The Cowboy and the Cop

by Christine Wenger

  Amber hurried over to the evidence, plucked it carefully off the bush, and put it in a glassine bag. Then the unmistakable scent of musk that was Ronnie’s aftershave drifted from it.

  “Luke, this hasn’t been here long. Certainly not in the rain we’ve been having. It’s not even damp.”

  “Is it Ronnie’s?” Luke asked.

  “I’ll ask him.”

  Her stomach sank, and suddenly she couldn’t breathe. She knew very well that the bandanna belonged to her brother. Luke had better not make any remarks about the Chapmans because her last nerve was jumping. He nodded, then pointed. “And look at the truck tracks that lead away from here. They go right toward your father’s junkyard then disappear onto the highway.”

  She could see the tracks very clearly because the wheat and tall grasses were tamped down.

  “Circumstantial evidence,” she said.

  Luke shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

  “What do you mean by that?” she said slowly. Her face heated with anger, and her mouth was so dry that she would give her right arm for a glass of water. “You already have Ronnie convicted and hung from the nearest cottonwood as a rustler. Well, Luke, this isn’t the Wild West, and I haven’t seen a cottonwood tree around here.”

  He grinned. “We have others that’ll do.”

  Amber took pictures with her cell phone and the department-issued camera. “Let’s go.”

  “Yeah. I want to check on my father. How about waiting for me to talk to Ronnie?”

  “I’ll talk to Ronnie on my own time. You are not going to be present. I’ll talk to Ronnie and rule him out.”

  “Or you might consider him a suspect.”

  “Not my brother. He wouldn’t do such a thing,” Amber snapped.

  “You have three brothers. Maybe Ronnie had help.”

  “No!”

  “That’s why I want to be with you,” Luke said. “You aren’t keeping an open mind. Or maybe you need to speak with Captain Fitz and run things by him.”

  She began to fume. “Not necessary. And let me remind you that I’m the detective, not you.”

  “Okay. I’ll back off and let you handle it, but let me be with you when you speak with Ronnie, or I’ll just take him out for a couple of beers and...”

  “I’m asking you one more time, Luke. Let me handle this or I’ll charge you with obstructing justice.”

  They walked the horses the rest of the way in silence. When they came to an open field, Luke mounted and trotted Chestnut, then galloped.

  He wants to get away from me, as much as I want to get away from him.

  She arrived at the makeshift barn after him.

  “You don’t have to groom and put away tack,” Luke said. “Slim will take care of finding someone to brush them. I have to get to the hospital, and I’m sure you have investigating to do.”

  They tied the horses and Slim appeared. “I’ll take care of them. Go ahead.”

  “Thanks, Slim,” they both said.

  Amber couldn’t wait to get away from Luke and, obviously, the feeling was mutual.

  Luke rubbed his chin. “Things have changed between us since we found Ronnie’s bandanna, haven’t they?”

  “I don’t know for certain that it’s his.”

  “There’s Ronnie over there.” Luke pointed to a pile of lumber at the side of the old barn. Ronnie was picking through it as if looking for a particular piece.

  “I’ll go talk to him,” she said. “You go and check on Big Dan.”

  But Luke was already headed in Ronnie’s direction, and he didn’t wait before he started questioning him.

  “Ronnie, where’s your black bandanna with the American flags on it?” Luke asked.

  Amber put her hands on her hips. “You don’t have to answer his question, Ronnie. I’m the one investigating the rustling. He just loaned me a horse this morning.”

  Ronnie stood up to his full six-foot-four frame. He looked down at Luke, then at Amber.

  “What are you two blabbing about?” Ronnie asked.

  “Where’s your bandanna with the flags on it?” Luke asked again.

  Amber sighed. “You might as well answer that, Ronnie.”

  “I lost it somewhere,” Ronnie said. “Why do you ask?”

  “When’s the last time you had it?” Amber asked.

  Ronnie shifted from leg to leg. “I don’t know. Again, why are you asking?”

