Mean Streak

She pushed herself off the car and set out at a run.

* * *

As they exited the courthouse and walked toward the parked SUV, Jack groused, “What kind of freaking policy—”

“He’s the judge,” Knight said.

Grange got behind the wheel, Knight rode shotgun, Jack climbed into the back. “Buckle up,” Knight told him. “We got laws.”

Jack clicked on his seat belt and checked his phone, the use of which had been forbidden for as long as they’d been inside the courthouse waiting on the arrest warrant. “Emory,” he told the other two as he activated his voice mail. Then, “Oh shit! Oh shit!”

“What?” Grange said.

Jack rattled off Emory’s message. “Hayes is walking into danger. Then she started breaking up and went away. Check your phone, Grange. She said Alice Butler was going to call you with details. Also, Jeff’s alibi was a lie.” To Knight, he said, “Get some units rolling toward the Floyds’ place, but first see if you can get Emory back. I’ll call Hayes, and that son of a bitch had damn well better answer.”

Grange, driving with one hand, checked his phone. “No calls from Alice Butler.”

“Emory’s phone goes straight to her recording,” Knight said. “Buddy, keep heading for the suite hotel, but let’s amp it up.”

Grange turned on the siren and light bar and stepped on the gas.

“Son of a gun. When all hell breaks loose…” Knight muttered as he got on the unit’s radio to dispatch.

Meanwhile Jack had put in the call to the burner phone Hayes was currently using. He counted one ring, two, and was just about to give up when Hayes answered. “What?”

“I know you got a call from Lisa Floyd, and that you’re running to her rescue. What you don’t know is that Jeff Surrey is behind her plea for help.”

“How do you know?”

“Emory left me a message.”

“How did she know?”

“We think it came from Alice Butler. We’re trying to ascertain that.”

“Trying?”

“I called Emory again,” Knight said, speaking over his shoulder. “Got her recording.”

“Did you hear that?” Jack asked.

“Yeah,” Hayes said. “Her phone battery had to charge.”

“She cut out on the message,” Jack told him, “but one thing came through loud and clear. You’re being set up for an ambush.”

“Way ahead of you. I figured as much. I just didn’t know Jeff was behind it. Where are you now?”

“On our way to Jeff’s hotel to serve the warrant.”

“Stay with that. Get that bastard locked up.”

“Will do.”

“Tell Emory to stay put at the motel. Call the room phone if you can’t reach her by cell.”

“Roger that. Don’t confront those hillbillies alone. SO units are on the way.”

“I’ll handle the Floyds.”