Page 64 of Rocky Ride

At the end of the afternoon when the guests left, Bob Ellington thanked Travis for the wonderful food and service. “I had no idea you owned the Inn, Sheriff, but you have a marvelous business here. Impeccable service and lovely taste.”

“Thank you. I try to keep everything exactly the way Olivia liked it.”

“Everyone in Coyote Creek is aware of her tragic accident on Main Street. I had no idea you had a personal relationship with the lady. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. I had to get away for a few days, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be over it.”

“I understand how you feel, Sheriff.”

Wild Stallion Ranch.

The roads were already getting slippery on our way home and I asked Virge, “Do you think we can make it to Shelby by nine o’clock?”

Virge tossed a bale of straw down from the loft and hollered, “Hell ya, we can. We’re driving the mighty Jeepster, bro. We can plow through anything in four-wheel drive.”

“I hope you’re right. We’re picking the girls up at eight in Coyote Creek and that gives us an hour to make the nine-o’clock show in Shelby.”

“Easy peasy,” said Virge. “No need to worry your head over it.”

“Can’t see it being easy. If there’s even one accident on route two, we’ll never make it in time.”

“Stop talking like that. We’ll make it.”

As soon as the boys left to pick up their dates in Coyote Creek, Billy and Travis headed north to Sweetgrass to watch the activity at the Darkers’ place.

“Can’t believe he came to Sandra Ellington’s funeral,” said Billy. “I don’t see the connection there, Travis.”

“Maybe he knew her from a long time ago—like maybe high school or something like that. There’s any number of ways he might have known her.”

“Yeah, I guess. Just seemed so odd when we’re interested in him—bingo—there he is dressed up in a suit and standing right in front of us.”

“Kind of strange, but there has to be an explanation.”

“Wish I knew what it was. It’s kind of freaking me out. I don’t believe in coincidence or fate or any of that spooky shit.”

“Me neither,” said Travis. “We’ll find out the connection and it will all make sense.”

Cinema Complex. Shelby.

Virge had Vicki’s address written down and he punched it into the GPS. She and her mother didn’t live above the laundromat, but there were apartments in that building on Main Street. She lived a couple of blocks over in a blue bungalow with white shutters.

“Cute house. I’ll wait here while you run in and get her.”

Vicki was waiting inside with her coat on, and she ran out holding Virge’s hand. They jumped into the back seat, and I felt like their chauffeur.

I drove around to the address I had for Penny and pulled up close to the garage she lived above. “Be right back.”

The outside set of stairs was pretty shaky in the high wind, and I wondered if the steps would be safe if they got weighed down with snow and ice.

A quick knock on the door and the roommate opened it. “You must be Harlan.”

“Yep. Is Penny ready?”

“Almost. She was late getting off work because of the storm. People were slow checking out and getting to their cars.”

“Yep. Can see that happening.”

Penny grabbed her coat and wound a red scarf around her neck.

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