“Like I said, mixed in with the molasses lick,” I explain. “Cattle will go for that sweet first, not knowing what’s under it. Once he swallowed, it burned him up from the inside out.”
Dodge spits in the dirt, muttering, “Sick bastards.”
Sadness pools in Cade’s eyes as they lock on mine. I give him a weak smile to comfort him. “That Angus was young, prime weight, just comin’ into his own. Worth more than some folks’ land. Losing him guts me. But it ain’t just the money—it’s what it means. Someone’s comin’ after me.”
Sheriff Dillon puts his notebook back into his pocket. “That’s what it looks like.”
I sigh. “Kerosene’s cheap, easy to get, and lethal. Whoever did this knew what they were doing.”
Hugh nods once, jaw like stone. “Anyone see anyone who shouldn’t be here?”
Dodge yanks his hat off. “We were at the bunkhouse. Got here when Cade called.”
Sheriff turns his attention to Cade again. “So, you’re the one who found the bull?”
Cade drags a hand down his face. I can tell he’s bone-tired. “We’ve been on high alert since the monensin shit went down. We check the pens regularly, night and day. I spotted the bull staggering near the fence line. I got there before he dropped, but his breath reeked of fuel. He was foamin’, eyes rollin’ back, legs gone. I called Sarah. She got here in ten.”
He’s wrecked, and I can see it, so I take over as Dodge puts a hand on Cade’s shoulder.
“Like I said, I pumped fluids, flushed what I could, but he was gone no matter what I did. I went around and made sure the other animals were clear—checked every trough, pulled samples from the water and feed, ran my hands through it myself.” I can still feel the panic as I made sure the other animals were safe after Ranger died. “Nothing else smelled off, no sheen, no taste of kerosene. I dumped and scrubbed the closest trough just in case, then refilled it with clean water. Dodge and Cade pulled the feed so nothing old stayed out. Right now, the rest ofthe herd looks fine, but I’ll keep checking vitals. Whatever was done here, Sheriff, it was targeted.”
The sheriff looks around. “Any cameras?”
“We have a few around the house, but…that’s for me to check on Evie if I step out at night,” Cade explains. “None on the ranch.”
Sheriff takes a deep breath. “Dr. Kirk, you know the drill. We’ll need samples of everything—the feed, the water, and the soil near the trough. Since Bodie’s laid up, I’m asking you to stand in as the Wildflower Canyon’s consulting vet. You’re my point of contact from here on out for any cases where we’re involved.”
I feel a rush of pride and relief. I was worried he’d say that he’ll bring his own vet in from the outside because of all those damn rumors.
“Of course, Sheriff.”
“You’ll have to conduct the necropsy.”
“I was planning on doing it in a bit,” I assure him.
“You have everything you need?” he asks. “If not?—”
“I do.”
My truck is always stocked with gloves, knives, scalpels, forceps, sample jars, and evidence bags.
“You want us to move him somewhere?” Dodge wants to know.
With a smaller animal, I’d ask to move away from where the other animals are penned, but Ranger is easily eighteen hundred pounds. We’re not moving him anywhere.
I shake my head. “No. Law enforcement insists thenecropsy is done onsite to preserve the chain of evidence.”
Hugh bobs his head appreciatively, and he looks a little surprised.
I resist rolling my eyes.
I know my stuff, Sheriff. Ain’t my first rodeo or dead bull.
“Cade, I’ll get someone to come by in a few hours to take statements from your men.” The sheriff turns to the ranch foreman. “Dodge, you handle that and make sure my guys get access to everything they need?”
Dodge’s usual smirk is gone. “Yes, sheriff.” Then he looks around. “Someone has big hairy ones, don’t ya think? Came in here and poisoned Ranger. Probably picked him ‘cause he’s the youngest. Thunder would’ve kicked his ass.”
Hugh’s eyes sweep the yard, the fence line, the hills dark beyond. “Whoever did this knows your setup. Knows where to hit you.”
