Page 81 of Lawless Ride

“What happened to you and Harlan?”

“Art Andrews and his cousin Grant happened. They beat us up at the Run.”

“I hope you’re arresting their dumb druggie asses and charging them with assault.”

“Working on it. Got Grant in custody already.”

“One down,” said Harlan with a grin.

Savanna served us fried chicken and mashed potatoes, green beans and a salad and it was a great meal. While we ate, she said, “I heard your part-time wife went back to Texas, so I thought I’d risk a visit.”

“She won’t be back,” I mumbled. “I stuck my foot in it this time.”

“We’re glad to see you,” said Harlan. “This is Billy’s first night back home.”

“We’re celebrating then,” said Savanna with a big smile. “Welcome home, Billy.”

“Thanks, Savanna. I am happy to be here,” said Billy. “No more therapy for me. Not much of anything for a long while, but I’m happy to be back home with Travis and Harlan. This is where I belong whether I’m working or not working.”

I raised my beer in a toast. “Here’s to Billy being home.”

Chapter Seventeen

Wednesday, June 6th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

At breakfast, Harlan wanted to see the crumpled list I had in the pocket of my jeans. “Show me what you’ve got crossed off and what we have to do today.”

I pulled the torn piece of paper out and tried to flatten it on the table so Harlan could read it. He pointed to Hannah’s name. “Let’s start with the bitch next door.”

“I’m not so interested in charging Shorty with trespassing as I am in getting tags in Hannah’s house and in her bunkhouse.”

Billy nodded. “I’m home now and I can monitor those tags while you guys are at the station.”

“That will work, Billy.”

“I’ll keep an eye on the horses too. I can shoot as good as I ever could, so those fuckers better not come over here messing around.”

“She threatened me more than once and I’m pretty sure she’s going to try something. I just don’t know what it’s going to be.”

Billy smiled. “Wait for it…”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

On the drive south to the station, Doc Olson called and confirmed Ray Dangerfield’s autopsy had been completed. “I have the bullet for you, Travis, or I can hand it over to the DA’s office and they can pass it along to state ballistics. Too bad we don’t have our own.”

“We have the gun, Doc. Found it yesterday, so I’m hoping the bullet matches the gun. Then we have a solid case.”

“Wonderful. The DA will be pleased if he has something solid to take to trial.”

I thanked Doc Olson for calling and called Wyatt Thompson at the newspaper office. He sounded upbeat like always.

“Travis, have you got details for me now?”

“Not yet, but today you’ll be able to access Ray Dangerfield’s autopsy report as soon as it’s public. I haven’t figured out his murder myself yet, but the report will get you started.”

“I don’t know who Ray Dangerfield is, or was, Travis.”

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