Wild Horses by D'Ann Lindun Page B

used him to carry the body here, then turned him loose. But why leave on the halter? Jake could answer these questions, but where was he? “You didn’t spot anyone else?”
    “Not even a glimpse.”
    “What about tracks?”
    “No, the rain washed anything useful away.” Staton turned his attention to the others. “Let’s pack the meat and get out of here.”
    Castaña looked away while Patty went to help the men load the body on the packhorse they’d brought along for that purpose. She didn’t want to watch them wrestle the dead man onto the horse’s back like a sack of garbage. From all the huffing and puffing, he must weigh a ton. Finally someone said, “Got ‘im. Toss me the lash rope.”
    Castaña hoped there was a little more dignity in her passing.
    “What’s your plan now?” Patty broke Castaña out of her gloomy thoughts.
    “I don’t know,” she admitted. “If Martin’s out here he’s bound to be close to the mustangs. But I don’t know where they range anymore.”
    “Where were the BLM men killed?”
    “Near Angel Falls.”
    “That’s a starting point, isn’t it?” Patty glanced at the sky. “If we ride fairly fast we can make it by sundown.”
    “We?” Castaña arched her brows. “Don’t you have to go back with the guys?”
    “I can hang out a little longer,” Patty said. “For a couple of days, at least. I’ll have Ron call my boss and tell him I’m needed on a search. The way people are dropping like flies out here it might not be safe for you to be alone.”
    Basically the same thing Jake had said. Where was he? How had he gotten split up with the injured man? Was he all right? “Thank you,” Castaña said. Although she hadn’t known Patty very long, she was fast becoming a good friend.
    “Let me tell Ron.” Patty and the team leader had a quiet discussion. Then he nodded. Patty returned to Castaña. “All good. Ron’ll call work and fill them in. I should’ve asked — do you have enough supplies for an overnight? I have enough for one, but not two.”
    “I have plenty,” Castaña said. “But I don’t need three horses. I wonder if Ron might take the extra two back to the ranch? They’re going that way anyway.”
    “Let’s ask him.”
    Together the two women approached the older man. He stood talking with the two other S&R members. Castaña waited until he finished then spoke to Ron. “I was hoping you might take my extra two horses back to the ranch? They’re just going to get in my way.”
    “I don’t mind,” he said. “But what if you find the other fellow? You might need a horse to pack him out.”
    “You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that,” Castaña said. “Never mind. I’ll lead Rojo and Cloud can continue to follow.”
    “Be careful, girls.” Ron’s voice was grave. “I don’t like what’s going on around here one bit.”
    The tall, skinny S&R team member leered at them. “Yeah, there’s boogermen out there in the woods. Maybe I ought to go along and protect you.” He licked his lips and hooked his thumbs threw his belt loops, pulling his jeans up so they pulled tight against his crotch.
    Castaña glared at him, but didn’t comment.
    Patty rolled her eyes. “Hey, Ron, I was just wondering if you have any idea where the horses range nowadays?”
    He reached for a can of tobacco and tapped it. “Well, let me see. I guided a few tourists into the Apache-Sitgreave last fall and we saw a bunch along the way. I guess they had to be close to camp.” He placed a dab of tobacco in his mouth. “We spent the night at the old ranger cabin. Yeah, that’s right. An old pinto stallion was running with a few mares and colts. The dudes sure were taken with them. Shot a bunch of pictures. That’s the only herd I can think of offhand.”
    “Thanks, Ron. That helps a lot,” Castaña said.
    He touched the brim of his Stetson. “Good luck finding your brother. I know Martin, and I don’t think he killed them fellows.”
    Unexpected tears