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Triplehorn didn’t reply, but

his expression went rigid “You don’t scaredoenty-six Viet Cong in ’Naht not be as lucky as you were the last time”

The words rocked Tanner, but he knew better than to show it It made perfect sense that Triplehorn had been the one to shoot him from the escarp on orders fro

Triplehorn got into his Jeep and roared out of the parking lot Tanner gave him a head start, then drove off the way the Jeep was headed If the vet was going to the Prescott Ranch, there was no need to hurry If not, it didn’t matter Triplehorn was small potatoes Tanner’s business ith the man’s boss

He was mad as hell, but he kept his pickup below the speed limit There was little doubt in his mind that Triplehorn had been sent to kill Rose’s lambs Maybe the bastard had been paid to spy on Rose, too, or at least somebody had As for the shot that had nearly killed him that day in the canyonbut that would have to wait until he had proof

For now, he knew better than to think he could pin anything on Ferg legally Ferg was too slippery for that But if he could put soht stop hi Rose

Ferg wouldn’t be glad to see him, Tanner kneice he’d been the bearer of bad news—the first ti had faked the theft of his cattle, and the second ti the faun belt were under the seat of the truck He ht be s him by surprise

It ilight by the ti on a hunch, Tanner parked next to the barn, strapped on the gun belt, and, keeping to the shadows, made his way toward the house

His hunch paid off Triplehorn’s Jeep was parked at the foot of the front steps Tanner was keeping low, behind the shrubbery, when the front door opened Triplehorn, clearly in a sour mood, came outside, stomped down the steps, and roared away in his Jeep

Tanner gave him a few minutes, then walked into the open

Ferg’s office was dark, but Tanner could see light androo at dinner He could only hope his visit would give the bastard indigestion

His anger mounted as he cli the front doorbell When the aging cook opened the door, Tanner pushed past hihastly array of mounted trophies around the walls

Ferg was about to cut into a thick rib eye steak His jaw dropped as Tanner walked in to face hi his features into a crocodile smile

“I don’t recall inviting you to dinner, McCade Sorry I can’t share this steak with you I trust you’ll forgive ets cold”

He cut hi you wanted?”