Page 49 of Fool's Gold

He couldn't stand the agony of not knowing what was happening. He quit pacing and stopped near the window. The sun still shone brightly, but his world was dark with fear and rage. How dare the slimy skunk lay a hand on her. This time nothing would save Blackthorn from his revenge, no matter what the consequences were.

She’d looked so pale and lifeless lying on the gurney. He didn't think he could bear it if anything happened to her. His gut twisted at the mind-numbing thought.

He’d brought her nothing but trouble this summer. It was his own damned love-blind fault for putting her in danger. Maybe she had been smart when she’d left him in the first place.

Footsteps came down the hall, and he turned to look.

Bob Wilson walked toward him. His face looked haggard, and his pace was slow.

Bob stopped next to Rafe and slipped his hands into his pockets. "How's she doing?"

Rafe shrugged and tightened his jaw. "They haven't told me anything yet. They won't even let me in there, but maybe it's just as well. I'd only be in the way. She's having a CAT scan right now so we should know something soon."

Bob put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll wait with you. But let's have a seat, I'm bushed."

Rafe walked with him to a row of green vinyl chairs in the waiting room and sat. It struck him as odd that Bob had showed up now.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Why aren't you at the crime scene with the sheriff's deputies?"

Bob stretched his legs out. "They've got things well under control, and I've already done my part. I thought I'd stop by and fill you in on some good news."

"Oh yes, I could use some good news right now. What is it?"

Bob grinned. "We got the guy."

Rafe relaxed and leaned back in the chair. Itwasgood news. "Blackthorn?" he asked sourly.

"Not quite."

Rafe frowned at the enigmatic answer. He'd be damned if Blackthorn were going to get away with this. "What do you mean,not quite?"

"He had help," Bob said tightly. "A man on the inside at your ranch worked with him."

"Who? I'll tear the traitor apart." Rafe's jaw set firmly. He thought he could trust all his hands. No wonder they got the drop on them so easily.

Bob shrugged. "Too late. We already took them both in. We got a make on the rifle this afternoon. It belongs to Travis Cain."

Rafe's jaw dropped open. It was the last name he expected to hear. "Are you sure about that, Bob? He's just a green kid I hired on for the summer. What motive could he have to try to kill Sarah?"

Bob's lips thinned as he scowled. "He's Nevell Blackthorn's nephew, that's why. Didn't you check his references?"

Rafe winced. He'd just taken Travis's word. "What references? He looked strong enough and claimed to have experience. I would have found out soon enough if he were lying about that. He fit the bill." He looked at Bob. "That means Blackthorn was behind it all."

"It looks that way. Travis has admitted to spying for his uncle while he's been at the ranch. You know, giving him inside information and pulling a few pranks. You ought to have seen his gear. He's got some sophisticated electronic equipment. He said he agreed to do it because his uncle was going to pay for his next year of college. But he claims he didn't attack Sarah or shoot the wolves."

"Oh yeah? Then where was he this morning when Sarah was hurt?" Rafe's eyes narrowed.

Bob shrugged. "He said he went for a long walk, that he felt bad for what he'd been doing, spying on you and all. He said he was considering giving it up."

Rafe's jaw tightened. "That sounds pretty lame to me. Has he got any witnesses to back him up?"

Bob shook his head. "No."

"Good. I want to see them both pay for what they did. Blackthorn always thought he was above the law. I mean to make him see he's no better than anybody else. I want the son-of-a-bitch to fry."

"Don't worry, charges are already being brought against them for attempted murder. There's no way he's going to wiggle out of this one. The jerk is already complaining about false arrest, but we've got him dead to rights."

Rafe sighed and looked down. "So, my phones were bugged. No wonder he always seemed to be one jump ahead of me."

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