Page 70 of Longest Ride

“He doesn’t have any cards here. Can you tell me where he lives?”

“Down the road apiece in a white house. If you put his name into the GPS, it might come up.”

Just his name? I doubt it.

“Thanks for your help, sir.”

I ran back to the truck thinking we had a bit of hope of finding my sister.

“You look happy,” said Virge. “You must’ve found something out.”

“Tammy was in that bait shop looking for a guide and the old guy told her about Carl Levron who’s supposed to be the best guide around.”

“Get directions?” asked Mick.

“Down the road in a white house, but if we put his name in the GPS it might come up.”

“No, it won’t,” said Virge. “That ain’t a fuckin phone book.”

“I don’t think it will come up,” said Annie, “it’s made for addresses. Let me check the police database and see if we can find him.”

“You think he’s a criminal, Mom?” asked Virge.

“No idea, sugar pop. I’m just checking on a chance, that’s all.” Annie fiddled with her phone and waited.

We all waited.

“Yep. Here he is. Punch this address in, Mick.” Annie read him the address.

“What’s on his sheet, Mom?” I asked.

“Kidnapping, sex trafficking, robbery and assault.”

“Holy fuck, Mom. Is that the guy Tammy is with?” I got the shakes thinking about the danger she was in.

“Why ain’t the fucker in prison?” asked Virge.

“Good lawyer,” mumbled Mick.

Louisiana/Mississippi Line.

Bobby and Ray slept at a truck stop just over the Mississippi line. When they woke up and needed the bathroom, Ray managed to get Bobby out of the truck and into the building.

They both used the men’s room, then Ray helped Bobby shuffle into the restaurant. Bobby slumped down in a booth, and they ordered breakfast.

“Feels so good to get out of the fuckin truck, Ray. I’ve been in there for days.”

“Yeah, it could use an airing out. Maybe one of them air fresheners with the pine smell.”

“Good idea,” said Bobby.

The food came and Bobby couldn’t eat much of his pancakes, eggs, and sausages, but he drank orange juice and two cups of coffee. Most food he’d had in a couple of weeks.

Ray had no trouble cleaning up his plate.

As they left the restaurant, Bobby pointed to the convenience store attached, “I could use smokes and a case of beer. Get whatever you want, Ray. Like a snack for later…whatever.”

“We need gas too.”

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