Johnny's Uncle Daniel Cole Smith dies leaving his castle empty and Purdy greedily speeds to the estate to find Johnny wasn't the heir to the manor. Johnny is relieved but also still in shock as he finds his uncle was murdered! Though not under accusation his niece Pat Riley the heir to Silver Pines, has been thinking the same thing. He finds and she had been staying there for a horse show when the old man died. He had given her the one thing Purdy wanted even more than the castle like home and it's lands. The signet ring of Heremon. Having to concede The mannor and lands to this woman and her friends, didn't bother him nearly as much as as seeing Pat Riley unknowingly sitting with the key to billons of dollars on her finger. It was this ring that the old man was killed for An unknown assassin stalking the halls Johnny realises the danger Pat and her team are in as they work each with their own unique abilies to solve the crime and what they find begins a battle with Malcolm Janus Who's employers want Silver pines and it's castle, for a different reason.
Chapter 1
The letter explained to him everything about what Janus wanted done Eugene Purdy was to secure the home of Daniel Cole Smith Johnny's uncle who had died only hours before Purdy looked up and saw a familiar face Johnny had been contacted by lawyers for his late uncle's estate. He and only one other heir were left to the old man. The rest of the Smith and Cole families were gone! Save for that distant warrior princess on the Cole side. Johnny had found out about Pat Riley's escape from Mexico from a dare card jj had brought him last year Then in the fall He saw her being asked to leave Texas By Jack Pearson the governor of her home state. Pat tossed her badge down and left. The poor man was not reelected to the governor's mansion. Pat Riley knew something though someone had talked to both before this. "WE need the Dark Ranger elsewhere. He said. Pat looked at him "Jack I refuse to ruin your carreer!" She began. "Pat I'm not getting reelected any way Remember originally I wanted the DPS gone Voters citing my attacks on the DPS as a slight to the safety of Texas citizens, I'm not going to be governor much longer anyway." He retired to a quiet rancher's life in South Texas. Pat had gone into pro horse showing she was out with no home a horse to feed and no money to feed Skip and herself. She was in the must win situation. The horse raised his head looking at the course of jumps before them. Pat stroked his neck. Then looked out at the fences. "Here is a new commer who has been taking the show jumping world by storm. She and her horse look hungry for yet another win her at spruce meadows. thei can't have any faults if they want to win this the worst they could do is second place But Riley and her red dun have't had it easy. Bannished by the governor from their home state where they were law enforcement legends, they turned to the sport and it has been good so far. there's one fence left! Skip gathered himself and jumped the huge oxer took a lot more than her horse had and yet some how they made it.
"Incredible effort by this big red dun and Pat Riley Let's look at the time. They did it in a tenth of a second faster than BobbyBluegem and Veronica Deangelo! The Dark Ranger strikes again! " Pat stands stroking Skip they now have what they need to get a new home . Pat lets a slight sadness sweep her face as she looks out across the ring. "Let's get out of here champ." She leads her horse away, and loads him into the trailer. Skip happily munches his grain. as Pat does her book work outside the trailer. Giddings Equine rescue had the car. Then she cleared out Just before The Giddings place was raided by her kin to try and capture her. She sneaked back across the border. And had texted Kim about the new meeting place a forested area outside Pownell Maine. Kim would be There soon with Western Starr and the hope was that they'd make enough to out right buy a place and get off the road. Skip munched inside the trailer and seemed content. Pat however wasn't The last call had been way too close! The KOA manager had called the number on a poster after his son showed it to him. Pat now took up the hillcountry ways. finding a quiet place out of sight and staying there. She kept her tack helmet, and a pack she would abandon the pickup and save her horse were it to come to a choice. A truck could be replaced a life couldn't The money was in the hands of Denver Financial. The latest statement delivered by another friend Mandy wright, proved her deposit had made it. Kim too had been depositing regularly and the Denver Investment Group put the money into the investments specified and it grew! Pat had been taught about mutual funds a long time ago. and used that knowledge to ensure a home for herself and her partners. But since her being forced out of Texas, by the unpopular yet some how reelected governor and just to put a crick into the governor's back she sold to Denver Investigations who successfully saved Eagle's nest from those who would have made it part of the Trans Texas Corridor. She now sat hoping for a place before the snow began. She hid here and waited for Kim to arrive When a much different sound reached her ears. fainter than most would hear. She climbed the hill and looked out across what she could see of the area. "Helicopters!" She quickly went back and closed up the trailer packing in the temporary corral pannels She pulled out of the trees and drove away long before the eyes above her could have gotten there. She watched the helicopters from her rearveiw mirror. "Im sick of this running from some sick minded relatives!" She almost hit the limo as she came around a curve. But she stopped seeing the driver waving she pulled up. She rolls her window down enough to hear the man who looks pale. "What's going On?" She asked.
