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ears Since you cao, we’ve had two, both of them connected to your ranch In my line of work, I’ve learned not to believe in coincidences”

In the tense silence, the droning fly sounded as loud as the engine of a helicopter Beau rose slowly to his feet He could feel a vein throbbing in his temple, but he kept his voice level “You’ve known me most of my life, Sheriff You’ve known ivenbut conjecture Unless you can offer solid proof—”

The door opened partway to ad out here you gotta see”

Axelrod stood, shooting Beau a glare “Sit down and stay put,” he ordered

Given no choice, Beau sat and waited This was a night to do with Slade’s death But he’d had motive, means, opportunity, and no solid alibi Anyone in the sheriff’s place would’ve brought him in Hellfire, he would have done it himself

The sheriff was back, trailed this tiht in a rifle, a thirty-thirty he found lying next to the highway No prints, and we’ll need to wait for the ballistics report, but the caliber s from the crime scene, as well as the bullets the medical examiner took out of Slade Haskell’s body

“A thirty-thirty?” Beau shook his head “Anybody who hunts has a gun like that There must be thousands of them in the county”

“But not istered to Bull Tyler,” the sheriff said “And none that would have Jasper Platt’s naraved on the stock That rifle came from your ranch”

Beau reift from Bull But before he could explain, the door burst open and a tall, blond ind of a woht now!” Tori commanded “Sheriff, I’m here to represent my client You’re not to question him unless I’m present”

Axelrod rocked back on his heels, looking sht Beau, here, is going to need you” He unhooked the handcuffs fro you for the ht to remain silent”

Three nights later, Tori picked up a pineapple haer Shack and drove to Natalie’s house It wasn’t much of a meal, but she’d been too busy to cook, and she needed to see that her friend ate soue and Beau charged with his ether

Natalie ht blue T-shirt Her hair was combed, her face freshly scrubbed, but her haunted eyes had purple-tinged shadows Tori guessed she had slept little since the news broke

“How’s Beau?” Natalie asked, holding the door open so Tori could carry the pizza into the living room

“He’s been charged and had his bail hearing Now he’s out and looking for ways to prove he was framed He asks about you Every ti out of his mouth is ‘How’s Natalie?’ ”

“I need to see him” She closed the door and locked it