Page 90 of Longest Ride

Billy grabbed the keys to the run from the rack in the office and let Shelton in to see Big Dave Turcotte. “Twenty minutes is the allotted visiting time.”

Shelton nodded his head and Billy left them alone to talk. He went back to the squad room and Travis was unlocking the front door for Kelly Newman.

A red-haired lawyer in a navy-blue suit, she was all business and no smile. She handed one of her cards to Travis. “I’m here to see Wyatt Thompson. Do you have a room we can use?”

“Nope. We don’t have anything like that. You can talk to your client in his cell.”

“I find that unacceptable, Sheriff.”

“Lots of shit I don’t like too, ma’am. Like working on my day off to let a lawyer like you into my jail. But I’m coping with it, and you’ll have to cope too.”

Travis winked at Harlan and Virge.

“Harlan, show Miss Newman where Wyatt is. Twenty minutes is the interview time.”

“Copy that, Sheriff.”

In a huff, Kelly Newman followed Harlan.

When Harlan returned from the run, Travis sent both boys to watch Stacey Croft’s residence in Cut Bank.

“Call me if you need help, boys. I’ll be at the hospital with Olivia. Billy, You can show the legal beagles out when they’re finished.”

“Copy, boss.”

Cut Bank Hospital.

The intensive care nurses were lenient and let Travis sit with Olivia for half an hour. During that time, she almost opened her eyes a couple of times but couldn’t wake up. She was so heavily drugged, there was no way she could fight her way awake.

Before he left the hospital, Travis asked at the desk if the doctor had been in to see Olivia. The nurse shook her head.

“It’s Sunday, Sheriff Frost. Doctor’s rarely drop into the hospital on a Sunday.” She smiled. “Don’t worry. We’re taking good care of Miss Best.”

“Thanks for that,” said Travis. And he meant it.

Maybe I’ll pick up flowers for the nurses.

Croft Residence. Cut Bank.

Not a bit happy with Olivia’s progress or lack of it, Travis left the hospital. He walked across the street to Katie’s Good Eats and bought take-out orders of burgers and fries for the boys.

He drove around to Stacey Croft’s street and found the boys parked down the block. Travis leaned in the driver’s window and handed Virge the bag of food and two Cokes.

“Thanks, Dad. You cheered us up. This is fuckin boring sitting here.”

“Yeah. When she goes to work at the Inn, follow her there and then come home.”

“Copy that.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

After his depressing visit to see Olivia, Travis lapsed into a foul mood. He got back to the station as Billy was handing out food containers in the run.

Travis leaned on the concrete wall and lit up a smoke. “Enjoy your dinner, Wyatt. Just to let you know, I have your laptop. I figured you were a bit of a weasel, but I never pictured you as a pervert. A goddamned creeper. That’s what you are.”

“I’m not a pervert, but I know what you’re talking about. Those pictures—not what you think—I’m working on an article for one of the big city papers.”

“Uh huh. Sure, you are. Sorry, but I’m not buying that.”

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