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Chapter 170
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The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 171
"Do you have the murder suspect in custody?" Joe asked."Yes, he's in a cell on the other side of this wall. He's been talking." Mitch held up his yellow pad. "I've taken notes, and I did get a statement out of him. But something still doesn't add up.""What's that?" Joe asked."Damien may have pulled the trigger, but there's someone else pulling the strings on the operation. Parker showed up here in my county out of the blue, married to this Dottie woman who was also a waitress at the diner. No one in town ever saw him. Ronnie here found his address and surveilled his home one night, which happened to be the night Damien shot and killed him. She's the only person in this town to have seen his face, so some of what you've told us explains why. But" - he held his hand up to Joe when Joe attempted to interrupt - "let me finish please. The diner, once Parker took over, lost almost all local customers, but there continued to be daily deposits of eight or nine thousand dollars. Someon
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 172
"Here you go." Joe handed a bottle of water to her then realized she was cuffed. "Sorry, I'll open it for you." He held it to her lips while she drank.Mitch continued, "You're doing great, Dot. Tell me about your husband. You led Deputy Travis to believe Deputy Sykes was your husband. Now, why would you do that? Are you embarrassed by your husband?" Mitch pushed back from his desk, raised his arms over his head, and stretched."No, no, I'm not embarrassed by him. He wanted to stay out of the spotlight, so I made the deal with the Denver people, but he always handled the money when it was delivered.""And his name?" Mitch asked."I call him Parker because that was his name when we met but-" Her gaze searched the room, as if wondering if she'd already said too much. "Oh, what the hell. His real name is Albert Morrow. He's a former FBI agent on the lam, but you probably already know that, too, don't you?" Her eyes shot daggers at Joe sitting adjacent to her."I wanted to help h
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 173
While Mitch finished the paperwork, he listened to Albert and Joe talk about old times. Albert had his work cut out for him, and Mitch didn't see him as ever being an agent again. Albert's career was toast. Joe had called for a transport vehicle for all three of them until they could figure out exactly what charges would be levied against them.He felt bad for Damien who claimed Parker schemed the whole thing. He needed a diversion, and Damien drew the short straw. Not knowing exactly what to do, he'd done his best. But kidnapping? His parents?Joe stepped inside his office and asked, "How's it going?""Just a few more minutes. When's the ride arrive?"Joe checked the time. "Probably another fifteen minutes. Not long.""I'm beat. The last few days have been brutal." Mitch rubbed his hands over his tired, bloodshot eyes."I bet. I was hoping we'd have an hour or so to catch up, but I can see it won't be today." Joe sat on the corner of Mitch's desk."You're right, but hey,
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 174
One week laterMarie, Ronnie, and Mitch were huddled around the kitchen table for a bite of lunch when the doorbell rang."It's probably Carter. I'll get it." Marie hurried to the front door. A minute later she returned to the kitchen with a certified receipt envelope. "It's for you, Ronnie. I signed for it.""Thanks, Marie." Ronnie took it and checked out the return address. "What now?""Who's it from?" Mitch asked."Sally's attorney in Miami." She slid her finger under the flap and pulled out a check payable to Veronica Travis in the amount of two and a half million dollars. "What the hell?" she yelled, tossing it on the table as if it was covered in anthrax."What is it?""Here, look for yourself. What does that mean?" Ronnie pointed at the check. "It says in the corner it's life insurance proceeds. It's from Sally's life insurance policy. Well, I'll be damned.""Wow," Mitch said."Oh my gosh, I can't believe it. She did come through after all. Now, all I have to d
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 175
Avri and Dillon sat on the front porch swing. It was a beautiful spring day with a terrible ending. When Agent Fritz said the words, "search and seizure," all the air left Ronnie's body and some of it had not yet returned. Mitch's parents invited her to stay with them, but they'd be in separate bedrooms. She thought it would be too much tension as well as temptation. Mitch had spoken with Avri and Dillon, and they had a private room for her and were located adjacent to the B&B, so Ronnie chose them."Come on in, Ronnie," Avri said, on her way to Ronnie's car."I'll get your bags. You'll be all settled in no time," Dillon said as she popped the trunk open."Thank you both so much. I really appreciate your hospitality." Ronnie hugged Avri like an old friend."Let's go in." Dillon walked past them carrying Ronnie's suitcases.She didn't have too much to pack since most of what she wore every day was supplied by the sheriff's office.Avri linked her arm into Ronnie's, and they
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 176
Mitch woke before dawn. He remembered having the best sex in his life with the woman wrapped in his arms. Her pretty face was perfect, her mouth relaxed in a slight grin, her short hair sticking out everywhere. Beautiful didn't begin to describe her. Have I fallen in love with her? His best friends had told him he'd know when it happened; he'd feel it in his gut. He felt something in his gut, but he thought it might just be hunger.Still tired, he knew he had to get up and get to the office. Not wanting to disturb her, he took his time and carefully unwrapped his arms and legs from hers before rolling to the edge of the bed. Memories flittered to life when he'd woke from a dream. Ronnie was in trouble, there was a shooting, a murder, and somehow his parents were there. And then everything that happened in the last couple of days flooded back. He had to make sure Ronnie was okay, so he went to her room wearing only his boxers, not planning to stay.She looked so content he didn't wa
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 177
Awakening when he heard keys in the door, he stayed where he was but had his weapon drawn. Only Tom and Ronnie had keys, so please let it be Ronnie, he silently prayed.The lights brightened up the drab jail cell somewhat but not enough for his liking. He needed wide open spaces and fresh air. He wasn't used to sleeping in a room without windows. He wouldn't exactly call what he'd done sleeping, either. More like being on a rotisserie, tossing and turning while holding his eyes closed.Deputy Tom stuck his head in the room, surprise lighting up his face when he saw the sheriff. "Hey, good morning," Tom said. "What happened? You get kicked out of Travis's?""You could say that, I guess?" Mitch sat up and ran his hands across his face; he needed a shave, that was for sure."No, for real? I was just kidding.""For real, Tom, and I'm not proud of it, so if you could keep this to yourself, I'd appreciate it. Did you make coffee yet?""Nope, I'm doing it now." Tom left the room,
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 178
Mitch reached the B&B in record time."Sheriff, I'm so glad to see you. How're you doing?" Marie asked when she opened the door."I'm okay. I'd like to talk to Ronnie, if I may," Mitch said, making no attempt to come in the house unless invited."Please, step inside out of the cold. Ronnie's been in her room most of the day, but I'll let her know you're here. I'll be right back."Marie scurried off and returned quickly. "I'm sorry but she must be asleep. She's not answering the door and it's locked. I'll be sure to tell her you stopped by.""Thanks, Marie." Mitch sat on the swing. He'd wait.He thought what he'd be doing if he were home, or rather at the B&B. He should have offered to pay rent. Money was tight, and Ronnie used her paycheck to pay bills. He was paid well through the county and had excellent benefits. Even a car was provided to him. He usually socked away most of his paycheck into a savings account toward a house he wanted to build when he was ready to settle
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