A week had gone by since the sheriff had gone on his honeymoon. Williamson read through the switchboard and deputies’ reports. He was acting sheriff until the real one got back. Williamson liked his job as a deputy, and he didn’t think he would mind being active sheriff – until he was.How does he deal with this insufferable paperwork? It’s non-stop. It’s a wonder the sheriff gets anything done outside of the office, Williamson thought.Williamson fought the urge to groan out of boredom. He’d rather be in a shootout than read one more report or do one more budget check.If he goes away this long again, maybe someone else can be acting sheriff.The phone rang.“Sheriff’s office, this is Williamson,” he answered.“Yes, this is Lieutenant Joseph Smith from the Miami Police Department. I’m calling for a Sheriff Matthew Kirby.”“Sheriff Kirby will be out of town for another week. I’m the acting sheriff until he gets back. My name is Curtis Williamson. What can I do for you, Lieutenant Smit
Williamson had been gracious enough to let Nick perp walk Ghost into the station. The guys had looked surprised and happy to see him. They had complimented Nick as he walked Ghost by them. Patty, the switchboard operator, had a big smile on her face.Williamson put Goldman on watch duty in lockup with Ghost. Williamson asked Nick to join him in Kirby’s office.On the way to Nick’s old stomping ground, he had told Williamson he had opened a bail bonds business two and half months ago. They worked on the go. No office. Nick was very selective about whom he bonds but mostly he hunted. He looked for big rewards and they went after that fugitive. Nick and his team had caught seven fugitives so far and the rewards were plentiful. Ghost was number eight. The monetary compensation wasn’t huge, but the reward of finally getting Ghost wasn’t about money. It was the peace of mind that the last person who was responsible for his brother and sister-in-law’s deaths was going to be punished.Nick pl
Matt rolled Jodi over in the king size bed. He continued to plow into her as she wrapped her long natural tan legs around his waist. Her luscious breasts swayed to his rhythm. God, he loved her. He was going to spend a lifetime making love to her, making her smile, and vacationing with her.His dick got soaked as she came. He let go, shouting her pet name that Matt and only Matt used. He breathlessly claimed her mouth. They were both hot and sweaty. Matt rolled over on his back.Jodi breathlessly grabbed the remote from the nightstand and cut the AC on high. “Oh god,” she moaned. “Was it hot in here when we came back in or did we make it hot?”He chuckled. “I think we made it hot. The AC was running when we left.”“Well, it’s going to be nice and cool in a minute, so let’s get under the sheet,” she said softly. Jodi reached down to pull the sheet up over them. They were all over each other when they had come in from having a late lunch in the restaurant downstairs. Matt had slung the
Nick had just taken a shower. He let everyone take a shower first since Rodriguez and Albertson had to be at the station by eight. Gia and Walker wanted to cook breakfast for everyone, so Nick ate first and showered last.His brown hair was still wet. He was bare-chested and barefoot when he walked downstairs. He had on brown slacks. He put his shirt on the couch. Nick planned to drive into Phoenix later to do some recon on fugitives at large.Nick was about to sit down when the doorbell rang. He walked across the carpet to answer it. He wasn’t surprised when he opened the door. Nick figured he’d show up sooner or later.“You still haven’t shaved,” Goldman said with a smirk.“I was expecting you,” Nick said with a little smile.Goldman raised his shaving kit. Goldman was the best shave man around. His father and grandfather had been barbers. Goldman gave Nick an old fashion Italian shave.An hour later, Nick’s face was as smooth as a baby’s bottom. They didn’t talk during that time, b
Matt waited for someone to answer the door. There was an SUV in the driveway that he didn’t recognize. He assumed it was a rental. Matt did recognize the Harley Davidson, however. It was Goldman’s. He had come early to see his old friend.Matt knew that he and Dalton had to have a conversation before Dalton did his first shift tomorrow. Williamson had said Dalton apologized to Jacobs; and that Jacobs had admitted that maybe he should have handled things differently. Matt hoped they could work it out, too. Matt saw the boys as an extended family of brothers. Carter was the shining star. Goldman was the heart. Williamson was the foundation. Lawrence was the jokester. Dalton was the cornerstone. And Matt was the eldest brother. The eldest wanted and needed the cornerstone back.The door opened. Matt’s eyes widened as he faced a tall, muscled black woman. Her eyes were serious. Even her chin and cheeks had muscle definition. Matt was prepared to see a couple more tough hombres because of
Gia, Nick, and Walker had stopped by the police station in Phoenix to inquire about a couple of fugitives that were at large. They canvased the area for possible haunts of a fugitive who had a ten thousand dollar bounty on his head. He was wanted for aggravated assault and armed robbery. They didn’t have any luck, but they planned to question two family members of his later. The bounty hunters stopped at a small downtown restaurant for a late lunch.Nick, Gia, and Walker walked down the sidewalk in downtown Phoenix. Nick sucked soda out of a straw from a plastic cup as Gia and Walker took in the sites. They’ve never been to Phoenix before.A woman wearing a wide brim sky blue hat and dark sunglasses stepped out of a café several feet away from them. The hat matched her sky blue form-fitting dress perfectly. The skirt of the dress came below her knee. Her legs were long and light brown.Nick would recognize those switching hips and long legs anywhere. They belonged to Jackie Garvey. Ni