  “I’ll tell you later.” Amber pulled out the evidence bag with the cloth in it. “Is this yours?”

  “Looks like mine,” Ronnie said. “Let me see it, and I’ll tell you for sure.”

  She handed the bag to her brother and made eye contact with Luke. She thought he looked way too smug and arrogant.

  She’d show Luke. Ronnie will say that it isn’t his.

  “Yeah, that’s mine,” Ronnie stated. “It’s my favorite. All the Beaumont Bombers wear that one. Thanks for finding it.”

  “How do you know it’s not another Beaumont Bomber who is missing theirs?” Amber asked, hoping for a good answer.

  Ronnie shrugged. “I don’t. All I know is that this one is mine.”

  “Then how did it get up on the hill behind the junkyard, brother?”

  He shrugged. “Damned if I know, sis.”

  “And there were tracks, like truck tracks, leading from where your bandanna was, past the junkyard to the highway.”

  “O-kay,” Ronnie said, drawing out the word. “Why are you telling me this?” His eyes grew as wide as Luke’s belt buckle. “You don’t think that I had anything to do with rustling Luke’s cattle, do you?”

  Amber remained silent and was glad that Luke remained silent, too, and didn’t butt in.

  Amber sighed. “Of course I don’t think that you had anything to do with the rustling, but I have to check it out. Ronnie, think hard—when was the last time you saw the thing?”

  “It was hotter than hell while I was working on the barn roof.” He paused to think. “I was having lunch. I took it off, poured water on it and wiped my face. Then I put it on a tree branch to dry next to the barn. I guess I forgot to get it when I left that day.”

  “Someone else could have easily taken it.” Amber turned to Luke. “And planted it up there on the hill to throw suspicion onto Ronnie.”

  Ronnie swore under his breath. “Who would hate me that freakin’ much?” He turned to Luke. “Dude, you gotta believe that I’d never take your cattle.”

  Luke shrugged. “The investigation has just started. Trust Amber—or should I say, Sergeant Chapman. She’ll get to the bottom of the whole mess.”

  Amber had to turn away before she laughed out loud. Luke was telling Ronnie to trust her, when clearly Luke didn’t trust her himself.

  Her life certainly was interesting.

  She had to take Ronnie’s statement at headquarters. Wasn’t her brother going to be thrilled when she dragged him down there? Not!

  “Ronnie, any idea who made those tracks?” she asked.

  “How would I know, sis? I didn’t even notice them when I left home to come here to help. And I’m starting to think that helping out isn’t such a great idea.”

  “Don’t think that,” Amber said. “Like Luke told you, I’ll get to the bottom of this. Don’t worry, but I do need you to come down to the department to give a statement.”

  “Now?”

  “No. When you’re done,” she said. “I’ll be there until eleven o’clock tonight.”

  “You know I avoid that place like it carries the plague,” Ronnie said.

  “We don’t have a plague going at the present time. You’re safe.” Amber smiled. “I think I’ll be the only one there along with the dispatcher.”

  “You’re not going to arre
st me, are you, Amber?”

  “I’ll arrest you if you don’t show. Shall we say eight o’clock?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ronnie did show at eight o’clock, right on time.

  “Let’s get going, Sergeant Sis. I have a date with your dispatcher.” He waved at her through the window and she waved back.

  “Emily Johnson hasn’t gone out with anyone since her husband died two years ago. How did you do it?”

  “With my Chapman charm,” Ronnie said.

  “Uh-huh.” She found the affidavit file on her computer and tried to get her brother to focus, but he was more concerned about where to take Emily.

  “There’s going to be nothing open at midnight, Ronnie, except the bowling alley. At least they have pizza. You’d better order one ahead of time.”

  “Great idea, sis.” Ronnie pulled out his cell phone.

  “Not now! We have to get this over with. Then you can play on your cell phone.”

  He gave her an exaggerated salute.

  She breezed through the affidavit and the door to the department opened.

  Luke Beaumont!

