Chapter Seventeen
By the time, Noel and Mary arrived at the horrific scene in front of Maddy’s restaurant, Sheriff Phil Lock had Rory pinned against the hood of the squad car, a shotgun clutched in his hand.
“Rory, calm down. You can’t go after Ralph. There’s no evidence it was him who set the fire. We have to wait for the Fire Department to do their job and search for evidence of arson.”
“You can wait old man. I know exactly what happened. Mom and I heard breaking glass, and we saw the car pull away. There’s no doubt the fire was set and why.
He came in the café today, laid a beating on me and warned they was going to fix me.
This is their way of carrying out their promise, the lowlife bastards. I want them arrested.”
“Look, if it’ll stop you from arcing like a hotheaded fool, I’ll go to their place and ask some questions. In the meantime, you back off from making accusations and give me that weapon, or I’ll throw you in jail.”
“And what would you charge him with, Sheriff? This man is arguably angry, but he’s done nothing wrong and certainly nothing to warrant being charged and harassed by the law who’s supposed to be the people’s protection against this kind of violence.”
Stunned, the sheriff looked at Noel standing by. “Who’re you to talk that way to me?”
Noel turned to Rory. “You need a lawyer?”
Shocked into grinning, Rory nodded, “Yes, sir.”
“Well Sheriff, this man has just hired me as his lawyer. I’d be very careful before making uncalled-for threats.”
“Hells bells. Friend or attorney, you best control this youngster and stop him from doing something he’ll regret.”
Just then, Deputy Taylor approached, his furious face not hiding the contempt he felt at the disgusting unlawful act.
“I’m damn sure we want to question the Jones boys, Sheriff.
Andy, down the way, said he saw their car in the vicinity not long ago, and he’s madder ’n hell for them to get away with this kind of persecution. ”
“Okay, calm down now. We’ll look into things, and I’ll report back to you, Rory.
” Again, he reached for the rifle but didn’t force anything when the younger man clung tightly.
“But… and I’m saying this with sorrow… I’ve no doubt them boys will have a lot of witnesses willing to perjure themselves that Duggan and Ralph spent the evening with them and never left the premises.
Get yourself prepared, that’s all I’m asayin’.
Unless we have proof, like a video, it could be one witness against a bunch. ”
Noel watched Rory as his shoulders slumped, and he wearily shoved the gun at the sheriff.
“You and Maddy should come back to Mary’s place tonight, bro.
From the looks of things, your mom is at the end of her tether.
And your reaction is terrifying her. Maybe it’s time to relieve her mind and take a step back. ”
The sheriff turned away with a last warning. “Listen to Mr. Bradford, boy. The man’s giving good advice.”
Once the sheriff was out of earshot, Noel added, “I promise, I’ll do everything I can to see that those scum brothers get what’s coming to them.
As promised, I contacted Bill Harrison, the district attorney, and he’s agreed to look into things.
Trust me, this guy’s a bulldog when it comes to finding evidence and truth in cases like corruption, drug trafficking and unlawful bullying tactics. ”
“I hope so, Noel. I can’t take much more and neither can my ma.”