Page 49 of Midnight Ride

“The reports are filed,” said Molly, “but I don’t think a police report carries the same weight with a judge or the DA’s office as a signed confession.”

“Agreed, but a solid reason to make the arrests, all the same. I’ll brace Trevor in his cell to see if I can get him to open up a bit about his sister-in-law.”

“Mister Oliver has already requested a phone call,” said Molly.

“Yeah, he can make a call right after I book him.” Travis turned and pointed, “Ted and Virge, I want the two of y’all to go to Linda Tucker’s house in Cut Bank and see if she can give you a description of the guys who raped her. Her memory has to be coming back soon. We need more information from her if she can give it.”

“That poor woman,” said Molly. “What she’s been through, I wouldn’t wish on anybody.”

“Yeah,” said Travis. “One of the worst crimes this office has ever tried to solve.”

In the run, I leaned on the wall and listened while Dad talked to Trevor Oliver. He started off nice and friendly to catch him off guard.

“Mister Oliver, I’m going to book you this morning and charge you with four murders. When you go to trial, it would go a lot better for you if the judge was aware you gave me a hand apprehending your accomplice, Alison Oliver.”

Oliver got up off his bunk acting like a big shot and that put me a bit on edge. It was always a bad idea to take a stance in front of my dad.

“The only person I’ll be talking to is my lawyer and I’d appreciate my phone call. I know my rights.”

“And I know mine,” said Travis. “Right after you’re booked, I’ll see that you get close to a phone.”

Travis cuffed Trevor none too gently and led him out of his cell. I followed them out of the run to the booking area close to the back of the building.

“You go ahead and get started, Harlan. I’ll be handy if you have any questions.”

I started with Trevor Oliver’s mug shot, then moved on to fingerprinting him. Once that was done, Dad helped me figure out the charges.

Murder in the first degree. Four counts. Conspiracy to commit murder. Four counts. The list went on. The Olivers would never get out of jail.

We wrapped up the booking and Travis said, “You can make a call now, Trevor. Harlan will show you which phone to use.”

I cuffed Oliver’s hands in front of him and led him to the squad room. Pointing to the only empty desk, I said, “Use that one.”

He nodded, sat down, and made his call. Only took a couple of minutes and I marched him back to the run and locked him up.

The front door of the station opened and the new county supervisor, Lyndell Gibson, walked in. In a way, he was the boss of everything the county did, but he never came to the shop.

“A word, Sheriff Frost. Shall we go into your office?”

“Sure, Mister Gibson. You don’t call on us very often. What’s up?”

“Usually, I let you sail your own ship, Sheriff, but it has come to my attention that this office currently has four unsolved murders on the books. I feel it is my duty and obligation as your supervisor to procure the assistance you need to clean things up.”

“I don’t need help,” said Travis. “I have one of the killers locked up in the run and will soon have his partner in custody as well.”

“I wasn’t informed of the arrest, Sheriff. Sorry. I’ve contacted the FBI field office covering this area and they are sending a unit our way.”

“Send them back where they came from,” snapped Travis.

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that. They’re already on their way from Helena.”

“By any chance, did Miller Ravary come to you complaining about my unsolved murders?”

“Umm…he was the person who brought it to my attention. Yes. An upstanding and concerned member of the community.”

“What time should I expect the feds?” asked Travis.

“I imagine they’ll arrive in an hour or so.”

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