Nothing but Trouble_ A Kevin Kerney Novel - Michael Mcgarrity [131]
“The state police should be willing to help out. I’ll talk to Chief Baca in Santa Fe.”
Leo nodded. “Do you want in on it?”
“Yes, I do,” Kerney said. “Let me know the plans.”
On the trip back to the ranch, with his freedom no longer in question, Buster Martinez became less apprehensive and a bit more talkative. He embellished the story about the tall cowboy with the crooked nose, suddenly remembering the man had told him that he was on his way to a new ranch job in Texas. It was obviously pure fabrication, but Kerney pretended to swallow it, and thanked Martinez. By the time they hit the Jordan ranch road, Buster had graciously agreed to treat his encounter with the police as nothing more than a misunderstanding.
They found Walter Shaw outside the barn. The movie set had been struck and the ranch headquarters, now restored to its original condition, looked neat as a pin. Martinez’s expression clouded with worry as Kerney explained the events of the day to Shaw. He licked his lips and averted his eyes from Shaw’s gaze.
“Ross and Pruitt told me what happened,” Shaw said amiably when Kerney finished. He patted Martinez reassuringly on the shoulder. “I’m glad it got straightened out. Can’t afford to lose a good hand like Buster.”
Martinez lowered his head and smiled weakly.
“I understand completely,” Kerney said. “That’s why I wanted to make sure you knew he wasn’t in any trouble.”
“I appreciate that,” Shaw said with a tight smile. “What made you think the saddle was stolen?”
“Remember the Oklahoma teamster working on the movie who was arrested at the ranch?”
“Yeah, I heard about that.”
“He had two outstanding burglary warrants, so the sheriff took a hard look at him as a possible suspect in recent unsolved property crimes. The saddle popped up on a list of stolen items circulated by Arizona authorities.”
“So when you saw the saddle, you called the sheriff,” Shaw said.
“Exactly.”
“Well, no harm done.”
“I’m glad you see it that way.”
Kerney left the two men standing in front of the barn. Shaw’s aplomb had been almost convincing, but anger had flared in his eyes. At the very least Martinez was in for a tongue lashing and some hard questions from Shaw. Kerney wasn’t worried about what Martinez might say; it was Shaw who concerned him. Shaw had to know that he was under suspicion. What he might do about it remained unknown, but the next move was his to make.
After Kerney passed out of sight, Shaw grabbed Martinez by the shirt and pulled him into the barn. “What did you tell him?”
“Nothing.” Martinez yanked himself away from Shaw’s grip.
Shaw slapped him. “Don’t lie to me, you stupid turd. Did you steal that saddle?”
“I didn’t steal nothing, for Chrissake.”
Shaw grabbed him by the throat. “Tell me exactly what happened.” Martinez coughed, his squinty eyes bulged. Shaw eased up. “Talk.”
“It was just about the saddle. Where did I buy it. When. Who sold it to me—that kind of stuff. I told him what he wanted to know and they let me go.”
Shaw released his grip and Martinez heaved for breath. “Did he ask you anything about me?”
Buster shook his head.
“Say anything about the landing strip?”
“Nada.”
“Did you steal that saddle?”
Martinez rubbed his neck. “I didn’t, palabra de honor.”
“Your word doesn’t mean shit,” Shaw said. “Get out of here and go back to work.”
Eyes lowered, Buster left the barn and slogged his way through the mud to the corral where Pruitt had put up his horse. Shaw ran possible scenarios about Kerney’s actions through his head. Everything pointed to a probe that went far beyond the theft of a mere saddle. But so far Buster appeared to be Kerney’s only target. That might work to Shaw’s advantage.
He stepped outside, closed the barn doors, and watched Buster hose the mud off his horse. As he walked to his truck, Shaw chewed over ways to ensure Kerney would come no closer to the truth.
The storm had shut down film production for the day and the town of Playas was quiet. Kerney checked the call sheet on the bulletin