Honeymoon for Three

identified herself. In response to his questions, she acknowledged that she knew Alfred and that she had seen him recently. She asked how they knew he had murdered someone.
    “Shortly after the murder, he was stopped for speeding in another town. He posted bail, but when the officers in that town received news of the killing, they immediately informed us about him, because he had acted suspiciously. We put out an APB for his car, and it was found apparently abandoned three or four hours later. Inside we discovered several bullets that were the same make and caliber as the one in the victim’s body.”
    “Did you find a gun?”
    “We haven’t located the murder weapon. Or Alfred Ward. We think he may have taken another car that was stolen from a driveway not far from where his car was found. We have an APB out for that car.”
    “Do you know where he’s headed?”
    “He told one officer he was going to Billings, but based on other evidence in the car, we suspect he may be following you.”
    “What other evidence?” Penny looked at Gary. He must have seen the fear on her face, because he was paying close attention to what she was saying.
    “We found a spiral notebook in the car. Did you recently get married in Reno?”
    “That’s our notebook.”
    “And there were several pictures of you.”
    “More than one?”
    “Yes. I’d like to meet with you. Where are you now?”
    “Mammoth, in Yellowstone.”
    “It’ll be a while before I can get away. Can you meet me at the coffee shop at Mammoth Hot Springs at six o’clock this afternoon?”
    Penny agreed.
    Detective Landon told her to watch for Alfred. He described the car Alfred was suspected of having stolen, including the license plate number.
    “Do you think he’ll find us here?”
    “Your plans for Yellowstone, as stated in the notebook, are pretty general. And, of course, he no longer has the notebook. We have the Park Service employees at the entrances to Yellowstone looking for his car, but I would certainly keep an eye out for him.”
    Penny hung up the phone in a state of shock and said to Gary, “He’s got our notebook.”
    “So that’s what happened to it. He must have taken it out of our tent at Crater Lake. No wonder he knew where to find us. Although that doesn’t tell us how he followed us to Crater Lake.”
    “Gary, he’s the one who had you arrested and disrupted our wedding.”
    “But the description the woman at the chapel gave was that of a man who had long hair and a beard.”
    “And a potbelly.”
    “My God. I think you’re right. He could have shaved off his beard. He must have followed us all the way from Los Angeles. Which means that he knew where you lived there. That boy is sick.”
    “I never did anything to encourage him—to lead him on.”
    “It’s not your fault, honey. As I said, he’s sick.
    “But he must think…. Anyway, we’re meeting the detective at the coffee shop here at six. He thinks Alfred is still following us.”
    “It sure sounds like it.”
    “And he may still have a gun. What shall we do now?”
    Gary thought for a minute. “Let’s stay on the move. I think it’s the safest thing we can do. We can spot his car easier on the road, but Yellowstone is a big place. There’s a good chance he’ll never find us. Anyway, I’ll protect you.”

Gary gave her a hug. Penny felt better in his arms. Could he really protect her from Alfred with a gun? He might get shot. She would never forgive herself for that.
    ***
    Alfred was feeling remorse about giving up his car. He loved that car. He should have been able to figure out a way to keep it. If only that man hadn’t tried to pull a gun on him. Or had he? Alfred didn’t remember actually seeing a gun, only a glint of metal. And then blood. Lots of blood. He hadn’t meant to shoot. He thought the safety was on.
    Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk, as his grandmother used to say. He had slept in the car on a side road, not trusting himself to register at a motel. The police knew his name. He could register under an assumed name, but he had never done that before, and he might make people suspicious by his nervousness. And, of course, his California driver’s license would give him away, if he had to show it.
    The inside of the Falcon wasn’t as large as that of his Fairlane. He had been uncomfortable and cold while trying to sleep, even wearing his jacket. His stomach had growled all night, since he hadn’t eaten much yesterday.
    Now