by Mark Gannon
Disappointing us didn’t seem to bother Rawlins one bit. “You boys are going to get a right treat. I’m starting in fresh on you after my whole hour of sleep.” The sarcasm was dripping and it was promising to be a not fun event. “Now the two of you can sit together while I question you. Normally we would split you up but I don’t have the patience for that this morning. And I’ll tell you right now to just answer my questions because I’ve got about another hundred of you to visit with yet today. Got it?” We both nodded yes. “Now Mitch I want you to tell me about last night and how you found Ned.”
I told Rawlins the chain of events as best as I could remember them. I left out the part of the conversation from Larson’s trailer. I wasn’t about to repeat something I wasn’t sure I heard correctly. John chimed in wherever he was in the action with me. Rawlins was a surprising listener. He didn’t interrupt once. He waited and wrote notes to himself as I went along. The deputy was scribbling fast the whole time I was talking.
Rawlins rasped out, “So you say Reggie was just squatting on the ground next to Ned when you came up? He wasn’t in the act of doing anything?”
“Yep. The light was poor and it first looked like one big shadow until I got closer. So Reggie had to be close. But I didn’t see any movement. When I did get close enough to see, Reggie seemed like he was in shock and was just frozen to the spot.”
Rawlins nodded. “Okay. Now let’s move on to Frank. You say the last time you saw him before finding Ned was when you both left the dinner tent?”
John jumped in, “That’s right. We all three got up at the same time and headed out of the tent. Frank said he needed to check on the horses and Mitch and I went to the entertainment tent.” Rawlins gave his deputy a quick look as if to say make sure you get that. “Do you remember if he had his knife on his belt at the time?”
We both answered, “No idea.”
“Okay we have Mitch’s story about his travels. How about you John? You were alone for some time when Mitch went down to see his horse.” Rawlins was staring intently at John concentrating on his response. I had a chance to really look at Rawlins. If John and I were showing some wear and tear, Rawlins was looking like he was waking up from a two-day bender. I am glad I wasn’t the sheriff with this mess on my hands.
“There’s not much to tell. Mitch went down to see his horse and I kicked back in the tent with a book and a Deschutes River IPA. And I know you want to know if I have any witnesses. No I don’t. It was just me and the beer. The next thing I knew there was a bunch of commotion in camp. I stuck my head out the tent flap. Someone running by said there was someone hurt. I followed along and got there a little after you.”
Rawlins looked grumpy. “You could at least have helped me out here guys. The three amigos are always together and now when you all could use an alibi you were all separated.” Another of those looks to the deputy to make sure this was getting down on paper. I was getting tired of Rawlins punctuation looks.
“Now how about some information on Ned. Anything you know about people that may want to harm him. Any reason Ned may have an enemy?” John and I looked at each other. First Frank’s knife brought him into play and now I was going to rat out Reggie.
I mumbled, “Well Ned is a mite brusque with people. He may have aggravated a few people over the last seventy years.”
Rawlins gave a patient smile. “Tell me something I don’t know. There’s something else so let’s have it.”
He could sure read a person. I said, “Well you were at the poker table last night. You saw how Ned and Reggie were ready to go at each other. That was some heated discussion.” I hurried on, “But Ned gets ruffled easy. You know that.”
Rawlins wasn’t buying it. “They didn’t even swing at each other. You really think they were upset with each other enough that Reggie stuck a knife in his buddy later on?”
John broke in, “We aren’t drawing conclusions sheriff. That’s for you to do. But you asked and we are bringing it up. They were both heated up enough that we had to sit on them to keep them from swinging. I personally was watching Reggie. I have to say he was ticked but he was hiding it well.”
“Okay. Thanks for reminding me about that. Anything else you can think of?” We both shook our head no. “Now I want you both to put your heads to this. Mitch, I want you to sit and make a list of all the people you can remember in the crowd behind me when I showed up. And John I want you to make a list of all the men you remember standing around you when you came up.”
