Deke nodded, opened the door, then made his way over to the fence and snapped photos of tire tracks. He saw at least two different truck tire tracks and what looked like two separate trailers. Someone definitely knew what they were after. He walked along the sets of tracks looking for shoe prints and found quite a few. He took pictures of everything then headed back toward the truck. He saw Tyler leaning against the front of the truck with his arms folded, watching him.
“Anything?”
“This wasn’t random. There were at least two pickup trucks pulling two trailers. They knew what they were after.”
“Damn. Now what?”
“I’ll run these through the database and see what the tires fit and take it from there.”
“I hope it’s not anyone we know.”
“I’ll do what I can. You know the cattle might not be recovered?”
“Yeah, we understand that. I hate it, but I get it.”
“How long has the ranch been in your family?”
“Back to the early eighteen hundreds.”
“Damn. Well, as I said, I’ll do what I can. We can head back now.”
Tyler nodded, got into the truck, then Deke climbed in and drove back to the ranch.
Deke pulled the truck to a stop beside the porch and both men stepped out.
“I’ll get in touch if I find out anything,” Tyler said.
“I appreciate that. I’m going to talk with your dad for a few minutes, then head back to the hotel and see what I can find.”
Tyler nodded. “Have a good day, Agent.”
“Yes, sir. You too.” Deke watched him walk toward the barn, then he climbed the steps and knocked on the door.
When the door swung open, Deke’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as he caught sight of her, a frown quickly replacing his initial expression. He quickly removed his sunglasses.
“Ava?” he inquired, his voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
“Deacon, what are you doing here?” she responded, her tone tinged with surprise.
“I’m working on a case,” he replied, his voice carrying a note of businesslike formality.
“You’re the agent for my father’s missing cattle? I thought you lived in Clifton?” she asked, her eyes widening slightly in realization.
“Yes, I’m here about the theft. Could I come in? It’s sweltering out here,” he said, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, please come in,” she said, swinging the door open wider to let him in. He removed his hat, dusted off his boots on the doormat, and stepped into the sunlit kitchen.
Deke’s gaze lingered on her. She was still beautiful. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail. For some reason the air between them felt unusually tense. He wondered why, as he believed they had parted on amicable terms, or at least he had thought so.
“I thought you worked out of Clifton?”
“I do, but Autumn Falls is a little backed up on cases, so my boss sent me.”
“I see.”
“How have you been?” he asked, trying to bridge the silence with a gentle inquiry.
“Um, fine. Let me get my dad for you,” she said, turning away from him.
