Finding Sheila by Anne Hagan

Author:Anne Hagan [Hagan, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781386736608
Google: aveNDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Jug Run Press
Published: 2018-09-13T19:57:27.995000+00:00

Chapter 18 - CYA

“Why are we wasting our time here if Crane isn’t coming?” the Mayor of Zanesville prodded Todd Bell.

“She’s working the case, as we speak. We need to give her some time, is all.”

“Buy her some time, don’t you mean? This is going to come back to bite us all.”

Andrea took it all in, listening not speaking. The DA would do that, if he felt a need. Mel hadn’t done anything illegal. The plan had backfired. If they knew the details, they would see that. All the due diligence in the world wouldn’t have uncovered the plot in this one.

“We’ve got to cover all our…our bases, folks,” Commissioner Randolf was saying. “If she can’t find Sheila Ford, we’re going to need to make sure we’re all protected from the firestorm the public is going to rain down on the Sheriff’s Department.”

That’s it; cover your ass, Andrea thought.

Her boss, Devon Willis made a show of clearing his throat, then jumped into the discussion as soon as all eyes turned to him. “You are aware that the disappearance of Ford, is a federal investigation, correct?” He watched as a few heads bobbed around the conference table. “Sheriff Crane can only do so much. This is in the hands of the FBI and I’m quite sure they will find Ms. Ford. As long as Sheriff Crane followed established protocol for deputization, she’s not in any legal jeopardy, other than in the court of public opinion.”

“She deputized her wife, Devon,” Fallon Randolf reminded him.

“Yes; her wife who is a recently retired federal agent for Customs and Immigration, a woman who is responsible for breaking up one of the largest smuggling operations ever in this country, resulting in multiple arrests and multiple convictions.”

Andrea hid her smile. She knew Mel wouldn’t have wanted his defense, she would have held her own, but she was happy to see Devon play the voice of reason and try to placate the group. Her mirth was short lived.

Mel strode into the room. “I don’t know what you are all talking about and I don’t care. I’ve been on the road all day, chasing little scraps of information in this case. The FBI has nothing.” She made a chopping motion with her hand. “Nada. I’ve known Sheila Ford for all of my adult life and more. I’m going to help them find her or I’m going to find her myself, whatever it takes. If I can’t get this resolved quickly, with a minimum of egg on our collective faces, I’ll take off my badge. You can all work on getting someone else elected to be your Sheriff.”

Bell spoke up, “That’s not what we want…that’s not…”

She focused on him. “And you of all people know damn well, I never really wanted to be Sheriff to begin with.”

As Mel strode back out of the room, Andrea’s chest tightened in fear for her friend.

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