The Lone Rancher - By Carol Finch Page 0,85

killed, woman?”

Damn the woman; he knew she thrived on excitement and adventure but she faced uncertain danger. She was putting herself in harm’s way for him. That tormented him to no end.

Scowling furiously, he stalked outside to mount Cactus. Too many things could go wrong with Boston’s harebrained scheme. Besides, this was his problem, not hers. “Someone needs to get control of that woman…if that’s even possible,” he rumbled as he gouged the bloodred bay gelding in the flanks and raced off, praying he wouldn’t arrive too late.

Adrianna dismounted in a stand of trees. She took the precaution of stashing the money pouch behind an oversize stone on the path. She intended to use the money as insurance. No answers, no money, she vowed as she walked toward the meeting site. Her plan was to find out everything she could and stall until Cahill arrived. As plans went, it was iffy at best. But it provided protection for Cahill.

“Toss out your pistols, Cahill,” came a gruff voice from the underbrush to her left.

The sound startled her but she composed herself, gathered her courage and tossed her pistol into the clearing beside the junction of the three creeks.

“Where’s your other six-gun?” the man demanded.

“I only have one,” she called out.

“What the hell—?” came a deep voice from her right.

That accounted for two men, she thought. Where was the third man?

“Take off that hat!” the first bandit ordered sharply.

Adrianna removed Cahill’s oversize hat and her thick braid tumbled over her shoulder.

“You?” the second outlaw crowed incredulously. “What are you doing here? We sent for Cahill.”

“He wasn’t home. He was herding the stolen cattle your sidekicks stashed away. Those are your sidekicks, right? Ezra and Chester?”

“Are those the two cowboys you stuffed in jail?” the first hombre asked.

“Yes, friends of yours?” she questioned persistently.

“No,” said the second man. “Now move to the clearing. Don’t try anything, lady, or you’ll be damned sorry. And get those hands up where we can see ’em.”

She did as she was told. Her objective was to keep the men busy talking and gather vital information. “Which one of you shot your cohort at Phantom Springs?” She walked into the clearing, then glanced sideways to note both men were wearing black hoods and long duster coats to conceal their identities.

“That don’t concern you, lady,” the second outlaw scowled. “Now where’s the money?”

She turned slowly to face her mysterious captors. “You’ll receive no money until I have information,” she insisted, lowering her arms. “What do you know about Ruby and Earl Cahill’s deaths? Was it a robbery attempt?”

“Maybe. Maybe not,” the first bandit muttered evasively.

She rolled her eyes. “No straight answers, no money.”

“Lady,” the second ruffian growled, “you ain’t in no position to make the rules. Now where’s the damn money!”

Okay, Cahill, you can show up now, she thought anxiously. These men were short on patience.

“So you and the other two men planned to rob the Cahills on their return trip from Wolf Grove,” she speculated. “They tried to outrun you in their wagon, right?”

“Shut up, lady,” Number Two sneered beneath his black hood, then aimed his pistol at her chest.

“So you chased them and the Cahills lost control on the sharp curve at Ghost Canyon?” she prompted, calling upon every ounce of bravado she could muster.

“You don’t hear too good, do you, lady?” Number One said sarcastically. “Be quiet!”

“I will not be quiet.” She tilted her chin defiantly. “I came here for information in exchange for money. Now, did you climb downhill to rob the Cahills of money and take their supplies after the wreck?”

“Yes, damn it,” Number One muttered in exasperation.

“Then you wiped away the tracks so no one would suspect foul play,” she ventured. “What did you remove from the bodies?”

“Don’t you ever shut up, woman?” Number Two sneered as he took a step closer. “Maybe I’ll make you shut up.”

“We don’t have the money yet,” Number One re minded his angry cohort.

“Where is the third man?” she questioned, glancing this way and that. “Or did you dispose of him so you could have more money for yourselves? Was there a falling out between thieves that resulted in the death at Phantom Springs? Or did your friend try to extort money behind your back and you shot him for it?”

The question was met with silence and Adrianna swore under her breath, wondering if she would ever find the third man. Was he here now, hiding in the trees, taking her measure with a rifle?

“Lady, you are a

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