Page 24 of JoyRide

Sarge said he was here in this spot, and the dogs were never wrong.

“Look up,” said Tammy.

“Aw shit. Looking up, I saw a dead body draped over a branch. Carl’s dead eyes were wide open and staring down at me. Gave me a shiver.

Easy to see Carl was clawed up real good by a bear. His left arm dangled over the branch, hanging on by what skin was left and a couple tendons. After the bear got him, Carl must have scrambled up the tree and bled to death.

Lucky the bear didn’t climb up after him. Didn’t matter in the end.

“Tam, call the boss and tell him we need Doctor Olsen.”

“Copy.”

I gave Sarge the biscuit in my hand and patted his head. “Good boy, Sarge. You found Carl.”

Tammy and I sat down on a log and had a smoke while we waited for Travis and the coroner.

Wasn’t long before Travis tramped through into the little clearing and glanced around for the body. I pointed up and Travis shook his head. “Aw shit, look at that fuckin mess. Let’s get him down. Doc can’t examine the body up there.”

“Ted waiting for the doc?” I asked.

“Yeah, Ted’s sitting at the road.”

“I’ll do it, boss.” I climbed up the birch tree and freed Carl from his death grip on the branch. He flopped to the ground with a thud, and we left him where he landed.

Soon after, Doc Olsen came along carrying his medical kit. Ted carried the body bag.

Shaking his head, Doctor Olsen did his examination and made a few notes. When he finished up, we spread the bag out and did our best to put what was left of Carl Drapeau inside.

“First bear fatality this year,” said the doctor, “and it’s already July. Not too bad.”

“How many last year, Doc?” asked Tammy.

“Five.”

“Huh.” Tammy made a face. “One is bad enough. We have to tell Carl’s mother.”

“Yeah, I’ll do it,” said Travis. “You and me, Tam.” Travis turned to me: “Harlan, you and Ted carry the body to Doc’s van and then take the dogs back to the shop and start on your reports for Molly.”

“Copy that, boss.”

Me and my dad tramped all the way back to Mrs. Drapeau’s house to tell her that Carl was dead. My first notification and I figured that’s why Travis wanted me to go with him. Harlan had done lots of notifications with Travis before I started working.

Travis knocked on the door and Mrs. Drapeau answered right away hoping we had good news about her son. “Did you find Carl?”

“Yes, ma’am. We did find him and I’m afraid it’s not good news.”

“Is Carl hurt, Sheriff?”

“Carl is deceased, ma’am. I believe he was killed by a bear. Possibly a grizzly.”

“Oh, no.” Mrs. Drapeau began sobbing.

I stepped into the house, took her arm, and steered her to a chair in the living room. I picked up a box of tissues sitting on a nearby table and handed the box to her.

She sat quietly for a few minutes crying to herself before she was able to listen to Travis telling her about the morgue in Cut Bank, Doctor Olsen, and the numbers on the cards for grief counselling and community outreach he was providing her with.

“Do you have anyone you can call to come and stay with you, ma’am? A friend or relative?”

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