The Silver Shooter by Erin Lindsey

Author:Erin Lindsey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

CHAPTER 17

THE BONE PICKER FROM BISMARCK—FOOL’S GOLD—A SAFE CONCLUSION

“Who benefits from what, specifically?” Thomas asked. “Oliver’s murder?”

“Not only that. The creature, too.”

Before I could continue, Thomas put a hand on my arm, inclining his head toward Cougar Ranch. A trio of riders had just struck out across the meadow, heading for the spot where Skinny’s body lay in the grass. “We should move on,” he said. “Hold that thought.”

We rode deeper into the trees, staying well east of the house and avoiding the road. I guess we can add George Howard to the list of people gunning for us. Not to mention any of his friends, or Skinny’s, who might be out for revenge. Between Howard’s boys and Bowie Bill’s, we were looking at quite the posse. And those were just the human threats. There was still a man-eating predator on the loose, and an extremely presumptuous ghost just waiting for us to let our guards down. All in all, our dance cards were a little too full for my liking.

When he judged we were far enough out of range, Thomas slowed his horse to a walk. “All right, let’s have it.”

I started to get excited all over again. “Do you remember what White Robes said about someone trying to frighten them away from this place? I think she was partly right. Only it isn’t the Lakota they’re trying to frighten.”

Thomas made a thoughtful sound. “You believe someone is deliberately clearing out the town?”

“Wait, there’s more. Lee Granger said something interesting too, that night in the saloon. About scavengers. He said when all those cows died over the winter, the only ones who profited were the bone pickers. After Upton died, it was the treasure hunters. And then—”

“The pasty fellow from Bismarck, buying their land on the cheap.” He nodded slowly. “It’s an interesting theory.”

Honestly, I was disappointed. I’d expected a Rose Gallagher, I could kiss you, or at least a bloody good show. An interesting theory was a lukewarm reception at best. “It seems to me that scooping up thousands of acres of land at a heavy discount is a pretty big benefit,” I said, a little sullenly.

“Potentially, but the benefit only accrues if the investment proves to be a good one. The local economy depends almost entirely on the beef industry. That industry is in dire straits, thanks to the Winter of the Blue Snow, and it may never recover. Our friend from Bismarck may simply be accumulating worthless land.”

“Maybe he knows something we don’t.”

“Such as? The railroad has been here for years, so there’s no chance of a transport-related spike. There’s no mining in the area, nor timber to speak of. It’s difficult to imagine the land increasing markedly in value even if the creature were to cease its marauding tomorrow. Still…” He looked contemplative as he steered Gideon around some dead brush. “It’s worth pursuing. The investor obviously believes there’s value to his purchases, and perhaps that’s all that matters.”

“If I’m right, does that mean he’s

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