"There's a rattler in with the congressman. He said. Pat got out looking purely amused . "City folk." She mumbled under her breath. She came up to the limo and looked inside and sure enough a beautiful eastern diamond back was coiled in strike position. "Well well what an interesting problem you have." She said smiling. There were two men in the back seat one younger and cute as politicians go the older man had a look Pat wouldn't trust even is he were the almighty himself. "Let's see if your relative here is open to a negotiation?" She gently reached in and picked up the snake. The rattler hissed at first, and then looked eye to eye with the woman who held him securely. Pat smiled. easy now you're safe with me." She carried the snake away from the Limo and Put it into a a dark colored Pillow case. "That should make you feel better safer." She said. Then she walked back and checked on the two men. Both of whom were looking astonished at each other. "Did she just reach down and pick up that snake?" The older man asked. "Hey she just saved my life and yours I don't question divine help." Came the reply. "Are you boys alright? No one bitten?" Pat asked. "No, I think we're all good here. Thank you Uh" The older man began. Pat Smiled. " You're welcome. She replied. Then walked away. "Hey I didn't get your name." The younger man began. "That's right you didn't." She replied getting into her pickup. She noticed the driver and the older man looking at the trucks plates. She'd have to change them out. He took down her number as She drove past and that was not something she thought would be good. The older man was some one she didn't like. "After you drop us off at Senator's, run that truck."The older man said. Pat sighed well she had to meet Kim, So she turned off and hid for a time letting the limo pass She drove to a wildlife rescue and dropped off the rattler, and back to her hiding place, and hid the truck and trailer again. The helicopters had moved on and for now all was quiet. She settled in eat a quick meal and give Skip some time out side the trailer and some water. The horse came out and seeing Pat's face he sighed. Kim arrived Just in time, for the evening meal. " Your hiding in the hills again?" She asked. Pat looked at her. The two shared their day, and made the decision to change out their plates getting out maine tags, they changed everything out and they had went and left the area as soon as they got their horses loaded. They had even changed from their usual attire to a more local style of dress. Kim handed Pat the letter that caught up to her through another rider. "Oh man bubba That would be great we might have one heck of a house!" Pat Told Kim. My Uncle Dan died and I'm the only heir left out of The Cole/Smith family line.
Kim, nodded. "But we need to be at the Place like by 5:ooPm. Today!" Pat added. They were soon pulling up into Daniel Smith's drive way. The house a secluded country estate looked like a huge castle complete with drawbridge.
The trucks and trailers arrived ahead of the rest And Pat and Kim stashed them for a quick exit. "My uncle Dan was actually happy here Built the whole place." Suddenly The door opened and Purdy stood there in shock. Pat smiled at him. "Whatsayo Big bear?" He blinked as Pat and Kim walked in past him. "Where did you two come from?" He asked. when he found his voice a few moments later. Pat looked at him then at Kim. "If you have a few years free I could tell you." She said. Purdy nodded seeing how tired Riley and Sheridan were.
Johnny came in out of the kitchen. and stood there looking at the two women with a mixture of Shock and confusion. They just stood there facing. Each other She who looked at him in with a calm amused expression. "Uncle John, when did you wake up?"
"Hey Pat glad to see you too." He began "You still a ranger?" Johnny asked.
Pat smiled. "I always will be."
Johnny found himself looking at Kim. "So who's your friend? Is she anything like Angie?" He asked Kim looked at him.
