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

problem?” She racked her brain, trying to think about the two of them. “My dealings with them have been petty crimes and small thefts and burglaries. They’re basically lazy oafs, who don’t work very much. Jesus, you’d think Deputy Harry would have better taste in friends.”

“Yep, and they’re looking to score big,” he said. “Remember that part because it’s always at the top of their minds too.”

“Which means they’re exactly the type Ronnie and Johnny would have used for one thing or another.”

“I wouldn’t be at all surprised,” he said. “The trouble is, that deputy is likely to get killed over this, and he won’t even see it coming.”

“Thanks for the tip on that,” she said. “We’ll head down to the mechanics shop here in a minute.”

“I’ve got this,” he said. “You take care of that.”

She hung up and, hearing the ambulance siren approaching, raced outside and led them to where the two women were. Within minutes, both were loaded up and headed for the hospital. She looked over at Henry. “God, he was too young for this.”

“No,” Bonaparte said. “He was old enough to know better.”

“But he didn’t care,” she said.

He reached out a gentle hand, squeezed her shoulder, and said, “You can’t save them all.”

She looked up at him and took a long breath. “I know,” she said. “At least my mind knows it, but my heart—” She shook her head.

He opened his arms, and, when she looked at him, he motioned for her again and said, “Come on.”

She sighed, stepped into his embrace, and let herself be held for just a minute. “You do know that I’m the sheriff, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. And I know you’re struggling to deal with calamity right now.”

She squeezed him hard, and he let her. “You’re like a bloody tree,” she murmured.

“Hey,” he said, “at least I put down roots and keep them there.”

“Yeah,” she said, with a smile.

He studied her for a moment. “So, when this is over,” he said, “how would you feel about me sticking around for a few days?”

“I’d like that,” she said. “Are you talking about officially or unofficially?”

“Well, you probably can’t take much time off, not until you fill up your crew, so probably officially,” he said.

“Meaning that, if I can’t take days off, you’ll stay and work?” she asked, with a laugh.

“It’s probably the only way I can see you. Plus I’d like to make sure you have someone to back you up in the interim,” he said.

“Well, it’ll be up to me to hire a deputy.” She gave him a sidelong look. “You want a job?”

He looked at her and then laughed. “Wow,” he said. “I don’t know about that. I don’t think Levi would particularly like it.”

“Well, Levi is a big boy,” she said, with a smile. “Besides, he’s been telling me how he had plenty of good men all the time.”

“Which he does,” he said. “And I’m one of them.”

“Right,” she said, with a sly grin. “God knows I could use a good man right now.”

“Here I am,” he said, with a big grin, raising his eyebrows.

She rolled her eyes. “Hardly.”

“Why not?” he asked. “What’s wrong with me? You know that I’m here for you,” he said. “You know that I’m honest and trustworthy. I’ve got your back,” he added. “What else do you need to know?”

“Well, I don’t know much about your family or your kids.” Then he launched into this long monologue of everything that he thought she needed to know, as she listened in astonishment. “So, are you serious?”

“Well, I won’t say no,” he said, cautiously eyeing her. “But you know something? There’s an awful lot of spark or pizzazz or whatever you want to call it between us, and there’s a hell of a lot to like about you.”

“Really?” She smiled. “Oh, please.”

“Really,” he said, “and I agree. It’s hardly the time or place but—”

“Right,” she said, just as another ambulance arrived. “And this will be our deceased’s wagon.”

“Can they take him already?”

“Yes. Well …” Then she stopped, rolled her eyes, and said, “Maybe not.” She called Stone. “Hey, how are your forensic guys doing?”

“They’re still busy, why?”

“Well, I’ve got a body here,” she said, “and it’ll be connected to the case.”

“Ah,” he said. “Well, I might be able to send one or two your way.”

“Only if they can,” she said. “I know it’ll take a full team to keep track of this.”

“And what about the coroner?”

“Coming from Denver and should be here any minute, I hope,” she said. “You’ve got a full house there that’ll take a while. Unfortunately I’ll be at it here for a while as well.”

“Why don’t you sit down in a chair and relax while you wait?” he said. “Nothing will happen quickly.”

“Well, I want to get down to the hospital too,” she said. “I not confident we won’t have trouble there.” Just then the coroner’s vehicle arrived. “Well, I’m off,” she said. “The coroner’s here. I’ll be heading to the hospital to check that out too.”

“And what about Bonaparte?” he asked.

“He seems to think he needs to stick close.”

Stone laughed. “Well, if he thinks that,” he said, “you better let him.”

“You mean, his instincts are good?”

“His instincts are some of the best,” he admitted. “You’ve got a lot going on and two missing jailbirds now,” he said. “So, if Bonaparte thinks he needs to stick close, you better let him.”

“Not only that, we have a mechanics shop to get to,” she said. “I really could use a full contingent of experienced deputies right now.”

“Well,” he said, “I don’t know who all to call in because I don’t have anybody else local. Want me to come?”

“No,” she said, “you handle that corner.”

“Do you really think somebody will come here?” he asked thoughtfully.

“We can’t take a chance. If the brothers can get that evidence away from you, we won’t have a case.”

“Good point,” he said. “Okay, I’ll stay here.”

“Perfect,” she said, “we’re heading to the hospital in a minute.” She disconnected the call with Stone to