Page 14 of River Ride

“What did the doc say?” asked Rowdy.

“Watch her closely. He didn’t come out and say so, but I don’t think he liked what I was telling him.”

“We’ll watch her close,” said Rowdy. “Try not to worry too much, sweetheart.”

“I’ve seen what can happen when her head is filled with Eldon Fontana,” said Annie. “She is so obsessed with him, it makes her go right off the rails and that’s when she’s at her worst. She does things without thinking of the consequences. Things she’ll go to jail for, Rowdy.”

“We won’t give her too much freedom today,” he said. “We’ll make sure the kids stick close to her all the time. We’ll call it a buddy system for safety’s sake. Nothing to do with Tammy in particular.”

“That’s a great idea,” said Annie. “We’ll make sure she’s never by herself. I’ll talk to the boys as they get into the truck.”

Shadow Mountain. West Virginia.

Bobby got off the phone and told Ray news he wasn’t happy to hear. “Hey, buddy, we have to take a trip British Columbia to sign the papers on the cabin and pick up the money. I don’t want a money trail the police can use to find us, and this is the way I’ve decided to handle it.”

“Aw, Bobby, that’s a long fuckin way and we’re sure to get picked up at the border. We’d be better taking our chances here. Can’t you sign online and have the money couriered or something?”

“Don’t think so, but if you won’t go, I’ll go alone. You’ll be stuck without a vehicle until I get back, but we could stock you up on food and beer. I’m not making you leave here if you don’t want to go.”

Ray shook his head and set his guitar down on the floor of the porch next to the dog they’d just got from the pound. “Wasn’tready for another move this soon, Bobby. Give me a few and I’ll ease into it.”

Bobby smiled at Ray. “It’ll be worthwhile, Ray. We’ll have enough to live on for years when we pick up the money. We can drop down into Utah or Nevada and grab another trailer. Nobody will find us.”

“I hope you’re right, Bobby. I think I’m more nervous about you getting caught than you are.”

Bobby laughed. “For sure you are, Ray. I don’t give a flying fuck anymore what happens to me. That’s the truth of it.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek. Montana.

Travis and Billy talked over Brian Groveman lying about seeing Wayne Treadway before he was killed, and what it meant. Neither one came up with an answer.

“We have to talk to Groveman again,” said Billy. “Tell him what his buddies are saying about Wayne’s visit, and make him come clean. He has to at least offer an explanation for lying.”

“Yeah, as soon as the arraignments are over. I’ll take another trip down there to the Pass with the boys and start over. This time I might not be so polite.”

Billy smiled.

Travis walked out of the office and hollered for the boys. “Harlan and Virge, cuff Carpenter and his son and secure them in the Bronco. Time for them to go to the courthouse.”

“Copy that, Sheriff,” said Virge. “Getting the prisoners out of the run.”

Travis leaned on the wall smiling at his boys. His cell signaled a text and he smiled again.

“Driving through Wyoming today. Should see you tomorrow night late or early the next day. See how we do. Slow going with the horses.”

“Looking forward to it, Annie-girl. Love you.”

“Same.”

Harrison County Courthouse.

We dropped Jed Carpenter and his son Trevor off to the bailiff at the back door, then parked and went inside to see what the judge was going to do with them.

Carpenter had hired an attorney, so his chances of being granted bail were greatly enhanced.

Surprisingly, when we found seats in the courtroom, Chuck Thatcher was already there sitting with Terry Marshall.

“Groveman ain’t here,” whispered Virge.

---