Page 29 of Fool's Gold

The lights lowered, and Rafe tensed as a picture of a dead wolf shone on the screen. He could hear Sarah's gasp of shock beside him and steadied himself for what was to come.

Wilson continued. "This first slide shows a female wolf, and the second shows her cub. Both were shot and killed, as can be seen. You can turn the lights back on now."

Rafe blinked as his eyes adjusted to the light. He'd recognized the land those slides were taken on, and it was the Double-H. This had to be Blackthorn's cowardly way to get Sarah to move away from him. She wouldn't hesitate to leave him if she thought he was involved.

He scowled at Blackthorn, who smiled at him. Damn, the sneaky bastard.

Wilson said, "Ladies and gentlemen, what you saw was a criminal act. You all know the maximum penalty for killing a wolf is two years in prison and a one hundred thousand dollar fine. I know some of you ranchers haven't been happy about the reintroduction of wolves in the area, but I thought you had come around to our way of thinking. I guess I was wrong."

Blackthorn stood and walked toward the podium. He shook his head sadly. "Where did you find the wolves?"

"They were found on the Double-H." Wilson looked at Rafe. "Well, Rafe, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Rafe felt Sarah cringe beside him, and damned Blackthorn's smiling face to all the fires of hell. "What's the usual line? I plead the fifth."

"This isn't a joking matter, Rafe." Wilson frowned.

Rafe stood and pulled Sarah up beside him. This time she didn't resist. "Bob, we both know this isn't the place to talk about such matters, but I can make a pretty good guess at who persuaded you to do so. Since you did bring it up, I might as well give you and my neighbors my answer.

"It's no secret I opposed the reintroduction of wolves. All my neighbors know that, but I didn't kill the wolves in these pictures. That's not the way I operate." Rafe ignored the crowd's murmuring and focused on Wilson's frowning face. He didn't want to look at Blackthorn for fear that he'd give into the urge to go up there and kick the bastard's ass. He was in enough trouble with Sarah as it was.

Wilson nodded. "I admit this is an unusual procedure, but because the crime just became known and due to its severity, I thought this would be the quickest way to get things settled. Of course, an investigation will follow."

Sarah's hand struggled against his firm grasp. Her appalled reaction hurt him more than all the crap Blackthorn had thrown at him.

His fingers tightened, holding her still while he looked at Wilson. "Did you dig the slugs out of the wolves to see what kind of caliber shot them?"

Wilson said, "Not yet. But we will. Be at my office Monday morning."

Rafe tugged Sarah's hand, pulling her down the aisle with him. "I'll be there, but you damned well better have more proof than a couple of pictures."

"Get in the truck, Sarah. We're going home."

She glared at Rafe and yanked her wrist out of his grip, earning a scowl from him. She was so furious, she wanted to go back and demand what people would think of Rafe.

"I'm not ready to leave yet."

He leaned forward. "Get your ass in the truck before I throw you in."

He was just barbaric enough to carry out the threat.

She scowled at him and reluctantly complied. She turned to frown at him when he hopped into the driver's seat. Why didn't he go back and fight the allegations?

A tap on the driver's door made her spin toward the sound.

Nevell Blackthorn was standing there. He smiled when he saw her disgruntled expression.

Rafe rolled down his window. "What the hell do you want, Blackthorn? Haven't you caused me enough trouble for one day?"

"Me, cause you trouble?" Blackthorn said innocently. "What did I do?"

"You mean to tell me you weren't behind that little show?" Rafe snorted and started the engine.

"It was the US Game and Wildlife making the accusations." Blackthorn shrugged. "Not me."

Rafe smirked. "Yeah, right, and I believe in the Tooth Fairy, too. You must be plum stupid to come within striking distance of me right now."

Blackthorn smiled apologetically at Sarah. "You wouldn't want to upset the little woman any more than she already is." He inclined his head toward Sarah. "Evening, ma'am. It's a pity you had to see this."

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