BATTLE AX REMNENT 18

when the truck with the walking 7 steers loaded pulled out jason was right behind it. " wonder what scam that guy has up his sleeve now?"rick posed. " well what ever it is wont get him anything. the inspections have a definate destination on them. if they go some place he s stealing them. i put the word out through out the state to keep a eye on him." duane explained." now, the A diamond cowboy will be here soon to load their strays. then the state stray wagon will come pick up all those we cant determin who ownes them they will be impounded at the marana sale barn. that just leaves the slicks. you and shadrack can work that out.ill not interfere." duane was pouring himself a cup of coffee. " well that will leave us a few steers, some slicks and that nasty bull. i want a fresh start when we go after him. after today sounds like the corral will be almost empty, so we will have room for them."rick responded. " i dont know how many of those steers are left. how many does the tally come to?" barry asked. " 50 head plus or minus. if they are for real here. with jason involved theres no telling. thats what he claimed for a total count 250 head." rick answered. " i dont think there are that many cattle all total here!" barry exclaimed. " well we will see. but what ever there is this man right here will certifie the count! i told leo shadrack we wouldnt leave until this rock pile was scrubbed clean. and since he sent a pair of eyes to keep track we better deliver!" rick pointed to connie who saluted him with her coffee cup. later that after noon after the A diamond had left with their cows a white rental suv pulled up into the yard. a middle aged , stocky man got out and walked over to the cook tent. " ime milt hanson. i own the walking 7." rick stepped up and shook his hand then introduced everyone sitting there." are you hungry? i think jake has some lunch left." " its been a while since i ate at a sure enough round up cook tent! thank you the airline food was terrible."milt laughed. duane stepped up and to milt and showd him his cedintials." we sent a second truck load of steers out of here today. i inspected them as you instructed. just so you know." " good, thank you. i was informed by kellys feed lot yesterday they have 50 head of my steers there. i didnt have any idea they were there. i me starting to wonder where else he has stashed my cattle?" milt took the plate of food from jake. " he wanted these cattle here shipped to his holding corrals at sonoita. i smelled a rat thats why i called you." duane explained. " he has this arizona deal in a mess. i dont know whats where or how many. ive turned the whole thing over to my attorny. he thinks my only recource is civil i want some criminal charges. he needs to be put out of business."milt forked a chunk of meat into his mouth. "ill do my best to get a criminal count on him." duane stated. " how many of my cattle are left here? does anybody know?" milt asked. " we arnt sure, but we dont think theres very many and they are running with the wildest of the wild. but we will get them."rick explained. milt finished his meal and handed his plate to jake" real good thank you." he then handed rick a business card." when you think you got them all let me know. ill decide what to do with them then depending on how may there are. thank you". turning to connie he said"keep a eye on these guys and tell leo i said hi." milt went to his suv and started the engine and drove out. rick stood there with his mouth open"you know that guy?' "he helped daddy get a oil lease in california. i havent seen him since i was a little girl. ime surprised he knew me."connie laughed. " ok. tomorrow we go after them again!" rick exclaimed.