Tracer

by Dustin Stevens

  Knew that Rink had been a coiled ball of fury all week. Shuddered at what his friend would do to them if they came near Sara.

  Didn’t have the chance to see how it played out.

  Saw Sheriff Pratt enter through the side door. Walk past Kade and out into the middle of the dance floor.

  Walsh on one side. LeGrange on the other.

  An expression in place that showed he’d rather be any place else in the world.

  “No need gentlemen,” Drake said to the hired hands. Motioned at Pratt and his deputies approaching. “We were all just leaving, weren’t we Holt?”

  Tierney’s jaw dropped open. He glanced towards the other exits.

  Saw Rink, Ajax, Sage, walking forward.

  Drake watched Tierney glance from door to door. Could see him trying to figure out his next step. Determine what to do.

  Almost smiled as the old man stood rooted in place. Nowhere to go. Frozen stiff, no ability to move if there was.

  In the back of the room, the band ceased playing. People stopped dancing. Conversations died off.

  The only sound was Pratt and his men walking out across the floor.

  Drake stood a moment longer. Put a hand around Sara’s shoulder. Turned them both back towards the door.

  “Come on Sara, I think our job here is done. Let’s go see how Lukas is doing.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Forty-One.

  Drake made it forty-one hours before collapsing into bed on Saturday night.

  Didn’t remember climbing out of the three layers of clothes that encased him. Didn’t recall Suzy Q curling up against his hip.

  Didn’t even register that he had set his alarm clock for eight the next morning.

  The moment it went off, his reaction was somewhere between relief and disgust. He was glad he had set it. Needed to be in Hamilton by ten.

  Was flat angry he had set the meeting the night before for so early. Wondered what in the world he was thinking as he showered. Dressed.

  Made one final trip down through the valley.

  The parking lot of the Ravalli County Courthouse was deserted when Drake pulled up, save a lone vehicle.

  An oversized, metallic blue Chevy Silverado.

  When Drake spotted her on his way out of the Winter Ball and told her they needed to meet, he had offered to hold it in the Hamilton Memorial cafeteria again.

  Even hinted that since she seemed to enjoy being seen there so much, he would be happy to do so.

  The comment was not well received.

  The request to meet was not either. Would have been pushed aside until Sheriff Pratt suggested it would be a good idea.

  Was still balked at until Judge Ramey overheard and said he thought so as well.

  There was no way to stop the smile from forming on Drake’s face as he swung out of the truck. Headed in through the door for the Ravalli County Attorney’s Office.

  Less than half of the lights were on in the building as he walked through. The sound of his shoes echoed through empty rooms.

  The air was chilly, the heat turned down for the long holiday weekend.

  Drake followed a path of lit overhead lights to the back corner of the office. Found Goslin seated behind her desk. Jeans and an oversized sweater. Hair pinned back. No makeup.

  The ensemble made Drake shudder to think of how she would look the next morning, after New Year’s Eve.

  She looked up as he entered. Set aside a piece of paper. Gave him an icy stare.

  “Good morning,” Drake said. Stepped inside.

  “Good morning,” Goslin echoed. Motioned for him to sit.

  Drake did so. Kept his jacket on. Laced his fingers in his lap.

  “Thank you for meeting me here,” Drake said. “I know this wasn’t your idea.”

  As much as every fiber in his being wanted to gloat, he couldn’t let himself. There was no way to know when or if his path may cross with her again.

  Maybe even worse, if the Webb’s might encounter her again.

  “No,” Goslin said. Voice frigid. “But we’re here, so let’s get on with it.”

  Drake pressed his lips together. Nodded. “Okay, obviously I’m here to see that all charges are dropped against Lukas Webb. That means he is no longer in custody and his record is wiped clean.”

  Goslin arched an eyebrow. Stared at him.

  “He walked into a public gathering and fired a weapon. I can reduce charges, but I’m not dropping everything.”

  For a moment, Drake considered pointing out that she had omitted the words “peaceably” and “assault” from the canned speech she’d been giving reporters all week.

