Page 72 of Longest Ride

To cheer them all up a little, Billy told them about getting the tags in Wyatt Thompson’s house and into the newspaper office on Main Street.

“Fantastic,” said Travis. “We need something to break on this fucking case. It’s about driving me nuts.”

“You’re not the only one,” said Billy. “It’s dragging on way too long to suit me.”

“Ted, you’re up,” said Travis. “Get your ass up to Cut Bank. Park near Wyatt’s office and find out who killed our three victims.”

“What do I get if I solve the case on my own, boss?”

“Umm…let me see. You get a night out at the Dry Run with me and Billy, and a fifty-buck bonus out of my wallet.”

“Okay, I’ll go solve it.”

“Thanks, Ted.”

Molly giggled.

After Ted left for Cut Bank, Travis poured himself a coffee and sat in the break room. He called Annie for an update on the search.

“Hey, Travis.”

“Any progress, Annie-girl?”

“Some, but I don’t like where it’s taking us.”

“Why not?”

“I think Tammy has dug a hole for herself she can’t get out of.”

“I need my boys back. And if something terrible has happened to Tammy, I don’t want them there when you find her.”

“You sent them, and you can’t have them back yet. We’re in Southern Louisiana near the Gulf and they can’t fly back to you from here.”

“I never should’ve sent them.”

“Call them, sugar. The search is depressing for all of us, and they both could use cheering up.”

“Okay. I’ll call them. Thanks, sweetheart. I love you. For always.”

“Same.”

Cut Bank Tribune. Montana.

Ted parked down the block from Wyatt Thompson’s office and listened to him talking to customers about putting bigger ads in his newspaper and stuff like that.

For the first hour Ted sat on Main Street, Wyatt never said a damned thing about the murders. Ted lit up a smoke and thought about going across the street for a fresh coffee. Then Wyatt got a call that was a little more interesting.

“You have any problems? Are you sure nobody saw you?”

“Huh,” said Ted to himself. “I wonder who Wyatt is talking to.”

Mainliner Diner. Coyote Creek. Montana.

Travis and Billy ambled across the street to get a burger for lunch and as soon as they walked through the door, Maryanne smiled and pointed to an empty booth.

“I think I’ll have something different today,” said Billy. “I’m not eating any more grease.”

Travis laughed. “When did you decide to eat healthy?”

---