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I shrugged. “Escalade. No job. Police record. He’s not a model citizen. He’s got a prior for beating on another woman in the same trailer park.”

Billy stood up and took off his coat and gloves. “Show me where you want me.”

I put Billy in the waiting room closest to where Tammy was and we had a coffee together while we waited for the doctor to get back to me with the verdict on the x-rays.

“Your date with Brenda must have gone well,” I said.

Billy grinned.

“You didn’t come home,” I said. “Your date lasted all night.”

He laughed. “I like her a lot. What about you and Glenda? Did you even try to like her a little?”

“I tried to be polite. She’s nice and I said I’d call her but I haven’t yet. This call came in and I was pretty busy with Tammy every moment since.”

“You’re not going to call Glenda, are you?”

“I have to drive down to the station and feed the prisoners and I plan to call Glenda on the way.”

“Why am I not convinced?” Billy cast me an accusing glance. “How long am I going to be stuck here in the hospital?”

“Until we catch Tibor and Tammy isn’t at risk. I’ll change off with you later.”

“Brenda is making me dinner.”

“Okay. I’ll come back and take a shift from six until they lock the hospital up for the night. Then I’ve got chores after that.”

“I’ll do the barn chores and feed Outlaw on the way to Brenda’s place. It’s the least I can do. I didn’t do my share this morning.”

“Think I didn’t notice that the house was freezing cold when I got out of bed?”

Billy chuckled. “I knew you’d bitch about that.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

On the drive to the station I planned to call Glenda but forgot about it until her number came on the screen. Then I felt bad that I hadn’t kept my word. But why? I barely knew her and there was no way I was going to get involved with a woman. Even a pretty one like Glenda.

“Hi, Glenda. I should have called you by now, but I was on a call.”

“That’s okay. Are you free later?”

Does she think we’re dating now? Jesus on a donkey.

“No. Sorry. Later I’ll be on surveillance until they lock the hospital.”

“Cut Bank Hospital? Are you working on a case?”

“Yes. One from this morning. Like I said, I was too busy to call you.”

“Can I do surveillance with you?”

“Umm… I don’t think you would want to. It’s pretty boring. I’ll be sitting in a hospital waiting room for hours in case a guy shows up.”

“I don’t have anything better to do.”

I sure do.

“Would you mind if I joined you?”