“Charles looks like a man with a message.” Abe opened the door then shut it behind them as soon as they’d entered.
“Are Wyoming winters always this bad?” Edgar Lowell asked, going immediately to the potbellied stove and holding his hands near it.
“Not usually this early.” Luke said, “What news have you?”
Edgar turned to face him, his expression bleak. “I did try to get more details, but William Lancaster is suspicious of everyone. He wasn’t pleased at all that I hadn’t managed to secure Miss Doris’s affections yet and lure her back to Indianapolis.” His expression blanched. “He made it quite clear what would happen to me if he had to call in his Italian friends.”
“Tell them what youdidfind out,” Charles said.
“Just that he has something in the works he’s sure will secure his possession of Doris and Frances by midwinter.”
Luke exchanged glances with Abe.
“What?” Charles asked, looking between the two men.
The sheriff slid over the photograph of the dog. Edgar made a choking sound and sank to a chair as he stared at the picture of the dead animal.
“I take it you’ve seen that beast before,” the sheriff said dryly.
“Those Italian men I told you about.” Edgar swallowed. “They threatened me with an animal like that. Said they were trained trackers as well as attack dogs.”
“So, William Lancasterisbehind this,” Luke growled, grateful the man wasn’t in the same room.
“They?” Charles asked. “The Italians have access to more than one dog?”
“I saw four of them and got the impression there were more,” Edgar said.
“Did they have a handler?” Luke asked.
“Yes. A big, ugly brute of a man who spoke another language. My guess is German. He was as intimidating as the dogs.” Edgar shuddered. “I swear I willnevergamble again.”
“This is looking like youarebeing targeted, Luke,” Charles said, his voice low, “and there could be more of these monsters in the area.”
“Sounds like it.” An intense need hit Luke to protect his family and his ranch. A lot of people depended upon the jobs he provided. “Edgar, can you describe the handler well enough for Doris to sketch his likeness?”
“Why?” the man asked warily.
“Good idea,” Abe said. “We can ask around to see if anyone recognizes him.”
“I’m worried if that handler’s around here, he’ll have heard about Doris marrying Marshall,” Luke said. “If he sends word back to Lancaster, he’ll realize Edgar’s been keeping things from him. Did their uncle act like he believed you?”
The poor man’s eyes had widened, but then he frowned and slowly shook his head. “Mr. Lancaster didn’t act suspicious of me, just angry at my lack of success. One of the Italians had to do some translating for the dog’s keeper.”
“We have to find him,” Charles said, his jaw muscles tight. “He and those dogs are a danger not only to my wife and her family but to anyone who might cross their path.”
“Have you heard anything about getting Maude’s inheritance,” Luke asked.
“Lancaster’s attorney is making excuses about needing more time to liquidate assets and other nonsense.” Charles snorted in disgust. “I don’t care about the money, but there are things in the house that belonged to their mother.”
“You need to put more pressure on your father to discover what he can about what William Lancaster has his hands in,” Abe said. “I’ll bet you anything there’s something those girls stand to inherit the man wants.”
“I’ll ask Maude tonight what she remembers about her father’s business dealings,” Charles said.
“I’ve got an appointment I need to get to,” Luke said. “Edgar, I can take you out to the Circle B. That’s where I’m headed. Be sure to see if Doris can sketch the German’s likeness.”
Edgar nodded.
10
