Page 8 of Final Ride

“Thank you. I just dropped by because I wanted to tell you in person that I’m retiring at the end of the month and passing the badge to Undersheriff Billy Johnson.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Travis. You’ve been a stellar sheriff for Harrison County, and I’m not sure you can be replaced.”

“Billy will be every bit as good as me, sir. In some ways—technically—he’s much better than me. He’s also way above me filling out reports and keeping records. I’m sure he’ll be exactly what you need until election time and then it will be up to the voters.”

“He’s a good man,” said Gibson, “but I’m sorry to lose you all the same, Travis. The citizens of this county love you and trust you to keep them safe. You’re a little young to retire, aren’t you?”

Travis laughed. “I’ve taken my share of beatings and some days I don’t feel too young. I have something I want to do and I’m going to stop into Gloria Grafton’s office and talk to her about it while I’m here.”

Gibson raised an eyebrow. “Something to do with children, Travis?”

“Juvenile offenders. I’m thinking of opening up rehab ranch for them when I move to Texas. Give me a challenge in my retirement.”

“Certainly will. Kudos, Travis. Wish you luck with that endeavor.”

“Thanks. I’ll definitely need it.”

Travis strolled down the hallway to Gloria Grafton’s office and stuck his head in to see if she was busy. Gloria had helped him a lot with the red tape surrounding both Harlan and Virgil, and he wanted to ask her about agencies in Texas he should contact.

She glanced up, saw who it was and smiled. “Travis. Nice to see you. Can I help you with something?”

“You can help me with a lot, Gloria, if you have the time.”

“I always have time for you. What’s up?”

Forbes Residence. Shelby. Montana.

Billy took me and Virge with him when he went to Shelby to check out Vicki’s mother’s boyfriend—the mob guy.

Derrick Forbes answered the door of his big two-story house and invited us in like he was a big shot, and he loved having the law come over for a coffee.

“Come in and sit down. Make yourselves comfortable. Coffee? Tea? A cold drink?”

“We’re fine thanks,” said Billy. “Do you know a woman named Tanya Temple?”

Derrick loosened his tie and put a fake thinking expression on his face. “The name sounds familiar. I might have met her, but I’m not sure. What do you want her for?”

“Nothing illegal, sir. She’s been reported as a missing person. We’d like to find her. That’s all. No other reason.”

“Why would you come to me looking for her?” asked Derrick. “You think I’m hiding her here in my house?”

“Possibly,” said Billy. “Do you mind if we search your premises?”

“I certainly do.” He laughed. “You’ll have to get a search warrant to do that, Sheriff Johnson.”

“Do you live alone here, Derrick?”

He grinned. “At the moment, but not for long. I have a wife and three kids. They’re back in Chicago and haven’t moved out here yet. They’re coming soon. They are gonna love living in Montana.”

“I’m sure they will,” said Billy.

We left the boyfriend’s place, and I had a bad feel from the dude and from his slick attitude.

“What did you think, Harlan? Was that guy lying, or what?”

“Sure was, and he was enjoying it too. Those guys love fucking the cops over.”

Billy raised an eyebrow. “You know that how, Harlan? You see it on TV?”

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