Chapter 19
19
Sheriff Johnson was usually a good listener and bent over backwards to help out someone in need. Unfortunately, that was not how he was acting now.
“Hardy, when I visited with Stephanie, my heart went out to her. It’s obvious that she’s been through a lot.”
Hardy felt his muscles ease. “So we’re on the same page.”
“I wouldn’t say that. Not exactly,” he added after a short pause. “I spoke with an officer in Batavia.” Looking down at his notes, he continued. “Officer Will Monnon seems like he’s on the ball, but things are moving slowly on his end too.”
“Why? He has a body.”
“Yes. And he’s even sure it has to do with one of the Broken Arrows. But he doesn’t have the weapon, and the kid Stephanie described is nowhere to be found.”
“That’s because he’s around here, Billy,” Hardy said impatiently.
“I hear you, Hardy, but I have to follow the law. Technically, nothing illegal has happened in my jurisdiction.”
“I know I was being followed. That was him. I didn’t make it up. That’s why I didn’t put Stephanie in Carter’s apartment in Marion.”
“I remember, but even if I could use your story to make a case for getting more involved, the chase was in a different county.” Looking uncomfortable but also determined, he added, “I’m sorry to point out the obvious, but you’ve got to think about what will stand up in court. If Stephanie refuses to do anything, then we have no witness. You have to remember that you think you were being followed in the middle of a torrential downpour. The defense could find a dozen witnesses who said that cars were hydroplaning and it was hard to see four feet ahead, let alone a vehicle behind you.”
Hardy gritted his teeth but couldn’t deny the sheriff’s words. “I hear you.”
“Just to be sure, you haven’t seen the vehicle since, have you?”
“No, sir.”
“If this guy is on the run for murder, he’s likely desperate enough to have changed vehicles by now. I want to help, but I’ve got a big county and a small department.”
Man, but he hated that the sheriff was right. “I understand.”
Right then, the sheriff’s computer dinged, and his phone lit up. The sheriff had a lot of other things to do, and Hardy needed to respect his time. “Thanks for seeing me, Billy.” He made a move to stand up.
“No. Listen. If something else happens, call me and I’ll get someone out to the property.”
“Something besides dropping off a box of bullets?”
“You know as well as I do that dropping off some ammunition isn’t against the law.”
“Yeah, I can only imagine how many people a defense attorney could drum up to say they’ve done the same thing.”
Sheriff Johnson looked impatient. “I’m not trying to be uncaring, man. I feel your pain and I agree that this Amish girl really might be in trouble. But if I start getting involved in things without due cause or get involved in affairs out of my jurisdiction, not only will I get in a heap of trouble, but any case they might eventually come up with may get thrown out.”
“I hear you.”
“I hope so.”
Standing up, Hardy offered his hand. “Sorry I’ve been acting like an impatient jerk. It’s just that I was used to handling insurgents for the Army. I knew what to do. All of this surrounding an Amish girl? Well, it’s out of my comfort zone.”
“For what it’s worth, this would be out of most folks’ zone too,” Billy replied as they shook hands. “Don’t give up, though. If the guy is dropping off bullets, he’s getting desperate, and desperate people make mistakes.”
Those words rang in Hardy’s ears as he drove back onto the ranch’s property. When he approached the gate, Crenshaw pushed a button to let him in.
“Afternoon,” he said when Hardy rolled his window down.
“How’s it going?”
“It’s been quiet. We’ve had a fair share of vehicles pass by, but no one slowed down.” Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he added, “I’ve also been trying to see if anyone is driving by more than once.”
“Any luck?”
“Nope. The only cars that have done that are the usual vehicles I always see. You know. Mrs. Peabody getting groceries and such.”
Crenshaw was good. Very good. But he couldn’t see everything that happened every second of the day. “Do you need another set of eyes? I can call in a couple of guys who used to work here.”
“Dan is at the other gate right now, and Foster’s home but is heading in soon. He’ll take Dan’s place. Dan will come here, and then I’ll go off for a spell. We’ve got a rotation going on.”
“Fair enough, but I’ll see if Sully can come in.”
Crenshaw raised his eyebrows. “Sully? You sure? He’s almost sixty.”
“He’s not that old and he can handle a firearm better than either Dan or Foster.”
“Understood, Boss.”
“Good. Pass the word. If someone sees anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, let everyone know.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rolling back up his window, he drove down the gravel road, taking a moment to look left and right. Scanning the fields.
Ahead was a paved road leading up to the big house. It reminded him that he still needed to touch base with Carter about the package that had showed up. Busy as he’d been connecting with the sheriff and checking the perimeter all day, he’d only made one attempt to call his boss, but it’d gone straight to voicemail. Might as well start prepping the big house in case Carter decided to return. More than likely, he’d want to come down once he heard about the latest developments. He knew the housekeeper had visited there yesterday, but he wanted someone to turn on lights for Carter.
Wanting to check on Stephanie, he realized that he didn’t trust Dan or Foster to wander through the big house unes corted. He trusted them for security on the grounds, but the Russell house was filled with expensive things. And it was his friend’s home.
He stopped in the truck and dialed Sully’s number.
“Hardy, long time no hear.”
“How you doing?”
“Good, but I hear something in your voice that says this call ain’t about fishing.”
“I wish it was, but you’re right.” He paused. “You got a minute?”
“Always.”
“I need you here for a couple of weeks. Probably part time, but it might be more than that.”
“Hardy, if you need me, I’m there.”
“I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that. Let me fill you in.” As succinctly as possible, he laid out everything that had happened and why Sully was needed.
“Understood. You need me now?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll get dressed, pull out my weapon and harness, and be over within thirty.”
“Go in the main gate. Crenshaw’s there.”
Sully chuckled. “That man’s demeanor alone will scare off half the population. He any friendlier?”
“I’m not sure. You tell me. Anyway, I’m also going to send you the codes to the big house. I want you to come straight over, do a walk-through, and turn on lights.”
“Mr. Russell on the way?”
“Not sure yet, but it’d be good to have the house ready just in case.”
“Gotcha. And then?”
“Talk to Crenshaw about getting on some of the shifts. If I need something more, I’ll let you know.”
“Roger that.”
“Thanks, Sully.”
“Glad to be needed,” he said before hanging up.
Feeling better, Hardy took the gravel road off to the left and headed toward the cabins. He tried Carter’s cell again while he drove, but hung up as soon as he heard voicemail kick in. He’d have to try again later. Maybe it was time to hang out with Stephanie for a spell. Just to make sure she was okay.
Maybe she’d be watching The Love Boat again. He could tease her about that and watch an episode or two by her side. He’d enjoy that.
He was starting to enjoy anything that would put a smile on her face.