Page 69 of Stormy Ride

“Written agreement?”

“No. On faith.”

I shook my head when she said those words. “Someone you knew well, and you believed they were trustworthy.”

“Yes.”

“Why can’t this person pay the money back? The thirty days must be up, or you wouldn’t be behind on your mortgage payments.”

“Correct. Time for repayment was up over a month ago and I need my money back. I’ve always kept a reserve fund strictly for the Inn and I’ve never in my life been behind on any of the bills.”

“How much did you give this person?” I asked.

“Twenty-five thousand dollars.”

Harlan rolled his brown eyes.

“Okay, and tell me the reason for the loan.”

“He needed cash for a one-time investment opportunity…in the market.”

“Okay, you gave the money to a fucking gambler, and he bet on the stock market.”

“Yes.”

“And the stock went down, and your money is gone.”

“Not gone. He says the market will come back and that’s when I’ll get my money back. He never once verbalized that he lost the money.”

“And who is this financial wizard?”

“Miller Ravary.”

“Jesus, Olivia, how did I know you were going to hit me with that asshole’s name?” I stood up and tossed the linen napkin on my chair. “I’ll speak to him as soon as possible and work out a repayment plan for you. In the meantime, try not to get any further behind or Julie will be calling me again.”

“Thank you for being so understanding, Travis.”

“Come on, Harlan.”

I was fuming and Harlan was chuckling a little on our way to the truck. That’s when Molly called. “Molly, what’s up?”

“The Mill Run bridge washed out, Travis, and a car slid into the river. The driver is missing.”

“Okay. I’m on my way. Jump in, Harlan. We’re going to get wet again.”

Hubbard Residence. Conrad.

Tammy parked down the road from the Hubbard trailer in a secluded spot that Billy chose. “I think we’ll be well hidden here, Tam. Even if the husband comes home with the horse trailer, he won’t see us.”

“What if he does come back?” asked Tammy. “How will you and me get the cuffs on those three guys?”

“We won’t be able to. We’ll have to call Travis to come for backup.”

“Backup. Right,” said Tammy. She patted her Harley purse. “I brought my gun, just in case.”

“Hey,” said Billy, “don’t you go shooting anybody and getting us into trouble. We’re surveillance only.”

“I won’t shoot anybody unless you’re in danger.”

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