The Riley's Ranch

Posted on Thu Dec 1st, 2016 @ 12:08am by Captain Tim Williams
Edited on on Thu Dec 1st, 2016 @ 9:19am

Episode: Out of Sequence
Location: USS Highlander - Holodeck
Timeline: BACKPOST - Before discovery of the DeSalle

The ride out to the Riley's ranch didn't take too long, and the group of five had their horses galloping the entire way. They slowed to a trot as the ranch came into view, and Tim and the others all drew their weapons before they cautiously passed under the arch that marked the boundary of the property. Everything was quiet - no signs of a gang holding up the place, but no signs of the usual work that would be going on around a ranch either.

"Check the out-buildings," the sheriff instructed, pulling his horse to a stop. He pointed with his rifle in one hand, at three small buildings surrounding the main house. "Keep an eye out, they could be hiding anywhere."

Tim nodded along with the others and directed his horse over to a small shed-like building, likely used as tool storage. The law officers each went off in pairs to the other locations the sheriff had indicated, leaving Tim alone. He dismounted his horse as he got close, approaching the door to the shed on foot. Using the barrel of his pistol, he slowly pushed the door open, ready to fire at anything that threatened him from inside. All he saw were two bodies, slumped unceremoniously amongst the tools within, their chests torn apart by what looked like shotgun rounds at close-range. Deciding not to draw attention to himself by calling out, he mounted his horse again and rode over to the sheriff.

"Find anything?" the sheriff asked.

"Only dead bodies," Tim replied. "Two of them; it looks like they've both been hit by a shotgun at close range."

"Farmhands I bet," the sheriff answered, nodding. "We found much the same thing in the other out buildings. Let's check the main house."