The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [73]
Wirt set the coffee in front of John and sat down. “Where is the girl now?”
“At my ranch. She claims to have been traveling for about six months. Won’t tell any of us where she came from, but someone’s chasing her. Whoever he is has her scared to death. She told me a few nights ago that ‘he’ has stolen and killed. She called him a snake.”
Wirt toyed with the handle of his cup, his attention obviously focused on John’s words. “How old is this girl?”
“Seventeen. She claims the one following her is not a husband or a man wanting her for those reasons.”
“Hard to believe she was working with Leon when he tried to hang her. Unless he planned to double-cross her.”
“Could be.” John recognized his own defensive attitude about Bert. “By the time I got there, he’d beaten her pretty bad.”
“What’s her name?”
“She goes by Bert—no last name. Her given name is Ember Rose. I had Bob check around the area to see if anyone knew her, and I wired Parker for the same.”
“Anything turned up yet?” Wirt glanced at Bob.
“Nope. John here doesn’t think she’s involved, but I have my suspicions. When I questioned her, she acted like a scared rabbit. That could have been an act, but the fella she’s tryin’ to avoid is probably our thief.”
“Do you mind if I talk to her?” Wirt swung his attention between both men, then back to John.
“Guess not.” John’s insides swirled. “On the way, we could stop at Victor Oberlander’s ranch, the Wide O.”
“Good. I have a couple of other questions before we ride. Could I have a list of those ranchers who’ve reported stolen cattle?”
“Got it right here.” Bob pulled a piece of paper from his drawer. “We’ve looked for a pattern. Nothing. And the tracks always indicate the cattle were driven toward Denver. But that’s it. A lot of canyons between here and there.” Bob handed the list to Wirt.
“What about those ranchers who haven’t had problems?” Wirt glanced down at the names.
“Are you thinking the thief might be someone we know?” Bob’s brow arched, and John saw the challenge. “We’ve talked to ranchers and hands and everyone else in between.”
“I’m sure you have.” Wirt’s calm, in-control tone was a new trait that John respected. “Later when I’m thinking through all the things you’ve told me, I want to be sure I’ve asked all the right questions. I know you’ve done your job.”
Tension hung in the air like a pendulum that had forgotten how to swing. Bob finally nodded. “At the bottom of the list of names are those ranchers who haven’t lost any cattle. All the ranchers have taken into account the open range and summer pastures.”
“Do you have any idea why these ranches haven’t been hit?”
“The thieves would have to ride over open range south. Too easy to detect.” Bob tipped his chair back and grabbed the coffeepot on the stove. After pouring a mug of strong brew, one he’d declared a few moments before he didn’t want, he pulled a map from his stuffed desk drawer. “John or I can show you where the ranches are located.”
“Thanks. I’d like to talk to all of them,” Wirt said. “I’d prefer meeting them face to face. Would one of you have time to ride with me tomorrow and get started on this?”
Bob smiled at John. “Do you mind?”
John hid a smirk, knowing Bob didn’t want the job of showing Wirt around. “No problem. I could introduce you.”
“Can we get started early in the morning?”
“Just name the time. I’m not expected home for a few days.”
“Six o’clock? I plan to stay at the hotel. Is Widow Bess still there?”
“She is,” John said. “Feisty as ever.”
“Oh, I remember.” Wirt finished his coffee. “I’d like to take my horse to the livery and see about a room at the hotel.”
The men stepped outside into the brilliant sunlight. Bob rubbed the left side of his chest, something John had noticed a lot of late. He followed them out onto the boardwalk and tossed a grin John’s way. That lopsided smile meant the joke was on John. He’d have to put up with Wirt Zimmerman until the man proved his mettle.
Bob Culpepper was the stabilizer here, since he seemed as timeless as the mountains. What a threesome. For sure, working with Wirt