Burnt River (34 page)

“We could share war stories.”

“At least you remember yours.”

“No offense, but it seems like you did a lot of things that are best forgotten.”

“It would be nice to know who Tara’s father is. I probably slept with him to get drugs, but you never know. Maybe it was more than that.”

“Well, at least your war stories involve getting laid.”

“Is that your idea of looking on the bright side?”

“Yep. That’s all I got.” He smiled.

“Do you really think Tyler is heading to Lacey Truman’s property?”

He hesitated before answering. “Hard to say. He told me about it, so—”

“What do you mean by
so
?”

“He’s relying on me to keep my mouth shut. I can’t believe he thinks I’d cover for him after everything he’s done.”

“Warped sense of loyalty.”

“Maybe.”

“They seem to be looking all over the valley for him.”

“I hope they find him. I want to look that fucker in the eye again. He’s got a lot of explaining to do.”

“He’s killed a cop. They are bringing in SWAT teams and half the state’s law enforcement to hunt him down. There’s a lot of people who want him dead.”

“The thing about the cop doesn’t make sense, though. As far as I know, he was with John the afternoon she went missing. In fact I’m sure of it, ’cause John talked to me later that night. He had no reason to lie.”

“He wasn’t lying. I saw them together. They were repairing some fencing out on the eastern boundary.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve said anything to the police.”

“I’m not doing Tyler any favors. He’s got too much to answer for.”

He hesitated. “Did he really get you started?”

She tapped her cigarette onto the rim of a clay pot. “He was the first of my many dealers.”

“All those times you went off with him. I thought there was something going on between you two for a while.”

“It was never like that.” She looked up at the night sky and caught sight of a shooting star. “I hope Lana’s okay.”

Dylan cocked his head toward the kitchen door. “It’s gone quiet in there. Do you think they finally struck a deal?”

“Last I heard, they were offering him thirty grand for the layout of his property.”

“Christ, that’s a lot of money.”

“That guy who gave the press conference showed up an hour ago.”

“That would be Ray Davidson. I think he’s the captain of the state police.”

“I heard him on the phone as he was walking up to the house. I think he was arguing with his wife.”

“I imagine he doesn’t make it home for dinner too often.”

“He looks familiar to me. I can’t place him though.”

“Probably from the news.”

“Maybe.” She rolled over on her side. “Do you remember the necklace I told you about? Do you suppose Tyler left it for me?”

“It had to be him.”

“But why would he do that? It makes no sense.”

“Maybe it was his way of saying sorry.”

She shivered. “We never really knew him.”

“Up until a couple hours ago I was mourning his death. I keep forgetting I’m supposed to hate him now.”

“I know what you mean.”

He yawned. “I think it’s been three days since I slept.”

“Go to bed. I’m fine out here on my own.”

He set his mouth into a hard line and pushed up from the chair. “If you hear anything, come get me.”

“I’m too tired to walk all the way over to Wade’s. Remember to leave your phone on.”

Jessie moved onto the chair Dylan had vacated and wrapped up in a blanket that was thrown over the back. The conversation with Lacey Truman had finished and the men in the kitchen were waiting for a computer file he was sending them with the layout of the property. The house was built into the ridge and there was a bomb shelter built beneath it. The food stockpiled there could easily last a month. Lacey had advised against going in heavy-handed.
Tyler won’t be intimidated by a show of force. He’s seen it all.
The area was crisscrossed with dozens of trails and animal tracks, and the only access road was fully visible from the house. They would have to go in on foot if they were going to surprise him.

The door opened and Ray Davidson stepped outside. He took a quick look around but didn’t seem to notice that Jessie was staring right at him with an unlit cigarette in her hand. She watched him carefully. There was something familiar about his profile. He walked out onto the lawn and stared out into the distance. Several times he picked up his phone. He appeared to be scrolling through his messages. He sent a couple off, his fingers fluttering over the keys. He drifted along the fence before turning back to the house and sitting on a bench under the trees. A couple of minutes later, he picked up the phone and put it to his ear. Although he was keeping his voice down, he was so close Jessie could hear everything he said.

“Macy,” he said, taking a quick look around. “Will you please pick up the goddamn phone and tell me where you are? I’m sorry about earlier. I don’t want to lose you and our son.”

