Now playing: Night Riders
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Episode Seven concluded with:
The young man lifted the bar and opened the barn
door. Immediately inside was a saddled horse. The animal didn’t belong to the
family, but it looked familiar. “This is Midnight,” Rory spoke softly as he
petted the black gelding. “Sheriff Thompson’s horse, what’s--”
Rory spotted blood on Midnight’s saddle, then he
saw the body on the floor.
“Sheriff Thompson!” Rory Kagan crouched over the
body of the lawman. He felt for a pulse, but knew there was none. What lay in
front of him was a pale corpse.
Episode Eight
***
As
he approached the Circle T, Rance Dehner could see a large herd of cattle
spread over flat grazing land. From a distance they looked like a dark cloud
stirring restlessly on the ground. As he rode into the ranch proper, he was
received with suspicion. There were plenty of ranch hands around, all of them
giving him hostile glares.
At
the ranch house matters improved a bit. A large, broad shouldered man was
talking with a very attractive young woman. The lady smiled at the newcomer as
he approached. Her companion gave him an unfriendly glare, but at this point,
Dehner was used to it.
“Good
afternoon,” the detective said, “My name is Rance Dehner. I’m here to see Mr.
Elijah Tantrall.”
The
broad shouldered man continued to glare and the young woman continued to smile
as she spoke. “I’m Lila Tantrall and this is Lem Donnigan, our foreman. You
must be from the Lowrie Agency. I’ve never met a real detective before.” The
woman’s voice exuded graciousness and a good upbringing. She wasn’t really all
that impressed with Dehner’s occupation.
Lem
Donnigan was even less impressed. “I’ve knowed a few detectives. They were all
crooked men looking for a quick dollar.”
Rance
replied in an easy going manner. “From what I hear about Elijah Tantrall, he
can sum a man up pretty fast. If I’m the kind of detective you’re talking
about, Lem, he’ll be throwing me out of his house in a few minutes.”
Lila
saw Dehner’s reply as an opportunity to get down to business. “Please tether
your horse and come inside, Mr. Dehner. Father ordered that you be brought to
him as soon as you arrive.” The woman put an emphasis on the words “father
ordered.” She seemed to be delivering a message to the foreman.
Dehner
dismounted, tied up his bay, then followed Lila into the house. The young woman
walked him through a large, attractive living room complete with plants and a
painting done by a renowned western artist. Dehner figured that those touches
came from Lila.
“I
apologize for the way Lem acted. He’s usually welcoming to strangers,” Lila
said.
“I
understand how Lem feels, Miss Tantrall.”
“Oh?”
They
passed through the living room and started down a hallway. “I’m an outsider
brought in to help. Whenever that happens, there is usually somebody who takes
offense. Somebody who thinks he could have handled the job just fine.”
Lila
looked thoughtful and paused a few moments before speaking again.” Yes, Lem has
been father’s right hand for several years now. He’s the man father goes to
when a special problem comes up. But Lem needs to realize that this problem is
different. A lot different.”
Tomorrow:
Episode Nine of Night Riders
