The Crying Season (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Woods gave him a stony stare. Oh boy, he was complying with his right to remain silent. Kane shrugged. “Duty of care, sir. We have the paramedics coming in anyway. If you need them to look at you, let me know.” He leaned back in his chair. “Lawyer’s name?”

“James Stone.”

Kane’s day was deteriorating by the second. He groaned inwardly. The Black Rock Falls lawyer had been a pain in the ass. Apparently, before his arrival, he and Jenna had dated a couple of times and it didn’t work out, but Stone wouldn’t take no for an answer. Kane had spoken to Stone and implied he was involved with Jenna to convince the man to back off. Since then the cooperation between the sheriff’s department and Stone had ended. Sucking in a deep breath, he made the call, and from the way Stone went into action the moment Kane mentioned the prisoner’s name, he figured Woods must be some big-shot client of his. He could almost picture Stone dashing to his car to get to the sheriff’s office before he disconnected. Smothering a grin of satisfaction, Kane moved his attention back to Woods. “I’ll take you to an interview room to wait for your lawyer.”

“Did you find my Stetson?”

Kane had dealt with people many a time who believed law enforcement were the scum of the earth and their money could buy them out of any situation. The attitude Woods was giving him came from years of privilege and getting his own way, likely old money. He shrugged. “I’ve asked the barman at the Triple Z Bar to look out for it.”

“That’s not good enough.” Spittle flew from Woods’ mouth. “Get back down there and find it.”

“No can do. I make a point of staying out of places like the Triple Z Bar unless there’s a ruckus. If somebody hands it in, we’ll let you know.”

Woods’ face turned a peculiar shade of purple. “Those lowlifes will steal it and you know it. I paid them good money to track for me and they deserted me out in the forest, said they’d hunt down the buck I clipped.”

“You should have hired professional trackers.” Kane looked down at the man’s enraged face and smiled. “Don’t you know if you lie down with dogs, you’re gonna get fleas?” He gave him a light push toward the interview room. “This way.”

“I demand you go to the Triple Z and find my hat.” Woods threw him an indignant stare over one shoulder.

As Kane ushered Woods past Deputy Rowley, he grinned. “Seems like Mr. Woods has given up his right to remain silent and refused medical assistance. Inform the sheriff, will you, please?”

“Yes, sir.”

2

Jenna glanced up from her computer screen as Rowley knocked on the door. “Problem?”

“No.” Rowley looked at her through a swollen, streaming eye and gave her Kane’s message. “Woods is in interview room three.”

“Okay.” She pushed to her feet. “The paramedics are on their way. Go sit down and keep ice on that eye. I don’t want you doing anything until you’ve been checked out.”

“Yes, ma’am, but I’m fine.”

She moved closer, peered at him, then frowned. “You don’t look so good and I’m worried about you. Let me see your hands.”

When he lifted his bruised and skinned knuckles, she shook her head. “Oh, Jake, they’re not fine and neither are you. Will you at least sit here in the quiet for a while?” She pulled out a chair in front of her desk. “I’ll ask Maggie to bring you some ice and send the paramedics to check you over. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Sure, thanks, but I’m okay.” Rowley turned his hands over and sighed. “I’ve hurt myself worse than this working out.”

Jenna ignored him. Rowley had not complained once since the first day he walked into the office as a rookie. He was dependable and efficient, and she was proud to have trained him, but this time she had to put her foot down. She went straight to the counter to speak to the receptionist, Magnolia “Maggie” Brewster. “Rowley is a bit banged up. I have him in my office. Can you get him some ice and keep an eye on him until the paramedics check him? I’m sure he has a concussion.”

“Right away. You know, I can’t figure out how Deputy Kane came back from that brawl without a scratch.” Maggie rolled her brown eyes skyward. “I don’t believe he would send Jake in alone.”

Jenna bit back a smile at her indignation. “No, Kane was there in the middle throwing bodies in all directions. I think Kane knows how to duck.” She glanced toward her office door and lowered her voice. “Kane cleared a path through the fight and I followed. Rowley jumped straight in fists flying.” She leaned closer. “I figure he was having the time of his life.”

The door to the sheriff’s department swung open and James Stone stormed inside with an expression of doom. He marched toward her, gripping his briefcase like a shield before him.

“Sheriff Alton, you have my client, Ethan Woods, in custody.”

How did he get here so fast? Jenna took in his casual clothes and hiking boots. The lawyer usually arrived wearing an expensive suit and polished leather shoes. “We do but he has already waived his rights.”

“I don’t believe it.” Stone gave her a cold stare. “Take me to him. What’s the charge?”

Jenna lifted her chin. “He attacked one of my deputies with a bottle and incited a brawl at the Triple Z Bar.” She led the way to the interview room. “Then there’s the buck.”

“Buck?”

As they entered the room, Woods sprang to his feet.