Free Cantina Valley (A Ben Adler Mystery Book 1) by Trevor Scott Page A

linebacker.   With his blond hair and beard, he would have made a great Viking.
    “How’s it going?” Ben asked.
    “Did you read the signs down the hill?”
    Turning toward his truck, Ben said, “Yes, I did.   But my friend insisted we continue.”
    “That’s a nice old truck.   I’ve seen it around.”
    “I live just down the road.   Ben Adler.”   He extended his hand out.   Just like a salute, the man felt obligated to shake Ben’s hand.   They both squeezed down with considerable force before reluctantly letting go.
    “So you took over the old Adler place.”
    “I grew up there.   My parents both died from cancer recently.   Once I retired from the Air Force, I moved back home.”   There.   He had managed to infuse sympathy and his former military status.
    “You don’t remember me?” the man asked.
    Ben considered him more carefully.   “I’m sorry.   As I said, I’ve been away for some twenty years.”
    “You dated my younger sister in high school.”
    Thinking back, he now remembered the brother.   He had been at least four years ahead of Ben in school.   Ben pointed at the man and said, “You joined the Army after high school.   I met you a couple of times when you came home on leave.”
    “That’s right.   Kevin.   Kevin Engel.”
    “Okay.   I see it now.   Whatever happened to your sister, Robin?”
    “She lives on a ranch out in Eastern Oregon near Baker.   Second husband.   Three kids.”
    “That’s great.   Say hello for me next time you talk.”
    “We don’t talk much,” Kevin said.   “Her first husband used to beat her.   I came home on leave and nearly killed the guy.   Of course, she still loved him and blamed me for him leaving her.”
    “That’s rough.   But I would have done the same thing.”
    Kevin tightened his jaw.   He was obviously still in pain from the incident and the virtual loss of his sister.   “Why are you here?”
    “A friend of a friend,” Ben said.   “I’m looking for McGuffin.   Tavis McGuffin.”
    The man couldn’t help from drifting his eyes toward the man’s Ford pickup.   “McGuffin?”
    “Yeah.   That’s his F-150 over there.”
    “How did you find us?” the former soldier asked.
    Now Ben was stuck.   He couldn’t tell the truth.   But he had also anticipated the question.   “Being a local, you hear things.   You ask a few questions and finally get the answer you need.   Someone reluctantly mentions seeing this Ford pickup driving down your long driveway, and it’s easy to come take a look.   Coming from this area, I’m sure you understand.”
    Based on the look on Kevin’s face, he didn’t understand.   But it would also be impossible for the man to deny that the truck was Tavis McGuffin’s.
    “What do you want with Guff?” Kevin finally asked.
    Ben turned back to his truck and then toward the former soldier again.   “His sister is looking for him.   They’re pretty close, I guess.   And she hasn’t heard from Tavis in about a month.”
    Kevin stared at Maggi in Ben’s truck and finally said, “Guff is a big boy.   Maybe he doesn’t want to talk with her.”
    “Like you and your sister?” Ben asked.
    “Exactly.”   Then the soldier seemed to consider something new.   “As you can see, we’re pretty much off the grid here.   I’ve heard your place is the same way.”
    That was what Ben was hoping for.   The kindred spirit impact.   “You got that shit right.   I’m pretty self-sufficient.”
    Kevin gave a half smile.   By now the rain was starting to fall down on them, sifting through the heavy Douglas firs over their heads.   “I’d let you talk with Guff, but he’s not here right now.”
    Ben glanced back at Maggi.   She would want a more definitive answer to her brother’s whereabouts.   “She just wants to make sure Tavis is all right.   That’s it.”
    “Like I said, he’s not here right now.   He went mushroom picking.”
    “Do you know when