Chapter Thirteen

Tuesday, October 1st.

Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange. Texas.

Taking biscuits out of the oven, Annie set the pan down, took off her oven mitts and answered a call from a sheriff's office in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

"Yes, Sheriff. What have you got for me?"

"One of my boys had a sighting of the Freightliner y'all are looking for, ma'am. When he saw it, the truck was driving south on route 90. He was certain there was a girl behind the wheel."

"Thank you so much for the call. That's the news we've been waiting for. Thanks again, Sheriff."

"My pleasure to help the Texas Violent Crime Squad, ma'am."

"I have to go, Riley." Annie called to Harlan and Virge who were in the middle of eating breakfast. "Finish eating and grab enough clothes for a couple of days. We're leaving for Louisiana in five."

"Copy that, Mom," said Virgil, and shoved the last of his eggs into his mouth.

"I'll get my stuff and gather up Mick and Argus from the garage. Meet y'all in the truck."

Bonaventure Boat Rentals. Louisiana Bayou.

I was awake when Carl tapped on the window telling me and Eldon it was time to go. I pushed back the sheets that smelled like Eldon's sweat, and a little like blood. They needed to be changed but we had to go.

I crawled out of the sleeper, opened the driver's door and tossed my bag onto the ground beside the truck.

Turning around, I went back to the sleeper to get Eldon, thinking the hard part would be getting him out of the truck and into the boat.

I could see the dock, but it wasn't close. Carl would have to help me get Eldon from the truck to the boat. Between the two of us, we could do it. Pretty sure.

"Come on, Eldon. Carl's ready and it's time to get into the boat."

I pulled the covers off Eldon and reached for his arm to help him out of the bed.

"Not going, Tammy."

I couldn't believe it when he pulled a tire iron out from under his pillow and swung it at me. I pulled back, but the shank of it cracked into the side of my head, and I saw stars.

"Ow, that hurt, Eldon."

Screaming my head off, I scrambled out of the sleeper so he couldn't hit me again. I jumped into the cab, over the driver's seat and out the open door onto the ground.

I fell and hit the hard dirt with a thud. My hip hurt but it wasn't broken or nothing. I'd have a bruise.

The pain was so excruciating, it almost knocked Bobby out as he dragged himself out of the sleeper and into the cab. He collapsed into the driver's seat and locked the doors so Tammy couldn't get to him.

Taking a minute to suck in enough oxygen to repel the blackness closing in on him and remain conscious, Bobby managed to start the truck. He found a gear and backed his baby up to turn around.

Bobby pulled out onto the road, and he could hear Tammy screaming at him. He ignored her and headed north. "I'll take a different highway than Tammy took on the way down here and the cops won't find me."

Wild Stallion Ranch. Montana.

Travis was making breakfast for Billy and himself when Annie called with an update.

"Annie, did you find Tammy?"

"There was a sighting of the Freightliner in Louisiana and I'm on my way there now with the boys. It will take me several hours to get there. I'll call when I know anything."

"Thanks, Annie-girl. I should be there helping you."

"It's okay. Not a lot you can do right now."

Travis ended the call and looked at Billy, "I've got a bad feeling about this, Billy."

"Yep, I thought about how it would end."

"I wish I hadn't sent the boys."

"Yep, I thought about that too."

Bonaventure Boat Rentals. Louisiana Bayou.

All the pain in my head came from the huge lump where Eldon hit me with the tire iron. Tears flowed down my face, and I couldn't stop them. My head hurt so much and so did my broken heart. I never believed Eldon would hurt me, but he didn't even hesitate. He just swung that thing and tried to kill me.

"You don't have to go to the hideout without your shot hubby," said Carl. "I can give you a ride back to town so you can call somebody to come and get you. Or you're welcome to stay with me for a bit."

Why would Carl say I could stay with him?

Carl pointed to the guy starting the boat motor. "This is Pierre Bonaventure. He's gonna take us downriver for a hundred bucks."

"Sure. Nice to meet you, Pierre." I pulled the money out of my purse and counted out a hundred bucks for Pierre.

"Merci, chere."

