“Just to clarify,” Lincoln began, “you have no suspects, no leads, and everyone loved Doris.”
“Yes,” the sheriff confirmed.
“All right,” Amey said, rising. “We better get to work.”
Lincoln extended the paper back to Sheriff Manley. “I’ve read your notes, and I found nothing that arouses suspicion.”
The sheriff rose from his desk. “May I ask what your cover is?”
“We’re on our honeymoon,” Lincoln said, smiling.
Sheriff Manley smiled. “We don’t get too many honeymooners in Longworth.” His smile dimmed. “I do hope that you can wrap this case up quickly… for Jacob’s sake.”
“Why do you say that?” Amey asked.
“The whole town believes that Jacob killed his wife,” the sheriff said. “I’ve seen the stares and the glares when he comes into town.”
“That’s awful,” Amey murmured.
“It truly is,” Sheriff Manley stated. “Fortunately, his cowhands have stood by him during this tough time.”
Lincoln placed his hand on the door handle. “That is good,” he said. “We’ll let you know what we find.”
“See that you do,” Sheriff Manley replied. “Remember that Pinks are not above the law in my town.”
After they departed the sheriff’s office, Lincoln turned toward her and asked, “What do you make of that?”
“I think we need to start searching those woods for any clues.”
“Those were my thoughts exactly.”
Amey glanced over at him. “First, let me go to the hotel and change.”
“Into your trousers?” he asked knowingly.
She grinned. “You’re beginning to know me so well.”
6
A short time later, they were racing their horses toward Mr. Tiner’s cattle ranch, hoping he’d be able to show them where Doris’s body was found.
In the distance, a white house with a wrap-around porch came into view, and they slowed their horses’ gaits. As they began to walk their horses side by side up the road, Lincoln stole a glance at Amey, who appeared completely comfortable as she rode astride.
He didn’t know what to think about her wearing trousers and having a gun belt strapped to her hips. He’d never partnered with a woman before, but he found himself intrigued by Amey. After all, his wife was full of surprises. He generally hated surprises, but not when it came to her.
Why was that?
“I hope Jacob is available to show us where his wife was found,” Amey said, glancing over at him.
“I hope so, as well.”
She put her hand up to her forehead to shield her eyes from the bright sun. “I’m always amazed at how horrible cattle ranches smell.”
“It’s quite an unpleasant odor, isn’t it?”
“It is.” Her eyes scanned the Tiners’ ranch. “Do you think you could ever work on a cattle ranch?”
He shook his head. “No, I do not.”
“I think I could,” she admitted.
“Why is that?”
She grinned. “I think it would be fun to round up the cattle and go on a cattle drive.”
“Frankly, that sounds awful to me,” he replied. “Cows stink.”
“That they do,” she agreed. “But it would be a fun adventure.”
“Ah. Here we go again,” he said, glancing over at her. “You always seem to be chasing after a new adventure.”
She nodded. “That’s why I love being a Pinkerton agent,” she admitted. “When one case is over, I’m assigned a new case, which is a whole new adventure.”
“I’d never thought about that before.”
“Growing up, my life was so predictable,” she stated. “It was exhausting to do the same thing every day with generally the same results.”
“Some people enjoy structure in their lives.”
“True, but I’m not one of them,” she shared. “My soul craves adventure.”
Lincoln didn’t have time to respond to Amey’s comment before they reined in near the front of the Tiners’ home and dismounted. After they secured their horses, they approached the door and Lincoln knocked.
They waited for a long moment, but the door was finally opened, revealing Jacob Tiner. He was in the process of buttoning up his black vest. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
“We were hoping that you would show us where your wife was found,” Lincoln said.
Jacob’s face fell flat. “Is that really necessary?”
Amey stepped forward. “It is,” she replied, her voice full of compassion. “We need to start searching the woods, but we need to know where we should begin looking.”
A pained look flashed in his eyes. “All right.” He stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind him. “Follow me. It’s only a short walk from here.”
They followed Jacob as he stepped off the porch and started walking toward the woods located about fifty yards from his property.
Amey spoke up from behind him. “How did you meet your wife, Mr. Tiner?”
“It’s Jacob, if you don’t mind,” he corrected over his shoulder. “I met her while I was attending college back East.”
Lincoln’s eyes roamed the woods as he asked, “Who’s your closest neighbor?”
“On the other side of these woods is Jonathon Croft’s farm,” Jacob shared, pointing at the trees. “It’s about a mile walk.”
“How often do you socialize with Jonathon Croft?” Lincoln asked.
Jacob shrugged. “I suppose every time I go to church or attend a barn raising,” he answered. “Mrs. Croft was a dear friend of Doris’s. They would get together weekly to have tea and chat.”
“But you weren’t exceptionally close to Mr. Croft?” Amey pressed.
Jacob stopped at the edge of the trees. “I’m a very busy man, and I don’t have a lot of time to cultivate friendships. However, whenever Jonathon and I would get together, we were on friendly terms.”
“You don’t think he would have had any reason to hurt your wife?” Lincoln inquired.
“Heavens, no!” Jacob declared. “Jonathon is a kindhearted man who would give anyone the shirt off his back. He had nothing to do with my wife’s death. I guarantee it.”
Lincoln put his hands up in front of him. “We just have to ask these tough questions.”
“I’m sorry,” Jacob sighed. “I shouldn’t be getting so defensive, especially since you’re only doing your job.”
Amey stepped closer to him. “Your defensiveness is understandable. Your emotions are still raw.”
“Thank you for that,” Jacob said, giving her a brief smile. “Earlier today,
