Johnny nodded, his eyes downcast. “He planned it. Dad handled the money; we handled the cattle.”
“Have you retained counsel?” Deke’s voice was softer now, measured.
“Our father hired a lawyer for us.” Johnny’s shoulders sagged.
“Then your attorney will negotiate a deal, if you cooperate fully. But since your brother’s silent, he likely won’t get anything.” Deke paused. “Do you want a deal?”
Johnny’s gaze flickered up, hope and fear warring in his eyes. “Yeah. I want one.”
Deke nodded. “We’ll see. I can’t cut you a deal, that’s the lawyer’s job, but I can vouch for your cooperation.”
Johnny blinked back tears. “I… I don’t want to go to prison.”
“I get that. But you admitted this wasn’t your first time. I don’t know what penalties you’ll face.” Deke’s voice softened for a moment, noticing Johnny press his head to the cold metal table, shoulders shaking. “I’ll say you cooperated since we can’t bring up charges on any previous thefts.”
Johnny lifted his tear-streaked face. “Thanks.”
“I’ll do what I can for you.” Deke folded his arms. “But MDOL takes rustling very seriously.”
“Teddy’s too scared of Dad to talk. He’d rather rot in a cell.”
“What about you?” Deke tilted his head.
“I’m scared too but not of Dad. It’s the thought of prison,” Johnny admitted, voice small. “I’m twenty. If I get twenty years, I won’t get out until I’m forty.”
Deke studied him. “You should have thought of that. You knew it was illegal.”
“We did,” Johnny whispered. “But Dad swore we’d never get caught.”
“He lied.” Deke’s jaw tightened. “We won’t rest until every head of livestock is accounted for. No matter how long it takes.”
“Teddy’s not going to snitch, Agent Anderson. He said he’d sooner take a twenty-year stretch than flip on Dad.”
Deke exhaled. “Then that’s what he’s probably going to get, and once he sees how bad it is, he’ll wish he’d helped us, but by then, it will be too late.”
“Will we end up in the same place?” Johnny’s voice cracked.
“Depends on the charges,” Deke said. “Testifying helps. Your sentence could be lighter but no promises.”
Johnny shook his head. “I hate snitching, but I can’t stay here.”
Deke gave a slow nod. “You’ve got a long road ahead of you. I’ll be in touch, Johnny. For now, I need to get Tommy.”
Johnny rose slowly. “Yes, sir.”
Deke stood and opened the door. Jeff leaned against the wall; arms folded. “He’s yours.”
“How did it go?”
“He’s talking. I’m going to Winchester’s place to get Tommy. It seems he was in on this one.”
“Damn. Well, good luck, Deke. I’ll take him back.” Jeff motioned for Johnny to follow him. Johnny stepped from the room, blinking at the sudden brightness of the hall.
Deke walked out into the muted bustle of the lobby. The receptionist glanced up from her paperwork as he passed, offering a weary nod. Outside, the fall air felt crisp. He was bone-tired, as his dad used to say. Deke forced a grin, recalling the struggle to assemble Ellie’s new furniture, his father cursing every time something didn’t go together right. Deke had ribbed him mercilessly; his dad shot him a glare that cracked him up.
He swung open the pickup’s door and climbed onto the seat. The engine’s low growl vibrated through his bones, but somewhere in the damp ache of exhaustion, he unearthed a piece of calm. Outside, the sky bled soft pink along the horizon as the sun sank behind low hills, promising something like hope.
He backed out, tires crunching gravel, and steered down the drive toward the Winchester homestead. The two-story house loomed under a fading sky. He killed the engine, and the sudden silence pressed in on him. With a steadying breath, he stepped up to the door and knocked.Why did some people need such a big house?Deke shook his head.