  Her heart was going to jump right out of her body and her cheeks heated. Every time she saw Luke, it was the same reaction and didn’t lessen in intensity.

  Instead it increased.

  She couldn’t help but sigh. She wasn’t in the mood to fight with him or to have him tell her how to run her investigation.

  But he didn’t look happy. Matter of fact, Luke’s facial expressions morphed from sadness to being mad enough to chew glass.

  “Hi, Ronnie. Hi, Amber,” he said, barely moving his lips.

  Ronnie held up his hand for a high-five and Luke pretty much ignored him. Then it looked like he’d decided that he’d better slap Ronnie’s hand, and did so—sort of.

  Something was terribly wrong.

  “Hey, Luke. I just finished officially telling my story. Who would have thought that a simple bandanna would cause so much attention?”

  “Not me,” Luke said. “But I have something to tell Amber. I mean, Sergeant Chapman.”

  Amber braced herself for what might be coming.

  “I found this near the tracks that the truck left. I was looking around, and found this thing.” He pulled out a plastic bag and inside was a red pocketknife.

  “That looks like Kyle’s,” Ronnie said. “Where did you find it?”

  “It was just outside the eighteen-wheeler tracks that led from my northeast pasture on the side of your father’s junkyard. It was in the tall grass. So, you think it’s your brother Kyle’s?”

  “I know so,” Ronnie said. “He got it for Christmas from my father when we were kids. It was like the best gift of his life, and he’s never without the thing. He scratched his name on it. You could probably see it if you held it up to the light. He was wondering where his knife went.”

  “I’ll get him down here for a statement,” Amber said, picking up the phone to call her brother.

  “Any other Chapman litter on the scene of the crime?” Ronnie asked. “Doesn’t it seem funny that our stuff is scattered all over?”

  “Or else you both stole Beaumont cattle,” Luke snapped. Ronnie got up from his chair and stood toe-to-toe with Luke.

  Amber picked up her phone, contacted Kyle and issued orders to Luke and Ronnie in between her conversation.

  “Whoever throws the first punch goes to jail, and I mean it.” She pulled her handcuffs from the pouch on her utility belt. “Keep your hands at your sides. And each of you take four steps back. Now!”

  They did. She didn’t know who would win in a fist fight, but Ronnie was tall and powerful. Luke was shorter, but had cannons for arms.

  She’d hate to see them fighting and she didn’t want either one of them hurt.

  She hung up the phone.

  “Kyle told me he realized he’d lost his pocketknife around the same time Ronnie lost his bandanna. Kyle was using it to slice up an apple that he brought for lunch. He said that he put it in his jacket pocket and hung his jacket up on a nail on the side of the barn.”

  “Someone could have easily lifted the knife from the pocket,” Luke said.

  Ronnie grunted. “Duh.”

  Amber put her hands on her hips. “Okay, Ronnie, you’re free to go. Wait for Emily someplace else.”

  Ronnie held his hand out for Luke to shake. “Dude, I really hope you find the rustlers. I do. But they ain’t the Chapmans.”

  Luke took his hand and they shook. “I hope not, Ronnie. I really do.”

  Ronnie left and Luke took the seat he vacated, next to Amber’s desk. “Got a minute, Amber?”

  “Yes. Yes, of course.” She hit a button on her computer and her screen reverted to the logo of the Beaumont County Sheriff’s Department. “What’s up?”

  “My father needs a couple of stents in his chest. Then he’ll be okay. That’s going to happen tomorrow at ten in the morning. The doctor told me that he was lucky the EMTs were there to stabilize him and that Donny Cushman was available with his hearse.”

  “I’m glad that the medical staff got to the root of your dad’s problems, Luke, and I know the hearse bothers everyone.” Amber nodded. “I really do plan on working on the rodeo to raise money for a new ambulance. In fact, I’ll volunteer my whole family...you know, the people you think are cattle rustlers. That family.”

  Luke tapped his finger on Amber’s desk. “I hope that the rustlers are found soon. Dammit, I hate to think that anyone in your family was involved, but I guess I can’t help myself.”

