Anna nodded. “Yes, I think that was it.”

They talked a while longer, then Ellie rose, and Anna walked her to the door. “Thank you for your honesty,” Ellie said.

“About Glen Carver . . . Glen’s a nice guy. What I told you could damage his career.”

“Unless he’s somehow connected to the murder—”

“He’s a sheriff. He wouldn’t kill anyone.”

Ellie just nodded. “I’m sure you’re right.” But passion made people do crazy things. Sheriff Glen Carver had just become her number one suspect.

Unfortunately, there was no way she could discuss it with Kade.

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

THE WEATHER IMPROVED, RETURNING TO THE BRISK, CLEAR DAYS OF fall. Kade strode toward the barn, his mind on the work that needed to be done. Earlier that morning, he had phoned Glen Carver and told him about Frank Keller. Said he believed that Keller, a disgruntled former employee, was the man responsible for the shootings on the ranch.

Kade told Carver that Keller could also be responsible for an explosion at the Red Hawk Mine, which operated on Diamond Bar land.

“You think your dead cattle, your dog, and the incident at the mine are connected?” Carver asked.

“Yeah, that’s what I think.”

“The mine’s in Summit County. I’ll call Gil Worthington, the county sheriff. Bring him up to speed on Keller and see what information he might be able to share on the mine explosion.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll get back to you,” Carver had said.

Kade was replaying the conversation in his head when he looked across the yard to see Wyatt bent over the saddle, riding his horse like hellfire across the pasture toward the house. Kade’s senses went on alert, and he rushed to intercept him.

“What is it? What’s happened?”

Wyatt reined his horse to a sliding halt. “The bastard shot Alejandro. We were working in the east pasture. They’re bringing him here in the back of Slate’s pickup.”

Kade clenched his hand into a fist, the leather glove biting into his palm. “You call for a chopper?” There was a clinic in Eagle, but anyone with a serious injury was airlifted to the hospital in Vail.

Wyatt nodded. “They’re on the way. The pasture is close to the house, so they’re coming directly here. I tried your cell, but the call dropped and I couldn’t get through.”

Fury warred with fear for Alejandro, a man Kade liked and respected. “How bad is it?”

“He was back-shot. Entered through his shoulder and came out through his chest, but we were there when it happened, and we got the bleeding stopped right away.”

“What about the shooter?” Kade asked.

“Turtle and Roy went after him. Last call I got, they hadn’t found him.”