Cooper’s Redemption (Crimson Romance) by D'Ann Lindun Read Free Book Online

here are no help. They say there’s no evidence she ever even got here, even though her things are here, or of foul play if she did. That she probably just went home. There’s a problem with that theory, though.”
    “Which is?” Cooper prompted.
    “All her stuff is here.” Her throat worked. “Her purse, clothes, makeup. My mom never goes anywhere without makeup. Only her car is gone.”
    “Has she done anything like this before?” Cooper didn’t know why he was letting himself get involved. Another headache was the last thing he needed.
    “That’s the problem. Sometimes she goes away for a day or two on impulse. But this is different.”
    “What’s changed?”
    “She always takes off with friends, lets me know where she’s going, and if it’s for more than a day or two she checks in with me. I haven’t talked to my Mom in over a week.”
    “Sounds fishy,” Cooper agreed. “It’s likely that someone wants to keep you and anybody else away from your house.”
    “Do you think they might come back? If you didn’t know I live here, maybe the rustlers don’t either.”
    He hesitated. Then he said something he couldn’t believe. “I doubt they will. I do think they know you’re here. They had your gelding, after all. Still, would you feel better if you put him up at my place?”
    She chewed her lip. “I could, I guess. I’d feel better if he was somewhere safe. I can’t be here all the time to watch him.”
    “What about you? I’d get a room in town if I were you.”
    “This is the last place my mother was; she might come back. I’m not going to be run off. Besides, I feel like the clue to where my mom might be is hidden here. I just have to find it.” She lifted her chin. “Can I bring Splash over tonight?”
    “Put him the barn next to the bay. I wouldn’t stay here if I was you, but it’s your choice. I’m going after my heifers.”
    “Do you have to do that right now?”
    “Pretty soon. Why?”
    “I’m going to hire a private investigator. Didn’t you say you had to go into town and talk to the branding iron?”
    He hid a grin. “Brand inspector.”
    “If we went together now, we could both take care of business, then I could help you move your cattle later today.” Elizabeth didn’t want Cooper to leave. He was the only person who gave her fears any weight at all.
    “Not the best idea,” he said. “You’d be better off to hire someone in Norwood. It’s far enough away you’ll find someone honest.”
    “I’ll bring Splash over later, then,” she agreed.
    • • •
    Surprisingly, Russell Stone was in his tiny, cluttered office. Papers were strewn across an old-fashioned roll-top desk. The scent of scorched coffee hung in the air.
    “Do you remember me?” Cooper removed his hat. “I own the old Peters’ place out on Hairpin Road. I had you inspect that bunch of heifers I bought from the sale barn down in Montrose about a year ago.”
    “I remember,” Stone said. “Is there a problem?”
    “Yeah.” Cooper took a deep breath. “I’ve lost roughly twenty head of heifers, all branded with my brand, the Double Slash C.”
    “What do you mean, ‘lost?’” Stone’s voice turned cold. Everyone knew Russ Stone couldn’t abide stealing. He was practically legendary on his bull-doggedness to find and prosecute livestock thieves.
    “Around twenty head came up missing from my north pasture two days ago. They’ve been rustled.”
    “You sure?”
    Cooper let the question hang.
    “What do you want from me?”
    “Have you seen anything suspicious at any sale yard? Any brands that have been tampered with? Any cows with a forged bill of sale? Anything?”
    “I haven’t seen anything funny,” Stone said. “Have you talked to Pete?”
    “Marlowe?” Cooper restrained a sarcastic comment. The brand inspector and the sheriff were friends. “He says he’s too busy to look into this.”
    “There isn’t a livestock sale until Saturday,” Stone said. “Something