My Rowdy Cowboy. (3B Ranch Series) Book 2

3

**** Rowdy, Beau, Bobbi, Sheriff Koni, and Yancy stood in the stables as Brett, and Nico related facts of the case they were working on. Brett pulled pictures of Rodney Smithe and Sam Dogg from a manila folder, and handed them to Rowdy, an auxiliary deputy.

"Smithe and Dogg?" Rowdy was confused. "We've been helpin' Sheriff Koni with an investigation concernin' them. It looks like they're the ones causin' all the trouble on not just this ranch but in the entire valley. But, what do they have to do with all this?" he asked, holding the file up.

Brett looked at Nico, who nodded. "I checked in. We were given the go-ahead. The Director said to cooperate fully with de local law enforcement, and de Sheriff here has stated they will return de favor."

Brett sighed with relief, then looked at Bobbi, Koni, and the three men. "Their real names are Juan and José Rodriguez, a father, and son team. Juan is the male version of a Black Widow. He cons his way into the hearts, and homes of rich women after their husbands meet with an untimely, and fatal accident. After they're married for a while she, and any children meet with somewhat suspicious accidental deaths."

Brett looked sick as he glanced over at the house. "He then plays the grievin' widower, and step-father, collects the insurance, sells everythin' to the highest bidder, and gets the heck outta Dodge."

Bobbi caught her breath, and grabbed Beau's arm. "Mom's car crash!"

Brett nodded, and looked at his younger siblings. "The only reason he wasn't able to complete the job here is that Dad left the ranch, and all the money to us kids, not to Mom. If anything were to happen to any one of us before our sixtieth birthdays... like... let's say, a sudden, suspicious death, not caused by being in the military, or," he looked at Beau, "in the rodeo... the ranch would be turned over to the state. The ranch was to be maintained as a rehabilitation center, and the money given to the Blanton heirs, Yancy, and his heirs. Somehow, Dad knew, or felt something would happen. In my time with the FBI, I've learned that Dad worked with them several times, both during his time as a Ranger, and after. He was investigating the Rodriguez case on his own. Though there's no proof yet, we think they had somethin' to do with his death. We need to find Dad's files. He'll have hidden them somewhere around here, but hidden... well."

The two former SEALs looked at Yancy, who shook his head. "Sorry, son, if he hid them here, they're not in the main house. Lillie and I have renovated nearly every room in the house over the last three years. If any files were there, we would have found them by now."

Bobbi was thunderstruck. "I don't understand," she unconsciously stepped closer to Rowdy as she studied her eldest brother. "Daddy was killed by a bull. We were all there." She shook her head as if flinging the horrific memory away. "I was with Mom when we got to the hospital, and the doctor said..." She couldn't go on as the sorrow flooded her.

As the conversation in the stables grew heavier, the sound of boots crunching on gravel interrupted the heavy air. Micah, with his strong Navy SEAL presence, strode into view, Matthias's small hand clasped firmly in his.

"Good day," he called out, his voice cutting through the tension.

Noah followed closely behind, a broad smile on his face, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Heard you could use some extra hands."

Beau turned, a flicker of relief crossing his features. "Just in time, Micah, Noah. We could use your expertise. We're knee-deep in a case that feels like it's tangled up with more than just these two. It just might require your tracking skills, fellas."

Matthias, affectionately known as Matty, tugged at his father's shirt. "Daddy, can we go ride the horses?"

Micah chuckled, kneeling down to Matty's level. "Give me a few moments to talk to your aunt and uncles, buddy. Then we can go."