Page 31 of Rocky Ride

Tammy stared into space and wouldn’t look at

Annie. “I love Eldon. He’s looking for me. I know he is.”

Lucy came back to the table carrying three paper plates of breakfast food. “I’ll go back and get the coffee, Mommy.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

Mason smiled. “Lucy is a sweet kid.”

“She is. Do you have kids?”

“Nope. Not that lucky. I’m untethered…so far.” He laughed.

Lucy returned with the coffee, and they ate breakfast without incident. Tammy ate nothing and it was obvious how muchweight she’d lost in the outlaw camp.

Annie checked out of the hotel after breakfast, then held Tammy’s arm as they walked to the parking lot. When they got to the Gladiator, Tammy kicked up a big fuss and wouldn’t get in the truck.

“I’m not going with you. I have to find Eldon.” She struggled against Annie and clawed at her face in an effort to get free and run away.

“Hey, little girl. Don’t do that.” Mason grabbed Tammy’s arms and provided the much-needed muscle to put Tammy in the back seat.

While he did that job he noticed Annie’s truck was equipped. He fastened Tammy’s ankle to the D-ring on the floor, then backed out and closed the truck door.

“She’s secure now and will be as long as you don’t have to stop.” Mason gave Annie a side-ways look. “You a cop, Mrs. Powell?”

“In a way. I run the violent crime agency for Texas with my son if you’re ever looking for a job.”

“Interesting.” He smiled. “You never know. I might be looking for something different soon. I’m getting a bit old for chasing down outlaws who have more energy than I do.”

“I hear what you’re saying, Mason. I’m over my expiry date as well.” Annie fished a card out of her purse and handed it to him. “A job well done, Mason. It was a pleasure to meet you. Take care of yourself.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Mrs. Powell.” He gave her a wave and hopped into his pickup.

“I like him,” said Lucy.

“Me too,” said Annie. “He’s a man with fortitude and determination, and they’re a rare breed.”

Reading Residence. Cut Bank. Montana.

Sandra Ellington’s friend Petra wasn’t smiling when she opened her door to let Billy and Virge in. Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying, and she held a balled-up wad of tissues in her left hand.

Tall and blonde, Petra Reading appeared to be about the same age as the victim—mid-thirties. She waved us into her living room, and we grabbed a seat.

“Sorry for your loss, Mrs. Reading,” said Billy.

“Thank you. Such a shock. A brutal murder in a place like Coyote Creek? Come on. I can barely believe it.”

“Were you talking to Sandra Ellington recently?” asked Billy.

“We were supposed to have lunch last week and I was looking forward to getting caught up with Sandy, but she called and cancelled at the last minute.”

“What was the reason she gave you?”

“The reason seemed vague, and I wasn’t happy about her cancelling. I’d been looking forward to lunch at the Inn. The food is so good there. The desserts are to die for.” She dabbed at her eyes. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like that.”

“Can you recall the exact reason Sandra gave?”

“Does it matter?”

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