Pierre gave me a toothless grin and a shiver ran through me. He reminded me of a snake, and I didn't know why. He held out his hand and helped me into his boat.

It was big enough but kind of tippy if you didn't have your balance, and I didn't have mine. I was dizzy from the whack Eldon laid on my head. The boat rocked, I stumbled and fell back against Carl.

Carl pointed to the seats, and I sat down still thinking about Eldon hurting me on purpose. Surprised the hell out of me, that's what. I had no idea he was strong enough to swing that iron bar like he did.

Carl plunked his big body down next to me and pulled me closer. I leaned on him and closed my eyes as the boat picked up speed and the wind whipped through my hair. The spray coming up from the black river was cold and I was grateful Carl was next to me.

Maybe that's why he wore a flannel shirt.

"It's a long ride and we won't be there for a couple of hours. You might as well sleep, little girl."

"Thanks for taking care of me, Carl."

Sheriff's Office. Coyote Creek. Montana.

As soon as Billy and I got to the station, Molly asked if we were going to Harry Fleming's funeral.

"Yeah, we are," said Billy. "We have next to nothing on the murders, and we're hoping to see who's talking to who at the funeral."

"That's a good idea," said Molly. "The case is puzzling. I've been thinking about the murders every day since they happened, and I've read all the reports at least twice. I'm no further ahead."

"Billy and I have toyed with the idea it might have been a contract killing. In that case, we need to find the person who hired the killer. If the shooter was from out of state, the best we can hope for is finding the person who hired them."

"Be helpful if we knew the why," said Molly. "The why always leads to the who."

Travis nodded. "That's true, Molly. Why were those three people killed? If you come up with a motive for me, I'll be in your debt."

Billy nodded. "We need a motive bad."

"I'll think on that for a while today," said Molly.

Travis hollered across the squad room at Ted, "Hold the fort while we're at the funeral."

Ted looked up from playing poker on his phone, his hat pulled down over his eyes, "Copy that, boss."

Cut Bank Funeral Chapel. Montana.

Travis and Billy stopped off at the ranch and changed into their funeral suits an hour before the service.

A fifteen-minute drive across Route Two to the Wilson Funeral Home and they parked behind the building. There weren't many funeral homes in Harrison County for the widow to pick from.

They sat at the back of the chapel and listened to the service Paula had arranged for Harry. When the formal part was over, a couple of buddies of Harry's walked up to the lectern and said a few good things about their dead friend.

It seemed Harry Fleming was a big fan of hunting and fishing, and his best buds were going to miss him a lot. That was it.

The funeral director, Benson Wilson, wound things up saying, "Mister Fleming will be cremated tomorrow morning at ten a.m. if anyone wishes to be present. Everyone is invited to join Mrs. Fleming and share her grief at a small reception in our newly renovated lounge at the back of the building."

"Let's get a coffee and eavesdrop," said Billy with a chuckle.

"I'm with you," said Travis.

The spacious lounge area was set up with a buffet table loaded with finger foods, a coffee station at the end of the table.

Billy and Travis got coffee then stood back to watch and listen.

Wyatt Thompson walked into the room with his girlfriend, Stacey Croft, and he purposely ignored Billy and Travis.

Just as well. Travis owed Wyatt a punch in the face and was dying to deliver it in person.

After drinking their coffee, Billy and Travis walked around a little and said hello to Tim Perkins. He seemed to be sticking pretty close to Paula, the beautiful widow in mourning for Harry. Surprising.

Travis had been keeping an eye out for Big Dave Turcotte, and he didn't show up at all. Possibly a strategic move by Paula. So difficult to tell what the main players were doing or thinking.

Billy went back to the buffet table for more coffee and happened to hear Wyatt asking Paula if she wanted to come to Stacey's place for dinner.

"Thanks, Wyatt, but I think I'll go home and lie down for a while. It's been a tough day for me."

Disappointing, but they got nothing from the funeral or the reception. On the drive back to the station, Billy told Travis what he'd heard.

"Is Wyatt being nice or trying to get information out of Paula? If he thinks she knows something, it's his second try to get her to talk."

"Hmm…" said Billy. "Paula said she wasn't going to Stacey's place. She needed to go home and lie down."

