Until Death Tears Us Apart: A Short Read for Cozy Mystery and Suspense Readers (The Sheriff's Wife Book 1) by Riley Blake

Author:Riley Blake [Blake, Riley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

“We have some unfinished business with Ralph.” After a moment of silence, Charlie finally spoke.

I didn’t move. “And you are?”

“Charlie Watson.” He extended his hand. “How’s your husband doing?”

“Better than Ralph’s wife.” That one minute of silence provided a moment of clarity. Now, as I searched the men’s faces, I saw what I needed to see.

Charlie sported a cold killer’s eyes. The other two had that same death in their bones. The stench of cruelty and lack of compassion was all over them.

Puffing his chest out, Charlie finally clasped his hands together and said, “Okay. Games are over.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, fluttering my eyelashes. “I didn’t realize we were playing games here tonight. Have you set odds on who is winning this battle? See, I’m leaving here. And I’m leaving with Ralph. If you try and stop me, we’ll have a problem.”

“Lady, you’re out of your jurisdiction.”

Since I used to watch a lot of westerns, I had practiced the whole sheriff jig. Leaning a little to the right, I cleared my throat, straightened my torso, rested both hands on my belt, and lifted my chin. Unfortunately, the charade cost me the pepper spray. It dropped and rolled.

Everyone looked down. I pretended not to notice.

“I’m taking the convict in. He killed his wife. If you stand in my way, I’ll hold you until the local boys arrive. You will not stop me from hauling my prime suspect back to town.”

As if I’d said the magic words, the men looked at one another and shrugged. When Charlie moved aside, he said, “Why didn’t you say so? In fact, if you need some help, we’ll be happy to escort you all the way back to the sheriff’s department.” He waited a second. “That is where you’re going, right?”

“Yes. And thank you. I’d appreciate that very much,” I said, playing along. “I’ll secure the prisoner. If you would, please, go ahead and pull behind my vehicle. Anything can happen on those lonesome two-lane highways. I’ll feel better with my own personal security team following us.”

“Yes, mam,” Charlie said.

Willing to play this guy to the bitter end, I said, “But understand me. I’m a woman’s woman. Girls in our town stick together. Ralph will stand trial for his wife’s murder. Sheila was a friend. I’ll stop at nothing to put him away. No one will prevent this man from the fair trial and sentence he deserves. And I’ll take out anyone who stands in my way.”

He grinned bigger. “Yes, mam. You can trust us, Sheriff.” He stared at the badge again. “Should I simply address you as the Sheriff’s wife?”

“That’s more like it,” I said, always very careful not to impersonate an officer.

“We’ll be behind you the whole way,” Charlie’s driver said.

I didn’t doubt it for a minute.

****

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