DELBERT BRIGGS 27

just as delbert , bob and norma finished branding the rest of the cattle in the corral the state brand department stray wagon bounced over the cattle guard into the yard , followed closely by randy vaughn the brand inspecter. bob and delbert stepped out the corral gate to meet them. delbert walked over to the ally where the stray wagon could back up to load and helped spot the trailer for loading. bob brought the cattle out of the corral to load and brought them up the ally in a rush and when they all jumped into the trailer he shut the gate and latched it. as the wagon pulled back out of the yard randy stepped up. " "the state investigators cant find anything on jackson that is illegal. all the paper work is for the bank as it should be. they know he and mason were running a scam but have no proof of it. paper work or no if the intent was to get the ranch back then its criminal. but thats the hardest thing to prove without a document or eye witness." randy was looking over bobs shoulder at the three sweated up horses tied to the corral fence.. it was at that time that delbert realised that norma wasnt there with them. he didnt say anything about it. randy stood there a moment then said" we believe that jackson is deep in debt to some real bad people in las vegas. they could show up here." "but we dont owe them anything! " delbert blurtd out. " no but they know this is where jackson was manufacturing the money to pay them. they wont care where the money comes from as long as they get it, or how they get it." randy explained. bob turned to go to the barn but delbert grabbed his shoulder" well randy if we hear or see anything we will be sure to let you know." randy looked at delbert expecting more but realised this was as far as he was going. " well, call me if i can work out something on these slicks ill let you know. ship those pairs that are branded." as randy drove back out over the cattle guard bob turned to delbert anger showing" this whole thing can be put to bed with one word from norma! whats wrong with you?" " its normas call, not ours. if she wants to testify its her call.. but we arnt going to hand her over." delbert turned to his horse and was untying him. " we need a cattle truck ill see if i can dig one up." bob stood there in the middle of the yard in disbelief.