Page 69 of Midnight Ride

Billy checked in at the station and decided to tell Molly about the phone call from Billings PD.

“Oh no. Are you thinking Mister Tucker drove down there and killed Clarkson before the police got there?”

“That was your first thought, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” said Molly. “I admit, it was.”

“Mine too.” Billy shook his head. “Even if Clarkson deserved what he got, I’ll still have to bring Tucker in. No choice.”

“I understand. Do you think we’ll ever find the other three hunters in that group? They are just as guilty as Clarkson was.”

“Not unless Linda gives us more help, Molly. Don’t see how we’re going to ID them.”

“Maybe they were all from Billings and they all bought their licenses at the same place or on the same day.”

“Good thoughts, Molly. You go ahead and try to nail them down any way you can.”

“I hate for those three to go free,” said Molly. “Hardly seems fair.”

“Definitely not fair. All four of them are equally guilty of the crime.”

Billy was about to leave for the Tucker house in Cut Bank when the two federal agents came into the station. He wanted to get rid of them in the worst way with so much going on. He had no time to babysit them.

“Ever thought of going to Idaho and checking the home addresses of the surviving hunters?” Billy asked. “It’s been too long for them to still be on vacation. I believe they’ve gone back home. That’s where you’ll find them to get their statements.”

“You could be right,” said Agent McBain. “We’ve all but exhausted every chance of finding them here in the forests.”

Go home and get out of our office.

Tucker Residence. Cut Bank.

Linda Tucker opened the door when Billy knocked, and she seemed surprised to see him. “Sheriff Johnson, come in.” She led him into the living room, and they sat down. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

“No thanks. Is Jim home?”

“No. He went back to work. I said it was time. I’m okay on my own now and he didn’t need to stay with me any longer during the day. I have another week off, then I’ll go back to work too.”

“Is today his first day back at the lumberyard?”

“No. He went back yesterday. The lumberyard is shorthanded all through hunting season and they were glad to have Jim back.”

“I came to tell you that I sent the Billings PD to arrest Earl Clarkson and they were too late. He was found dead in his house or apartment. I don’t know exactly where he lived.”

“Dead? You mean he won’t stand trial for what he and his friends did to me?”

“I’m afraid not, Linda. We’re still looking for the other three men who were hunting with Earl.”

“The odds aren’t good that you’ll find them. Am I right, Sheriff?”

“The odds aren’t in our favor, but we haven’t given up. The cases against them are still open.”

“I’m hoping I’ll be able to describe their faces soon,” said Linda. “I’m not sleeping well yet and during some of the nightmares, I see faces.”

“You remembering another name or what they look like is our best chance to track them down, Linda. Your memory will come back gradually. Like the doctor said.”

“I’m thankful to be alive, Sheriff.”

“I’m happy about that too, Linda.”

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