Page 52 of River Ride

Bobby winced at the noise. A bit of doggy odor, but not much. The kennels were clean.

The kid stopped in front of a cage and pointed, “This is Cleo. She’s about as quiet as we’ve got. Big Newfoundlander or you can call her a Newfie. She’s a sweetheart.”

Bobby laughed. “She’s huge.”

“Newfie’s are a large breed. Big dog but she’s no trouble. Loyal and protective.”

“Does she eat a lot?”

“More than a small dog.” The kid laughed. “You on a tight budget for dog food?”

“Nope.”

“You’ll be okay then. I think you’ll like her a lot.”

“Okay, I’ll take her.”

Bobby filled out the adoption paperwork at the front desk, paid the money and made the deal for a dog. The kid went back to the cage area, leashed Cleo and brought her to Bobby.

“Here you go, sir. Enjoy your dog.”

“Thanks, Tim.”

Bobby opened the passenger door and Cleo hopped in and sat on the seat like she’d done it a hundred times before. Bobby patted her big head. “Good girl.”

He drove east out of Utah heading for Wyoming, windows down and radio cranked up. No destination in mind. “Where do you want to go, Cleo?”

Carpenter’s Ranch. Black Eagle Pass. Montana.

Molly called ahead and made an appointment for Travis to talk to Jed Carpenter and his son Trevor.

Knowing in advance that the sheriff was coming for another visit did nothing to quell the fury in the wealthy rancher.

When Carpenter opened the door for me, Virge and Travis, he was red in the face and more than ready to put three shots in each of our hearts.

The guy was ready to blow apart and Dad ain’t said a word to him…yet.

A man who could get that worked up over a few questions, could easily murder a poacher on his property.

Dad’s eyes were on Carpenter’s face, and he saw it too. The anger in Jed Carpenter was ready to boil over.

“Can we come in for a few minutes, Mister Carpenter? I have a few questions for you and your son, Trevor.”

“Trevor is at school.”

“In the middle of summer?”

“He had credits to make up. He’s starting college in a few weeks.”

“What time will he be home?” asked Travis.

“I’m not sure.” Carpenter opened the door wide enough to let us into the front entrance hall. We followed him into the living room and sat down.

Virgil pulled out his notebook and his pen.

“Why are you here again?” asked Carpenter. “Trevor and I have been to court and we’re free on bail until the trial.”

“There has been a second murder that I believe is related to Wayne Treadway’s death, and I need you and Trevor to provide alibis for the day and time Brian Groveman was murdered in his garage. That’s why I’m here. You give me alibis that can be verified, and I’ll be on my way.”

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