Bonaparte's Belle: A SEALs of Honor World Novel (Heroes for Hire Book 24), Dale Mayer [read an ebook week .TXT] 📗

sheriff’s station, he wondered just how much money was at stake. When he figured the size of the highway, the destinations that could be reached by going this way, he realized it would be a lot. It would involve gas stations and fast-food chains. It could be a whole new development that would go up. Even if they did nothing but flip it, the badass brothers would still make a sizable profit. And that included other properties as well.

He frowned at that, thinking about what would become of Angela’s acreage. That was one of the bigger tracts. He quickly texted Levi back and asked where Angela’s property was situated in terms of that new highway. Bonaparte got a response, saying Levi would check, then pocketed his phone. Bonaparte realized chances were good it would be right smack in the middle of Angela’s land.

She was in the middle of this mess, and that meant her property probably was as well. And, if they took her out, it would make a massive difference in income level for the brothers. Bonaparte swore, as he thought about the level of risk, and he picked up the pace. He didn’t know what the hell was going on, but Angela was at risk, and it looked like that wouldn’t change anytime soon.

Chapter 9

Inside the station, Angela put on a pot of coffee, as Isabel wrote out her statement. Angela hadn’t told her friend that the two men holding her hostage in her home had been in jail and that now they were both gone. But Angela had been checking the station thoroughly, including inside closets, the washrooms, under desks, everywhere. It appeared that they just unlocked the damn gate and walked right out the front door. She checked the security cameras and found the system had been completely disabled. She started to swear then. She sat down and fired off an email to one of the other sheriffs, with a photo of both men. Then she contacted the sheriff on the other side. Both responded right away.

One called her and said, “Wow, you’ve got a real problem there, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” she said. “And it looks like one of my deputies helped them get out.”

“But you don’t know that for sure, do you?”

“No, not yet,” she said, “because, of course, they disabled the security cameras.”

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then he spoke. “Did you call up more deputies?”

“I have one right now,” she said.

“What about getting a second one?”

“Well, this one is the size of two,” she joked. But inside she knew it was no joking matter and said, “Just keep an eye out for these guys, will you?”

“I’m pretty sure they’ve just gone home, all cocky and sure of themselves. Will you pick them up?”

“I will,” she said, “but, if I can’t hold them, it just becomes a running joke.”

“It does at that,” he said. “Getting those locks changed is pretty rough though.”

“No, I got a big padlock,” she said. “I’ll use that instead. I’m just waiting for my deputy to return, and I’ve also got somebody writing up a statement right now,” she said. “I can’t leave right away.”

He swore. “Look. If you want me to come over, I will.”

“And I might need you to,” she said, “so thanks for the offer. I appreciate it very much. I’ll let you know what happens in the next little bit.” When she hung up from that call, she rose and poured herself a cup of coffee and asked Isabel if she wanted one.

Isabel looked up from her table with a frown and then nodded. “Yes, please.”

Angela poured two cups, dropping off Isabel’s, and walked back to her office, then checked to see where Bonaparte was. She stared out the window but kept out of any direct line of fire. It was just one of those conversations in her head that she knew would not have a good answer. If these guys had any idea that they could shoot her here, then chances were they probably would. They would love the irony of the sheriff being murdered in her own station. When she caught sight of movement outside, she looked over to see Bonaparte heading quickly toward her. She smiled as she watched his huge frame lope toward her easily. It surprised her, given his size.

He came up the front steps in two bounds. “Any more trouble?”

“No,” she said quietly, “and I did find a large padlock.”

“Good,” he said. “You want me to go pick them up again?”

She hesitated and then nodded. “Are you up for it?”

He gave her a feral grin. “Are you kidding? I’m just waiting for the chance.”

“It might get ugly.”

“Even better,” he said.

She smiled. “I don’t feel like you should go alone.”

“But that’s what I’m here for,” he said, “and you can’t leave her.”

“No,” she said, frowning at her friend. “She’s writing up a statement right now.”

“Good. It might not be enough, but still it’s good to get it done,” he murmured.

She knew exactly what he meant. “Go pick them up,” she said, “and let’s just hope they won’t give you any guff over it all.”

“They will,” he said cheerfully. “Not to worry though. I’ve got this.”

After giving him the address, she watched as he hopped into the truck and took off. As she went back inside, she watched Isabel stare at her curiously.

“What was that all about?”

She stared back and said, “Police business.”

Isabel flushed. “I guess I deserved that.”

“I don’t know what to do now,” Angela said. “We were friends, until this.”

“We still are friends,” Isabel said. “I crossed the line, I know, but I’m not really any different than I ever was before.”

“I hope not,” Angela said, as she studied her face. “There could be some tough questions and answers coming up.”

She nodded. “I know, but I do realize what I’ve done wrong.”

“And yet you’re not willing to talk to your mother?”

She winced. “I can,” she said hesitantly.

Just then came a cry from the front