Page 66 of Longest Ride

After drinking their coffee, Billy and Travis walked around a little and said hello to Tim Perkins. He seemed to be sticking pretty close to Paula, the beautiful widow in mourning for Harry. Surprising.

Travis had been keeping an eye out for Big Dave Turcotte, and he didn’t show up at all. Possibly a strategic move by Paula. So difficult to tell what the main players were doing or thinking.

Billy went back to the buffet table for more coffee and happened to hear Wyatt asking Paula if she wanted to come to Stacey’s place for dinner.

“Thanks, Wyatt, but I think I’ll go home and lie down for a while. It’s been a tough day for me.”

Disappointing, but they got nothing from the funeral or the reception. On the drive back to the station, Billy told Travis what he’d heard.

“Is Wyatt being nice or trying to get information out of Paula? If he thinks she knows something, it’s his second try to get her to talk.”

“Hmm…” said Billy. “Paula said she wasn’t going to Stacey’s place. She needed to go home and lie down.”

“Fuckin hard to tell what’s going on with Wyatt,” said Travis. “I liked the guy up until a few days ago. Now I have a different picture of him. I’m not liking the Wyatt Thompson I see now.He’s tricky and underhanded. Why did I never notice that before?”

“Maybe we should have him under surveillance,” said Billy. “If he goes to Stacey’s place for dinner, he won’t be home when I take a drive over there later.”

“The newspaper office will be closed too,” said Travis. “Hit him with a double whammy and we’ll find out everything he knows.”

“Now we’re cooking,” said Billy.

Louisiana Bayou.

An alligator grunted as Pierre tied the Jon boat to the dock when they reached the isolated outlaw fishing camp. A couple of dirty-looking guys strolled down the slope to the river to see who the visitors were, and they smiled in a weird way when they saw me.

I’d get to know them, and it would be okay. We were all outlaws together and it would be good to have some friends to watch my back. They didn’t scare me none. Besides, I had a gun.

“Here she is,” said Carl. “You can have her for a thousand bucks of your stolen money.” He laughed.

The breath left my body when I heard Carl say that. How stupid was I? Mama was right when she said I was making some huge stupid mistakes.

“What are you doing, Carl? You’re selling me to these guys?”

Carl laughed. “Why not? They need more women and you wanted to come here and hide out. Works out perfect for me.”

“I trusted you, Carl.”

He chuckled. “Best not to trust old Carl. He can surprise you.”

“I’m not getting out of the boat. Take me back to your place, Pierre.”

“Too late now, little girl.” Carl grabbed my arm and tried to pull me out of the boat and onto the dock. “Come on, bitch. These guys are gonna be so nice to you.”

I pulled my gun out of my waistband and shot Carl in the head to make him let go of me.

Bang.

Splash.

Carl toppled over the side of the boat and fell into the river. The splash was a signal and quick as a wink, the alligators swam over, grabbed Carl’s leg and pulled him under the water.

Pierre stood next to the engine and watched Carl disappear under the black surface.

“Pierre, can you take me back, please?”

“Can’t. I owe these guys.”

“Start the boat, Pierre. I’m going back.” I pointed my gun at Pierre’s head, and he started the engine.

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