Page 81 of Stormy Ride

“Yep,” said Lucy. “We’ll be able to compete for about two months before the season ends and then we’ll have to wait until next year to compete around the entire circuit.”

“How much money does it cost for all of this?” asked Harlan.

“Plenty,” I said. “Annie is paying Marilyn’s fee and I’m feeding the girls and taking care of them while they’re in Montana. That’s my contribution.”

“Twenty-first of May is our new start date,” said Tammy. “There was so much rain, Marilyn had to postpone for a week.”

“Yeah, the rain has been fuckin brutal,” said Harlan. “Washed out the Milk Run bridge and we still ain’t found the body of the driver of the car that went over.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

Harlan, Ted, and I gave Molly our versions of everything that had taken place at the Hargrove ranch the day before. I had Hannah’s statement recorded and I handed that over too.

While she was busy entering all the data into the system, I took Amanda Hubbard out of the run and got Ted started on the bookings.

“Harlan, help Ted if he runs into any trouble.” He was only a kid, but he’d been knocked around in the system long enough to know exactly how booking worked.

Ted was halfway through taking Norma Wilson’s mug shot when Molly got the call from a fisherman on the Flathead River.

Molly hollered for me, and I ran to the squad room.

“A body has turned up, Travis.”

“Where?”

“Flathead River,” said Molly. “Take Lake Elwell Road and follow it until you come to Barney’s Bait Shop. The fisherman who found the body is waiting at the bait shop for you.”

“He got a name?”

“Perry Laforteza.”

“Ted, finish up with Norma and you can book Jonah when we get back.”

“Copy, boss. Won’t take me long to finish. Her prints are done. Gotta get her picture.”

I had Ted and Harlan both with me at the station. Harlan had refused to stay home and rest, so I was watchful of his arm.

Lake Elwell Road.

I found the bait shop easy enough. Been by there once or twice before. I parked and ran inside. Saw the guy leaning on the counter with his head in his hands. Pale, looking like he was close to puking.

“Perry? I’m Sheriff Frost. You found a body?”

“I did and I’m feeling a bit queasy.”

“Understandable. It happens. Want to show me where the corpse is?”

“Not really. Can I just point you in the right direction? I don’t want to go back there.”

“Sure. Point me.” To Ted: “Take Perry’s statement and while Harlan and I look for the body, I’ll call Doctor Olson.”

“Copy, boss.” Ted pulled out his new notebook and Harlan and I left to tramp along the riverbank.

She wasn’t far away. I could see her bobbing on the water, tangled up in a lot of weeds near the shore. The river was high from all the rain we’d had, and the current was strong. The woman’s body had gotten hung up in a growth of thick weeds and rushes and wasn’t going any further downstream.

“Female,” I said to Harlan. “Why the hell hasn’t anybody reported this woman missing?”

Harlan shrugged and I wasn’t expecting an answer from him. Just venting. I called Doctor Olson.

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