sell the animal at a packing plant or an auction market and receive one hundred percent of the value.”
There were more murmurs of agreement, but some restless movement as the smarter ranchers began to realize Stratton wasn’t telling them anything they didn’t already know.
“Improvements in transportation, the interstate, bigger cattle trailers, all make it easier for criminals to load up cattle and haul them across state lines before you even realize the animals are missing,” he continued. “I don’t have to tell you that thieves can steal more and move farther and faster than in the old days. A rustler can steal cattle here today, and this afternoon or early tomorrow morning be in Tennessee or California.”
“Don’t you think we know all that?” one of the ranchers demanded.
“What I can tell you is that we need to work together to stop these rustlers,” Stratton said.
“You know a lot of us can’t afford to hire more hands or buy special equipment,” a man said from the front row.
“The state can’t afford to hire staff to watch your cattle, either,” Stratton said, as if it hurt him personally to say that. “That’s why we need each of you to help us. Experienced cattle thieves will watch a ranch for a while, get to know the schedule of the owner and hired hands, and the times of day when no one will be around. You can keep an eye out for strangers hanging around or hired help that’s too curious.”
Jacklyn couldn’t believe Stratton thought the rustling gang was that stupid. They weren’t like some bumbling amateurs who left a gas receipt or wallet at the scene of the crime. These guys always got away clean. Except possibly for a good-luck coin. And even that could have been dropped by anyone at any time.
But for sure, the rustlers wouldn’t be asking stupid questions of ranchers.
“You can also run checks on the men you hire,” Stratton was saying, over an uproar from the floor. “I know society is so mobile that you’re lucky to get a ranch hand to stay a season, let alone longer, and most ranches don’t keep good records when it comes to seasonal help.”
The crowd was getting restless.
Stratton had to raise his voice as he explained how every rancher should brand even dairy cows. “One white or black cow looks exactly like another. We have no way of telling them apart.”
“I thought some states were using DNA?” a rancher asked over the growing murmuring.
“It’s expensive, and we have to have some idea where the cow was stolen so we can try to match the DNA,” he replied. “The best place to stop rustlers is at livestock sales. We need those people to be attentive. There are also radio-frequency chips that we’re looking into. It’s an expense for all of you, I know, but—”
“It sounds like you’re expecting everyone else to do your job,” a rancher called.
“Yeah,” Waters agreed. “What’s the bottom line here? You’re telling us you aren’t going to do a damn thing?”
“The only way we can beat the rustlers is to work together.” Stratton was forced to yell to be heard over the uproar. “You have to trust—”
Jacklyn walked over to the podium and kicked it over. Stratton jumped back as if he’d been shot. The boom as the podium hit the floor sent a shock wave through the room, instantly quieting everyone. All attention was fixed on her.
She barely had to raise her voice. “You want to know how easy is it to steal your cattle? Simple as hell. If there is nobody watching them tonight, the rustlers are out there taking a dozen, two dozen, three dozen right now. You probably won’t even know for weeks, maybe months, that they’re gone. As for the rustlers, they made a quick getaway. Your cattle could be in another state. Or already butchered. Doesn’t matter, because they aren’t going to turn up. You just lost ten, twenty thousand dollars.”
She looked out at the stunned audience of ranchers. “That’s the reality. I plan to catch these rustlers. But even if I do, there will be others. Unless you help, we’ll never be able to protect your property. That, Mr. Waters, is the bottom line.”
With that she turned and walked off the stage as the room went from stunned silence to a clamor of voices. She saw a group of ranchers corner Stratton, blocking his exit, as she and Dillon slipped out the side into the cool darkness.
DILLON LET OUT a low