Page 4 of Lawless Ride

“Yep. Could be a combo. Gives more power to the motive if the killer has more to gain.”

“What do we do next while we’re waiting on Ted?” asked Harlan.

“Let’s go back to the office and see what Molly has heard about the Masters family. She knows everybody in Coyote Creek, and she’s related to a lot of them.”

Sheriff’s Office.

Molly and Ted were working on the list when Harlan and I got back to the shop. “He worked construction for Floyd Boyd and Son,” said Ted. “They built the odd house but mostly did home renos.”

“Great. His employer is a place to start. Where’s the office for the construction company?”

“Shelby.”

I nodded. “What else have you got?”

“Not too much yet,” said Molly. “One of Tory’s sisters lives intown, and you could talk to her. Her name is Violet Swanson. I’ve got an address for her.”

“There might be a lot of talk across the road at the diner. I’m going over there for a sandwich to see what Maryanne has heard.”

“Fine idea,” said Molly. “There’s a lot of gossip that comes out of that diner. That’s why I seldom eat there.”

“Come on, Harlan. Are the girls texting you again?”

“Not yet. I was just checking to see if they were on lunch.”

“Maybe they haven’t stopped yet,” I said. It was funny to watch Harlan. He was so worried about the girls and the training.

Mainliner Diner.

We sat down in the only available booth and Harlan picked up the plastic-coated menu he’d read a dozen times.

“What are you having?”

Ted tossed the menu over to me and said, “I’m having a cheeseburger with fries with gravy.”

Maryanne rushed over and filled our coffee cups and I prodded her. “What’s the word on Tory Masters?”

She leaned down and whispered, “Josie Masters is a nutcase. She’s under psychiatric care.”

“Oh, yeah? Who’s her doctor? Do you know?”

“Doctor Albert in Cut Bank.”

“You think Josie could be responsible for her husband’s death?” I asked.

“I heard she left the stove on and went to her boyfriend’s house,” said Maryanne. “Is that what happened?”

“Don’t know what happened for sure, but one of the firemen said she was cheating on Tory with a guy in Sunburst Acres.”

“A guy who hung out with Grant Anderson,” said Maryanne. “You know Art?”

“Too well,” I said.

“Grant is Art’s cousin. Not a bad looking guy but I heard he’s into drugs.”

“Maybe I’ll take a run up to the trailer park and see if I can find Mrs. Masters. I have to do the notification.”

“Too bad.” Maryanne had a hint of sadness in her voice. “Tory was a decent guy and good looking too. I went to high school with him.”

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