"what does he mean by that?" Kim asked
Pat smiled at her "Angie was wicca."
Johnny finally said " NO,that brat was also a witch!"
Purdy looked at Johnny then at Pat who shook her head. "No, you got what you deserved."
Johnny looked at Kim. "What I deserved? I think you need to get your head our of that sweat lodge."
Pat Smiled. " Ability or not He's still the same old bubba."
Kim looked at Johnny who stood there eyeing her. Purdy realised there was going to be a lot of conversation over dinner tonight. He looked At Kim and Smiled. Riley and Sheridan got a few minutes in the library. Johnny realised he wasn't going to goad Pat into a fight, She had improved with age and this made him smile. Purdy admonished him for his attack. "What were you thinking Johnny you can't go on holding a grudge against Pat for Angie's religious choices." Purdy began.
Johnny smiled. "Actually Gene I'm proud of her, there was a time she wouldn't have stood for any one to challenge her about Angie."
Pat stood in the library leaning against the desk while Kim stood in shell shock in the middle of the room, both women were visiubly trying to regain their composure. It was Kim who recovered first, Pat was doing a breathing excercises. She turned to Kim.
"He's lucky I didn't pick up that mace!" Pat said Kim saw the weapon in question . A massive spikey metal ball, and chain on the handle.
"So why were you so surprised to see that other guy?" Sheridan asked. Pat looked at her. "Because he was in a coma last time I saw him. Doctors said It was game over." Pat replied. Kim listened intently to her partner "So when your Aunt Vera died You just deleted the contacts up here." Kim surmised. "Not thinking about this Sarah Bracknel Or Purdy or Anyone Else? " She added. "Did they really need someone like me?" Pat asked. " You are forgetting that something is different now? What Am I supposed..." Pat paused hearing the door bell. "DAMN! " She said "Purdy must have called Sarah." Pat said. And Pat listened to the voices as Purdy was telling Sarah about the surprise that had arrived. " Just relax." Kim said placing a hand on Pat's arm. The doors opened and Purdy Brought Sarah, JJ and Walt into the room. "Wow the Dark Ranger!" JJ said Riley looked at Sheridan. "The dare card ." She sighed. Sarah looked at Pat. "Oh My god Pat ." Sarah began Pat sighed. "Yeah,Uh Hi, Sarah, Kim Sheridan This is Sarah and Walt Bannerman and my cousin JJ. " Pat began. Sarah looked at Walt and Jj. Just then Skip shrilled outside and Pat spun. "What?" She said and opened the back doors of the library and stepped outside. and looked at the horses who were running in the pasture. "Wow!" Jj's voice made Pat turn. " Yeah He's glad to just have a little room to run." Pat said watching her horse. Sarah noticed the hint of Pride in her voice as she stood watching the horse gallop around the field behind the huge building. Johnny smiled as he came into the room and saw everyone watching Skip, who was running galloping happily in the green grass. " Dinner's ready." He said comming into the room. Pat had already turned hearing him from outside her head tilting. Sarah smiled seeing Jj and Pat comming in. Walt and Purdy talked about this new change in their world. Pat and Kim just gave each other. Walt too looked at Skip.
he had always wanted to teach JJ to ride The boy had never shown an interest. " I think they're in the library." Johnny's voice rang clearly through the doors. Pat smiled This would be interesting. Then she saw the lawyers for her uncle. "Ranger Riley, so good to see you again. " Allen Trask said Pat looked at Kim . "What about that actually didn't that ring true?" Trask Smiled . "I saw your last show you and Skip really had a job out there and you handled it wonderfully." Trask said this more to Purdy and the others than to Pat. "I actually won a hefty bet putting my money on you and that wonderful horse of yours." He said. Sheridan put a hand on Pat's arm. "Oh are you still mad at me for that little spin off of the Chairman case?" He asked. Pat Smiled." We can step out to the garden to discuss that. If you'd prefer." Pat said. only then did Trask get a little pale. "N.W.Y.T." Kim said softly Pat sighed and nodded. "I'll take that as a no." She replied satified that she could still scare Trask enough to make him turn pale.