trying to put the pieces together. “We’re US Marshals, searching for a man who escaped a prisoner flight transport after a plane crash. We tracked him here.”
“An escaped convict?”
Madison nodded. “Have you seen him?”
A second man cocked his rifle and took a step closer to her. “I’d say our escaped convicts are right in front of us, Simon. There were two on the plane. And his descriptions match perfectly.”
“Wait a minute,” Jonas said. “Whose descriptions?”
“We were just paid a visit by US Marshal Jonas Quinn, who told us about the plane crash and how you’d escaped,” Simon said.
Madison fought the sick feeling bubbling inside her. So that’s what Barrick had done. Used the papers in her backpack and passed himself off as a federal marshal. What had Jonas said about Barrick? He was charismatic and manipulative? His evaluation had clearly been spot-on.
“We’re not the prisoners,” she said, “and every minute we spend arguing with you gives him more time to get farther away. His name is Damon Barrick, and he murdered three people. If he said he was a lawman, he lied to you.”
“And we can prove it,” Jonas said, slowly reaching for his backpack.
Simon frowned and cocked his gun. “He told me you’d say that.”
“He was lying,” Jonas said. “And you’re making a big mistake. Is he still here?”
“My son’s taking him to the sheriff’s office right now so they can coordinate the search. Guess they won’t have to do that now.” Simon spit. “Told me to be sure to call him if you happened to show up, which I’m about to do. From what he said, the entire state’s looking for you.”
“He won’t be coming back for us, and he’s not headed to the sheriff’s office,” Madison said. “He played you and is long gone by now.”
“We’ll see about that.” Simon grabbed her arm and pulled her to a horse that was tied up just around the corner of the trail with three other horses. “Hope you can ride. Phil, tie them up so they don’t do anything foolish like escape again.”
It was less than half a mile to the ranch house that was located on the far side of the ridge. None of the men said anything while they rode. Any questions from Madison went unanswered, making her even more irritated. If they lost Barrick now, picking up his trail again would be next to impossible.
A middle-aged woman wearing jeans, a flannel shirt, and cowboy boots met them on the front porch of the two-story house nestled next to a grove of trees and a large barn. “You shouldn’t have brought them here.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about.” Simon climbed down off his horse, then ordered the two of them to get down. “Once I get ahold of the marshal, all of this will be over.”
“So he’s not answering his phone?” Jonas asked.
Simon frowned. “Cell reception out here’s spotty, especially with these storms we’ve been having. I’ll get ahold of him.”
Madison tried to keep her frustration at bay. They were getting nowhere with these people. Then a new plan popped into her head. “How old is your son?” Madison asked.
“Eighteen, but he knows this land like the back of his hand,” the woman said. “They took one of our vehicles, convinced you’d both headed toward town.”
“Linda—”
“There is something you need to understand.” Madison cut Simon off, then leaned forward and caught the woman’s eye. “I don’t know what he told you, but Damon Barrick is no lawman, and if he has your son—”
“Enough,” Simon shouted. “This is what’s going to happen. You’re both going to sit down on this porch, shut up, and we’re going to wait for the marshal to return. The rest of you can get back to work. I’ve got them covered.”
The men nodded, then headed off the porch toward the barn.
“Ma’am, I was serious when I said your son is in danger.” Madison ignored Simon’s glare. “That man who was here, Damon Barrick, has already murdered three people. It’s why he was in prison and why he was being transported to Denver.”
“Go back inside, Linda, and don’t listen to them. They’re trying to scare you.”
“And it’s working.” Linda hesitated in the doorway. “Simon, if they’re telling the truth, then Will’s in danger—”
“He’s fine.”
“Will’s your son?” Madison asked.
Linda took a step forward. “He’s my son, and if he’s in danger—”
Simon locked eyes with his wife. “I said, enough.”
Linda shook her head at her husband. “No. What if they’re right?”
“They’re not. He had the paperwork