Page 55 of Outlawed

“No. And he doesn’t have the kind of presence someone forgets. The question is, what’s a US marshal doing here?”

“That’s what I’d like to know. Especially since he’s heading my way.” I get to my feet, Jen doing the same beside me as people start noticing the stranger in their midst. The once-bustling street quiets as they take him in and his approach to me.

“Miss Hart?”

“That’s me.”

The guy pulls off his aviators and slides them into the front pocket of his shirt. “I need to talk to you.”

“Okay, about what?”

“About your father, Martin Hart, and your former ranch manager Mr. Mark Porter.”

I bite my lip to stop myself from smirking. I’m guessing news hasn’t reached them that Martin and Mark are one and the same. I’ll be damned if I tell him anything. I’m happy to hand him the rope and watch him hang himself. A quick glance at Jen tells me she’s feeling the same way. “Well, I don’t know how I can help. Their business was none of mine.”

“Now that’s where you’re very wrong. I have a warrant here to search Corvis Wing Ranch and its land.”

Jen yanks the paperwork from his hand and scans it as I take him in.

“Well, as neither Martin nor Porter owns Corvis Wing⁠—”

“That doesn’t matter. We have evidence to suggest money was being laundered, among other things.”

“Other things?” I muse, not intimidated by this motherfucker at all.

“The property does not belong to either of the men listed on this warrant, and it never has. Not only that, but the main house was locked up tight the entire time my client was incarcerated,” Jen snaps as she reads.

“Your client?” He looks from me to Jen.

“Jenny Banks. Calliope’s attorney.”

“Be that as it may. I’m searching that property. I’ve been working with the feds and ATF. You won’t weasel out of this.”

Jen laughs. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

I look at Jen, who shrugs. “Up to you. I personally would tell them to fuck off, but they tend to frown on that. If it helps, while we’re still waiting for the governor to pardon you, this will add on a few zeros to the compensation I’ll be seeking.”

I sigh. “Fine. I was having such a good time, too.”

“There is one more thing.”

I turn back to the marshal and give him the fakest smile he’s likely ever seen.

“We’ve had reports of people going missing from this town—men predominantly—and too many for it to be a coincidence.”

“And you think that’s my fault, too? Wow, I’m not sure I should be upset you think I’m some criminal mastermind or impressed. And how, pray tell, do you think I’m making people, men predominantly,” I mock, “leave? With threats of intimidation or just my womanly charms?”

“I don’t think you’re making them leave, Miss Hart. I think you’re murdering them, and I think I’ll find them up at the ranch.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I don’t joke about murder. We’ve a credible tip, and I don’t plan to ignore it.”

A credible tip?

“You’re talking about Derek Andrews.” Jackie walks up to stand beside me, her face pale.

“I cannot disclose that information.”