Page 46 of Midnight Ride

“Copy that.”

“Remember she’s a killer. She won’t think twice about killing y’all, so shoot first.”

“Yep. I’ll knock her down,” said Tammy.

“Attagirl.”

The kids left the break room and Travis got a call from MillerRavary. Not totally unexpected, but a guy he didn’t like and not a person he could be civil to with one of the worst hangovers in the history of man.

“I’d like to have a word with you, Sheriff Frost.”

Everything about the man irritated Travis. Even the sound of his voice.

“Drop by my office,” said Travis.

“I’d prefer to talk to you here at the bank, if you don’t mind. I have a busy day.”

“Yeah, and I’m just dogging it? That what you’re saying to me, you arrogant prick?”

“I’ll be right over.”

“I’ll be here.”

Not many minutes passed before Molly called from the squad room announcing Miller Ravary’s arrival.

“Send him back to the break room, Molly,” Travis shouted to her. “I’m working in here today.”

Dressed in a cheap gray suit, Ravary strutted into the break room and sat down at the table opposite Travis. “I congratulate you on interfering in my life again, Sheriff. After your last visit to the Inn, Olivia decided to end our relationship, and I’m not a bit pleased.”

Travis shrugged. “I don’t think I had much to do with that, Ravary. If she hadn’t been ready to dump you, she wouldn’t have done it on my account.”

“I beg to differ. I think you had everything to do with her decision.”

“And I’m saying I didn’t. Matter of fact, I’m surprised she was still seeing you. I had no idea she’d put up with you for so fucking long.”

“I’d like you to stay out of my business from here on, Sheriff. I’m going to attempt a reconciliation with Olivia, and I’d like your assurance that you will no longer be a factor in her life.”

“Until Olivia tells me that in person, I’ll see her whenever I want, and I can’t see where you’ll have much to say about it.”

“I wield considerable influence in this town, Sheriff, and with the men and women on the Harrison County council—your employer. I can make things difficult for you.”

Travis laughed. “Great. A threat. I love threats, and coming from you, I love them even more. You don’t want to threaten me, Ravary. You haven’t the slightest idea who you’re messing with.”

South of Oilmont.

Ted and Virge came back from Cut Bank and the four of us took the dogs and returned to the exact spot where we’d arrested Trevor Oliver.

“This is where they said they killed the hunters?” asked Ted. “Too bad you didn’t have a recorder.”

“Should’ve had one in my pocket, but I didn’t,” I said, “but me and Tammy both heard them talking about it. We didn’t make it up.”

“I believe you, kid,” said Ted. “We’ll split up and cover more ground. Me and Tammy will take Sarge. You boys take Max.”

Setting off in opposite directions, me and Virge tramped along behind Max for about two hours before hearing a word from Tammy and Ted. I jumped when I heard her talking in my ear.

“We found what might be Willy Lindstrom, Harlan. Tell Max to find Sarge and he’ll bring y’all to us. I guess we’ll need Doctor Olson too.”

“Any sign of Alison or the hunters we’re looking for?”

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