Page 87 of River Ride

“I don’t want him out on bail,” said Travis. “With his father dead, who knows what the hell he’d be doing?”

“Yeah, that’s true,” I said. “That kid is a loose cannon.”

As we exited the courtroom, we ran into the big boss again, Oscar Fillmore. He stopped to talk to Travis about the arraignment.

“No bail for the Carpenter boy, Sheriff.”

“I’m happy about that, Warden Fillmore. The other boy isn’t a threat, and his parents won’t let him out of their sight.”

“My wardens have been doing badly in your area, Sheriff. Makes me wonder if…”

“If I’m doing my job? Is that what you were going to say, sir?” Travis had his back up in a split second and took a stance in front of the boss of the game wardens.

“Let’s go, Dad,” said Virge. “We’ve got shit to do at the station.”

Travis blew out a breath. “Yeah, I have to get going.”

On the drive back to the station, Dad said, “I need some thinking time, boys. Billy can handle what’s going on at the station and we’ll go up to the cabin for a couple of days. I’ve got some big decisions to make.”

“Sure, Dad,” said Virgil. “I want to see that fuckin bear that Sunday trained on a leash.”

“I’m not sure I want to see it,” I said.

“Nobody goes hiking up that mountain alone,” said Travis. “And not without a rifle.”

Shadow Mountain. West Virginia.

Bobby slept late and after he made himself a fried egg sandwich for breakfast, he took a mug of coffee outside and sat on his porch.

His cabin was the only one on this fire road. Isolated with no neighbors. Just the way he wanted it.

Cleo laid down on the porch floor next to Bobby’s chair and he patted her big head. “What did you think of Bev, Cleo? You growled at her. You didn’t like her much, did you?”

Cleo didn’t wag her tail.

“Me neither. I think she’s trouble. We’ll pass on her. Somebody else will come along that we like better.”

Coyote Creek Inn. Montana.

Travis was on time for his Monday morning meeting with Susan Westfall, the Inn manager and the new hire, Cassidy Sherrin.

They talked in Olivia’s old office and Cassidy seemed to be well on her way to learning everything she needed to know about how the Inn ran.

Friendly and polite, she was one of the prettiest girls he’d seen in a while, but a new relationship would be stressful and might be a bit much for the way he was feeling at the moment.

“I’m going to take a look in the private apartment, Susan. I’ll have to tackle it soon and clear things out.”

“Would you like me to go with you, Sheriff?”

“No. I’ll tackle it on my own. See how many boxes I’m going to need. Things like that.”

Dreading it, he unlocked the door to Olivia’s private space and stepped inside. He closed the door behind him and locked it.

The scent of her still lingered in the air and Travis realized itwas too soon for him to be in there on his own. Maybe I’ll be able to do it when I get back from the cabin.

He turned around and left.

Watson Cabin. Great Smokies. North Carolina.

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