John softly said, “I’ll make a list for you Rawlins. But it won’t be much of a list. It was dark and things were pretty confusing.”
I added, “I’ll try too. But things were all mixed up there for a while and I was awfully shook up.” It looked like it was dismissal time so I popped a question of my own. “Before we go is there any word on Ned?”
Rawlins gave me a weary look and said, “The last update we had was about an hour ago. He’s in critical condition in ICU. He appears to be stabilizing but he is not conscious. So he can’t tell us anything. Now that’s all boys.” As we got up to leave he asked his deputy to bring in the next camper.
Chapter 22
Cook Tent
I was hungry and past being grumpy from not getting my morning coffee. A few more minutes of questioning by Rawlins and my growl meter would have been registering grizzly bear level. Cookie tried to visit while I was loading my plate and filling my cup at the dinner tent. “Have you heard anything on Ned? Did they find out who did it?”
“Cookie first off why do you think I know any more than the hundred people that have been through the line in front of me?” I didn’t give him a chance to respond. “Second you better have a whole vat of coffee and some breakfast to go with it. Because If I don’t get some java and some food soon some heads will get bitten off.”
“Well it sure is good to see you too.” Cookie took offense to my growl and I had forgotten one of the first rules of the trail ride. Don’t tick off the cook. “You know Mr. Important maybe some other people have been up all night keeping coffee on for the county Mounties and the state troopers. And maybe there ain’t any food or coffee left for those unappreciative types that slept in late and came in barking at people. And maybe I like Ned and want to find out if he’s okay. So why don’t you turn your sorry ass around and go find some coffee back in that tent of yours!”
John jumped in to try and save me from myself. “Cookie we sure will appreciate whatever you have left for breakfast. It must have been a long night for you and the crew. We sure thank you and the crew for hanging around to feed us late comers. Mitch and I just came from dealing with Sheriff Rawlins and he didn’t put us in the best of moods.”
“Well, John. Good morning to you. You are always welcome. But you travel with some pretty poor company. I’m afraid to tell you that our carefully planned menu for tonight is in serious jeopardy what with all the interruptions around here. There has even been some talk of cutting the ride off right now and shutting down.” John moved down the line with the crew loading his plate with all the breakfast fixings in double helpings.
I tried to slide my tray and plate along the serving line. Not one of the kitchen help made a move to put anything on my plate and the coffee mugs beside the carafes were being hauled away. Thankfully my better senses kicked in immediately with the threat of no coffee. Time to take some humble pie and a big slice of it at that. “You know, Cookie I was really out of line with my growling. Sheriff Rawlins said Ned was out of surgery but in intensive care. It would be a great favor to me if you would allow me to sample some of the poorest crumbs of your excellent fare.” I put on my best pleading look, “Please!”
“Mitch you can go ahead and have some of the leftovers and some cold coffee but only because John spoke up for you.” I was saved from the terror of retaliation from the camp cook. Thank God I really needed some coffee.
With my first sip of coffee some brain power returned to me. “You know, Cookie I may be the
one who found Ned but the only person I saw out there was Reggie. Any idea who may have been wandering around out there that may have stabbed Ned?”
Cookie took some edge out of his voice as he answered, “For some reason the poker tables broke up early last night. About fifteen minutes before all the ruckus most of the players had already headed out for their tents or over for some entertainment. We had some sandwiches made up ready for the usual all night tables and they just went back in the cooler. Almost everyone in camp was out and about. Shit it could have been just about anybody.”
Thinking I was relatively safe again I said, “As strong and nasty as this coffee is it probably kept everyone up all night. I know I didn’t sleep a wink.”
“That’s not what your buddy Frank said. He came through real early because he couldn’t sleep due to you snoring your head off.” That damn Frank after he slept through everything last night.
We were some of the last to come in for breakfast but a lot of the group was still in the tent nursing coffee and talking things over. John and I landed at a table near Reggie, Larson and Charlie. “Morning Charlie, Reg, Larson. Have you heard the latest on Ned?”
