Page 61 of River Ride

Blonde hair and a cute face, she was about twenty-six or seven. Not a teenager. Bobby made it a practice never to pick up teenage kids. That was asking for trouble.

“I’m Fletch. Where are you going, Em?”

“Looking for a place to crash just about anywhere. I’ve been homeless for a while and drifted a bit, but I ain’t a druggie.”

Bobby listened to her brief life story and nodded.

“Nothing like that. Had a few bad breaks and figured I might do better in Houston. Think I’ll look for a job when I get there.”

“Umm…I’ve got a place you can stay for a few days. I already sold it, but it will be empty until the new owners move in and take over.”

“Is it far from here?”

“No, not too far. Down in Midway. I’ll drive by and you can decide. I won’t be staying there with you, if that’s what you’re worrying about. I’m on my way somewhere else.”

“Thanks for the offer. That’s nice of you.”

Cleo kept up the growling and Bobby had to give her a wave. “Stop it, Cleo. Lie down and be good.”

Em laughed. “Your dog doesn’t like me.”

“Funny, because she’s pretty friendly with most people.”

Midway. Texas.

Bobby drove south to Midway and cruised by his bungalow on one of the back streets. He parked the Wrangler in the drive and found the key for the house tucked away in his wallet.

“You can look inside and see if you want to stay for a day or two. My furniture is still in there. I guess I’ll have to hire a mover and take it out before the end of the month.”

“I can’t believe you’re going to let me stay here. You must be the nicest guy I’ve ever met.”

Bobby chuckled over that one.

He opened the front door with the key and let Em go in first carrying her backpack.

Tammy jumped out of the shadows and tried to grab Bobby and Cleo went on the defensive. She sunk her fangs into Tammy’s leg and knocked her down onto the floor.

Screaming her head off and holding onto her leg, Tammy rolled on the floor. Blood gushed through her torn jeans and made a lake on the floor.

Cleo ripped a big hole in Tammy’s pants and bit a huge chunk out of Tammy’s leg just above her right knee.

“We have to get out of here right now,” said Bobby. He wondered how in hell Tammy got to Texas. He looked out the windows for a vehicle and spotted the Freightliner cab in the backyard.

“She stole that fucking truck.” Bobby turned and headed for the door. “I’m leaving, Em. “You coming with me?”

“No, I’ll stay with her. Maybe I can help with her leg. Your dog is a fucking monster.”

Bobby shook his head. “You’ve got that backwards.” He pointed. “That’s the monster lying there in front of you.”

He and Cleo left the girls to kill each other or whatever. Meant little to Bobby at this point. They ran to the Wrangler and beat it for Huntsville.

“Nice job on Tammy, Cleo. She won’t be winning any races in the next week or so.” Bobby leaned over and patted Cleo’s big head.

Cleo wagged her tail and licked his face.

Why didn’t I kill her when I had the chance? I might never get another one.

Bobby tried to figure out why he’d beat it out of his house instead of finishing the job on Tammy.

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