Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells: A Smiley and McBlythe Mystery by Hammack Bruce & Hammack Bruce

Author:Hammack, Bruce & Hammack, Bruce
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-9884408-7-6
Publisher: Jubilee Publishing LLC
Published: 2019-09-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Heather pulled alongside the keypad of Big Blake’s elaborate entrance only to see red and blue lights in her rearview mirror. A sheriff’s deputy eased behind her car.

Heather rolled down her window as the officer approached.

“Ma’am, I’ll need to see your driver’s license and proof of insurance.”

Heather gathered the documents from her purse and handed them over. Before the officer returned to the computer in his vehicle, he asked, “What’s your business here?”

“I live here,” said Bella.

“And I’m her attorney,” said Heather as a post-script.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

The officer retreated to his SUV and returned a short time later. “Detective Schmidt is on his way. He wants you to go in. He also said he’s glad you came. The officers that were here misplaced the codes to the gate and the house.”

Steve chuckled from the back seat. “It was probably the corporal that fainted after being attacked by a rubber snake.”

Heather’s driver’s license and insurance card came through the window along with a chuckle. The officer bent over and took off a pair of wrap-around sunglasses. “Two and a half million YouTube views so far. The corporal decided to take off a couple weeks.”

Heather drove down the tree-lined lane until she caught a glimpse of sunlight bouncing off the windshield of a truck parked in front of the house. She slowed to a crawl and looked to her right. “Do you know of anyone who should be here?”

Bella shook her head. Heather moved off the pavement and motioned the deputy to come forward. “Someone’s parked in the driveway. Bella doesn’t think they should be there.”

The officer squinted to try to get a look at the vehicle in the distance. “I’ll call for back up.”

Two additional deputy patrol SUVs joined the first and moved toward the home. A fourth vehicle, an unmarked black Crown Vic sped past. “There’s Detective Schmidt,” said Heather.

“Let’s join the party,” said Steve.

As they approached, Bella said, “That’s Uncle Olin’s truck.”

“Are you sure?” asked Steve.

“It’s the same truck that was here yesterday,” said Heather. “I couldn’t make it out due to the distance and the trees blocking my view.”

“Interesting,” said Steve.

They mounted the steps and entered the great room. Mounts had been pulled off the wall. A desk lay with its legs facing the ceiling, and a knife had ripped into the hide of a zebra skin covered chair. Olin Field stood with his hands fastened behind him with chrome-plated handcuffs.

Bella rushed toward him, but an officer blocked her path. Heather moved to her side and made sure she didn’t interfere.

Detective Schmidt cast a suspicious glance at Heather, Steve, and Bella. “For a house that’s supposed to be empty, we have quite a few people here.”

“We came to get more clothes for Bella,” said Steve to counter the detective’s suspicions. “Your boys weren’t too keen on letting us leave with much for Bella to wear.”

Heather pointed to Bella. “Look at her. She had to wear my clothes today.” She didn’t tell him Bella was thrilled to put on something besides camo.

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