Page 76 of Rocky Ride

Wild Stallion Ranch.

Me and Virge came in from the barn and Billy had his uniform on and seemed in a lot better spirits. With Billy back at work we’d be able to make headway on the murder case, at least that’s what I hoped.

Dad and Billy worked in two different ways. Dad sat in the break room and thought about the cases until he figured them out in his head while Billy shouted out orders and made things happen with legwork. Not saying which way worked best, but me and Virge would rather be doing something than waiting for Dad to figure it all out.

The two murders were driving Dad around the bend because we didn’t have a clue who the killer was. We had the suit guy locked up, but Dad was pretty sure Hal Hoover didn’t kill his wife or Sandra Ellington either.

“Do we need to go back and check the ownerships of more black Wranglers?” asked Virge. “I’ve been wondering if we gave up on them too soon.”

“Good thought, son. We’ll put Molly on that first thing this morning. You might have something there, Virgil. We can’t let anything fall through the cracks—no matter how small.”

Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange. Texas.

Annie packed her bag and carefully chose the weapons she wanted to take with her on the hunt for Bobby Prescott. She had come up with a few ideas how they might find him and duringher flight to the Big Easy, she intended to jot all of her thoughts down.

Her memory was unreliable, and Doctor Kaplan said she could no longer count on it.

Elated at the thought of working with a seasoned pro bounty hunter like Mason Swift, she was anxious to get to the airport and get started on her adventure.

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

As we came in through the sally port and kicked the snow off our boots, Molly was letting Bob Ellington in the front door of the station.

Billy said, “Virge, talk to Molly about the black Wranglers. Go back to the original list Sunday worked from and have Molly widen the search.”

“Copy that.”

Then Travis said, “You and Harlan are on Darkers in Sweetgrass today.”

“Okay.” No enthusiasm from Virgil.

“I get it, son. Too much surveillance pisses the best man off. Put in half a day and come back to the station.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Virge grinned.

“Take coffee with y’all, son.”

Travis went into the squad room and spoke to Bob Ellington. “You need a word with Hal Hoover before we deliver him to the courthouse?”

“Yes, I’d appreciate it, Sheriff.”

“No problem. I’ll unlock the run for you.”

Billy hunkered down in his office and tried to catch up on all the reports that weren’t done. He had to do something to keep his mind off Sunday and what she had done to herself.

He had trouble believing a person’s mind could be capable of thoughts so irrational they would walk right up to a growling grizzly bear. Made no sense to him at all.

Harrison County Courthouse. Coyote Creek.

Travis sat near the rail and watched Hal Hoover stand in front of the judge. Hoover could’ve made the very suit the judge wore under his robe. Seems he was the only custom tailor in Harrison County.

Bob Ellington stood next to Hoover and did all the talking for his client. Hal entered anot guiltyplea and Ellington argued for bail.

The judge listened and made his decision after reading through the reports in front of him.

“Bail is granted in the amount of two hundred thousand dollars. Bailiff, escort Mister Hoover to the bond office.”

“Yes, your honor.”

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