“No.”
“Well, I guess that’s good since you likely travel a good bit.”
“I do, though not as much as I used to. I see you’re married.” He nodded at the wedding band on Tyler’s left hand.
“Yes. I’ve been married fifteen years to the love of my life. We have three kids. Two boys and a girl. Thirteen, Ten, and five.”
“A teenager?” Deke shook his head.
Tyler laughed. “Yeah. I know I wasn’t like thatwhen I was that age.”
Deke chuckled. “No, I’m sure you were an angel.”
“Weren’t you?” Tyler laughed.
“Probably about as much as you.”
“Then you were a problem.”
“My dad raised three sons on his own, so yeah, we were a problem at times.” Deke grinned as he pulled the truck to a stop where Tyler pointed the fence out to him.
“We didn’t touch anything or ride through the other side in case of tire tracks and other evidence,” Tyler said.
“I appreciate that. I’ll take a look.” Deke opened his door and reached for his flashlight. “How many cattle are usually on the ranch?”
“We have…hadtwo hundred head.”
“Okay. Your father said they’re ear tagged and branded.”
“Yes.”
“What’s the brand? I forgot to ask.”
“An H beside a crescent moon.”
“Alright, the brand will be hard to cover.” Deke shook his head.
“Is that good or bad?”
“Both. If they’re stealing them for someone, they won’t care about the brand, but they can’t take them to an auction without the proper papers showing the brand and ownership. I’m thinking that someone had them stolen for some reason. What they’re planning to do with them is anyone’s guess.”
“They had to see they were branded,” Tyler said.
“I’m sure they did. That’s why I don’t think it was random.” Deke looked at Tyler. “Someone isfamiliar with the area. They knew what they were after. I’m just not sure what they’re hoping to accomplish, and I hate to think what they’ll do with the cattle they took.”
“Because they can’t sell them. Damn,” Tyler said as he shook his head.
“Once I get back to the hotel, I’ll get packed and head home tomorrow, then I’ll look into the Winchesters.”
“Hotel?”
Deke grinned. “Yeah, I’m from the Clifton department. Autumn Falls couldn’t take on another case at this time.”
“There has been a lot of rustling between here and Autumn Falls, so I can understand that.”
“I’ll get some photos. Could you stay here, please?”
“No problem.”