  Opted against it.

  “We both know public discharge is a misdemeanor. He already served the better part of a day in custody.”

  “For which he laid in a hospital bed,” Goslin retorted.

  “Irrelevant,” Drake replied. “Besides, is that really much different from the holding cell at the other end of the hall here?”

  “Community service,” Goslin said. “And the incident stays on his record.”

  “I’d say the man’s served enough, wouldn’t you?” Drake said.

  Silence fell.

  Goslin leaned forward. Folded her hands in front of her. Stared across at Drake.

  Or, more aptly, glared.

  “Let’s cut to the chase here Mr. Bell. How would you like this to end?”

  It was the question Drake half-expected her to open with. The fact that she’d gone through the charade as long as she did was a testament to her doggedness as a County Attorney.

  “Last night, you were handed a much, much bigger prize than Lukas Webb,” Drake said. “You got two press conferences out of the shooting. Imagine what you can milk this thing for.”

  Goslin drew her mouth into a line so tight her lips almost disappeared.

  “I’m not going to let him go without something. At the very least, an either/or.”

  Drake nodded. There was no way he would accept jail time, a fine, or anything that stayed on a permanent record.

  Otherwise, provided there was an easy enough either/or clause attached, he could live with it.

  Figured Lukas could as well.

  “Alright, what do you propose?” Drake asked.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Seahawks. Niners.

  Rink and Lukas were both watching the game as Drake entered. Sara sat between them, dozing in a chair.

  “Happy New Year,” Drake said. Walked in. Fell back into a chair at the end of the bed.

  Lukas and Rink both nodded in greeting.

  “Happy New Year,” Sara managed. Voice thick with sleep.

  “I don’t know about happy,” Lukas said, “but a hell of a lot better than a day or two ago.”

  “True,” Drake conceded. Raised his eyebrows. Nodded. “Sorry to drop by unannounced like this and ruin your first Sunday of football watching in what must have been quite a while.”

  “Eh,” Lukas said. Waved a hand at the screen. “Last week of the regular season is terrible. Like watching preseason.”

  Drake turned over a shoulder. Glanced up at the screen.

  “Yeah, both of these teams are already in the playoffs. They’re not about to play their starters.”

  “Still better than watching the Broncos on the other channel,” Rink said.

  Drew chuckles from Drake and Lukas both.

  “So, the reason I swung through was to tell you I spoke with Paula Goslin this morning.”

  Sara sat up in her chair. Rubbed her eyes.

  “And?”

  “And she’s agreed to drop all charges.” He paused. Held up a finger. Smiled. “Provided you agree to take a firearms safety course.”

  Slow smiles spread on the faces of all three.

  Nobody spoke for a moment, unsure if he was joking.

  Drake’s own smile grew larger. “I’m one hundred percent serious. I refused any fines or community service. She wouldn’t let it go without somet
hing.”

  Sara was the first to crack. Let out an elongated sigh of surprise.

  Rink shook his head. Grinned.

  “So that something was to have a trained Army sniper take a firearm safety course,” Lukas said. Eyes bulged in disbelief.

  “That’s what I said,” Drake replied. “I told her you could teach the damn thing, but she insisted.”

  Lukas raised his palms to his eyes. Pressed down on them.

  “And if I don’t?”

  “If you don’t, then it could escalate,” Drake said. “Goes back to being a misdemeanor on your record.”

  “So I have to go,” Lukas said. Not a question.

  “You don’t have to,” Drake said. “But it’s in your best interest.”

  “Anything else?” Rink asked.

  “Not for us. I asked her what she was going to go after Tierney for, kind of not-so-subtly reminded her that she was pursuing the maximum penalty against Lukas just a couple of days ago.

  “She picked up on the insinuation. Was not happy about it, but shared with me that she intends to go after Tierney too.

  “Fraud. Trespass. Destruction of property. Conspiracy to commit murder. Rather lengthy list. Should get him a nice long stay up in Deer Lodge.”

