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“There’s that,” Larry said. “But still … I mean, I can’t spend all night on this and you got yourself suspended.”

“I know,” Cody said gruffly. “Jeez, I hate being in my house now. Can I ask you a favor?”

Larry sighed. “Man, I’m doing overtime now. Bodean put out that memo about no more overtime without his authorization. I mean-”

“We need to play catch-up,” Cody said, ignoring him. “Call RMIN and ViCAP, see if there are any other crimes similar to the Winters murder.”

RMIN (pronounced “Rimin”) was the Rocky Mountain Information Network, a regional clearinghouse of incidents recorded in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico. ViCAP was the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program of the FBI. Both organizations had analysts on staff who could research similar crimes. ViCAP had profilers available as well as a password-protected Web site that could be accessed by law enforcement agencies after hours.

“You’re grasping at straws,” Larry said. “We can’t do much more until tomorrow, Cody. Once we talk to the receptionist and hear back from RMIN and ViCAP, then maybe we’ll have something to go on.”

“I know. But that trip leaves tomorrow morning. Call those guys, Larry. Get things going.”

“You owe me so many dinners,” Larry said, and slammed down his phone.

* * *

While he waited, he did another Google search on the outfitting company, hoping he could find another contact, maybe an after-hours number. He assumed Jed and his people and horses were already in Yellowstone at their base camp, likely out of cell phone range. But surely he would have a way to communicate with his office, Cody thought. Like to check on clients who were late or didn’t show up? Although he couldn’t find any way to make contact other than the office number, e-mail address, and Web site, he did find an old online article from the Bozeman Chronicle: SALE OF PARK OUTFITTING BUSINESS PENDING NPS APPROVAL.

Even though he couldn’t see how it would be of much help, Cody read it. It was from February, five years before.

Bozeman newcomer Jedediah McCarthy announced on Wednesday that he was awaiting National Park Service approval to acquire the assets of Wilderness Adventures, the longtime outfitting operation specializing in Yellowstone Park pack trips. McCarthy said he intended to continue the legacy established by Frank “Bull” Mitchell, who ran the company for the past 32 years.

McCarthy stated he planned to maintain the quality of the company and perhaps-with NPS approval-expand the available multiday excursions into the most remote reaches of Yellowstone Park.

“It’s time,” Mitchell told the Chronicle, “Somebody else can put up with all that Park Service BS…”

McCarthy aims to emphasize low-impact camping with a greater emphasis on the unique properties of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, he said.…

Cody read the rest of the article but found it boring: Jed McCarthy extolling the virtues of his trip and the excellent and professional methodology of the National Park Service. Stroking bureaucrats in the paper while they considered your application, Cody thought. No wonder he got the concession.

He smiled and jotted down the name “Frank ‘Bull’ Mitchell.”

* * *

Then it hit him and he called Jenny again as panic rose inside.

She sounded groggy. “When I said call again, I didn’t mean midnight.”

“I’m sorry, but I just thought of something. It’s nuts, but I have to make sure I’m wrong.”

“About what?”

“Justin and His Richness. Where did you say they went?”

“Wyoming. I told you-”

“I know. But where specifically did they go? And did they go on their own? Is His Richness driving them around, or what?”

“Well, he drove them there. But they’re going on some kind of long wilderness trip in Yellowstone Park. With some outfitter on horses-”

“Jesus,” Cody said.

“What? You’re scaring me, Cody.”

“Don’t be scared,” he said to her as well as to himself. “Just find the name of the outfit they’re using.”

“I think I have a brochure,” she said. “But I can’t call them. Justin said they’d be out of cell phone range…”

“Jenny,” he said, “we might have a big problem.”

* * *

Cody had the Ford backed up to his open garage door and was throwing gear into it-sleeping bag, tent, pad, cooking set, Uncle Jeter’s old saddle-when Larry pulled his SUV into the driveway and blocked him.

Larry kept his motor running and his headlights on and swung out. “You didn’t answer your phone.”

“I was out here,” Cody said.

“You can’t leave. You know that. You’ll give the sheriff a damned good reason to fire you.”

Cody said, “Let him.”

Larry spun Cody around so they were face to face. “Have you been drinking?” Larry asked.

“Not yet.”

Larry leaned forward on the balls of his feet and stared into Cody’s eyes. Cody didn’t flinch, and said, “Get any closer and I’ll clock you.”