Page 40 of Cowboy Peril

“It’s time for you to send us someone undercover.” Parker hitched her chin.

Dylan frowned. “Is it? We’re capable of keeping an eye on those two.”

“I’m going to have to insist.” She hated reverting back to the spoiled princess who made demands, but this was matter of life and death. “I’m putting my foot down.”

Colt gave a sarcastic laugh. “There’s the Parker I used to know. This isn’t your ranch, Darlin’.”

Sheriff Westbrook sighed. “She’s right. I’m sending Buster. He isn’t one of my deputies, but he’s just as good, and we’ve used him before.”

“Marilyn will be happy,” Dylan said. “Okay. I’ll go along with having another body on the ranch. We’ll keep the reason between us.”

“What about questioning the two men you suspect?” Parker’s eyes darted from one man to the other. “Surely, you know them well enough to know whether they’re lying about any of the questions you ask them.”

“Maybe we should just let Parker handle this whole thing.” Dylan looked amused by her obvious sarcasm. “She’s thinking way ahead of the rest of us.”

She shrugged. “I don’t have as much to do as you two, which leaves me more time for my mind to spin.” A flicker of pride went through her. They believed her—something that hadn’t happened a lot in her past. Most of the time, any ideas she’d had were brushed aside as nonsense. These men were different.

Even when Colt didn’t agree with her, he always weighed what she said.

On cue, Colt nodded. “Want me to fetch Lincoln and Darryl?”

~

“Yep,” the sheriff replied. “Keep them separate. Parker, I’m going to ask you to remain in the kitchen with the other women. We don’t want these men to suspect anything.”

Her brow furrowed. “Okay, but I want to hear about everything when it’s over.” Her gaze shot to Colt.

“I’ll fill you in.” He felt better knowing she’d be out of the way while the men were questioned. If one of them became defensive, he didn’t want her in the way.

“While you fetch them, I’ll call Buster.” The sheriff stepped into the hall.

“I’ll go.” Colt followed, then headed outside.

He located Lincoln forking hay in the barn and Darryl cleaning Daisy’s hooves. “Boss wants to talk to you.” He jerked his head toward the house.

“What for?” Lincoln glanced up. “We do something wrong?’

Colt shrugged. “He just told me to fetch you. I wouldn’t keep him waiting if I were you.”

Lincoln huffed, then leaned the shovel against the wall. “Does he want us both together?”

“No.”

“Then, I’ll go first. See you later, Darryl.”

“Yep.” The other man watched him leave, then returned to his work as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

Maybe Parker was wrong after all. Colt followed Lincoln. After a few questions, it became clear the man had no idea what they were talking about. He even seemed angry that someone would threaten one of those on the ranch.

Colt left in search of Darryl. This time, he found him nursing a cup of coffee in the kitchen and laughing at something Mrs. White said. “Your turn.”

Darryl drained his cup, set it in the sink, then followed Colt. “What’s up?” He paled at seeing the sheriff in Dylan’s office.

“Have a seat, Mr. Wilson.” The sheriff motioned at an empty chair. “This won’t take long. How well do you know Mark Collins?”

“The guy who worked with the construction crew? A bit. Had a few beers with him.”

“Know anything about him?”

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