The way it was parked, it was impossible to wheel it backwards over my own tracks. Even if they could, why would they? I can see no reason at all for anyone to try to hide the tracks leading out of the barn.
But it's literally like it vanished into thin air. There weren't even any foot prints other than mine and the deputy's.
As far as insuring it and then reporting it stolen...
This is not a dig at your old man, but even with the amount of money and time I'd already invested, I simply couldn't do that.
First, it's just against my nature for that sort of dishonesty.
Second, that's fraud. My ex wife would love to get custody of our son, and any sort of criminal charges would pretty much hand it to her on a silver platter. There's a very damn good reason (several, actually) that I, a man, got custody in an assbackwards state like Mississippi. And I don't mean that as an insult to MS, that's my home state and if I could find a decent job there I'd pack my shit right this second. But anyone from there knows the woman gets custody, that's just the way it is. Except under certain circumstances.
I kinda suspect the seller. He put an inaccurate vin on the bill of sale, and he's stalling on sending me the title, or even a picture of it. The Sheriff's Department is telling me they can't do much without the vin, unless I happen to identify it in person. It can be bought and sold at any pawn shop or dealership, and without an accurate VIN, it won't send up any flags on their system and any one can apply for a new title without getting flagged. Also, ORVs don't even need a title or registration here, which makes it easier for any thief to steal one and fence it.
So, I pretty much have to find it myself. Unless or until I get an accurate VIN or the title which will have the VIN on it.
And the seller was all too happy to deliver it to my house, which meant he also needed my schedule so he'd know when to drop it off.