"Fuckin hard to tell what's going on with Wyatt," said Travis. "I liked the guy up until a few days ago. Now I have a different picture of him. I'm not liking the Wyatt Thompson I see now. He's tricky and underhanded. Why did I never notice that before?"

"Maybe we should have him under surveillance," said Billy. "If he goes to Stacey's place for dinner, he won't be home when I take a drive over there later."

"The newspaper office will be closed too," said Travis. "Hit him with a double whammy and we'll find out everything he knows."

"Now we're cooking," said Billy.

Louisiana Bayou.

An alligator grunted as Pierre tied the Jon boat to the dock when they reached the isolated outlaw fishing camp. A couple of dirty-looking guys strolled down the slope to the river to see who the visitors were, and they smiled in a weird way when they saw me.

I'd get to know them, and it would be okay. We were all outlaws together and it would be good to have some friends to watch my back. They didn't scare me none. Besides, I had a gun.

"Here she is," said Carl. "You can have her for a thousand bucks of your stolen money." He laughed.

The breath left my body when I heard Carl say that. How stupid was I? Mama was right when she said I was making some huge stupid mistakes.

"What are you doing, Carl? You're selling me to these guys?"

Carl laughed. "Why not? They need more women and you wanted to come here and hide out. Works out perfect for me."

"I trusted you, Carl."

He chuckled. "Best not to trust old Carl. He can surprise you."

"I'm not getting out of the boat. Take me back to your place, Pierre."

"Too late now, little girl." Carl grabbed my arm and tried to pull me out of the boat and onto the dock. "Come on, bitch. These guys are gonna be so nice to you."

I pulled my gun out of my waistband and shot Carl in the head to make him let go of me.

Bang.

Splash.

Carl toppled over the side of the boat and fell into the river. The splash was a signal and quick as a wink, the alligators swam over, grabbed Carl's leg and pulled him under the water.

Pierre stood next to the engine and watched Carl disappear under the black surface.

"Pierre, can you take me back, please?"

"Can't. I owe these guys."

"Start the boat, Pierre. I'm going back." I pointed my gun at Pierre's head, and he started the engine.

Three guys jumped from the dock into the boat and hauled me out. I fought against them, kicking, and screaming. They yanked the gun out of my hand and cracked me on the head with it.

I felt kind of limp and dizzy as the carried me up the hill to one of their shacks.

The last thing I heard was the sound of Pierre's boat speeding up the river.

Lafayette. Louisiana.

On one of the Lafayette exits on the Interstate, Annie pulled into a restaurant and parked. "I bet you boys are hungry."

"I'm like gut-starved," said Virgil, "but I didn't want to say nothing in case we never catch up to Tammy."

"I admire your self-sacrificing attitude, sweetheart, but we have to consider the possibility that we might never be lucky enough to catch up with her. In the off chance that we do, it will mean somebody, or something slowed her down."

"Or she's dead?" I asked. "Is that what you're hinting, Mom?"

"I'm not hinting, honey. Tammy has pulled some unbelievably stupid moves and put herself in a life-threatening position."

"Everything Tammy did is not like her at all," I said. "Can't believe any of this shit is happening."

"Life can turn on a dime," said Annie. "You're going along okay thinking you have smooth sailing and then bang—a tsunami hits your boat and throws you into the middle of the ocean."

"Huh. Eldon must've done that to Tammy," said Virge.

"I'm not sure it was Eldon," said Annie, "as much as the kidnappers. Tibor's brother."

"Yeah," I said, "that was rough too."

Annie changed the subject trying to get our minds off Tammy. "Have you boys ever had Cajun cooking?"

"Nope," said Virge.

"Might burn your tongue," said Mick.

The hostess took us to a table, and we sat down.

"The food can be pretty spicy," said Annie, "so be aware of what y'all are ordering."

Annie ordered beer for us and then she picked out the food me and Virge should try. Mick ordered his own food. The server brought our order in a few minutes, and it was fantastic. We found out that we both loved Cajun food.

