“You were staring at her like her picture was pinned up on the locker room wall.”
Coop grunted. “I think I’m in serious trouble here.”
“I’d disagree if I wasn’t busy upending my life to move closer to the troublemaker leading me along by the collar.”
When Gary brought another whiskey, Mac tossed out some bills. “This one’s on me. Welcome to the family.”
“Isn’t that jumping the gun a little?”
Mac glanced his way. “You drove over a thousand miles, got shot, nearly burned to death, and then you let her steal your drink. Yet here you still sit, sneaking glances at her when you think nobody is looking.”
“When you put it that way—I’m fucked.” Coop swirled the amber liquid in his glass, grinning.
“Pretty much.”
The door opened and Grady blew in with the cold desert air. He was still in uniform, albeit a very wrinkly one. His stubble-covered jaw had its own five-o’clock shadow. He hung his jacket on the coat rack and took the seat on the other side of Mac.
“Whatever lager is on tap, Gary.”
“Pale or dark?”
“The darker the better tonight.”
Grady nodded toward Mac and Coop.
“You look like you’re one wheel down and dragging the axle,” Mac said. “How was your day, Sheriff?”
“Kate’s crazy.” He thanked Gary for the lager and took several swallows, wiping the foam mustache off with a napkin.
“Careful, Grady,” Mac said. “Natalie already warned Coop here about using the C-word tonight. The diamond killer catcher might shoot you next.”
“She’s a paperwork nightmare. I’m going to lock her up until that baby comes, I swear.”
Mac laughed. “So, what’s the status on Ronnie and those missing diamonds the FBI wanted to pin on her?”
“The killer isn’t talking much, but the FBI found evidence in his vehicle that links him to the last three killings, so they’re content that they have their man and that the diamonds he’s hunting down aren’t the same as those Veronica’s ex swiped.”
“So she’s off the hook?”
“Sort of.” Grady pointed over his shoulder toward the pool tables. “But Mississippi is still hanging around, so that means she’s not in the clear by much.”
Mac had noticed that the FBI agent was playing pool again tonight. “Is he here because of Lyle’s accident in prison or is something new going on?”
“According to Mississippi, he’s been told to keep an eye out for a new problem. Oddly enough, trouble is coming again in the form of someone looking for Lyle’s diamonds.” Grady shook his head. “I’d laugh at the irony if it wasn’t Veronica waiting for the hammer to fall.”
“Here we go again,” Mac said.
At least Claire wasn’t in the crosshairs this time. He felt for Grady. The last month had been full of sleepless nights. Maybe the sheriff was used to that level of stress for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but Mac was not. Quitting and moving to Jackrabbit Junction was kids’ play in comparison.
“How’s your deputy?” Coop asked, adding, “Natalie told me about her morning chase with Kate.”
“Well, he’s up and moving, but he’s pissed off.”
Mac took a drink of beer. “Because he was shot with a tranquilizer dart?”
“Because Kate used his gun while he was tranquilized to shoot the killer. In his eyes, she stole his thunder and embarrassed him at the same time.”
“Did he know that he had the killer trapped in the alley?” Mac asked.
Grady shook his head. “And that fact has him even grumpier than usual. He’s accusing Kate of leading him into a trap.”
Coop smirked. “We have a detective like him up in Deadwood.”
“What do you do about him?” Mac asked.
“There’s not much I can do besides grind my teeth while he’s around.” Coop smirked again. “Although Natalie’s best friend does give him a solid dose of shit. As much as Parker drives me to drink, I do love to watch her sink her teeth into the detective’s ass.”
“Maybe I should send my deputy up to help you out, since you have experience with pains in the ass.”
Coop scoffed. “No thanks. I’m full up on sons of bitches.” He took a sip of whiskey.
“What’s going to happen to the diamonds the killer was here to collect?” Mac asked.
“I handed them off to the FBI. I talked to Juan Moreno, a friend of mine at the local paper today. He’s writing an article that with any luck will get picked up by the newspapers and television stations in Tucson and Phoenix—and farther maybe. In it, I state that the diamonds are now in the FBI’s possession.”
“In other words, leave us alone,” Mac said.
“Exactly.”
Butch pushed through the batwing doors, stepping behind the bar. He joined them, turning their trio into a quartet. “What have we here? Pretty maids all in a row?” He focused on Grady. “Except for this one. He looks like he’s been hit in the face with a wet squirrel.”
“It’s your damned fault, Carter. You had to go and get your woman pregnant in my county.”
Butch laughed. “I will remind you that Veronica is the one who kept the damned diamonds.” He pointed at Mac. “And Claire found them under the camper. So this is your women’s fault. Kate merely fixed the problem for them.”
Coop chuckled. “Your three hens make quite a trio.”
Thumbing toward the Deadwood detective, Mac said, “This guy thinks he’s free and clear of all this because Natalie doesn’t live here. He doesn’t realize that the ‘wild and crazy’ trait is genetic.”
Grady leaned forward. “How’s that sabbatical treating you, Coop?”
“You’re behind the times,” Mac told the sheriff.
“What’s that mean?” Grady looked to Butch.
“Coop scored a hat trick,” Butch answered.
“Really? An old, decrepit, shot-up cop like him?” Grady grinned at the detective. “That’s impressive stamina.”
Coop’s brow pinched as he stared at Butch. “How do you know that?”
Butch crossed his arms. “Kate pumped Natalie for answers earlier. To Natalie’s credit, she tried to fend Kate off, but my bad mama jama is a real badger when she gets her teeth into something.”
“Tell me about it,” Grady said with a growl. “Speaking of Kate, where is she?”
“Hiding from you.”
The sheriff’s
