Page 42 of Lawless Ride

We played cards for an hour after dinner and then Savanna left for home. She was always up early. Her store opened at eight for the ranchers and the boys in the feed mill started at seven.

I was on the porch waving to her when Annie called saying she was landing on Friday night with Jacks and Davey. The boys wanted to come with her to watch the girls race on Saturday.

“She’s coming for sure, Harlan. We’re picking her up on Friday night in Great Falls. She’s bringing our two boys with her.”

He grinned. “You telling me you got more kids, Travis? You are a super stud.”

“None of them my own except you and Tammy. Annie collects kids like other women collect bracelets.”

Harlan chuckled. “This is gonna be a great weekend.”

“Sure as hell hope it is. This week is full of bodies and seems to be dragging. I could use a good weekend.”

Chapter Nine

Tuesday, May 29th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

At breakfast, Harlan was back to business. “Are we bringing Ray Dangerfield in today?”

“We have to. He’s our number one suspect in both murders now, and we have to question him. He’s our last hope.”

“Some of those druggies have arraignments today. We’re going to be busy. Do you think we’ll have time to go see the wild horse guy?”

“For sure. That’s important. We have to drive out there to Saint Mary and tell whoever is in charge what’s going on. And if we get home before dark, we’ll ride out and check on the cameras too.”

Harley grinned. “It’s gonna be fun to see what animals are strolling across our ranch. Might be bears.”

“Bears for sure. So many of the big fuckers around here. I have to watch out for the dogs after Max’s last experience. The claw sliced him down the side and cut him wide open. If it wasn’t for an excellent vet, I would’ve lost him.”

“Never noticed any scars,” said Harlan.

“Under his fur. He was shaved for his surgery. If you feel in his fur on that side of him, you can feel the scar.”

Harlan made a face. “That must have hurt him a lot.”

“He almost died. Touch and go for a couple of days.”

“I haven’t heard many wolves,” said Harlan.

“Mostly elk running through,” I said. “Big herds of them. They are the most plentiful animal around these parts. Fast too. Ithink they are second fastest to the cheetah.”

“No shit.”

“None.” I’d read that somewhere but didn’t know if it was true or not.

Harlan frowned. “Don’t think I could go out there and shoot animals. No desire to do that.”

“I’m not a hunter either. Can’t condone it for sport.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

“Morning, Molly,” I hollered from the back door. The dogs ran down the hall like the wind to get to the squad room for their morning biscuit.

“Morning, boys,” Molly hollered back. “I’m waiting on a lot of reports from you two, when you get a chance.”

“You go and get Molly started,” I said to Harlan, “while I get Josie, Grant and Paul ready for the courthouse.”

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