Free Nest of Vipers (9781101613283) by Jory Sherman Page A

kinda.”
    â€œKinda is right,” Brad said. “You think a judge would arrest Killdeer on the say-so of one man?”
    â€œWell, we could’ve run the horses down to the stockyards and penned ’em up as evidence. That would have cinched it, in my estimation.”
    Water gurgled into the mouth of Brad’s uncorked canteen until it was full. Brad stood up and put the stopper back in the canteen.
    â€œOne man’s testimony, Joe,” he said. “A half-dozen horses that you might have to slaughter to check the brands under the hide for proof. I disagree with you. We don’t have a case yet. Leastwise, no case we can prove.”
    â€œI think we do,” Joe said stubbornly.
    Brad hung his canteen on his saddle horn. His eyes glinted a savage blue in the sunlight.
    â€œWe have a small amount of evidence that we can’t use just yet,” Brad said. “A witness who may or may not testify.”
    â€œMiller seemed cooperative enough.”
    â€œYeah, because he was in his own element, the logging camp. He probably wouldn’t be too happy with us if he we took him away from his work and ran the horses he bought on good faith down to the stockyards and butchered them to see if the brands were changed. He might be right hostile even and tell us all to go to hell.”
    Julio sauntered over with both of his canteens filled as the argument between Joe and Brad heated up and their voices grew louder.
    â€œYou got somethin’ to say, Julio?” Joe snapped.
    â€œNo,” Julio said, “I got nothin’ to say. I am not a real detective. I am only a poor vaquero. I do not know nothing about the law, but I think we do not have much to show a judge. A few horses maybe, and a man who bought them from some thieves.”
    â€œThat’s all we have, Joe, just as Julio laid it out.”
    â€œHell, neither one of you is worth your salt as detectives in my book.” Joe’s anger rose as he faced both men who were disagreeing with him.
    â€œNo, we’re not either of us bona fide detectives, Joe. We’re cattlemen. But Harry hired me to solve this case and that’s what I aim to do.”
    â€œI was hired, too, and I’m an experienced range detective.” Joe was adamant.
    â€œYou want to ride back and ask Claude to go before a judge in Denver and drive those stolen horses down there, go right ahead, Joe.”
    Brad walked away to retrieve Ginger at the stream.
    â€œYou know I can’t do that by myself,” Joe yelled after him.
    Brad pulled on the reins and Ginger lifted his head and turned around to follow him.
    â€œThen, Joe,” he said, “I guess you’re stuck with me and Julio. If you don’t like it, you can ride on back and turn in your chit.”
    â€œIs that your final decision, Brad?”
    â€œNo, it’s not my final decision, Joe. It’s just one I have to make right now. I expect I’ll have to make a few more before we get what we’re after.”
    â€œDamn you, Storm. You’re a stubborn bastard.”
    â€œSo, now you bring my parents into it, eh, Joe? Well, a desperate man who thinks he’s in the right will just shave himself down to a nub and cuss at whoever doesn’t agree with him.”
    â€œI, ah, I didn’t really mean you were a bastard, Brad.”
    â€œThen don’t call me one. Saddle up and ride with me, Joe, or ride off. I don’t really give a damn which.”
    Brad hauled himself into the saddle. Julio got Chato and pulled himself into the saddle. Joe stood there, thinking for several moments. Finally, he jerked his horse’s reins and mounted up.
    â€œI’ll ride a ways with you, Brad, but when we get back to town, I’m goin’ to write a full report about this conversation. I think you’re wrong and I mean to let Harry and Cliff know how you wasted expense money.”
    â€œSuit yourself, Joe,” Brad said as Joe climbed