Nick rapidly flipped and punched the speed bag. His brown hair, angled face, and bulky ripped, muscled chest were soaked in sweat.They found the fugitive with the ten thousand dollar bounty on his head. He was about to flee Phoenix for the Mexican border. He actually shot at them. Nick returned fire. He had clipped the fugitive in his arm. When he dropped the gun, Walker was on the fugitive like white on rice. They had collected the bounty and returned to town.Gia and Walker wanted to go out for drinks to celebrate. Rodriguez and Albertson had finished their shift and were game. They wanted to hear about the job they had just finished. Nick told them to go ahead. He wasn’t in the mood. What he was in the mood for was a fight. Catching the fugitive earlier wasn’t enough.Nick went to his old gym and asked the manager if he could have a week pass. Not only did he give Nick a week pass, he didn’t charge him. When Nick tried to pay for passes for his team, the manager wouldn’t charge hi
Jackie laid on her back in her room at Garvey’s staring at the ceiling. A week had gone by since Jackie saw Nick Dalton in Phoenix. She wondered if she was too hard on him. Nick did try to apologize.No, she told herself. You will not feel regret. Move on. Nick Dalton is gone – for good.Nick and his men had left town yesterday. Jackie knew that because Bonnie told her. Nick had gone to the diner to make peace with her. He gave her a bouquet of yellow roses. He had gone to Jodi’s house and did the same. Jodi loved the roses. Nick had driven to Jesse’s house and gave him an apology along with a twelve pack of beer. Of course, Jesse accepted it.Jackie? She hadn’t heard one word from him. She didn’t blame him. Jackie threw his attempt at an apology back in his face.There was a light tapping on the door. Then, it slowly opened.“Hey, Duchess,” Billy greeted when he peeked his head in.“Hey,” Jackie said as she lifted her head.“We got a surprise for you,” Billy said with a smile.“We?”
After Juan had left, Cindy had asked Mindy to grab items to put on her Nicolette persona before they left for Phoenix. Cindy wouldn’t tell her why. She had said they were going somewhere that she needed to see and it was a surprise. Five miles outside of Phoenix, Cindy stopped the SUV at a rest area, grabbed a bag out the back, and told Mindy she had to go to the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, Cindy returned, but she didn’t look the same. Cindy had on a pile of make-up and a red-wig, and it wasn’t the red wig Mindy had given her. When Cindy got back in the car, Mindy asked what was going on and where were they going. Cindy begged her patience and assured her that everything would become clear. They were in the downtown area of Phoenix. They parked on the street. Cindy walked Mindy to a building that looked like it had glass for walls. They got on the elevator and went to the twelfth floor. There were two businesses on the floor; Grass
It was late Tuesday morning. Mindy was packing a gift basket. She was going to drop it off as she and Cindy rode out of town. Cindy wanted to go shopping in Phoenix. Of course, Mindy couldn’t afford to buy anything but she didn’t mind keeping Cindy company on her shopping trips. Cindy walked in. “Whoa,” she said as she took in the basket on the kitchen table. “That’s a big thank you.” “Well, it is from both us. Can’t have it skimpy,” Mindy said. Cindy shrugged and opened the refrigerator to retrieve a can soda. There was a knock on the back door. “Who in the world could that be?” Mindy asked. Cindy walked to the door and opened it. The man raised his head so they could see his face from under the wide brim baseball hat. “Hey, girls,” Juan greeted. “Juan, come in,” Mindy said with a smile. He darted inside and closed the door. “I parked my car two blocks away and walk
By the time Matt had found out what was going on, it was over. He and Jodi were having a hot romp in the kitchen when Patty tried to call him. He had left his cell in the living room.Two ambulances, the forensics van, two cruisers, and Williamson’s truck were outside. Matt and Jodi walked into Garvey’s bar. “Son of a bitch,” Matt sneered as he put his hands on his hips, taking it all in.Otto was taking pictures of the body on the floor. Goldman stood tall as he was taking notes while Mindy and Cindy Pandock sat at a table talking to him. Juan was sitting at the bar looking like he had never been more relieved in his life as Carter took his statement.“Oh my god,” Jodi said with a shocked look. “I’m going to check on Juan.”“All right, just don’t interfere with the questioning. I’m heading for the lobby to see what else is going on,” Matt said seriously.Jodi nodded and walked away.Matt strode to the lobby doors which were propped open. There was a body on a gurney covered by a shee
