Deke stood, extending a hand to help Rawley to his feet. Rawley got up, bent over, breathing heavily as he steadied himself with his hands on his knees.
“It’s not the first time I’ve been hit in the vest,but I’d like it to be the last. Fuck,” Rawley muttered, wincing as he placed a hand over the bruise forming beneath his vest. “Go. I’ll be right behind you.”
Deke took off running toward the woods behind the house. He moved to the left and dashed through the trees, then he stopped to listen. When he heard Walsh thrashing through the woods, he saw him slowing down to keep quiet. Deke stayed with him but not letting him know he was following him.
When Walsh stopped and turned to face the direction he’d just come from, Deke knew Rawley was making his way toward Walsh, and Deke watched Walsh raise his gun and peer through the woods in Rawley’s direction.
Deke crept through the woods until he was merely feet away from him. Deke moved behind him. Walsh was concentrating so much on Rawley coming toward him that he had no idea Deke had him in his sight.
With cautious steps, he walked up behind him, put his weapon to his head and cocked it, making Walsh still.
“Drop your weapon to the ground. You’re under arrest for rustling and removing ear tags.”
“I didn’t remove the ear tags. That was all the Winchesters and Smith.”
“But you did steal the cattle.”
“Uh—”
“That’s what I thought. Talk to the judge. Put your hands behind your back. I got him, Rawley,” Deke shouted.
When Deke snapped the handcuffs on, he took Walsh’s elbow and led him back toward the houseand saw Rawley walking from the woods.
“How about a deal?”
Deke laughed. “Everyone wants a fucking deal, right Rawley? Let’s go.”
“It sure seems that way with this bunch. I’ll call the sheriff’s office.” Rawley removed his phone and placed a call, then put it back into his pocket. “They’re on their way.”
“Good. Are you alright?”
“Yeah. I’ll have a hell of a bruise tomorrow, but I’ll live.” Rawley looked at Walsh. “You shot me, you son of a bitch.”
“That’s another charge for you, Walsh. Attempted murder of a livestock agent.” Deke dragged him to the front of the house and put him in the truck to wait for a sheriff’s deputy. He slammed the door, leaned against the truck fender and folded his arms. Rawley stood next to him.
“I think this case is finally over,” Rawley said.
“All that’s left is the trial, then we can put this behind us.”
“Let’s hope so.” Rawley sighed.
“Hey, thanks for your help on this, Rawley.” Deke put his hand out to him.
“Anytime.” Rawley shook his hand.
Once the sheriff’s deputy arrived, Walsh was loaded into the back of his cruiser and after shaking their hands, the deputy drove off. Deke and Rawley looked at each other.
“Can we go home now?” Rawley asked with a grin.
“Yeah, you can head back. I want to stop at Hollister’s place about the arrests, then I’ll head home.” He shook his head. “I have to come back on Saturday to help with the move. Damn, I’ll beglad when I don’t have to make this trip again.”
“I could wait if you want,” Rawley said.
“No, it’s fine, Rawley. Head home. I know you’re tired,” Deke said with a grin, making Rawley laugh.
They climbed into Deke’s truck. He started it and they drove back to the hotel in Maple Ridge, Rawley packed, shook Deke’s hand and drove home to Clifton.
Deke hated the idea of driving to Clifton since he had to come back on Saturday, but he couldn’t stay on the department’s dime. He’d go home, get some rest, then come back and take Ava and his daughter home.