He hung up and keyed in another number. This time he didn’t bother to speak softly.

“Hi, sweetheart. Sorry about earlier. Are the girls okay?” He listened. “Look, I know we’ve been having a rough time but things will get better now, you’ll see … I love you too. We’ll talk again tomorrow.”

Jessie struck the match just as he stepped onto the porch. It flared against the tip of her cigarette. He stood a few feet away, looking down at her.

“I know you from somewhere,” she said, pointing the smoldering cigarette at him. “Do you live around here?”

“No. You must be mistaken.”

“That’s weird. You look familiar.”

“I’m on the news sometimes,” he said, turning to go. “Maybe that’s it.”

She took a long drag. “So, where
do
you live?”

“Down in Helena.”

“With your wife and daughters?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds like you have the perfect lie.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said it sounds like you have the perfect life.” She tilted her head toward the kitchen door. “The computer file you were waiting for has arrived.”

“You were listening?”

She took a long draw and looked him in the eye.

“I heard everything.”

25

Macy checked into her new motel at around one in the morning, but was already on the road again by five. She’d not seen any of her fellow guests. The parking lot was full of minivans with Canadian plates and homemade signs saying
Yellowstone or Bust
. It looked like an entire group was heading south in tandem. She checked the time. There was an operations briefing scheduled for six at the local elementary school’s auditorium. She’d be able to grab some breakfast if she hurried. She glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror. There was no disguising the fact that she’d barely slept. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the coming day. Despite her efforts, Ray was foremost in her thoughts. It was only a matter of time before they were in the same room again. She had to figure out a way of negotiating their personal situation without jeopardizing her career. She stopped at the first of Wilmington Creek’s three traffic lights and waited for the signal to change. The main road through town was lined with patrol cars and SWAT team vehicles. They’d yet to locate Charlie Lott’s vehicle, but that hadn’t stopped Ray from gathering the troops.

Macy parked in a free space in front of The Whitefish where a young officer stood looking down at the cards and flowers that had been left in tribute to John Dalton. The paper had faded and the moldering mound smelled of sweet decay. Some of the candles were still lit, but most were only a pool of hard wax on the pavement. She crossed the street and ducked into the Wilmington Creek Bar and Grill. Considering the early hour, it was very busy. Aiden wasn’t there, but Ray was sitting at a table near the door with three senior police officers she recognized. It was impossible to pretend she didn’t see him. He waved her over and offered her the empty chair to his left. They were discussing strategy. A detailed map of the terrain surrounding Lacey Truman’s property was spread out in front of them. His home and all the access points had been highlighted.

“Where’s Alden Marsh?” she asked, leaning back so the waitress could pour coffee into a clean mug that had suddenly appeared.

“You just missed him,” said Ray, gesturing to her place at the table. “There’s been a development. We found Charlie Lott’s car a couple miles south of the access road. Looks like he and Lana spent the night in it. There’s a trailhead within walking distance. Fresh tracks indicate they don’t have too much of a head start.”

Ray pointed to the spot on the map where the car was found.

An officer named Howard Reynolds yawned into his closed fist. “Macy, after what happened to you it’s good to see you up and about. Ray was just telling us how you decided that it was best that you sit today’s operation out. It’s a shame, but he said you were adamant.”

Macy concentrated on the map, tracing her eyes across the pathways and focusing in on every contour. There was a rushing noise in her ears. She imagined this was what it sounded like when someone’s blood boiled. Her expression didn’t change though. The years of being Ray’s subordinate kicked in instinctively. She was grateful. No matter how loud she wanted to scream, she wouldn’t question his authority in front of a group of senior police officers. This wasn’t the time or the place. She swallowed. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of Ray raising his freshly poured cup of coffee to his lips. It took all her self-control not to throw it in his face. She saw herself point at the map. Her voice sounded wooden.

“Tell me again where you found the car?”

Howard’s stubby finger followed the thin thread of a tertiary road to where it forked and then headed south. “It was parked here.”

“Was it hidden?”

“It was parked off the road. That’s all I know so far.”

“And how far is that from the property?”

