Page 83 of Stormy Ride

Bronowski opened the door wider and motioned us inside. We conducted the interview standing in the kitchen—a strong smell of bacon grease in the air—the sink full of dirty dishes.

“When were you expecting your wife to return from her sister’s house?” I asked.

“Didn’t know when she’d be back, or if she was coming back. We had a row and Kala took off out of here hollering at me that she was going to Gretchen’s place, and she was done with me. She’s done it before, and I figured she’d come back when she cooled off.” He chuckled. “You know what women are like.”

“I’m not an expert on women, Mister Bronowski. Far from it. Your wife’s car is in the Milk River, but Ted will be towing it to the station later today.”

“Thanks for coming to tell me about Kala. I appreciate it.”

As we walked back to the squad Harlan said, “I smelled perfume on him like he’d been screwing around right before we got here.”

“Good observation. Maybe Mister Bronowski had a motive for getting rid of his wife.”

“How are we gonna prove that, boss?” asked Ted. “You think he knew when the Milk bridge was gonna give out?”

“Nope. And you might have noticed he didn’t ask about his car right off either.”

“Because he already knew where it was?” asked Harlan.

“Didn’t notice that” said Ted, “but I should’ve.”

“Could be he knew where the car was and he was waiting for us to find Kala’s body,” I said. “We’ve got to dig deeper into that guy and see what he’s been up to lately. He’s dirty. I can smell it on him.” I laughed. “And it ain’t perfume.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

When we got back to the station, Wyatt Thompson was leaning on Molly’s desk waiting for us. The boys and I hadn’t eaten, and I figured Harlan would be starving by now.

“Wyatt, let’s discuss the story at the diner across the road. Molly, have the prisoners had lunch?”

“Not yet.”

“I’ll bring food back for them when I come.”

“Thanks,” she said. “Save me a trip.”

“You go ahead and take your lunch break. We won’t be gone long. I’ll leave Max and Sarge posted outside the run just in case there is an attempted jail break.”

Molly laughed. “The prisoners can’t get out of the run without outside help.”

Mainliner Diner.

While we indulged in burgers and fries at the diner, we gave Wyatt the story of the takedown at Hannah Hargrove’s ranch.

Wyatt pointed to Harlan’s bandage. “You got hurt yesterday during the arrests?”

“Guy sliced me while I was trying to get the cuffs on him,” said Harlan.

“Be best if you didn’t mention Harlan being present at the takedown,” I said. “His caseworker might take it the wrong way if she knew he was with me all the time, and I don’t want to lose my boy.”

“I won’t mention your name, Harlan. I don’t want to make trouble for you or for Travis.”

“Thanks.”

“You can say it was me and Deputy Johnson and Deputy Wallace and two K-9’s who got the job done,” I said.

“Great story,” said Wyatt. “The ranchers with horses can rest easier now.”

“The names of the people arrested are Jonah Hacking, Norma Wilson, and Amanda Hubbard. The other two murderers were killed during the arrests. If you want their full names, Molly can provide them.”

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