Rita Herron - The Missing Mccullen

Maddox glanced at BJ, then back to the judge. He was obviously considering her opinion on whether or not Cash was guilty or innocent.

“With all due respect, Judge, my brother Ray is a detective and I’m a lawman,” Maddox said. “We’ll get to the truth. I promise you that.”

“And you’ll keep Koker in your custody?”

“Yes, sir,” Maddox agreed.

The judge made a clicking sound with his teeth. “All right.”

BJ and Maddox followed the judge and bailiff back into the courtroom.

Brett and Ray had taken seats in the courtroom. Cash looked confused and anxious.

“Bail is set at fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Koker, you are released into the custody of Sheriff McCullen.” He gave Cash a pointed look. “You are not allowed to leave the county or state. If you have a passport, you will turn it over to the court. If you attempt to flee, you will go back to prison, where you will reside until your trial. Do you understand?”

Cash nodded, his expression wary as he studied Maddox. “Yes, sir, Your Honor.”

BJ’s stomach knotted as Cash turned accusatory eyes toward her.

He didn’t trust her or Maddox.

She certainly couldn’t explain here in the courtroom.

The guard released Cash while Brett and Ray went to pay the bail.

“What the hell is your agenda, Sheriff?” Cash growled as the sheriff led him outside then to a police issued SUV. “Did Elmore hire you to get rid of me before the trial?”

Chapter Four

“Just shut up and get in,” Sheriff McCullen ordered. “I’ll explain later.”

The two men who’d been with the sheriff walked down the steps of the courthouse, waved to the sheriff then climbed in a pick-up truck near the sheriff’s vehicle.

Cash rubbed his wrists where the handcuffs had been, but he still felt the weight of the metal against his skin.

If they didn’t find a way to prove his innocence, he’d go back to jail and stay there the rest of his life. The thought made his lungs squeeze for air.

For a man who liked the open wilderness, country air and the freedom to move around, being confined would kill him.

He tensed as the sheriff veered onto the highway. He had to be prepared in case he drove him into the boonies and tried to get rid of him.

Surely that lawyer lady wouldn’t allow him to do something like that. She might not totally believe him, but he’d sensed that she cared about kids and would push the police to hunt for Tyler.

“Where are you taking me?” Cash asked.

Sheriff McCullen glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “To get some of your stuff.”

“We’re going to the Triple X?”

“Yes. I assumed you’d need clothes.”

He did. The stench of blood and now his own body odor was getting to him.

The sheriff veered onto the road leading to the ranch where he’d been working, and Cash noticed the lawyer was following.

“Why did you bail me out?” Cash asked.

The sheriff released a heavy sigh. “We’ll discuss that at Horseshoe Creek.”

Cash had never been to Horseshoe Creek, but he’d heard about the McCullen spread. Hell, everyone within five states had heard about it. Apparently the patriarch of the family, Joe McCullen, had run a large cattle and horse operation. He’d died a year ago and left it to his three sons. Maddox was the sheriff. Brett, a big rodeo star. And the youngest, Ray, was a private investigator.

A few months ago, Cash had read an article saying that Joe hadn’t died of natural causes as they’d originally thought, but that he’d been murdered.

Joe McCullen and Elmore, Sondra’s father, had been rival ranchers, owning two of the largest spreads in this part of Wyoming. Was that why the McCullens were coming to his rescue now? To get back at an old rival?

A sign for the Triple X dangled from wooden posts. The sheriff turned down the drive. Spring had turned to early summer and everything was green. Cows grazed and horses roamed the pastureland. His boss, Wilson Donovan, owned a hundred acres, but that was small compared to the Wagon Wheel and Horseshoe Creek.

With no money for training and breeding, Donovan focused on his cattle.

Tires churned the gravel, bringing Cash closer to the main house and the man who’d taken a chance on him after Elmore had blackballed him in the ranching community.

The sheriff parked and climbed out, then opened Cash’s door. Donovan strode down the wooden steps of the rickety porch toward them as BJ pulled her car next to them and got out. Somehow the fact that she’d been following them made Cash feel a bit safer.

A frown pulled Donovan’s thick white eyebrows together as he glanced from the sheriff to Cash.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Donovan,” Cash began.

Donovan held up a hand. “I’m sorry, too, Cash, but I think you’d better get your stuff and leave.”

Cash gritted his teeth, but gave the man a clipped nod. Dammit. Donovan had taken a chance on him, and he’d failed him.

How the hell was he going to pay Sheriff McCullen back for his bail if he had no job or income?

* * *

BJ WANTED TO question Donovan without Cash present.

“I’ll accompany Cash to his quarters so he can retrieve his clothes,” Maddox offered.

Cash glared at him. “You think I’m going to run?”

Maddox crossed his arms. “Are you?”

Anger flashed across Cash’s face. “No.”

BJ traded a knowing look with Maddox. “Mr. Donovan and I will join you at his cabin.”

“Bunkhouses are about a mile from the main house,” Donovan said. “Sheriff Jasper already come out and searched Cash’s room.”

Cash heaved a weary breath. “Of course he did.”

BJ made a mental note to ask Jasper about the search.

Maddox motioned for Cash to get back in the car, and he did so. But he looked irritated and worried. Did he have something to hide?

Donovan tipped his hat. “You think Cash killed the woman?”

BJ shrugged slightly “He claims he didn’t, that he and Sondra were only friends.” She paused to see if he reacted, but he didn’t, so she continued. “The woman’s three-year-old son is missing. Cash is afraid someone kidnapped him. What do you think about Cash?”

“I know what Elmore said, but I liked Cash. He was a hard worker and seemed honest.” Donovan worked his mouth from side to side. “Elmore’s cutthroat to us smaller ranchers. He was also protective of his daughter. Hell, I figured he’d kill anyone who touched her.”

Interesting. His opinion backed up Cash’s story.

“Did Sondra visit Cash here at the ranch?”

“She dropped her kid off a few times,” Donovan said. “But I don’t know what happened between them. What the hands do on their time off is their business, long as they don’t bring trouble here.” He hesitated. “You might ask Hanks, Cash’s bunkmate.”

“I will. And if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to some of your other ranch hands.”

Donovan scratched his chin. “Feel free. I’d like to see Cash catch a break. But unfortunately, I can’t keep him on here. The negative publicity is bad for business, and business is bad enough as it is.”

“Thanks.” Donovan sounded like a fair man. “Is there anything else you can tell me about Cash?”

“I never seen anyone ride like him. He has a knack for herding, too.” He removed his hat and ran a hand through his thinning hair. “Cash is ambitious. I think it’s always bugged him that he’s not in charge. Was saving up to buy his own land someday.”

His earlier comment replayed in her head. “You said you figured Elmore would kill any man who touched his daughter. Do you think Elmore was dangerous?”

“I can’t say.” Donovan shrugged. “Elmore was ruthless in business, and he ran some guys off. Two of my hands before Cash used to work there. Said he fired them for flirting with his daughter.”