Roping Ray Mccullen

Ray and Brett exchanged a questioning look, but Brett gave a clipped nod. “Okay. Maybe we can figure this out before Maddox gets back.”

“Anyone else I should look into?” the deputy asked.

“Not that I know of,” Brett said. “But I haven’t been in town that long. If Holcutt didn’t do this, we’ll talk to Maddox when he returns. He would know best if Dad had any enemies.”

Ray remained silent, still contemplating Scarlet Lovett’s story about their half brother. He would check out Bobby Lowman.

“What about ranch hands?” Deputy Whitefeather asked. “Anyone have a beef with your father?”

“I doubt it,” Brett said. “Dad was always good to his employees.”

The deputy glanced at Ray, but Ray shrugged. “Like Brett said, we haven’t been back in town long.”

“What about that ex-con your father just hired?” the deputy asked. “The one that was in jail for the cattle-rustling operation?”

“Gus wouldn’t do this,” Brett said emphatically. “If anything, he owes the McCullens for clearing his name and getting him released so he could be with his family.”

“All right,” Deputy Whitefeather said. “Let me know when you talk to Maddox or if you think of anyone.”

A bead of sweat rolled down Ray’s forehead and he removed his handkerchief from his pocket to wipe it away. But his fingers connected with the card Arlis Bennett had given him.

“Come to think of it, I ran into a man named Arlis Bennett earlier. He took over Boyle Gates’s ranch and said if we were interested in selling to let him know.”