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🕑 Added 2024-12-21 07:44:49 +0000 UTCWind in the Smoke
Chapter 67 - Sentinel Force
The next day, early in the morning.
Dante drove an off-road vehicle and parked it in the wilderness, watching the cattle grazing not far away.
More than five hundred cattle belonging to wealthy ranchers moved across the plain in unison, creating an impressive sight as dust rose into the sky while they ran toward the corral.
Horses and off-road vehicles lined up, following closely behind.
The experienced cattle maneuvered through the herd, seemingly plotting how to shake off these pesky pursuers.
Sure enough, an older cow suddenly broke away from the group and passed by Dante's car, which was incredibly thrilling.
Lloyd followed closely in his white Dodge truck, the engine roaring as he chased the escaping target.
Dante thought for a moment before following as well.
When the old bull stopped, seemingly calculating its chances of escaping by running to the other side of the pasture, several cowboys approached to drive the rebel back to the herd.
The bull swished its tail in a threatening posture, taking a few swaggering steps toward the cowboys.
"Why are we moving this cattle in the opposite direction of the location we had originally chosen?" Dante asked his brother Lee, who had just finished a phone call.
Lee gave Dante a brief glance and explained, "Many ranchers have reported losing their cattle when they moved them to graze, all near the Broken Rock Indian Reservation."
"Do they have them?" Dante suspected that the new governor of the reservation might be aiming to do things differently.
"Probably. It’s no surprise that resentment still exists between communities, especially when we’re so close yet still so divided," Lee replied, knowing things wouldn’t be simple this time.
John, their father, faced off against Broken Rock's chief, Thomas Rainwater, who, as his first act after coming to power, targeted the Montana ranchers outside the reservation.
Of course, Dante wasn’t yet aware of the reservation or all the problems it would bring to his family.
For now, he only knew what Lee had told him. Lee was the most knowledgeable about ranch issues since he was always by John’s side. Additionally, as a livestock agent, it was his duty to maintain the safety of all ranches in Montana—but the reservation was a boundary he couldn’t cross.
Things operated differently there, with their own system of governance.
This was why tension would arise if the new governor of the reservation wanted to change the rules this time.
"I’ll go with you," Dante offered, thinking his brother might need extra help.
Lee explained in detail, "Not this time. Things will get more complicated than just a calm discussion."
"Do you underestimate me?"
"I’m trying to look out for you."
Dante smirked slightly and said, "Then there’s no problem if I go with you. I’m sure you’ll be able to look out for me, even if I’m there."
"Fine, as you wish," Lee replied, aware that his brother Dante was now a man who didn’t need a babysitter.
The Duttons, from a young age, understood what they were doing and why. Now that Dante had expressed interest in helping with the ranch, Lee wouldn’t exclude him and, as a good brother, would teach him how things were done.
"Do you have a weapon?"
"I have more than that. If you need manpower, there’s a private security team that works for our company," Dante said with a faint smile, glancing at the time.
Lee looked at him curiously and asked, "Private security?"
"Sentinel Force. Though it has two functions, its primary involvement is in the family business regarding the transportation of raw materials." Dante hesitated, wondering if he should be less careless about revealing things to his family.
Lee then asked in a more serious tone, "Where were you last night?"
"What are you talking about?" Dante furrowed his brows. Something had definitely changed, as they never used to ask him such questions.
"What’s changed?"
"Well, our father mentioned he’s worried about where you disappear to every night," Lee said, scratching his chin and avoiding Dante’s gaze.
"Is he worried about something?"
"Just your safety."
"That’s nonsense."
"What?" Lee turned to look at his brother, surprised by his reaction.
"If I were an idiot, I’d believe all that nonsense. I guess our father’s worried I might’ve done something foolish," Dante said, holding his cellphone absentmindedly. "But since he doesn’t know how to ask, he sent you to find out if I’m hiding something."
Dante paused and continued, "You don’t need to worry. If I ever do something foolish, I’d invite you to be part of it."
Lee simply smiled at his brother’s comments. Dante always gave off the impression of wearing a mask when he spoke, hiding something he didn’t want to be easily discovered.
This feeling grew stronger as days passed and they talked. Dante’s subtle hints suggested he was hiding something big.
Recently, John had asked Lee if Dante had been involved in anything the day of his accident.
While investigating, Lee found that the site of his father’s accident was the same area where the company trying to take their family’s land was building infrastructure.
No one here was naive; the accident was far too convenient for the company wanting their land to gain an advantage. Without John, Montana’s governor wouldn’t have many reasons left to protect Yellowstone’s territories.
Knowing who Dante was, Lee suspected he had also discovered this connection. And with Dan’s recent death, everything pointed to Dante doing something reckless.
"You need an alibi."
A long silence filled the truck before Dante asked, "An alibi?"
"In case the police come asking questions."
"Are you joking?" Dante looked at his brother, who had gone quiet, and said, "The last thing I’d need is my family’s help if I’m really in trouble. Let’s stop talking about this; it’s putting me in a bad mood."
"Fine by me," Lee replied, feeling equally uncomfortable questioning his brother about such sensitive matters.
Whatever Dante had done, Lee knew he wasn’t foolish enough to make mistakes that would get him in trouble.
Once the cattle were moved away from the Indian reservation, both brothers returned home to prepare for searching for the stray cattle reported missing throughout the morning.
The livestock agents readied themselves to join Lee in the search for the lost cattle.
