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“Damn,” the sheriff grunted. “You did the right thing gettin’ in touch with me. But why didn’t you go straight to the police? And what brought you here to Smoky Hill?

“Gino’s wealthy and he has so many influential friends I was afraid to speak to anyone. I came because I have a friend who lives here. Helen Rutherford, though she’s married and she’s Helen Baker now. Anyway, I thought it would be the perfect place to hide until mom and dad get home. I have no idea how Gino found me. I just can’t understand it.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a mystery,” the sheriff grunted, “but we’ll get to the bottom of it.

“What do you think we should do?” Cade asked solemnly.

“First, I won’t leave you unprotected. I’ll have one of my deputies keep an eye on this place like I did for Andy andHelen Baker when they were havin’ their problems.”

“I heard all about that,” Karen remarked.

“Yep, it was quite a drama, but gettin’ back to this fella Gino Stallone, do you know what kind of vehicle he drives?”

“He has two cars that I know of. A black Mercedes and silver Bentley Sports Coupe.”

“Okay! Good to know. Leave this with me and I’ll be in touch as soon as I have anything to report. In the meantime, you two stay put.”

“Thank you,” Karen said earnestly. “I appreciate this more than I can say.”

“It’s my job, and I’m happy to do it. The man has to be stayin’ somewhere so I’ll check the Moonshine Campgrounds and the hotel in town. If anything else comes to mind call me. When I get back to my office I’ll reach out to my contact at the Dallas PD and give him a full report.”

“Uh, about that,” Karen began nervously. “Like I said, Gino has friends everywhere.”

“I understand, but my contact will know exactly how to handle this, the sheriff replied, lowering his voice. “I can assure you, Gino will not be alerted.”

“It’s all so scary.”

“As soon as I get in my car I’ll call in Deputy Dobbs, he’s one of my best men. He’ll be in here real quick, and I have a feelin’ Gino will be found in no time.”

“You do?”

“Sure, it’s a small community. Strangers stand out. Thanks for the coffee, Cade,” the sheriff exclaimed as he rose to his feet, “and what’s that website you sent Jenny? The one with his picture.”

“Gino Stallone Racing Stables.”

“Okay, I’ll get his image out around town. Like I said,he’ll be found in no time.”

“What will you do when you catch up with him?” Karen asked as she followed him to the back door.

“That depends on what my friend in Dallas says. He may send someone out here to pick him up, or I might have to transport him there. But he’ll stay behind bars until that decision is made.”

“Don’t I have to make a formal statement?”

“Yep, though I don’t know if you can do that here or if you have to be in Dallas,” the sheriff replied as he climbed into his car.mind “I suspect it will be there, but it might be possible to do it from my office if you’d prefer.”

“I’d like to wait until mom and dad get back. I’d like dad to be there,”

“Understandable, but one step at a time. I’ll be in touch shortly.”

As the sheriff turned around and drove onto the road, Cade put his arm around her shoulders.

“How are you feelin’?”

“Relieved, but still worried.”

“I told you I have something that will take your mind off all this, and I do. You and I are takin’ a ride up Smoky Hill.”

“But…how?”