Ray spoke this time. “It’s a seven-mile hike in, but it’s over fairly rough terrain.” He sighed like he meant it. “We’ll miss you today, but you made the right call. It’s going to be pretty hard going.”

Macy followed a trail that wove through the landscape toward the house on the ridge. It crossed a stream before heading uphill. “What’s this cross marked here?”

Howard talked through a mouthful of scrambled eggs. “That’s where the dogs lost Lana’s scent.”

A waitress handed Macy a menu, but she shook her head. She’d lost her appetite. “Why do you suppose that happened?”

Ray started to get up and the others at the table followed his lead.

Howard put his crumpled napkin next to his plate. “We can’t really say. Sometimes it happens.”

“And sometimes suspects double back.”

“They thought of that, but came up with nothing. A team is heading up to the property now, so we’ll know for sure soon enough.”

“Not necessarily. The compound is pretty well fortified. It may be a while before you can establish whether he’s there.”

Ray grumbled. “He’s got a hostage and he’s highly visible. There aren’t many places he can go.”

“You’re forgetting about Sarah Reed. She might be helping him.” Macy addressed Howard. “Can I keep this?”

“I don’t see why not. We have lots of copies.”

“We’re heading over to the operations briefing,” said Ray. “You should come along in case there are any questions. You’ve had direct contact with Tyler Locke.”

Macy picked up the map. Her hands were starting to shake. She turned away and grabbed her bag.

“I’ve just got to stop by Alden’s office first. I want to get my notes.”

Howard gave her a pat on the back. “You’ve done fantastic work getting us this far. We’ll bring it home for you.”

Keeping her eyes low, Macy darted down the covered walkway. All around her, SWAT team members were clinking about in their heavy gear. Farther on, local law enforcement loitered around their vehicles, talking in low voices, some smoking cigarettes, most drinking from takeaway coffee cups the size of Big Gulps. The sun was just coming up as she opened the front doors to the police station and headed past the empty desks in the main room. She slammed Aiden’s office door behind her and threw her bag on the nearest chair. A larger version of the same map they’d been looking at in the restaurant was tacked to the wall above Aiden’s desk. She focused in on the point where the dog handlers had lost Lana Clark’s scent. The door opened and she was relieved to hear Aiden’s voice.

“Hey,” he said, catching hold of her arm as she started to move away. “Everything okay? Ray said you were unwell.”

She didn’t look at him. “There’s nothing wrong with my health, Aiden.”

“Then why are you staying behind today?”

“That was Ray’s decision, not mine. Last night I told him it was over between us. This morning he effectively took me off the case.”

“He can’t do that.”

“He just did.”

“Does that mean you’re heading back to Helena?”

“I don’t know. I don’t like leaving things unfinished.”

“What are you going to do about Ray?”

“I’m not sure what I can do without ruining my career. He’s a powerful man and I was stupid to get involved with him. And don’t even get me started on the way he’s handling this.” She glanced up at the map. “As far as I can tell, they’re about to create a hostage situation that we won’t be able to get out of. Tyler isn’t the type to negotiate.”

“The owner has a month of supplies stockpiled up there. This could go on for a long time.” He reached for the door handle. “We’d better get moving. The briefing starts in a couple of minutes.”

“I’m not going. I can’t be in the same room as Ray right now. I might say or do something I’ll regret later on.”

“I’ll tell them you aren’t feeling well. Given what he’s telling everyone, no one will question it.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll stick around?”

She kept her eyes on the map. “I might go for a drive.”

The door to the office closed and Macy stepped around the desk so she could study the map more closely. Unlike the printout, this one comprised the whole western area of the valley south of Darby Lake. She traced her finger along the highlighted path, from where they’d lost Lana’s scent to where they’d found Charlie Lott’s car. It was a distance of three miles and crossed a stream at about the midpoint. The stream originated in the higher elevations and flowed east toward the valley floor, eventually following the course of a well-marked trail. She tracked its progress to where it met the Flathead River. Tyler and Lana would have had to cover a distance of approximately six miles to get there. She checked the time. It was coming up on twenty to six. She gathered her things and made sure her gun was loaded before stepping outside. Aside from a sleepy-eyed receptionist, the office was completely empty.