Reggie nodded in our direction. Larson just glanced our way. Charlie gave me his full attention. “I hear he is slightly better and somewhat stabilized. Damn I hope they find out who did that to him. I’d like a few minutes alone with whoever it is.” The way he said it didn’t make me envy whoever it was.
Reggie chimed in, “Well it sure wasn’t me. But that sheriff grilled me like he was sure I did it. He interrogate you two?”
John responded, “He visited with us this morning. I didn’t get the feeling that he had any good idea who did it yet. But Rawlins knows what he’s doing and he’ll figure something out.”
Reggie let a little whine into his voice, “Well he didn’t wait until this morning to grill me. He started on me right away and kept at it for a good while. I asked Rawlins why he didn’t spend his time on Frank since it was his knife.” Just like Reggie to throw someone under the bus to save himself. “Before I could get back to the tent they drug Charlie down to interrogate. You would think Rawlins would be a little nicer to his friends.”
Charlie cut in, “It sure was a short night. After Rawlins questioned me they talked with Larson. I wonder if he plans on questioning everyone in camp.”
Reggie asked nervously, “Well you and Bill vouched for me right Charlie?”
Charlie nodded his head. “Yeah, Reggie, we told him you were with us most of the night. Hell there must be a hundred men in this camp that had the time and the opportunity to knife Ned.”
I asked, “Charlie what was Ned doing out there anyway? Last time we saw him he was at the poker table.”
“Probably the same as you Mitch. He was checking on that damn stud horse of his. We were playing cards and for some reason none of us were really in the mood. We decided to head back to the tent and sit by the fire. Ned said he better go check on Ernie and that’s the last we saw of him.”
Something he said didn’t seem right. “So you were all playing cards until right before Ned went down to check on his horse?” I emphasized the all.
Charlie nodded his head. “We were all there from the time you saw us until the game broke up. Ned headed down to check on his horse and the rest of us went back to camp. After a while Bill went to his trailer to use his satellite and check e-mails and Reggie went to check on Ned. I sure hope they cut us loose pretty soon. I want to go visit Ned at the hospital and see how Louise is holding up.”
Reggie jumped in, “I went down to find Ned. I was feeling bad about our run in at the card game and wanted to catch him alone and apologize.” He was giving us the pleading look for understanding.
I let it drop there but gave a nod of my head to John. He caught it and we went on with breakfast. When people cleared out and John and I were alone I turned to him and said, “Did you hear that? Larson was in that fancy trailer of his checking his e-mails. It didn’t sound like e-mails to me.”
John nodded his head. “That still left Reggie time to stab Ned before you got there. And Charlie vouched for Bill. But does Charlie know if Larson stayed in his trailer. I may not believe Reggie and I don’t trust Larson but I definitely trust Charlie. So I don’t get it. Do you?”
I shook my head and said, “Nope. But like you say I trust Charlie.”
Cap Lowe came by and said, “Hurry up boys or you will miss the ride. Rawlins STRONGLY suggested we hold off and I told him these men paid money to come up here and ride and by God they are going to ride.” Cap strolled off muttering, “That man doesn’t know how hard it is to put this ride together.”
John and I sat out the ride and pulled chairs out in the sun. Rawlins and Deputy Bucky came stomping by. Rawlins was growling at Bucky, “I’ve got two men riding with the group of over one hundred riders in the woods. I need to interview all the riders and all the help. How the hell am I supposed to get one hundred drunk riders interviewed? At least I can get the help all interviewed today while the riders are out. After I get some breakfast and more coffee.” With that he went to find Cookie.
Bucky rolled his eyes and said softly to us, “He’s been a real bear all night. Someone getting stabbed on the trail ride is a personal affront to him. I just hope we find out who did this soon. He’s about to bite my head off.” With that he hurried after Rawlins.
I was really worn out. “That was certainly entertaining. It was so entertaining that I hear my sleeping bag and cot calling me.”
