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what if Hollister had up and died, and his heir wasn't as generous? Pritchard would have been left with only a well to water his stock and crops. Maybe he decided to get rid of the whole Hollister family with the hope that he could convince Henry's aunt to sell. She'd already purchased a smaller spread on the other side of town, and she was getting up in years. She might have been glad to take
    the money and have the responsibility of this ranch off her hands. "
    Warming to the possibilities, David inserted, "Only the bullet glanced off Rachel Hollister's skull, and she didn't die like he'd hoped. "
    "Exactly. And even worse, she woke from the coma crazier than a loco horse, and never stepped foot outside from then on. Pritchard could never get another shot at her. I've heard tell that he's tried to buy this place several times since the massacre, but Darby's always refused out of hand, knowing Miss Rachel wouldn't agree. That being the case, what's Pritchard to do? He's back to where he started, needing to get shut of Rachel. Only he can't get at her without getting rid of Darby first. "
    David flashed a grin. "You ever contemplate becoming a lawman? You think like a criminal. "

    "No, thanks. " Joseph chuckled and bent his head to grind out his cigarette under his heel. "I like ranching just fine. "
    "Any other suspects you can pluck out of your hat?"
    Joseph considered the question. "All the neighboring property owners, I reckon. Couldn't hurt to question a few of their hired hands as well. This is prime ranchland. With Darby out of the picture, Miss Rachel would go broke in no time and be forced to sell, leaving someone to pick up this place for a little bit of nothing. "
    "You've just pointed a finger at yourself, big brother. "
    Joseph laughed again. "I reckon I did, at that. That's the trouble with casting a wide net. A lot of people fall
    under suspicion. Take Garrett Buckmaster, for instance. Even though his land is across the road and a little to the north, I believe he's made a couple of offers to buy this place over the last year.
    He strikes me as being a decent man, but he has no running water at his place, either. Stands to reason you should look at him real close. "
    David pinched the fire off his cigarette and tucked the butt into his pocket. "I guess I'll-be a mite busy tomorrow. "
    "You mind having some company? I'd like to go along when you question everyone. "
    "Who'll look after Miss Rachel?"
    "You can ask Ace to come over and spell me for a while. "
    David lifted a shoulder. "I'm not chomping at the bit to face Jeb and his boys alone. They're a shifty lot. "
    "That settles it, then. I'll ride along with you. "
    David tugged his hat low over his eyes. With a nudge of his heels, he set his horse to moving.
    "Tomorrow, then, " he called over his shoulder.
    Joseph watched his brother ride off. Then, whistling under his breath, he headed for the bunkhouse, where he hoped to find a lantern. He needed to put up his horse for the night and do Darby's chores, the first on the list milking those cows that were bawling so persistently. Making his way through an unfamiliar barn and barnyard would be easier with light to see by.
    Joseph had just ripped away the outside boards from what he guessed to be a bedroom window at the front of the Hollister house when he felt something
    nudge his leg. He glanced down to see his dog standing there.
    "What in Sam hill are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay home. "
    Buddy gave an all-over wag to convey his pleasure at being with his master again. It was difficult for Joseph to scold when he felt equally glad of the company. "All right, " he said gruffly. "I'll let it go this time. But after this, when I tell you to stay put, I expect you to stay put. "
    Buddy worked his jaws and made the growling sound.
    "Don't give me any sass, " Joseph replied. "Who's the boss of this operation anyhow, you or me?"
    Shit. The window was latched closed from the inside. Joseph pushed on