After gassing up the truck, I drove for a while. Virge rode in the front with me. Annie had a rest in the back with Mick. He didn't talk much, and I didn't know why Annie brought him with us. She probably had a reason.

Houma. Louisiana.

Hunched over in the driver's seat, his body wracked with pain, Bobby could hardly hold his head high enough to see over the steering wheel. He needed a driver in the worst way and kept an eye on the side of the highway for a hitchhiker.

Turning north outside of Houma, Bobby finally saw a guy wanting a ride. Guitar slung over his shoulder and a plastic bag in his hand, the guy looked down-and-out, possibly homeless, but he could probably drive.

The air brakes hissed as the big Freightliner slowed down and veered towards the shoulder.

A smile on his face, the guy hopped up on the side-step, opened the door and jumped in. He put his guitar behind the seat and tossed the plastic bag into the foot well.

"Thanks for stopping." He looked hard at Bobby slumped over the wheel and asked, "You okay, buddy?"

"Nope. Not okay. Need you to drive."

"Never drove a rig before. Might take me a few minutes to get used to her."

"I'll tell you what to do," said Bobby. "I can't drive any more today. Come around to this side and we'll change places."

"Sure. I'm Ray. Ray Robichau." He grabbed the door handle and jumped out.

When the switch was made, Bobby said, "I'm Bobby Prescott." He slumped down in the passenger seat, stretched his legs out and tried to get comfortable.

Ray waited for a quick verbal lesson to get him started and eased onto the highway slowly.

"Where we heading?"

"Northeast. See you have a guitar. You going to Nashville?"

Ray laughed. "Nowhere near ready for Nashville. Couple more years, maybe. Don't matter where I go right now. I'm broke and looking for work."

"Thanks for driving, Ray."

"Hope I can do it." He glanced across the console at Bobby. "How'd you get hurt so fuckin bad?"

"Got myself shot."

"By the looks of you, a hospital might be what you need."

"Yeah, I might check into one or go to a clinic if we happen to pass one." Bobby glanced out the window and pointed. "I'm starving, Ray. Pull into that McDonald's and we'll get some food. I've got some cash in the glove box to pay for it."

"Am I supposed to drive this big mother in this line? asked Ray."

"Nope. You're supposed to park at the back of the lot and walk in but try anyway."

"Okay." With a bit of difficulty, Ray maneuvered the big truck into the drive-thru line and pulled up to the window when it was their turn.

"I'll have a large coffee with double cream," said Bobby. "Big Mac and fries. And I'll have an apple pie."

"Sure," said Ray. "I'll have the same."

Bobby fished a twenty out of the loose cash in the glove box and handed it to Ray. Ray handed it to the girl in the window.

At the next window, they got their order and Ray pulled into the parking lot and shut the engine down while they ate.

"I was wondering why you ain't in a hospital now, with you being hurt so bad n'all."

"My girlfriend kidnapped me out of the ICU in the Huntsville hospital. She shot two people while she was at it, and one of them was a Texas Ranger."

"Holy fuck. That ain't good. She nuts? Where is she now?"

"In the bayou south of here. She wanted to hide out like Bonnie and Clyde and live on the down-low. I said I wasn't dying with her, and we parted ways."

"Was she pretty?"

"Yep. Pretty and nice at first, and then she went a little crackers on me."

Ray laughed as he ground a gear. "I've heard women do that sometimes."

"You got a girlfriend, Ray?"

"Nope. Never did. I'm too busy writing songs and trying to sell the odd one. Got no time and no money to spend on women."

"Good way to be. That's the way I'm gonna be from here on in."

Ray hit the I-10 by-pass, circled around the Big Easy and they headed northeast.

Calumet. Louisiana.

Annie followed the trail to the last sighting of the Freightliner. "This is where the deputy saw the truck. Going south into this town."

"You think Tammy will be somewhere around here?" Virge sounded sleepy.

"We can ask around tomorrow," said Annie. "Maybe she stopped near here."

"What do you want to do, Annie?" asked Mick. He'd been driving for a while.

"Pull into the next motel we come to, and we'll get a couple of rooms and find some dinner."

"I could eat," said Virgil.

"That ain't news," I said.

Annie giggled.