Page 83 of Midnight Ride

“May I speak to the subject of bail, your honor?” asked Oliver’s lawyer.

“I’m afraid not, Mister Caplan. Four counts of first-degree murder doesn’t afford bail consideration in my book. Bail is denied. The prisoner is remanded in custody until a trial date has been set.”

The gavel came down and the next case was called.

“There we go, Billy,” I whispered. “We’re getting Steve back for the long haul.”

“Great. He’s so much fun to have around.”

Sicamous. British Columbia.

When we got to the cabin part way up the mountain, I knew I wanted to stay there forever. It was the most beautiful spot I’d ever seen. Mountains in the background with snow on top like in a painting. Off to the side of the little log house, the property rolled downhill to woods and a river.

“How many acres?’

Eldon smiled. “A hundred acres and no neighbors. My little piece of paradise.”

“It sure is. I love it.”

Eldon sorted out the door key from all the keys on his carabiner and opened the front door. “In you go. I’ll unload the truck after you have a look around.”

Pride showed on Eldon’s face when he smiled.

I wandered around inside and the place was spotless. Not a lot of furniture, but enough. Eldon told me he was a neat freak, but the cabin smelled fresh too. He would be a good person to live with.

“The only thing missing is a dog, Eldon.”

“I couldn’t have a dog unless I took it with me in the cab. I’m not sure about doing that.”

“Right. It would take work when you were on the road, and you’d have to stop more than you probably do.”

“Lots of truckers do have dogs with them,” said Eldon. “It’s kind of a thing.”

I laughed. “We’ll think about it.”

“Think long and hard.” He laughed too.

Great Falls Airport. Montana.

Billy stayed behind to close up the station and take the dogs home, while me and Dad and Virge drove down to Great Falls to pick Annie up at the airport.

I drove because Dad was so upset, he’d gone into silent mode and chain-smoked while he stared out the window. Cold and windy in the truck with his window down, but me and Virge had to suck it up. Wasn’t the time to criticize him about anything. He was ready to fall apart. Plain to see—at least to me and Virge.

We waited in the arrivals section of the airport and Virge was dazzled. My brother hadn’t been in any airports, and he constantly watched the big board and listened to the announcements over the loudspeaker like the almighty was talking to him.

“The plane from Austin is ten minutes late,” he said. “What should we do, Harlan?”

“Wait. Go get us a couple of Cokes out of the vending machine. It will give you something to do. You’re making me nervous.”

“Both of y’all are driving me nuts,” said Travis. “Go get Cokes and get your daddy a coffee.”

By the time we found a place to buy coffee and got back to where Dad was, the plane had landed and the passengers were streaming through the doors in a big bunch. I knew what Annie looked like—hard to forget—and I grinned when I saw her. I wasn’t expecting who she had with her.

“Lucy.” I ran and pulled Lucy into my arms and held onto her. I thought I might cry because I had lost one of my sisters and I couldn’t lose another one.

“Harlan, I’m so happy to see you. I missed you so much.”

Virge stood beside me staring at Lucy with his mouth hanging open.

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