Charlie came by as I stood up to find my bed. John asked him, “Didn’t you go on the ride either Charlie?”
“No. I thought I would go into town and see about Ned and Louise. But when I tried to drive out the state troopers stopped me. I’m going to go find Rawlins and talk him into letting me out of here.” With that Charlie stomped off toward the chow tent.
“John, I have heard that tone of voice from Charlie before. If Rawlins doesn’t let him go he’ll drive right through the trooper’s blockade.”
Chapter 23
Camp Wanderings
Laying down I was sure I could not sleep. The next thing I knew John was shaking me awake. “Mitch, wake up. We’ve been sleeping all morning.” I tried to clear the cobwebs out by shaking my head. “It’s close to noon. You better wake up.” John gave me another small jab in the ribs. “Since the chow wagon is out meeting the ride for lunch I wonder if there is any chow around here.”
John did manage to snag some prime rib sandwiches for us. It helps to have an in with the cook. Of course mine was a little cold by the time I woke up. While I was eating John was settled into a camp chair with a bottle of beer. Well it wasn’t only a beer as John said, “This, Mitch, is a New Grist from Lakefront Brewery. It is a golden amber nectar with dryish medium body and a finish of molasses covered lemons and roasted nuts. It is a true delight.” It was hard to tell which he was enjoying more, the beer or lecturing me on the beer. After eating I was getting restless. Sitting still was not wearing well with me. I straightened the tent, split some firewood and stacked it and was casting around for something else to do when John said, “Why don’t you take a walk. Your hyper activity is bugging me.”
Well that was good idea. But being an afternoon in August it was hot. I fished a really cold beer out of the bottom of the cooler. After downing half the beer in one long gulp I was ready for my walk. It really is the shits when you have a perfect afternoon to sit still and relax away from your office and home chores and you can’t sit still.
I wandered past Charlie’s tent he was sharing with Larson. Charlie surprised me by stepping out as I was going past. “Hey, Mitch. You might like to know how Ned is doing. I got to see him if you can call it that.” Charlie noticed my questioning frown. “Yes the camp is locked down but Rawlins let me go. It’s not like he doesn’t know where I’ll be.” Who was going to argue with that? Charlie was the one person who wasn’t going anywhere. “Ned is doing better. He is still unconscious.
But he’s not out of the woods.”
“That’s great. Did you see Louise? How is she?”
“As expected she was at the hospital. She said to say hello. Sitting there with Ned in the hospital and Louise wanted you to know that no matter how gruff Ned is, you are still welcome at the ranch. What a lady. How Ned ever ended up with her is beyond me.” Charlie was shaking his head. “Well I’m pretty tired and am going to get in a nap. Maybe I’ll be a little more rested than the rest of the poker group tonight and I can use that advantage.”
After visiting with Charlie I headed over to the cook tent but that was absolutely deserted. Wandering some more found me down at the horse line. Dan and John’s horse still wearing war paint were some of the few still in camp.
Dan nickered as I came close. “Good to see you old man. Getting kind of lonely and boring down here?” Dan nuzzled my hand looking for sugar cubes. Good thing I grabbed some from the cook tent on my way down. Ned’s horse Ernesto was making a fuss down at the end of the line. He was lucky being in the shade of the tree.
The yellow police crime scene tape was just past Ernesto. All the crime info must have been gathered as there weren’t any techs or cops around. I wasn’t worried about Ernesto being taken care of. That was the job for the wranglers like Frank. But somebody was going to have to haul that ornery piece of horse flesh down the hill and back to Ned’s
Well with nothing to do and it being such a fine day and my horse being right there – why not go for a ride? Just because the official ride was going on elsewhere didn’t mean Dan and I couldn’t take a short stroll off in the woods. My saddle was in John’s trailer up close to the tent. But Dan did have on his halter so I untied him and jumped on his back. No sense walking and leading him. Dan was well broke and I could ride him bareback without any halter or saddle if I needed to.