After Annie had told the sheriff all she knew and suspected, she turned to Dallas. “I need to get back. I’ll call you if I hear anything from the lab. You too, Sheriff. I’ll be by tomorrow morning to have another look.”
“Thank you,” Dallas said.
“It’s my job.”
“You going to be around later today?” Doug asked.
“I’ll be in my office in town, unless I get a call. Why?”
“Thought you might like to grab a coffee.”
Damn. Red anger crept up Dallas’s spine. “She doesn’t like coffee,” he said, “and aren’t you married, Doug?”
“I guess you haven’t heard. Sandy and I separated two months ago.”
“In that case,” Annie said, “I’d love to have a coffee.”
“For someone who hates coffee, you spend a lot of time in that damn coffee shop,” Dallas said through clenched teeth.
“Calm down. I’ll have tea. Stop by anytime this afternoon,” she said to Doug. “It was nice meeting you.”
“Very nice meeting you,” Doug said. “I’ll see you later today.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Annie walked to her VW Beetle, got in, and drove away.
“She’s some looker,” Doug said to Dallas and Chad. “The accent’s a little grating, but her body makes up for it.”
“I think her accent’s charming,” Chad said, “and I wholeheartedly agree about her body. You’ve got some competition for her though.”
“You?”
“Maybe. We had lunch yesterday. And Joe Bradley. He’s seen her a few times.”
“Well, I’m hardly looking for a serious relationship. I’m technically still married. Wouldn’t mind a roll in the hay with some of that, though.”
Dallas couldn’t help himself. He lunged forward and punched the sheriff right in the jaw.
He eyed the redness in his knuckles. His fist felt damn good.
“Are you crazy?” Chad tackled him to the ground. “He’s a lawman for Christ’s sake.”
Doug, clearly stunned, sat on the ground rubbing his jaw. “I could arrest you for that, Dallas.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, though, seeing as how you’re upset about your stock.”
“You treat that lady with respect, Doug, and you’ll have no more problems with me.”
“You her protector or something?”
“No. Just be good to her.”
“Dallas—” Chad began.
“No. Don’t say it, Chad.”
“This is my exit cue.” Doug rose to his feet. “Let me know of any new developments in the case.” He wiggled his jaw back and forth. “You pack a mean punch, Dallas. I’ll try to remember to stay on your good side.”