Page 55 of Longest Ride

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek. Montana.

Working on reports in the break room, Travis saw Annie’s name come on the screen and he grabbed for his phone. “Annie-girl? Something happening?”

“A lot has happened, sugar.”

“What has she done, Annie? I’m ready for it.”

“Don’t think so.”

“Aw, fuck. How bad is it?”

“Tammy shot two people taking Bobby Prescott out of the ICU in Huntsville against his will. There are a dozen witnesses all saying the same thing. He protested loudly, saying he wanted to stay in the hospital.”

“Who did she shoot? Security?”

“One victim was hospital security—leg wound—and the other was one of my men. Ranger Fletch Bowden—also a leg shot.”

“Aw fuck, I know Fletcher—like for ten fuckin years. Jesus, Tammy, what are you doing?”

“We have a BOLO out on the Freightliner, and I’ve alerted both borders,” said Annie.

“I’m sending Harlan and Virge to you, Annie. Tammy will listen to them. The three of them are tight.”

“Won’t do any good if we can’t find her, sugar.”

Travis already had a headache coming on and he felt a little dizzy. “I’d come myself, but I can’t leave here with an open triple homicide staring me in the face.”

“We’ll find her. As soon as I hear anything, I’ll call you.”

“Copy that.”

Travis hollered for Harlan and Virge, and they came running into the break room followed by both dogs.

“Did you hear something about Tammy, Dad?” asked Harlan.

“Yeah, I heard way too much, boys. Tammy kidnapped Bobby Prescott from the hospital in Huntsville and she’s on the run. She’s a wanted fugitive.”

“Wanted for kidnapping?” asked Virge.

“And she shot two people getting him out of the hospital—one of them a Texas Ranger. I guy I know, and a great cop.”

“Jesus, Dad, what are we gonna do?”

“I’m sending y’all to Texas to help Annie. Go home and pack enough stuff for a week and then drive down to the airport at Great Falls and I’ll have a flight waiting for y’all.”

“We’re going to fuckin Texas?” Virge had a smirk on his face.

“Get home and pack and do the horses before you leave. I’ll text you the flight time when I get it. It’s a long drive to the airport, so don’t waste time at the ranch.”

“Copy that, Dad.”

Wild Stallion Ranch.

Me and Virge talked it through on the drive to the ranch and we had no clue how we could help our mom catch Tammy.

“I don’t get why Dad is sending us to Texas,” said Virge. “Annie has cops of her own. Why does she need us?”

“Can’t say why Dad thinks we can help. Maybe because Tammy used to listen to us.”

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