Mama Rides Shotgun

Just about then, the chop-chop-chop of the helicopter sounded in the distance.

Carlos looked up with the rest of the crowd. “They’ll do what they can.’’

___

Dundee County sheriff’s deputies circulated through the camp, looking for a weapon, and for witnesses who might help explain the events leading up to Doc’s shooting. So far, they hadn’t found anyone who knew anything. Except for Wyno

Carlos pulled me aside and asked me to take her back to her camp and keep her there while he briefed the local authorities. My sisters and Mama came with us.

The inside of the Brambles’ RV was all expensive-looking dark wood. The plush carpet was hunter green. The living area featured leather furniture and a flat-screen TV. The sink in the galley was porcelain.

“Can I get y’all something to drink? How ’bout coffee?’’ Wyno

“Hot chocolate?’’ Maddie asked hopefully.

Mama punched her thigh. “Whatever you have is fine, Wyno

When the coffee was made, Wyno

“Why don’t you have a seat?’’ Marty said. “We’ll get this.’’

As Marty poured and Maddie mopped, I got up and opened the small ’fridge, looking for half-and-half. The only thing inside was a couple of shriveled apples and a chilled bottle of Champagne. French. I wondered about the special occasion it was intended to celebrate.

Rustling around in the galley, I found sugar, powdered creamer, and a spoon. I put out an open bag of chocolate chip cookies. Marty got up and arranged them prettily on a plate. Maddie scarfed down the first one before we even sat down again.

“Thanks,’’ Wyno

“Not without reason,’’ I said. “You suffered a terrible loss; and now you’re the one who finds Doc. You’ve handled yourself better than many people could.’’

Marty took a bird-like nibble of a cookie. “I think I’d be in the hospital if all of that happened to me.’’

Mama said, “No, you wouldn’t, Marty. The Lord always gives us the strength we need.’’

Looking at Wyno

“Honey, I sure do hate to bother you.’’ Mama shifted to stretch her leg. “But do you mind if I use that little throw pillow to prop up my foot? The one that says When Things Get Tough, the Tough Go Shopping?’’

Wyno

I truly hoped that with Doc Abel underway to the hospital, Mama wouldn’t launch into a dissertation about her sprain.

“Oh, it’s fine, honey,’’ she said, with a wave.

I let out a sigh of relief. Too soon.

“It’s just throbbing a little with all this walking around. Doc Abel warned me to stay off it.’’

At the mention of Doc’s name, Mama went quiet along with the rest of us.

“I know he’ll be all right,’’ Marty finally said, patting Wyno

Wyno

“I do feel awful about what happened with Shotgun, Rosalee.’’

“I know you do, honey. And Belle came by to say the same.’’

“It’s sure strange y’all ran into the one thing that poor horse can’t abide,’’ Wyno

My brain sent a signal to the hairs on my neck.

“What do you mean?’’ I asked.

“I thought Shotgun was the greatest horse in the world,’’ Maddie said.

“Well, he is, except for a fear of bees. When he was a colt, he knocked over a beekeeper’s hive in the pasture. He got stung all over. Most horses don’t like bees. But with Shotgun, it’s a real terror. The creatures make him act pure crazy. Didn’t Belle mention that?’’

My sisters and I stared at Mama, who stared right back.

“No, ma’am,’’ she said to Wyno

A hard knock rattled the RV’s door.

Wyno

All four of them looked at me, waiting. I got up and opened the door a crack. A big man in sheriff’s department green and a light-colored felt Western hat filled every inch of the frame.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Bramble’s had a terrible shock,’’ I said to him. “Would you mind coming back later?’’

“Yes, I would.’’ Unsmiling, he shifted a toothpick to one corner of his mouth. “Tell her Sheriff Roberts wants to talk to her.’’ He rose onto the doorstep, and the RV rocked with his weight.

“She’s not dressed,’’ I said quickly, closing the door a fraction of an inch.

“I’ll wait.’’ He stepped back to the ground and crossed his arms over his chest. The toothpick seemed to migrate on its own to the opposite corner of his mouth.

I pulled the door closed, and turned to shrug at Wyno

She stood up, smoothed her hair, and tucked her cowgirl shirt at her tiny waist.

“Go ahead and let him in, Mace,’’ she said. “Though the last thing I want to do right now is describe how I found Doc, you know? The sight of that blood and that poor man trying to speak is going to haunt my nightmares.’’

She stood up straight as I swung open the door. When the lawman came in, the spacious RV suddenly seemed tiny.

“Sheriff Roberts.’’ She offered him her hand. “Would you like a cup of coffee?’’

He shook his head and looked around. His gaze rested first on Maddie, then Marty, then Mama, then me. It made me nervous to have him looking at me so intently, even though I knew I hadn’t done a single thing wrong.

“Which one of you is her lawyer?’’

Wyno

“No, ma’am. I only want to ask you a few questions. But I know how rich people are. You folks come prepared.’’

She slit her eyes at him. I saw a trace of the haughty Wyno

His eyes showed the tiniest flicker of . . . what? Respect? Intimidation? Anger? I couldn’t be sure. The glimpse of emotion was gone almost before it registered.

“I’m sorry, ladies,’’ he said to us, sounding not at all sorry. “Y’all are uninvolved parties. I’m go

I was relieved when he said attempted murder. Doc was still alive. At least for now.

___

Maddie and I each hooked an arm around Mama’s waist, nearly carrying her from the RV to Camp Caddy. Marty followed, holding a paper plate with the rest of Wyno

When Sal saw us limp into view, the relief on his face was evident, even by lantern light.

“I was about to call in the search dogs,’’ he said. “Where the hell have you four been?’’