Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Deputy Dog, AKA Chief Willometa, is loud-talking on a landline phone in the corner office. Probably thinking I can’t understand that he’s bragging. About catching me.
He’s also staring at my fake ID, which is now lying on his desk. This goes on for a long time.
I’m not prone to sweating when I’m stressed, but I am. I’ll blame it on the pathetic air conditioner. Not the fact that I’m worried as hell about Marianna.
Right.
I’m twisted up inside over the brunette.
I keep looking at the door. Praying she stays out of this mess. And yet, I crave seeing her.
Shifting my ass, I try to ignore how hard the floor is and instead think about the mission and how all of this crazy shit links together. And the root of that is the car that Scout and I chased before I arrived in Karma.
I still haven’t told Chief Willometa that I suspect the car from the bank heist is related to our missing woman.
Or more like, I didn’t get a chance. The man was talking non-fucking-stop over everything I tried to say when he hauled my ass down the street in cuffs and tossed me into the cell.
I could have taken him. Easy.
He was puffing like a car on bad gas when he finally locked the cell.
But I wasn’t born yesterday.
Nope. I have to sit tight.
The phone rings on the man’s desk, snapping my attention back to him. I hadn’t even realized he was off the phone. As he picks it up, he glares across the small jail at me, but he lowers his voice this time, and I only catch snips of the conversation.
Something about money. Then one word he utters sends ice flushing through my veins. “Marianna.”
Fucking hell.
This is not good for her. She’s had enough trouble without my issues dragging her down.
Scrubbing both hands down my face, I lean my head back against the cinderblock wall. Fuck.
I need to stay away from her.
Thankfully, Scout is close by and can get my ass out of jail. I crane my neck to see the clock on the wall by the door. Any minute now…
Divine timing because the door swings open.
But it’s Marianna who bursts into the building like a charging bull.
This is not a big place. The Karma jail is made of exactly one cell. Two chairs by the front door. One small office with weirdly modern furniture. A weak air-conditioner. And a sad looking ceiling fan that wobbles.
So the electrical storm she brings with her charges the whole place.
I was afraid this might happen.
Her whiskey-brown eyes latch on me, softening with relief. “Thank, god. I was worried sick.”
With a shaking hand, she clutches her throat and exhales a relieved breath.
“Hey, don’t be upset. I’m fine.”
“You are not fine. Is this because you tried to help with the bank robbery?”
“Yes.”
Something snaps. It’s clear as day.
Hands are fisted and shaking, she turns on the other man and bites out four words. “Unlock the cell, NOW.”
Oh shit.
I leap off the floor and grab the bars. “Marianna, listen to me. I’m just waiting for a friend to come over and bail me out.”
“This is not okay and I will not leave you in here, you were only trying to help protect this town.”
“It’s all a misunderstanding.” Making my voice steady, I hope I can diffuse this situation before she goes off like a powderkeg.
The last thing I want is for her to be locked up too.
Stabbing a finger at the uniformed man, but looking at me, she seethes, “He pointed a sawed-off shotgun at you!”
That is a true statement.
“Yes, he did. But I discharged my weapon?—”
“Four times!” the cop shouts over my words.
She presses her lips flat, and glares at him. “Unlock the cell.”
He shakes his head, his frown deepening. “No. Now move along. Your father was looking for you.”
Marianna’s spine snaps straight. A vein pulses on her temple.
Not good.
Ever watched a pot boil over? That’s what I’m witnessing.
She shouts, “You did not just say that!”
Any sane man would flinch under her withering glare.
“ Marianna, ” he warns. “Unless you’re here for some reason besides bailing this reckless man out, then you need to leave.”
Taking a stalking step forward, Marianna’s hands clench. “I’m not going anywhere unless he goes with me.”
Weirdly endearing, this announcement is also incredibly alarming.
My knuckles protest as I clench the rough metal bars. “Marianna, hold on now. Let’s talk this through.”
With a smirk the cop looks down at her. “Since I know you don’t have the money for bail, his ass is staying right there.”
Thank god she doesn’t have her murder-purse with her. He’d be in serious danger.
Bitter words rasp out of her. “You know you don’t charge bail for anyone else, why him?”
“Because I can.” He folds his arms and locks his jaw.
Dammit . Waving a hand through the metal rungs, like a cape for an angry bull, I shout, “Hey, everyone. Let's take a breather here.”
No one responds. Not even a glance my way. They’re locked on like two dogs about to tear out each other’s throats.
He tips his chin toward the door and looks down his nose at her. “Run along, girl. Like I said, your father wants to talk to you.”
Marianna chuffs as she slams her hands on her hips. “I’m sick of people in this town getting involved in my business. Now, for the love of god, let this innocent man go. He’s done nothing but try to help. Including trying to stop our bank from being robbed because you were nowhere to be seen. As usual! ”
Oh, fuck.
She said that.
The cop's face turns as red as a tomato in the blink of an eye. It’s not a good look. Arteries are at risk of rupture.
“Check your temper, child. And for your information, I was attending to the report of a double murder.”
“Don’t call me a child.” Marianna inhales swiftly. “Wait, did you say a double murder?”
“Yes. A double murder.”
Her astonishment is clear. “A murder of two people? In Karma?”
While she’s surprised. I’m alarmed.
My pulse kicks up. The moisture in my throat evaporates.
Car bombs, now a double murder.
The Chief puffs up his chest. “It’s an ongoing investigation, but I’m on it and I’ll find the murderer. If I haven’t already.”
His gaze cuts my way.
Oh. Fuck.
This is not good.