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She stared at me for a moment before she spoke, “I can’t believe you’re moving so soon.”

“The decision has been made and I’m not changing my mind. Do you think you can sell the ranch?”

“Of course I can sell it… if the price is right.”

“Have the prices gone up or down since I got here?”

“In such a short time, they wouldn’t have wavered too much. We should be able to get your money back with no problem.”

“Can you come out to the ranch and list it one day this week?”

“Sure. How about tomorrow morning?”

“That’s fine.”

As soon as she finished writing the appointment in her calendar, Linda looked up at me and flashed another smile.

“So, Sheriff Frost, do you have any particular price in mind for your ranch?”

I leaned back in my chair, trying to gauge her interest. “I’m looking to get a fair price for the property. Something that’s reasonable for both the buyer and me. Getting my money back is the bottom line for me.”

Linda nodded. “I understand you don’t want to lose money, but may I suggest we aim a little higher? Your ranch is a prime piece of real estate, and I'm sure we can get a bidding war going if we market it just right.”

“I’ll think about. I was thinking of a quick turnover more than a bidding war.”

“We’ll talk more about the price tomorrow.” She smiled and I knew she intended to pressure me about the price.

“Sure. See you tomorrow morning.”

As soon as I walked out of Linda's office, my mind filled with happy thoughts. I was finally going back to Texas, the place I had always called my home. The place where I was born and my family had lived for generations. It was the place my heart was calling me back to.

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

When I got back to the office, Billy and Molly were still working on the reports and the witness statements from the robbery. “There’s fresh coffee, Sheriff,” said Molly. “A big storm is coming our way.”

“What were we getting the past two days if it wasn’t a storm? It hasn’t stopped snowing.”

“That was only some snow,” said Molly. “High winds are predicted and blizzard-like conditions.” Her hand rested on Max’s head. “That means drifting and many accidents and road closures.”

“Great. I’m looking forward to it.”

Billy chuckled. “Boss don’t like snow. He’s a Texan.”

They both laughed at me and I didn’t care. Tomorrow morning, the ranch would be listed and I’d be out of Montana the day of the fuckin election, or worst scenario, the day after. The countdown was on.

I went back to the break room for a refill and carried a full mug of coffee to the squad room. “I haven’t heard the statements from the two customers yet, Molly. Anything from them?”

“No, but they did come in and give their statements willingly. They had both paid for their purchases and were chatting with each other when the robbers came in. They beat it out the side door and didn’t see anything that happened.”

“They didn’t even call it in?”

“No,” said Molly. “Both of them went down a notch on my scale. They knew a crime was being committed and they chose to ignore it and run for home. What kind of people do that?”

“People in Coyote Creek,” I said. “Until somebody spots our guys we have no further leads. The jerks could be anywhere.”

I hope to hell they’re not in fuckin Alberta.

I was heading back to the office when Julie Redmond, my new accountant called. She wanted me to come to her office and go over financial items. I had no time for that stuff until I got a handle on the robbers, so I put her off for a couple of days.