"All the witnesses of Cattle Kate's lynching have either been found dead or have vanished. The youngest was a 13 year old boy." The Sheriff eyed Stacey suspiciously.
"Emmett, seriously, do you think I was a part of that mob?"
"No, I don't, Stacey, but I know you are a member of Wyoming Stock Growers Association and so were her murderers."
"Just because they belong to the same association doesn't mean we as a group conspired to have that poor woman murdered." Stacey about had his belly full of accusations for the day. First Evie and now Emmett, who he had known for years.
"I am not accusing you. I know you better than that. I know you to be a good man. I was warning you though that there is guilt by association. You may reconsider your membership; you and your grandfather."
"Alright, Emmett." Stacey lied, just to cool things over. The Wyoming Stock Growers Association was fighting for cattlemen like him, and he was proud to be a part of them. Their cause, their way of life, was worth fighting for. Emmett knew that and much of him agreed, but when innocent people turned up dead, he felt torn as a lawman. Even Stacey, at the moment, was a little torn.
"Another thing, Miss Evie came around here claiming you had stolen her horse."
Stacey laughed. He figured she'd take it to the law.
"I tried to explain to her that you had in no way broken any law, but she was mad all the same."
"She will get over it."
"You sure about? The kid doesn't have much. Stacey, you are privileged. You might try looking at things from another perspective now and then."
"Come on, Emmett. What is a wee bit like that going to do with a feral horse? I am probably saving her life. She should be thanking me."
"Well, she doesn't see it that way."
"And that right there is the problem with greenhorns. They move out here, ignorant, and instead of learning how things are done in the parts, they try to change things. Maybe Evie should see things from my perspective. After all, she and her kind invaded my land; not the other way around."