Murder On The Mainline - S01 E20

Story 5 days ago

Murder On The Mainline - S01 E20

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 20

Another Mike Claymore.

Whodunit?

3RD TUESDAY

A thumping awakens him and he stretches before calling out that he's awake. He goes to the terminal for a quick shower then comes back to fuel up the truck. He backs under the train of loads and checks the bills as he connects airlines. First he makes a quick check of tires and brakes. All in order, he pulls on his airhorn and pulls the loads out of the yard.

At one thirty precisely he pulls in front of Trudy's place and she tosses up her bag to him and climbs the ladder into the cab. "Oh man, you look beat. Didn't you get any sleep today?"

"It hasn't been the best of days, my love." They turn onto the freeway and head east.

"Where's Lenny? Asleep?"

"Not coming this trip. It's all terminal-to-terminal. How you been?"

"Actually I've had a pretty good day. Got some rest and took care of business. Got a lot of info for you. You owe me big time now." She grins widely.

The lights of Hope disappear behind them and they begin the long haul to Calgary. Mike starts explaining what all has happened. He has to include almost all of what he; Nina, Jeff and Marlene have been up to so it all makes sense. When he gets done they are passed Manning Lodge and motoring for Princeton.

"So you see, I didn't get much rest today. They're breathing down my neck at every turn. And now I have doubts about Ray, into the bargain."

"I wish I could have seen that latest forensic report. It doesn't sound good."

"But you don't know Ray. Dig out that old battered briefcase of mine. Yeah, my old one. There's a copy of my interview with him in there. Read it and tell me if you think he's a killer."

She digs it out and reads the interview. They pass through Princeton and head on towards Keremeos down the winding highway.

"He wanted to take her to "Cats". He is a sweetheart." She goes on reading. When she finishes she says, "Can I read the other one, Marie Mathers?"

"Sure, but tell me first what you think of Ray?"

"I have to let it sink in for a bit. Let me read the other one." She starts reading and Mike lets her go. In Keremeos he swings north up the Okanagan. She sits with the two interviews in her hands and stares off across the dark flats to the gray-lit cliffs pocked with mine shafts. "I think your right. Ray's not the murderer, but I think I know who is."

"Well, tell me, for God's sake! Don't just sit there. Who did it?"

"It would be better for your ego if you figured it out."

"Forget my ego, who did it?"

"It's only a hunch, you know, women's intuition. Maybe I'm wrong. If I tell you, it'll throw you off track. You do things methodically; you follow logic, step by step. When you have discovered the truth, you'll be able to prove it. It’s better your way. He won't kill anyone else right away so there's no hurry."

"Are you going to tell me, or aren't you?"

"Hmmmm, I don't think so."

"TRUDY!! Dammit, tell me what's on your mind?"

"That's simple. Sex! When are we stopping?"

"Oh Lord." Mike sighs in resignation as she disappears into the sleeper. He pulls into the truck stop north of Keremeos. "Come on if you want a coffee or a pee."

Trudy tumbles out his door behind him and half rides his shoulder to the ground. They laugh together as they go inside. They order two ciders and sip them at the counter. Before they leave they visit the can together, the other washroom is out of order. Seated on the johns in adjoining booths they chatter away and laugh at jokes written on the walls. Mike gets a cold jug of cider to take with them and they climb back up into the truck. He picks a gear and they are off.

"So it’s always been a fantasy of yours to get laid in a big old truck, eh?

"One with a sleeper on it."

"Well, you've done that. What's next?"

"To do it again and again and again with you."

"Just three more times, eh?"

She swats his shoulder and disappears. In a while she sneaks back out in a cowboy hat of his and that's all. She curls up on the console and says, "Wake me when it gets light enough to see me from outside."

"Trudy! How am I ever going to concentrate on driving?"

"Maybe you better stop."

Mike just keeps on trucking. They go through Penticton and along the lakes toward Kelowna. In the predawn light he glances at her and realizes she's fast asleep. He lays a hand on her ass then pulls it back and shakes his head. He stretches and puts his mind on the road. Along a deserted strip by the lake he stops to have a piss. Trudy quietly follows him down and when he sees her, says. "I have to pee, too. Will you hold my hand so I don't fall over?" She squats by the riverbank and gets rid of some cider, while Mike holds her hand and pisses in the water. They scramble back up to the truck and her bare bottom precedes him inside.

Soon they're rolling again and she marvels at the rose colored sunrise over the water. Ripples break perfect reflections when a fish jumps for a fly. Another CPX rig appears far down the highway coming their way around the lake and Mike watches to catch the number on the cab. Trudy sits up and waves at the other driver as they pass then giggles at Mike's look of horror and says, "I guess I better get dressed."

They roll through Kelowna, out passed the airport and north towards Sicamous. Mike figures he'll make Golden by ten and Calgary by two, local time. If they have anything for Edmonton, he'll sleep there tonight. Otherwise he'll come back to Golden for the night.