Tyrone told Juan how they had tracked Chip down in Chicago. It wasn’t hard. Chip had left a rowdy drunk trail so anyone who wanted to find him could. Tyrone described how they worked Chip over for thirty-six hours. After being beaten for that long anyone would tell what they knew. Chip had given Juan, Sam, and Zeke up. He had even told them where he hid his cut of the money. During the conversation, Tyrone had given the girls more change to play more tunes on the box. Just like before, Chavez had walked with them. When they returned, Ginger got back in the booth and Nicolette remained standing next to a table. She didn’t look as petrified as before. Tucker James had taken a seat at the table with Juan with the gun still on him. Juan guessed he got tired of standing just as much as Nicolette got tired of sitting. It wasn’t hard for Tyrone to track down Zeke either. At least Zeke didn’t lose his mind with the money. He was enjoying a comf
Juan had gotten Tyrone to chat a little. He got detailed about how Sam suffered before he died to Juan, Nicolette, and Ginger’s horror. Tucker even had the nerve to say that at least Sam wasn’t a rat - if it was any consolation to Juan. Now, he was talking to the girls as Nod Ya Head by Will Smith played on the jukebox. Chavez was bobbing his head to the song. “Are you two sisters?” Tyrone asked. “You look like you’re related.” “Cousins,” Nicolette choked out. “Ah,” Tyrone said with understanding. “It’s shame we didn’t meet under different circumstances. You two are cute. Oh, well, back to our friend Juan. So, Juan, where the hell is my twenty million dollars?” Mindy and Cindy’s eyes bugled. “I’ll tell you, but I have to know something first,” Juan said. “Yeah, what’s that?” Tucker said and put the barrel of the gun to Juan’s temple. “How’d you figure out it was us?” Juan asked ask he foug
Tucker had Juan sit down in a chair out on the bar floor. The silence made the situation more terrifying. Tucker pointed his pistol at his chest. How the hell did they figure out it was us? “Ladies, do you want to listen to some music,” Tyrone asked. “Huh?” Ginger said. “Music,” Tyrone repeated. “No reason for the situation to be unpleasant for you because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. What kind of music do you girls like?” Nicolette shrugged stiffly. “Some country and . . . I just started to listen to some hip hop lately.” “Okay,” Tyrone said as he nodded his approval. “What about you, babe?” he asked Ginger. “Same including R&B,” she answered. Tyrone dug into his pocket and pulled out some change. He took Ginger’s hand and placed the change in it. “Play some hip hop. I don’t like country music – oh, and no Eminem, Justin Bieber, or Justin Timberlake. I hate t
It was Sunday morning, and Juan was feeling pretty good despite what had happened last Sunday. No one in town or the surrounding areas knew about Sam being found dead at the hotel, which surprised Juan because he was sure the EMTs would have talked, but it didn’t seem like they had. Juan just thanked his lucky stars.Matt and his team were still working on Sam’s case. Forensics believed Sam’s death was an accident per cloth fibers that were found on his body and the ice bucket bag. Matt tended to agree based on the staff statements and security camera footage from the lobby and exit doors down stairs. He did have Juan come in to look at some of the footage that Matt found suspicious. Juan identified the two blondes Sam had been with. They had appeared to be in a hurry and they went out the side door exit. Juan only knew their first names. Matt had put in the Arizona state police database that they were wanted for questioning, but he didn’t suspect them of foul play. Sam’s valuables ha
Monday afternoon, Juan prepared himself for the verbal assault as he settled in the office with Jodi and Jackie. He had asked Matt not tell the twins about Sam Ellis. Matt had said that it should come from Juan since they still own a part of the business, so they had a right to know. Juan didn’t want them to know because he knew they would blame him somehow. Sam was Juan’s friend not some random guest off the highway. In the end, Juan had refused to call them about it and told Matt to do what he felt was right in regards to informing the twins. “What’s up?” Juan asked. “I think you know what’s up,” Jackie said. “Jackie, what happened yesterday couldn’t be avoided. I don’t know how you think I could have prevented -” Juan began. “Of course, you couldn’t stop it,” Jackie interrupted. “We came here to see how you were and how we can help.” “Yeah. You can’t stop someone who really wants to kill themselves – or partici
The forensics team combed the room over while Matt and Juan waited in a room across the hall, so Matt could take Juan’s official statement. Both room doors were propped open. Otto was able to just walk a few feet to give Matt immediate need to know information.Matt noted Sam’s license information on a pad so his license could stay in an evidence bag. Sam had one suitcase filled with clothes, normal toiletries in the bathroom, a bottle of aspirin, a hundred and fifty dollars in his wallet, a paper bag with eight thousand four and thirty dollars in it, no credit cards, a cell phone, a photo of a woman, a man, and three girls, a key chain with a car key, two regular keys, and a lock key, and a few business cards.“Do you know why he had so much cash on him?” Matt asked.“Sam still lived the life of a drifter,” Juan said. “Plus, he liked casinos. He stopped at a couple in Arizona before he came here. Probably had a good run.” “Hmm,” Matt mused. “Yeah, but to keep that much cash in your