“That’s good news. But tell me, Sheriff, why have you decided that investigation of this ram shooting is your responsibility?”
“We believe that someone shot him to draw us away from the crime scene.”
Mattie noted that the sheriff wasn’t mentioning that they also found evidence that someone hid at the top of the ridge that same day and watched the action below as she and Cole climbed to investigate.
“It seems far-fetched,” York said, “but all right. That’s why I’m down here again, by the way—to look into this incident. Especially when I heard that you confiscated Ed’s rifle this morning.”
“Not confiscated,” Stella said. “Just checking it against evidence.”
York raised a brow and slanted a look Stella’s way. “So what do you need from me?”
“I’m talking to everyone who was up at Redstone Ridge on Sunday, from the time Dr. Walker found the partial remains until that night. I want to know where all the players were, what they observed, and whether or not they can lend information to our homicide investigation.”
“I told you Sunday that I observed nothing out of the ordinary in the meadow and on the ridge when I rode up alone.” A fleeting glimpse of impatience crossed York’s face. “With the intent of keeping the area secure, I watched for anyone who might enter while I counted sheep and scoped the ridge. I don’t know what else I can tell you.”
Mattie thought that York had more than enough time to scope and count, considering how long he’d been alone in the area. She watched him closely for any sign of deception.
“We believe the ram’s killer took his shot from the top of Redstone Ridge. In hindsight, can you recall noticing anything suspicious while you were observing that area?” Stella asked.
“No, but I didn’t keep my binoculars trained on the top. I was scoping the entire ridge and focusing in on groups of sheep when they came into view.”
“I see. And as you rode back down to the parking lot at the trailhead, what did you observe?”
“Not a thing out of the ordinary.”
“Do you recall what time you got back to your truck that day?”
“I do exactly. It was 3:42, and I was late getting on the road to Denver.”
Stella leaned an elbow casually on the table. “Oh yes, you had a meeting scheduled that night.”
“I did, but it got cancelled. I received the text about halfway there. Just as well. I would’ve been about an hour late.”
Mattie thought that bit of news was an interesting turn of events. So far, his story could’ve given him a nice alibi for the ram shooting, but the cancellation of the alleged meeting ruined it.
Stella propped her chin on her fist. “At least you didn’t have to keep rushing. What did you do instead?”
“Just ask your questions, Detective. I know where you’re headed.” York squinted at Stella. “I drove straight home to unload my horse. Since I’d left Denver before sunrise to drive down to Timber Creek, it had been a long day. I arrived at seven forty PM and no one can vouch for that. I live alone.”
“All right, Mr. York. Thank you for your cooperation. Any gasoline receipts, food, or other purchases to show where you were?”
“I filled up with gas in Timber Creek prior to driving west to the Ridge trailhead with Ed. I made no stops on the way home. But as you must know, my rig was gone by the time the rest of you got down from the ridge. That proves that I left prior to everyone else that day.”
“Yes, Mr. York,” Stella said. “We are indeed aware of that fact.”
But Mattie and Stella both knew that more than one trailhead led to the backside of Redstone Ridge. York could have easily moved his rig to a different parking lot and ridden back up.
Stella continued her questions. “What kind of rifle did you carry that day?”
York settled back in his chair and crossed his arms. “A Weatherby bolt-action with Winchester Short Magnum ammo. It’s in my truck right now if you want to take a look at it.”
“I’d like to see it,” McCoy said in a pleasant conversational tone. “We’ll take a look after we’re done here. Anything else, Detective?”
“I understand you moved to Denver from California. Is that correct?”
“I worked in the California state wildlife department for five years prior to this job.”
“Which city did you live in?”
“I lived in the suburbs of Sacramento. There are several wildlife preserves in that area. Why is this important?”
“Did you have friends or family in the L.A. area?”
“I know many people from L.A.” York leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes at Stella, as if to say he was growing impatient with her line of questioning.
“Do you know a man named William Cobb from the Hollywood area?”
“Cobb.” He paused as if thinking and then looked at Mattie. “That’s your name, isn’t it?”
As she nodded, Mattie had to wonder if he was putting on an act. “It is.”
“Is he related to you?” Then when Mattie offered only a thin smile, he said to Stella, “I guess it’s a common enough name. No, I’ve never met or heard of a man named William Cobb before.”
“You’re sure?”
“Completely.”
“All right then. I think that’s all for now.” As she stood, Stella offered a handshake, which York returned with a stony expression. “I appreciate your time and your willingness to be so forthcoming, Mr. York.”
Mattie trailed along as the others went outside to see York’s rifle. The sheriff handled the gun like an expert, taking a peek at the ammo while he was at it. While York drove away, the three of them huddled at the entryway and watched him go.
“Smooth, well thought out delivery of the fact that he had no alibi,” Stella said.
“Do you buy it?” Mattie asked.
“I usually don’t buy anything on the first pass,” Stella said, but a car pulling into the parking lot ended the discussion. “It’s Agent Lawson. Let’s see if they found anything else up at Redstone today.”
His face smudged with sweat and dirt, Lawson exited his car, rummaged in the back seat for his pack, and walked over to join them. He looked tired.
“Nothing,” he said as he approached. “No more gravesites found around the edges of the meadow. The team was still searching when I left. They’ll spend the night and search the area up above by William’s grave in the morning.”
“We have updates when you’re ready,” McCoy said, opening the door into the station for the rest of them to pass through.
“Let me clean up and check my computer. I might have updates, too.”
“We’ll be in the briefing room.”
Mattie told the others she should check on Robo, and she split off to go to her office. He had awakened, left his cushion where she’d told him to stay, and was waiting for her by the door. His greeting was so exuberant one would have thought she’d been gone forever.
Always glad to see him, she was even more so today when she needed his love for comfort. She ruffled his fur on both sides of his neck while he danced on his hind paws. “I thought I told you to stay on your bed.”
He whirled and jumped on his cushion, shoulders down in a play pose.
“Now you’re all revved up and ready to go. Come on, I’ll take you outside for a break, but then we’ve got more work to do.”
When Robo finished his short romp, Mattie told him to heel and went back inside, going through the lobby to join Stella and McCoy in the war room. Mattie sat and settled Robo beside her. Lawson entered the room, carrying his laptop, and he joined her at the table. He’d washed the dirt from his face but still looked weary.