Chapter 13
ROB TRILLING SHOULD’VE been excited to be back in Montana. He hadn’t been home in years.
But his sense of duty made him regret leaving Michael Bennett on his own in New York.
Not that Rob thought he contributed that much to investigations.
He was still learning every day. But he knew enough to watch Bennett’s back.
He’d also learned to trust his partner’s judgment.
The guy lived by a certain set of rules and Rob couldn’t disagree with any of them, or with how Bennett’s life had turned out.
As far as Rob was concerned, Bennett literally had the perfect family, the perfect wife, and the respect of virtually every cop in New York.
Rob was especially impressed by Bennett’s oldest daughter, Juliana. He could barely believe that she seemed interested in him too.
The flight out from New York and the layover in Minneapolis had been relatively easy. It turned out his insomnia came in handy on long trips.
Rob carried his backpack through the Bozeman airport, marveling at the idea that he used to think of this place as gigantic.
After living in New York City for the last couple of years, he had a better understanding of why New Yorkers tended to consider most things outside of their city small.
At least that’s the way it seemed to him.
He spotted his brother, Gary, and his grandfather, Chet, waiting for him by the main exit. The old man still looked spry, wearing khakis and a padded jacket to buffer him from the cold. But Rob did a double take as he approached Gary and saw that his brother had a black eye.
After he’d hugged his grandfather, Rob turned to his brother and said, “What happened?”
Gary mumbled, “I’ll tell you later.”
His furtive tone and manner told Rob it was something Gary didn’t want Pops worrying about. Rob understood. They all protected the elderly man, like he’d protected them for their entire lives.
As soon as they reached the sidewalk, a high-roof van with the logo from the family car lot splashed across the side rolled up and stopped.
Rob slipped into an added back row of seats with his brother.
He didn’t mention it, but there was an odd smell in the van.
He restrained himself from looking around, so it wouldn’t be obvious.
No one else seemed to be bothered by the odor.
The driver, an older woman, turned around and smiled at him. “I figured you were the smart brother for getting out of here,” she said. “But I didn’t realize you were the good-looking brother too.”
Rob’s grandfather laughed out loud at that, then said, “Wish you would’ve been my bookkeeper when I ran the car lot.”
Gary said, “Rob, this is Lillian Mathis. She’s been working at the car lot since you left for the Army.”
Lillian said, “Someone’s got to make up for Gary’s fear of math and bookkeeping. Besides, this good-looking guy also stops by once in a while.” She reached over and playfully grabbed Chet’s forearm.
Rob fielded a few questions about what his life in New York was like but hesitated when Lillian asked, “So you have a girlfriend back in the big city?” He wasn’t sure how to answer such a direct question.
She seemed to misinterpret his pause and quickly added, “Or a boyfriend. It doesn’t matter to me at all.”
Rob slowly said, “There’s a girl I’m interested in. But I’m not sure where it’s going. She’s way out of my league.”
“That’s nonsense. The right girl is the right girl. There are no leagues,” Lillian said.
Rob liked that and was about to say more when he heard an odd noise behind him. It sounded like a giant tire hissing.
He glanced behind him and almost jumped out of his seat. This was the last thing he had expected.