Page 42 of Final Ride

“If you follow me, Sheriff, I’ll take you to the casino manager’s office.”

We took the elevator to the second floor and followed the guy in the green suit to a closed office door. He knocked and a voice inside told us to come in.

The guy stood up and introduced himself. “I’m Ollie Stubens, Sheriff. What can I do for you and your deputies?”

“Earlier today, there was a robbery up in Harrison County. The robbers took a number of guns and several boxes of ammo, and we have reason to believe they stole the guns with the specific intent to rob your casino.”

The chunky casino manager laughed, took off his glasses and wiped his eyes. “You’ll have to forgive me for laughing, Sheriff, but we’re pretty secure here at Big Bear. All the latest equipment and guards around the clock. We don’t spend much time worrying about being robbed.”

“As long as you’re not worried,” said Travis.

“Not a bit.” Ollie strolled around his desk and handed Travis several little coupons. “I appreciate you driving all the way down here in person to warn me, Sheriff. You be sure and take your boys for a free meal before you head back home.”

“Thanks.” Dad gave the coupons a glance and shoved them into his shirt pocket.

With our escort, who waited in the hall for us, we took the elevator back to the gaming floor and me and Virge argued about which restaurant we’d try.

“I vote for the steakhouse,” said Travis. “Might as well start atthe top.”

“Okay, Dad. We’ll give you your own way, this one time.” Virge chuckled.

Dad made a good choice. The steaks were great and the coffee hot and fresh.

While we ate, Dad said, “The manager doesn’t want us helping him out, but you boys can come back tonight with Ted. No uniforms. Y’all look like customers and hang around a while.”

“Ain’t our county, Dad.”

“No, it ain’t, Harlan. Those robbers that might show up here are wanted for murder in our county, son. This might be our best chance to get them for Charlie McNeil’s murder.”

“Yep. I see what you’re saying, Dad. Ain’t our county but they’re our murderers.”

“You got it, son.”

Virge was deep in thought while he stuffed cherry pie into his mouth. “Be nice if we could find out if any ex-cons were hired on and had access to the security system.”

“You on the inside man theory still?” I asked my brother.

“Hell yeah. It’s the one that makes the most sense. You can tell by the robbery at the outfitter store that these guys ain’t the brightest stars. There’s got to be somebody smarter running the show from the inside. Somebody who knows what he’s doing.”

Travis nodded. “It does make sense, son. Let me ask Billy how we’d find out something like that.”

McNeil Residence. Cut Bank. Montana.

Billy volunteered for the difficult task of telling Charlie McNeil’s wife that her husband of many years was dead. Murdered by robbers in his own store. A tragic end to a life and to a marriage.

The notification was softened a little by a friendly face. Nadine McNeil knew Billy Johnson and both of his parents for years. Both families were originally from Shelby.

After delivering the news and giving the widow an appropriate amount of time to get over the shock, Billy asked a couple of questions about the store.

“It was time for Charlie to retire,” said Nadine between sobs. “I wanted to sell the store and there was a lot of interest. It was past time. I used to work there seven days a week, but it became too much for me. I started cutting back and hired more staff.”

“Charlie didn’t want to sell?”

“He loved the store and enjoyed talking to the customers. He enjoyed going to work every single day and he wasn’t ready to give it up.”

“Do you have family you can call to come and stay with you, Mrs. McNeil?” asked Billy.

“The kids will have to be told, and they’ll come home as soon as I call them, Billy. I’ll be fine. Thank you for coming in person to tell me.”

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