White shook his head slowly. “Doesn’t surprise me. He’s been in trouble his whole life. Then he pulled his boy into it.”
“You know about his son?” Luke asked.
“What about Junior?”
Hud kept his eyes steady on the man’s face. “He was killed during a stakeout, along with two other young men.”
The color drained out of Amos White’s face. He sat down heavily and was quiet for a moment. “I didn’t know that.” He looked at the desk. “Damn you, Harold.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Hud said. “But one of our agents was nearly killed that same night. We need to find your brother.”
White looked up at him. “I understand. And I want you to know I have nothing to hide. I’ve spent thirty-five years building this ranch. The last thing I’d ever do is steal someone else’s cattle. I know what it would mean to lose them.”
Hud nodded. He believed him.
“We think he may be heading for Canada. Given how close you are to the border we thought he might come here first.” He paused. “I’m not so sure about that now. Do you have any idea where else he might go?”
White thought for a moment. “We’ve got cousins in Sunburst. Luther and his boys. They’re cut from the same cloth as Harold, those ones. Steal anything that wasn’t nailed down.” He looked at Hud. “Is the agent going to be alright?”
“Yes. Touch and go for a while, but he’s going to make it.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” White stood. “Come into the house. I may have their address, or my wife will. She keeps better track of the family than I do.”
“We appreciate it.”
White led them across the yard and into the house. “Make yourselves comfortable in the living room while I check my office.”
“Luke will go with you,” Hud said.
White stopped and turned. “I’m not going to warn them. If they’re running stolen cattle they deserve whatever’s coming.”
“I understand that. We still have to follow protocol.”
White studied him for a moment, then gave a short nod. “Alright.”
Hud and Creed settled into the living room. A minute later Mrs. White appeared in the doorway and both men stood.
“Can I get you anything?”
Both declined. She looked between them. “What’s all this about?”
“We’re looking for Harold White.”
She closed her eyes briefly. “Lord. What did he do this time?”
“Got his son killed,” Amos said from the hallway as he came back into the room.
Mrs. White went pale, her hand pressing to her chest. “That poor boy.” She shook her head slowly. “To call Harold the black sheep would be letting him off easy.”
“Honey, do you know how to reach Luther? Address, phone number, anything?” Amos glanced at Hud. “We’re not close, but we stay in touch enough that my wife might have something.”
“What’s Luther’s surname?” Creed asked.
“Conroy. His mother and mine were sisters.” Amos looked at his wife. “See what you can find, hon.”
“It’ll be in my email.” She straightened. “I’ll find it.” She turned down the hall with Luke falling into step behind her.
When they returned Luke had a small sheet of paper in his hand. He passed it to Hud.
