- CHAPTER FORTY
- CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
- CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
- CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
- CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
- CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
- EPILOGUE
- Teaser Chapter
Kade’s big Ford dually navigated the sloppy road without a problem. He parked in a space in front of the post office, and they got out of the truck.
“We can cover more territory if we split up,” Ellie suggested.
Kade nodded. “I’ll take the far side of the street and meet you at the café when you’re done.”
She glanced at her watch. “That should work out just about right.”
Ellie headed off in one direction, while Kade crossed the street and went into Fred’s Gun Shop and Dentistry. Fred sat behind the counter, cleaning a long gun. He was short and stout, with a fringe of gray hair around a bald head, a friendly guy, usually good-natured. Probably a good thing when you were in the gun trade.
Fred stood up and smiled. “Good to see you, Kade. Been a while.” He lifted the long gun, and Kade recognized the antique weapon. “Just got my hands on this little beauty. Sharps Model 1874, .44 caliber, 30-inch octagon barrel with double-set triggers. Come outta Texas. Got it here on consignment.” He lovingly rubbed the oiled rag over the barrel. “Just like the one Matthew Quigley carried in Quigley Down Under. Give ya a good price on it.”
It was a beautiful rifle. They were rare, and they didn’t come cheap. This one was in great condition, a real prize. “What are you asking?”
“The price I’m asking is seventeen grand, but I can let you have it for a thousand less.”
“It’s tempting, I have to admit. Actually, I just came in to ask if you’d seen anyone driving around in one of those big Hummers. Would have been in the area sometime last week, maybe ten days ago.” When Keller was killed or, later, Earl.
Fred shook his head. “Can’t say as I have. Vehicle like that . . . I’d probably recall if I had.”
Kade nodded. “Well, thanks anyway.”
“Think about the gun. Look real good over that big rock fireplace of yours.”
Kade smiled. “I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks, Fred.” But with trouble stalking the ranch and murder still in the air, indulging himself didn’t feel right, even if the antique weapon was a good investment.
He made a quick stop at the dentist’s office next door, talked to Dr. Purcell’s assistant and the doctor himself. Had no luck and moved on.
Kade hoped Ellie was having more success than he was.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
ELLIE CAME OUT OF THE POST OFFICE AND WALKED NEXT DOOR TO the ornate, slate-blue Victorian house down the street, the Coffee Springs Bed and Breakfast. Ellie had never met the owner, but her name was Nola Myers, an energetic woman in her fifties who was cheerful and didn’t mind answering questions.