Page 13 of Backwater Justice

“When we’ve reached cruising altitude, could you please bring me and Mrs. Rutledge two mimosas?”

“Yes, ma’am. Should be within the next ten minutes.”

“Excellent.” Annie sat back and watched the ground slip farther away.

Annie wasn’t fancy, but she enjoyed some of the finer things. A good massage and facial, a pristine beach, fine wine, and fast cars. The faster the better.

As if Myra were reading her mind, she asked, “Have you ever considered becoming a race car driver?”

“I think you’ve asked me that almost every time you let me drive.”

“Well, then?”

“No, but if there’s time, I’d like to check out one of the speedways.”

“Of course you would. You’ve done it before, haven’t you?”

“Only once, believe it or not. I promised Fergus I wouldn’t do anything dangerous on this trip.” She chuckled. “Besides what we normally do.”

Myra laughed. “We sure have gotten ourselves in a few pickles, haven’t we?”

“So many, I’m surprised we’re not brined by now!” Annie hooted.

The mimosa did the trick, and Myra dozed off. Annie pulled out her phone and confirmed their car and hotel reservations. Then she did a little digging into the Spangler family. She took a few notes to send to Fergus and Charles, and sent a message to Maggie, her crackerjack reporter:Do a follow up on the missing girl. You will have to come out here.

Maggie replied within seconds:Will do. LMK. I’m packed and ready.Maggie knew when Annie and Myra traveled, it usually meant they were looking into something unseemly, so she was at the ready.

* * *

The flight took less than four hours while they enjoyed their aerial view of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Salt Lake. As they made their way above the Cascades, lenticular clouds hovered over the magnificent Mount Rainier, signaling a change in weather. The scenery was breathtaking. They were admiring the view when the jet was slightly jostled by an updraft from the mountains. Myra jumped, gasped, and grabbed her pearls. “Easy on those, girlfriend.” Annie leaned over and patted Myra’s knee. “We’re almost there.” Then the jet banked southward to Salem, and they could see Mount Hood in the distance. It was a smooth three-point landing. Myra thought she had been holding her breath for the last fifteen minutes and let out a huge whoosh of air.

“Atta girl.” Annie grinned. “I did a little more digging into the Spangler family while you were napping, and I told Maggie to do a follow-up. We may want her to fly out here.”

“Good idea. I can only imagine that Mill wants to talk to me about something serious.”

Annie winked and started to sing “When a Man Loves a Woman.”

“Listen, you. Two things. First, you can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Second, you’ve gotta stop that nonsense.”

Annie stuck out her tongue and made a raspberry sound. Myra laughed. “You still can’t carry a tune.”

“Ah, but Milton?” She raised her eyebrows up and down.

“Would you please stop that?” Myra’s eyes grew wide.

“Oh, alright.” Annie paused. “For now.”

Myra rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Remind me. Why are we friends?”

“Because you love me. And I love you.” Annie smiled.

“True, but sometimes you can be so annoying.” Myra grinned.

“Another thing to love about me. My crass sense of humor.”

“You said it; I didn’t.” Myra folded her arms and gave Annie a phony look of annoyance.

CHAPTEREIGHT

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