Page 29 of Longest Ride

“This happened a couple of days ago, Tim. Didn’t you notice that Carla wasn’t here? She lived here with you, right?”

“Not all the time. Sometimes she stayed with her sister in Shelby if she got off work late. Tracey Venner. You can check it out.”

“Where did Carla work in Shelby?” asked Billy.

“O’Malley’s. Irish Pub on the main street. Busy place and Carla made good tips.”

“Wouldn’t she call you if she wasn’t coming home?” asked Billy.

“Sometimes she would.” Tim smiled. “Carla wasn’t too…dependable. She’s young. Know what I mean?”

“But you were in a relationship with her?”

Tim nodded. “Off and on for about a year. She only moved in here about three months ago.” Tim ran his fingers through his shaggy brown hair. “I don’t believe Carla is dead.”

“She’s in the morgue in Cut Bank. Would you know who her next of kin might be?”

“Carla’s from Lethbridge. Her father lives there. I can’t get my head around this story you’re telling me, Sheriff. How did this happen? Who shot Carla and my brother?”

“The three victims were shot with a rifle from close range, Tim. I have to ask you for your rifle—if you have one. It’s procedure.”

“You think I shot and killed three people?” Tim was on his feet pacing. “Two of them being people I happen to love? That’s just crazy. I don’t believe any of this.”

“Could you show me your rifle, Tim?” Billy didn’t give up. “That’s if you have one.”

“Course, I do. Every person living way up here has a goddamned rifle. We’re overrun with fuckin grizzlies.” He turned to leave the room. “I’ll get it for you.”

Tim returned with his Marlin lever action and handed it to Billy. Billy checked it and it hadn’t been fired in a while.

“Here you go, Tim. Thanks.” Billy handed the gun back to him. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Billy handed him a card. “If you want to positively ID the bodies at the morgue, give Doctor Olsen a call and he’ll arrange a time for you to stop by his office in Cut Bank.”

“Thanks. I might do that. I guess I won’t believe it’s true until I see Alex and Carla for myself.”

“Sometimes that’s what it takes,” said Billy. “Sorry to give you such bad news, Tim. You take care of yourself. Call the office if you have questions.”

Tim looked at the card in his hand. “Thanks.”

Fleming Residence. Valier.

Paula Fleming opened the door when we knocked, and she didn’t seem surprised to see me and Virge standing on her doorstep.

“Come in, Deputies. Is this good news or bad about Harry?” She sighed. “It’s been so long, I’m kind of giving up hope of him being alive in the forest after so many days. Cold and no food…and the bears.” She started to cry. “Everybody I talked to about Harry mentions how bad the bears are this year.”

“Yeah, we’ve seen some of their handiwork,” said Virge and I gave him a look so he wouldn’t give Paula any of his gross descriptions.

“I’m sorry to tell you that Harry is dead, Mrs. Fleming. He ain’t coming home, and a bear didn’t get him if that makes you feel any better. He was found dead up in Sunburst Acres in Alex’s trailer.”

“What? He was at Alex’s place?”

“Yes, he was.”

“Harry goes there a lot to hang out with Alex. What happened?”

“Harry was shot along with Alex and Carla Venner. Do you know her?” I asked.

“Yes, I know her. She’s Tim’s girlfriend. Alex’s brother, Tim. Is she dead too? Was it a drug thing? I told Harry to stay away from Alex and his druggie friends, but he wasn’t a good listener. Carla was young and wild as they come. That girl was always getting high and driving Tim crazy.”

She grabbed a couple of tissues from a box on the side table and dabbed at her eyes. “What am I going to do without Harry? I loved him so much.”

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