  “Oh, they’ll love him there,” Sara said. Rolled her eyes.

  “Even more so if they knew what he was in for,” Rink said. Weighed the statement. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Drew a trio of uncertain laughs, nobody quite sure if he was serious or not.

  “How are you feeling?” Drake asked. Obvious change of subject.

  “Getting better,” Lukas replied. “The fog has lifted a little more. Doc says I can go home middle of the week.”

  “Good,” Drake said. Paused a moment. Clapped his hands in front of him. Stood.

  “Hold on, you don’t have to run off so soon,” Sara said. “We’re just hanging out here. Welcome to stay.”

  “I would love to,” Drake said. “But I let my friends talk me into joining them out for New Year’s Eve tonight. If I don’t get home and get some more sleep, I won’t see nine o’clock, let alone midnight.”

  From his perch in the bed, Lukas leaned forward. Extended a hand.

  “Thank you, for everything. Seriously. You didn’t know me from Adam, and really stuck your neck out for me. I won’t forget it.”

  Drake returned the handshake. Nodded.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Lukas stared hard at him. No trace of mirth in his eyes.

  “I’m not just paying lip service here. If you ever need anything, I’m your guy.”

  “Thank you,” Drake said. “I appreciate that.”

  Released the handshake. Paused as Sara stood and gave him a hug. Kissed him on the cheek. Thanked him as well.

  The final person was Rink, who stood. Shook his hand. Promised to stop by his house the next day.

  Drake knew what it meant. Wanted to tell him it was unnecessary.

  Wouldn’t dream of doing it in front of the Webb’s.

  He made it as far as the door before remembering one last thing from his conversation with Goslin. Turning. Leaning a shoulder against the door frame.

  “Oh, and I almost forgot. Based on a suggestion from General Hall, I kind of let it be known that the veterans of Ravalli County didn’t appreciate Goslin’s little speech the other day.

  “I’d expect a nice donation to be made to the Amvets in your name before the end of the week.”

  Prologue

  “Eight days!”

  Clear exasperation. Disbelief.

  “I’m gone eight damn days and you manage to get yourself in trouble again?” Ava exclaimed.

  Drake held the phone a few inches away from his face. Smiled. Shook his head.

  “Come on, it wasn’t quite like that. I didn’t get in trouble, I just had a case randomly come up.”

  “I’m sorry,” Ava said. Let her disapproval pour through the phone line. “Did you or did not say at one point you were staring at a gun?”

  Drake sighed. “Remind me why I called to wish you a Happy New Year again?”

  “You didn’t,” Ava replied. “I called you.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Drake conceded. “Sorry, I’ve been off the grid the last week or so.”

  “Oh, yeah, I noticed,” Ava said. Mocked his tone.

  Drake smiled. Set his fingers into Q’s ribs as she pressed against his side. Scratched.

  The effort earned him a pair of opened eyes. A glance up from her spot beside him.

  “Big plans for the evening?” Drake asked.

  “Family,” Ava said. “You’d think I’d been lost on a desert island the last three months or something the way they’re acting. I’m so damn sick of family I’m actually kind of missing Montana at the moment.”

  “Ha!” Drake coughed out. Made no effort to mask his chuckles. Rolled over onto his side. “Now there’s something I never thought I’d hear.”

  “Yeah, yeah. So how about you? Crazy night on the couch?”

  The comment stung just a bit. For a moment Drake considered firing back a retort.

  Stopped, realizing she wasn’t entirely incorrect.

  “Actually, the Crew is headed downtown. To do what, I’m not sure, but I’m guessing a good story or two will come from it.”

  “Try not to let that story involve a gun this time, huh?”

  Drake smiled. Signed off the call a moment later. Dressed into jeans and a black pullover. Walked into the living room to find Ajax watching football, waiting for him.

  A sour look on his face.

  “You finally get done in there?” Ajax asked. Watched as a Clemson receiver broke a run down the sideline. Was pushed out of bounds just short of a touchdown.

