Page 44 of JoyRide

We got to the office and parked out back. Tammy and I were getting out of the squad at the same time Savanna got a ride over from the store with one of her drivers. She hopped out of thefeed truck, ran over to the back fence, and took a look inside her car.

Hands on her hips, she was fuming mad and let go a long string of curses. “Where are my keys? The inside of my car looks like the city dump.”

“The keys are in the office, Savanna,” said Tammy. “I’ll get them for you.”

“I’m not mad at you guys,” she said. “Just mad my car got stolen and messed up and Billy got beaten up for no reason. This car was in perfect condition.”

“When we catch the kids and they go to trial,” I said, “they may have to make restitution for damages they did.”

“Hope the judge sees it that way, Harlan. I’d hate for them to get away with the stuff they’ve done. They hurt Billy really badly.”

“They did more damage since then,” I said. “Shot a guy over at Shelby Lumber. Hit him over the head with that same tire iron they clobbered Billy with, robbed the lumberyard guy and stole his pickup.”

“Oh, no,” said Savanna. “You’ve got to catch them. I realize how hard that is with Travis and Billy both in the hospital. You guys and Ted have to do your best to track them down.”

“We will,” said Tammy. “We’re following a new lead today. I think we’re closer to them.”

“You kids shouldn’t even be working today. It’s Sunday.”

“We’ve got a lot of shit to do, Savanna,” I said.

“I’m sure you and Tammy are doing all the work you can. I wish I knew how to help you.”

I didn’t mention my brother to Savanna. She knew about him, but I’d wait and see how that played out first.

“I’m going to the hospital to see Travis later, but I’m going to the car wash first. Thanks for getting my car back, guys. Appreciate it.”

“Ted towed it back from Shelby Lumber for you, Savanna. He printed it and it’s good to go. You might want to thank him too.”

“I definitely will.”

She drove off and I let out a breath. “I didn’t tell her there was a tow bill on the desk in there from Ted’s Towing. Save that for another time.”

Cut Bank Hospital.

Sunday morning turned out to be a good time to visit in the ICU. Tammy and I didn’t have to wait so long to see Travis. The nurse was in a good mood, and she let both of us go in at once to see our dad.

“Hey, Dad. How long are you planning on dogging it in here?” I asked.

He tried to smile. “I’ll be out of here a lot sooner than they think. How are the two of y’all managing?”

“We’re doing okay. Lots of work but we can handle it. Billy’s coming home today or tomorrow.”

“Billy came to visit me, and he told me he was breaking out today. Y’all go see if he needs a ride to the ranch.”

“Good news,” said Tammy. “We’ll go see him next and take him home.”

“I don’t like y’all at the ranch alone. There are too many bears, and those maniac kids are still on the loose. Y’all be extra careful and sleep with your guns handy.”

“We will,” said Tammy, “and we have Max and Sarge watching over us. We’re okay. Try not to worry, Daddy.” She leaned down and hugged him.

“After what happened to Billy on our own property, I have to worry,” mumbled Travis. Easy to see he was getting upset.

One of the machines started beeping. A nurse ran in and shooed us out of the unit. She had more drugs for Travis, and he’d sleep for another four hours.

“He’s not ready to come home,” I said. “Gonna be a while yet.”

“I saw his side,” said Tammy, and she started to tear up. Must’ve been a mess.

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