The Maverick of Copper Creek by R.C. Ryan

Author:R.C. Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2014-09-29T16:00:00+00:00

Ira Pettigrew read the letter several times before setting it aside. He steepled his hands on the desktop and peered at Brenna, who was seated across from him and beside Ash.

“The handwriting’s pretty shaky. You recognize it as your father’s?”

She glanced helplessly at Ash. Of all the questions she’d been anticipating, this hadn’t been one of them. “I wouldn’t know. I never got a letter from him before.”

“Do the bank records show whether your check has been cashed?”

“It’s only been a couple of weeks. But I can ask Sarah over at the bank.”

“You do that. And let me know.” Ira leaned forward. “I’ll give you back this letter as soon as I make a copy for my files. Until I figure out what’s causing these incidents, I need to question anything that seems unusual.”

“And you think my father could be involved?”

He kept his tone impersonal. “Not at all. It sounds to me as though he’s hoping to make peace before facing his Maker. But I can’t discount any theory, no matter how thin. It’s my job to be suspicious.”

He studied both of them. “Anything else I should know about? Ash, you remember any new enemies I ought to be checking up on?”

Ash shook his head. “How about Luther?”

“He was up in North Pond, hauling a load of grain at the very time that rogue truck was bearing down on you two. I checked out his story, and half a dozen witnesses were able to verify it.”

Ash swore. “I was wishing it was Luther. Then we could all catch a breath and relax.”

“I expect the two of you to be vigilant about your safety. As a lawman, I view one runaway truck as an accident. But I consider two a conspiracy.”

He got to his feet, signaling an end to their meeting. “I’ve got to get over to the courthouse. I’m grateful that you brought this letter in, Brenna. It may mean nothing, but I’d rather follow a dozen false leads, even if they don’t lead to a solution, than overlook something and have it turn out to be important.”

Brenna flushed. “I didn’t want to bring it here. I just don’t see any connection between the letter from my father, and these accidents. The only reason I’m here is because Ash insisted.”

The chief offered a handshake to Ash. “Then I thank you for doing the right thing.”

He crossed to the opposite wall and set the letter in a copier. When a page was printed out, he handed back the original to Brenna.

Before the chief left, Ash put a hand on his sleeve. “What about your investigation into Pop’s death, Ira? Any leads?”

The chief met his look of concern with one of his own. “I’ve asked the state police to assign a couple of their best detectives to the case, Ash. They have the bullet taken from your father’s body, and, after interviewing you and your family, they’ve been checking out every item your family listed as possibilities. Rustlers. Poachers. Anyone who owed your father money.

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