Page 32 of River Ride

The house was unlocked, and he thought they locked it when they left, last time they were there. Maybe not. A quick run through the bungalow produced nothing. Brian wasn’t in the house, and he hadn’t left any clues behind.

Ted moved on to the garage and had better luck there, if you could call it that.

“Aw, shit. Look at that.”

Ted whipped out his phone and called Billy.

“Ted, any sign of Groveman at his place?”

“Yep, there’s a sign of him, boss. Ain’t a good sign, but I found him. Brian is dead in his garage. He’s lying next to his freezer.”

“Stay there and hold the scene. I’m coming.”

“Copy, boss. You calling the Doc?”

“Yep. I’ll do it on the way, and I’ll have Molly search for Groveman’s next of kin.”

“See you when you get here, boss.”

Trailer Park. Taber. Alberta.

9:30 a.m.

The trailer park in Taber hadn’t improved one bit since we were there the last time to view the guys Tammy killed. The yellow crime scene tape across the front door was still there but sagging and giving the impression that nosy neighbors might have sneaked in for a peek.

The front door was locked when I tried it. Travis nodded and headed around the back to let himself in. We waited on the front step until Dad opened the door for us.

Inside, the smell triggered my gag reflex and I wanted to puke. Blood, decomp, death all blending together into something gross. We didn’t hang around too long reminiscing about the assholes Tammy had capped after they raped her.

“She’s not here. You were right, Harlan.”

“You were right too, Dad. Better to check it out while we were close than find out later she was hiding here, and we drove past it and went all the way to fuckin B.C.”

“Disgusting place to hide out.” Virge made a face. “Nobody is ever gonna live in this trailer ever again.”

“We wasted time stopping here,” said Travis. “Like Billy said, we have today and the weekend and then we have to go back to work.”

I didn’t remind Dad that Sunday was Lucy’s barrel racing rodeo in Great Falls that we were supposed to be going to. I’d pretty much convinced myself I was going to miss it. There was no possible way to get to the cabin in Sicamous and get back to the ranch by Sunday morning. Too fuckin far.

“Who’s turn is it to drive?” asked Travis.

“I can keep going,” said Virge. “I’m soon gonna need food though.”

Travis laughed. “We’ll grab breakfast in Lethbridge before we head up to Calgary.”

“Copy that,” said Virge. “I think I can make it to Lethbridge if my strength holds out. Least it ain’t snowing this time around.”

“I don’t want to think back on that nightmare trip,” said Travis. “Better not to remember it at all.”

“Hope this ain’t a replay, Dad,” said Virge. “Don’t have a good feeling about it. Not at all.”

“I don’t disagree, Virgie,” said Travis. “Ain’t good.”

Groveman Residence. Black Eagle Pass. Montana.

10:15 a.m.

Ted sat in his truck smoking while he held the murder scene and waited for Billy.

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