Page 71 of Longest Ride

“Yep. Fill ‘er up and use the card on the dash. That’s my truck card.”

Bobby paid for the stuff in the store and Ray helped him get back to the truck and up the high step. Hard to get him back into the passenger seat without inflicting a lot of pain, but with a couple of loud groans, Bobby was in.

Ray pulled up to a vacant pump and filled the Freightliner with diesel.

He hopped into the driver’s seat with a lot more energy than Bobby had. “You got money coming in while you’re out of commission?”

“Nope. But I’ve got some saved. If we need money, we can haul a load north and pay our way. I’m not worried.”

“Yep, I can see where that might be a good idea. This big mother eats up a helluva lot of gas.”

Bobby laughed and held onto his gut. “True story.”

Levron Residence. South of Calumet. Louisiana.

Mick parked the truck in Carl Levron’s driveway. “His vehicle ain’t here.”

“Maybe he’s with Tammy,” said Virge.

“Let’s find out.” Mick and I went to the door because Mick wasn’t letting Annie get near a creeper like Carl Levron. Made me feel like puking knowing Tammy was with him.

An older lady opened the door, and her eyes were red likeshe’d been crying a lot. “Can I help you?”

Mick held up his Ranger’s badge and that was a surprise to me. I didn’t know he was a fuckin cop. “Carl here, ma’am? We need to talk to him.”

She shook her head and started to cry. “My Carl is dead. Pierre came around yesterday to tell me a crazy girl shot Carl and he died deep in the bayou, down near the Gulf.”

“Where does Pierre live, ma’am?” I asked.

“He has a boat rental place a couple hours south of here. Bonaventure Boat Rentals.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Sorry for your loss.”

Mick and I walked back to the truck, and I was sure I was gonna puke.

“What, sweetheart?” asked Annie. “You look pale, like you might throw up.”

“That creepy guide, Carl,” I said, “Tammy shot and killed him. His mama is crying in that house right now.”

“Maybe it was self-defense,” said Virge. “Look at all the shit on his sheet, Harlan. What if the creeper tried to sell her, or if…?”

“Shut up, Virgie,” I said. “This is such a goddamned mess I need time to think.”

“Where did Tammy go with the guide?” asked Annie. “Did his mother mention a destination?”

“Yeah, she did,” I opened the truck door ready to heave.

“Bonaventure Boat Rentals,” said Mick. “Two hours south according to the mother.”

“Punch it into the GPS and see where it is on the map, sugar.” Annie twisted in her seat. “You okay, punkin?”

“Soon as I heave up my pancakes, I’m good.”

Virge smiled and I wanted to throat punch him.

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek. Montana.

The office seemed pretty quiet without Tammy and the boys, and they were all feeling it. Even Max and Sarge acted different. They lay beside Molly’s desk with their heads on their paws looking sad.

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