  Drake looked down at the phone in his hand. Checked the time.

  “What? I was in there like ten minutes.”

  “More like thirty,” Ajax said. “Cackling the whole time too. Sounded like my mother with her friends at church.”

  Drake rolled his eyes. Headed for the door.

  Ajax pulled on his heavy winter coat. Followed him out to the truck.

  Despite it being New Year’s Eve, the streets were still almost empty as they drove into town. Holiday or not, a college town without students is a barren place.

  And there was no doubt that Missoula was a college town.

  Drake pulled into a diagonal parking spot in front of Blue’s six minutes after their agreed-to meeting time. Checked the clock on the dash. Stared through the windshield.

  A low-slung building looked back at them. Neon signs beckoned. Extolled most every type of beer known to man.

  “Remind me, is this the final destination or the first of many?” Drake asked.

  “You wish,” Ajax said. Pulled on the door handle. “Kade has set up a night of golf for us.”

  Drake climbed out the other side. Met Ajax in front of the truck. Walked towards the front door.

  “Golf?” Drake asked.

  “Yup. Nine watering holes in one night.”

  “Heaven help us,” Drake muttered. Followed Ajax inside. Nodded to a Griz football player working the door.

  Inside, the place looked exactly as the outside indicated.

  Sports memorabilia from local teams covered the walls. A bar extended the entire right end. A bank of televisions above it played college football and professional basketball games.

  Slot machines extended along the back.

  Neon light bathed everything in a shade of reddish-green.

  A shrill whistle went up from the corner. Drake and Ajax turned to see Kade and Sage seated at a round table.

  A pitcher of beer sat in front of them, already half gone.

  No question who was responsible for most of it.

  Weaving through the crowd, they came upon the table together. Pulled up chairs on the end, backs to the room.

  “You guys started without us?” Ajax asked. Went straight for a glass. Helped himself to
some Moose Drool.

  Kade took a long pull off his beer. Smacked his lips. Held the glass out towards them.

  “Hey, you guys were late. I told you we’re on a tight schedule tonight.”

  Ajax took a matching drink. Tossed the top of his head towards Drake.

  “Talk to Chatterbox over here. Couldn’t get him out the door.”

  Kade made a face. Set his beer down.

  “Drake Bell talked on the phone? For longer than a minute? I didn’t think he knew how to do that.”

  “Apparently he does when Ava calls,” Ajax said. Took another drink.

  Drake rolled his eyes. Ignored the look from Kade. Glanced at Sage.

  “Please let the record show that only one of us had to have their mama buy them female companionship this holiday season.”

  Sage’s face cracked into a smile. Beside her, Kade almost spit out his beer.

  All three shook with laughter as Ajax sat stoic. Raised his beer to his lips. Took a pull.

  “All of you can go to hell,” he said. Kept his face impassive.

  Did his best to convey that he actually meant it.

  “Alright,” Kade said. Leaned forward. Rested an elbow on the table. Extended his hand towards Drake.

  “While hilarious, right now the more pressing question is not about Ajax and the prostitute his parents got for him.”

  “Man, she was not a prostitute!” Ajax snapped. “The girl has a master’s from Boston College for crying out loud.”

  “Oh, I’m sure she’s mastered a few things,” Drake quipped. Earned another grin from Sage.

  “Again,” Kade said. Raised his voice a bit higher. “While hilarious, this is not about Ajax right now.

  “Mr. Bell, is there anything going on with Ava?”

  Drake made a face. Leaned back a bit.

  “What? Of course not. She just called to say Happy New Year. To all of us.”

  He added the last line for Sage’s benefit. Glanced her way as he said it.

  “Okay,” Kade said. “So then let me ask you this, of all the ladies that have been in your life, is there any you would say you have missed at all?”

  “Maggie Grace,” Drake said. No delay. No irony at all in his tone.

  “Maggie Grace?” Sage asked. “Isn’t that the actress from Lost.”