  “The Chapmans have always been the first that people think of when trouble is concerned. Usually, they did it, but not this time, Luke. It’s too staged. Too set up. I’d bet my badge on the fact that the Chapmans aren’t involved.”

  “No need to do that.”

  “That’s one of the reasons why I became a cop. To show the good people of Beaumont that a Chapman can be on the right side of the law.”

  “Aw... Amber. It’s just that their moonshining affected a lot of people. Particularly high-schoolers, like your senior prom date, Crazy Kenny Fowler.”

  “Why did you have to remind me of that night?” She shook her head. “Crazy Kenny Fowler.”

  “Did you know that I walked you home that night?” Luke said. “I was worried about you.”

  “You what?”

  “I walked you home. I stayed in the shadows, so you wouldn’t see me. I didn’t want you embarrassed any more than you already were because you were crying. You took your shoes off and walked home in stocking feet. Funny, I don’t remember the name of my prom date, but I remember walking you home that evening.”

  She felt like crying now. “Luke, I didn’t know. I appreciate that you did that. It’s so sweet of you. It seems like a lifetime ago, but then again, it feels like it was yesterday.”

  “Next time there’s a senior prom, we’ll go.”

  “Are you on crack?”

  “We’ll go as chaperones.”

  She laughed. “I accept.” Amber made another vow to go to Marco’s Fit-nasium.

  “Luke, not to change the subject, but I do have a brilliant idea. Someone is framing my family, so I want to lay a trap.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “My only brother who hasn’t...uh...lost something is Aaron. So, when Aaron works at your place tomorrow, I think he should somehow leave something behind. I’m thinking of his Oklahoma Sooners baseball cap. He’s never without it, and he has his name inside it. Since his years at Boy Scout camp, he’s put his name on everything he owns.”

  “Great idea. I can keep one eye peeled for his baseball cap. Maybe I can see who takes it. How about if Aaron loses his cap when I’m there to watch? I have to head to the hospital before my f
ather’s surgery. After, I can drive to my ranch. Then I’ll go back up to the hospital for when he wakes up. After I see him, I can hit my ranch again.”

  “Don’t worry, Luke. I’ll be there to observe. You just take care of Big Dan.”

  “Call me when you have news.”

  “I will,” Amber said. “But maybe nothing will happen.”

  “Maybe something will.” He paused and looked out the window. “Just in case you’re thinking of working at the ranch, don’t do it. You’ve done enough for me.”

  “I’ll be working, Luke. I’ll be working on your investigation.”

  “How about a snack for when you come home?”

  She winked. “Will you be cooking?”

  “I’ll be buying it from the sub shop. What would you like?”

  “The Beaumont Beefer with the works and their special sauce. No anchovies.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll make it two.”

  Amber grinned. “Your life will never be the same.”

  “My life hasn’t been the same since you showed up in my line at the autographing.”

  Amber wanted to tell Luke that she hadn’t been the same since she’d first noticed him, circa fourth grade.

  Now she had something to look forward to after work, and that was dinner with Luke.

  First, she had to take Kyle’s statement. Then she had to call Aaron and explain her plan, and let him know that he’d have to do without his lucky Sooner hat, if only for a while if all went right.

  Her immediate concern was to get Luke out the door before Kyle showed up. She didn’t want the same exchange between Luke and Kyle as the one between Luke and Ronnie.

  Amber didn’t want to get him out the door. She could talk to him about the bull riding fund-raiser. Or they could talk about nothing. Even if they didn’t talk, she liked just being with him.

  Luke stood. “I’ll head out now and I’ll pick up some beer and wine and soda. Do we need anything else?”

  “Thick-sliced bacon.”

  “Oh, baby, you’re singing my song! How about some pancake mix?” he asked.

  “I make my pancakes from scratch.”

  “No kidding! I’d better get to the gym. Your cooking is just too good. I’ll never be able to bend to ride my bulls, and I’ll have to ride naked because my jeans will never fit me.”