“Sounds like you guys have some friends in high places,” she replied.
“I have God,” replied James, giving both an accurate statement and not wanting to get her going on the what or who. “Just hang tight, both of you.”
The jailhouse front door swung open with a bang, sending both Jason and Ken’s girlfriend into a panic.
“It’s just me,” came the call from up front. James couldn’t see from his cell—none of them could—but he recognized his friend’s voice.
“Sorry about all the banging, folks, but I had to swing the door open with my foot, so I didn’t spill the dinner trays. Let’s see. We have meatloaf, potatoes au gratin, and coleslaw. I ate mine just before coming over, so I can tell you firsthand it’s good. Now let me see, raise your hands if you would like ketchup?”
He kept talking loudly about the food, his wife’s cooking skills, and even the weather while slipping James a note on top of the tray but under his plate.
James took the tray, thanking him, and vowed to have his cleaned plate ready for pickup in 20 minutes. Carefully slipping the note out, he hunched over, concealing it from any possible cameras as he read.
“Hey, buddy. I hope you’re holding up well. I talked to your friend on the mountain this afternoon. He got hold of…well, you know who… Anyway, all is good. Hang tight, and you’ll be out in a day or two. Watch what you say in here if you’re not already. Wait for my sign and slip this note back under your plate with the dishes. I’m looking forward to working for you—I surely am. I checked on Janice and the family. All is good at the ranch.”
James read the note twice before slipping it under the plate and starting his meal. He smiled, knowing loyal friends were hard to find, and especially those who would risk their jobs and very lives to do the right thing.
“All good, James?” called out the deputy.
“Yes, sir, Your wife is a mighty fine cook, that’s for sure. I’m done with everything, and thank you.”
“Oh sure. Just some food is all,” he replied, coming around to pick up plates. “Y’all sleep tight,” said the deputy, locking the front door behind him.
“That wasn’t half bad,” said Jason.
“What’s that?” called out James.
“The dinner. I didn’t have much of an appetite, but I ate it all. Didn’t want to offend the chef.”
“Yes, it was good,” chimed in Ken’s girlfriend.
“It’s going be dark in another couple of hours,” said James. “Let’s all get a good night’s rest; we need to be sharp tomorrow.”
* * * *
Janice and Lauren tucked in Billy and the girls while Chance checked each room, as he had since supper, looking for James and Jason.
“They won’t be home tonight, my big boy,” said Janice. “Hopefully tomorrow, though.” She seethed about the new Sheriff and Judge Lowry but didn’t let it show.
Lauren was already more upset and nervous than Janice had ever seen her, even that first day in front of the trailer.
“They are going to be just fine, Lauren. I know it to be so, and so it is. Get some sleep tonight. Chance will keep an eye out—right, buddy?”
Woof! was the reply, as he plopped down at the bottom of the stairs.
* * * *
Sheriff Kate wasn’t sure of her next move and resisted the urge to go to Ken’s place. As it turned out, it wouldn’t matter. Ken was at hers around 8 p.m., banging on the front door.
“You know,” she said, looking through the peephole, “it’s not smart to bang on the Sheriff’s door near dark.”
“I’m not banging on the Sheriff’s door; I’m banging on Kate’s door,” he said. “The woman I used to know. An honest woman who cared more for other people than herself. What happened to you?!”
She listened but didn’t respond.
“Why is she still locked up?” he asked.
“As I said, she was disorderly.”
“No, you said she was drunk and disorderly. That’s my MO, not hers.”
Ken heard Kate slide down the back of the door and sit on the floor.
“Do you remember, Ken?” she started, not shouting but loud enough to be heard. “Do you remember when we used to date, and neither of us had a care in the world?”
He did the same, sitting back-to-back with his former girlfriend, only an inch of wood separating them.
“Yes, I do. I would ride my motorcycle out to your dad’s place, and he would curse and throw things at us as we rode away. Got me good once with an old baseball!”
“I remember!” she snorted—“almost wrecked the bike that time. Don’t you miss the rides out in the country?” she added. “Just us, the wind, and roads for miles. You were talking crap about your boss back then—Judge Lowry. Can you even believe he now works for me?”
“No, I didn’t see that coming,” Ken replied. “What really happened to Sheriff Johnson?” he asked.
“Simple,” she replied. “He wasn’t you… It’s the same reason she’s in the jailhouse, I guess.” The statement came out so quick she couldn’t take it back.
“What I mean is…” she backtracked. “She’s nice; I’m sure she is. But she can’t have you, not anymore.”
“So, you just keep her locked up…or worse?”
“That depends on you, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You decide. But either way, she can’t stay in town.”
“And me—what if I leave too?”
“Well, I can’t stop you, I guess. I hope you will stay—stay with me, that is.”
“Give me some time, no more than a week, to think about it?” he asked. “And please let her go tonight.”
“Sure. For
