Page 17 of JoyRide

“So far there’s nothing to tell you except who the victims were. Their families have been notified in Idaho and that’s about it. Johnathan and Kathy Walker from Kellogg, Idaho. They were on vacation camping at the Pine Hollow campground with their son. First time campers according to the woman who ran the park. The father intended to teach his son how to fish.”

“Huh,” said Wyatt. “Poor little boy. How old?”

“Six,” said Tammy. “Dillon Walker. His aunt came from Idaho and picked him up from Gloria Belmont at the county office.”

Wyatt looked at Travis over his glasses. “No leads so far?”

“You know I can’t tell you that, Wyatt. All I can say is we’re investigating every lead. And we are.”

Wyatt nodded. “These things take time if the killer was careful and left nothing behind. Honestly, I don’t know how you ever catch any of them.”

“I wonder that myself. About all I can tell you about the murders, but Tammy has a story for you from yesterday. She made her first arrest and no names on her case. The kids are juvies, and their names can’t be mentioned. Go, Tam. Tell Wyatt what happened at the feed store.”

Tammy laughed and started.

Wyatt listened with a smile on his face while Tammy told her story. “Two unnamed juveniles…huh…that’s a good one, Tammy. They in the jail now?”

“Yep, we gotta order food for them and take it back when we go,” said Travis. “What do kids like best? Orange soda or root beer?”

“We’ll take them root beer,” I said.

“Interesting lunch, Travis,” said Wyatt. Appreciate you sharing what you have. Hope you get more on the killer soon. Scary to think of him running around loose out there.”

“Yep, that part ain’t good,” said Travis. “We don’t even have a description so folks could be watching out for him.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

First thing me and Tammy did was take the food containers into the run to feed the boys. “Lunch is here, boys,” said Tammy. “We got y’all root beer to drink. If that ain’t okay, I can change it out for a bottle of water.”

“I like root beer,” said Todd. “Good for me.”

She handed the containers through the bars. “Enjoy your lunch."

“Thanks.”

With the prisoners fed, we went to the meeting in Billy’s office. He’d been working hard on the computer and running down our list of suspects.

“Who do we need to interview?” asked Travis.

“Harlan came up with one guy recently released from a mental facility in Great Falls,” said Billy. “He has to be near the top of the list. Clarke Edmundston. I’ve rated everybody in order of the threat they pose, but only my opinion. You can question them in any order you want.”

“Okay. Let’s split up and take the first four,” said Travis. “I’ll take the nutter in Great Falls on my own.” He pointed at Tammy, “You ask Kyle Gregory about the knife he bought at Needs and Feeds.”

“Copy. I have an address for him here in Coyote Creek.”

“Billy, I want you in the squad with Tammy—just in case. This is her first interview.”

Tammy made a face and Travis shook his head. “You heard me, girl.”

“Okay. Copy that, Sheriff.”

Billy nodded his head in agreement.

“Harlan, you pay a visit to Art Andrews up at Sunburst and see if he’s slinging. Check for the knife and bring him in if there’s drug or knife evidence.”

“Copy.

Travis turned to Ted. “You take the guy on parole that Billy came up with. He’s down in Valier living with his mother and he’s in her custody. Just verify him and get a feeling for him—I’m talking about stability.”

---