Colorado Abduction - By Cassie Miles & Marie Ferrarella Page 0,28
that what you do here?” She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smirking. “Stud service?”
“We train horses. One of my men is Butch Thurgood, a rodeo champion bronc rider.”
She’d never heard of Thurgood, but Carolyn didn’t keep up with the latest rodeo news. “I’d like to meet him.”
“I remember when you used to be the queen of the barrel race.” He glanced toward the guard with the rifle. “Back in the day, me and Carolyn were a couple. I considered marrying this young woman, joining with her to become part of the all-powerful Carlisle family. Imagine that. Me, being a corporate, capitalist stooge?” He gave a completely phony laugh. “I came to my senses and saw the error in my ways.”
Spare me the sermon. “Last night, when my brother and the sheriff came by, your men wouldn’t allow them to enter.”
“We don’t recognize the law represented by Sheriff Trainer.” He looked past her to Burke. “Or by your friend over there. FBI?”
“Special Agent J. D. Burke.” He took a step forward. “I haven’t come here to accuse you, Logan.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I don’t have a search warrant or a judge’s order,” Burke said. “Carolyn and I are merely looking for information. We want to talk to your people. To find out if anyone saw anything suspicious last night when Nicole Carlisle was kidnapped.”
Logan sneered. “The government and the agents of the government are liars.”
“I’m not armed.” Burke held his coat open, showing his empty shoulder holster. Apparently, he’d left his handgun in the truck. “I just want to ask questions.”
“We’re neighbors,” Carolyn said. “Aren’t neighbors supposed to help each other in times of need?”
“Carlisle Ranch represents the establishment. You and your brother are the nemesis of freedom.”
She tamped down her anger. It wouldn’t do any good to insult him. “You knew my father, Logan. He liked you, believed in you.”
“Sterling Carlisle was a good man.”
“I’m not your enemy.” Not yet, anyway. “Please let me come inside. I’m worried about Nicole. Maybe one of your people saw something. Maybe they can help me find her.”
He dismounted, passed the reins to the guard and unlocked the gate. With a sweeping gesture, he announced, “I have nothing to hide.”
Entering the Circle M, she strode down the road, flanked by Logan and Burke.
In her younger days, she’d been satisfied in a relationship with a handsome cowboy like Logan. Now, she needed more complexity, more depth and a hundred times more honesty—qualities Burke had in abundance.
In a conversational tone, Burke asked, “How many people live here at the Circle M?”
“Gathering information for your FBI database?”
“We keep track of groups like yours,” Burke admitted. “But I’ll tell you the truth, Logan. We don’t have a listing for Sons of Freedom. You’re not dangerous enough to be on the radar.”
“Just because you haven’t heard of me,” Logan said, “doesn’t mean I’m not important.”
“The FBI has bigger fish to fry. Terrorists. Hijackers. The Russian Mafia. Those are the real enemies of the state.”
Logan puffed out his chest, possibly hoping to inflate his bruised ego. “You have no idea who you’re talking to.”
“How many people have you got here? Ten or fifteen?”
“Twice that. Twelve men and fifteen women and children.”
“Husbands and wives?” Burke asked.
“We don’t believe in the overregulated institution of marriage.”
“How does that work?” Carolyn asked.
“If a couple chooses to be monogamous, their decision is respected. If not, that’s accepted.”
“Are you monogamous?”
“Not at present.” His blue-eyed gaze slid over her body. “Sorry, Carolyn. You already missed your chance to be with me.”
Silently, she thanked her lucky stars.
Burke asked, “How much acreage do you have?”
“Enough to live on. Nate Miller is trying to sell the rest of his land. Hasn’t had much luck.”
“And how do you pay the bills?”
“The Sons of Freedom are establishing a new way of life, based on the real foundations of America. Self-sufficiency, simplicity and old-fashioned hard work.” He glanced toward Carolyn. “I’m writing a book.”
The World According to Peabrain? “I didn’t know you could write.”
“A man can do anything he sets his mind to.”
They were within sight of the main buildings. Compared to the Carlisle ranch house, the Circle M was plain and shabby. The house was a simple, one-story structure with beat-up siding the color of soured milk and a shingled roof in need of repair. The other outbuildings were equally ugly. A shiny, new double-wide mobile home was parked near the ramshackle barn.
She saw two women walking together. Each of the women’s hair was pulled back in a bun.