Animal Instincts by Desiree Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

added.
    “Whose property?” Brian wanted to know.
    “That’s the thing,“ Drew said. “We went to the far side of Bo Sheridan’s place, but I didn’t recognise the piece of property. I’ve never ridden to that spot before so this is the first time I noticed it.”
    “We need to identify the owner,” Brian said, the anger evident in his voice.
    “That’s at the top of the list.” Drew looked at Drake. “You’re the computer hacker. If I tell you the web sites, can you get in?”
    Drake grinned. “Does day turn into night?”
    “Okay, wise ass. Here.” Drew pulled a pad of paper towards him and scribbled on it.
    “The top one is the property appraiser’s site. Shows ownership and description of every ANIMAL INSTINCTS
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    parcel in the county. You’ll have to figure out the exact location from this.” He drew a crude map at the bottom of the page.
    “Any place else I can dig into?”Drake asked.
    “Yeah.” Drew added something to the notes. “This is the county engineer’s data base.
    They survey everything for utilities, present and future. One of those places should give us a starting point.”
    “Let’s get started, then.” He looked at Regan and Sierra who were still standing, leaning against the counter. “If one of you ladies would be kind enough to hand me my laptop?”
    As soon as he had it in front of him, Drake booted up the computer and his fingers began flying over the keyboard. As he worked the others reported on their forays.
    “Nothing but the hunters on horseback,” Luke reiterated. “No sign of any kind of enclave with ranch boundaries, nothing to draw suspicion.”
    “My guess,” Drew speculated, “is they were looking to see if there were any more wolves for them to trap or fire at. It just chaps my ass to think that people who actually do a lot of good for the community would stoop to this kind of garbage.”
    “Like I said.” Regan moved over to the table and stood behind Brian’s chair. “Too often those are the very people who think they have the power to indulge themselves.”
    “Okay.” Drake looked up from his keyboard. “I have something, but it’s still nothing.”
    “What do you mean?” This from Sierra.
    “I found the parcel in both data bases, but the owner is listed as unknown.”
    “That’s not possible,” Brian said, getting up to stand behind him. “Every piece of land has to show ownership. Believe me, they aren’t going to lose one penny in real estate taxes.”
    Drake pointed to the screen. “Look for yourself. Same thing on the other site.”
    “Wait a minute.” Now Drew pushed away from the table and moved behind Drake.
    “Brian’s right. I know damn well this county won’t let one square foot of ground go untaxed.
    Here.” He pointed to a box on the page. “Click here.”
    “I did. Look. It just says foreclosed property, owner unknown.”
    “Damn it to hell, anyway.” Drew banged his fist against the wall. “It might not have his name on it but it’s plain as day.”
    “What is?” Luke asked.
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    “Who has control of over foreclosures? Who could make sure the taxes are paid and keep everyone’s nose out of it?”
    “The president of the bank,” Regan answered. “Easy as pie.”
    Drew smacked the wall again. “Damn his evil hide to hell. And the others have to be in it with him. Sheridan probably hires people to patrol that property.”
    “And I’ll bet they get a fancy price from the people who come to hunt there,” Luke put in.
    “You bet your ass. It’s not out of the ordinary for any of the ranchers to have out of town guests. Nobody really pays attention to who they are.”
    Ann Marie was gripping her hands together so tightly she was afraid she’d break her fingers. She cleared her throat and faces turned in her direction. “Do you…that is…I mean, is it possible my brother is still alive?”
    Drew went to her immediately. “Darlin’, we’re