They all got back on I-10. Bullock headed west to Tallahassee and Frank and Jonesy headed east back to Jacksonville.
"Well, that was worth the trip," Jonesy said. "Now I get to visit my buddy Pastor Worthington once again."
"It's going to be hard to get to him, especially now that he knows who you are."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll find a way."
"I'll follow up on Cobb. I feel like he has something significant to do with this case."
"Sounds like the right approach."
They traveled silently for about 15 minutes and Frank's cell phone rang. It was Nancy Rafferty.
"Hey doc. How's my favorite furry patient?"
"She's bounced back remarkably well. I think she's ready to come home," Nancy said.
"Great. Why don't I pick up some dinner and you can make some of that great iced tea."
"This is getting to be a habit, but it sounds great."
As they said goodbye, Jonesy gave Frank a look.
"What?" Frank asked.
"Are you starting to live again?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I haven't scared her away. I told her about my past; what happened on the force in Syracuse and the death of my wife. It's a small step."
"That's a big step. Next thing you know you'll be getting free vet care and you and Lucy will settle in with the doc. You could do worse, although I'm not sure she could."
"Let's not jump to conclusions here," Frank said. "She is fun to hang out with and Lucy likes her."
"Whatever you say."
Frank dropped Jonesy off and headed for his trailer. He needed to get back to his trailer and do a little digging on Cobb. Later he had a dog to pick up. He missed her more than he could admit.
Cobb was not in the office or in his Ponte Vedra home according to the Bullocks. Frank had a hunch that there might be other properties that Cobb could retreat to. Frank sat down at his computer and began to research. The immediate Jacksonville area consisted of several counties. The city of Jacksonville is in Duval County. The borders of the county and the city limits are the same making Jacksonville the second largest city, in terms of square mileage, in the world. Shanghai China is the largest. To the south of Jacksonville is St. John's County. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean. To the West is Clay County and to the north is Georgia. Each county offered a searchable "Clerk of the Courts" web site which contained property records that were publicly available. Frank started with Duval and St. Johns counties and only found Stanton Cobb's $1.8 million home in Ponte Vedra. When he searched the Clay County web site, he found several Cobbs and Drakes. He did find a 10 acre property in the name of Stanton Cobb in Green Cove Springs which was just over the border of St. Johns County into Clay County. The property had been under a Cobb name for over 150 years dating back to Civil War times. Stanton Cobb took ownership of the property when his father died in 1970. Frank thought a trip to Clay County was just what he needed tomorrow. In the meantime, he had food to pick up and a dog to bring home. Another evening with Nancy without the burden of his hidden past would be a bonus.
His phone rang again as he was pulling into the Loop restaurant to pick up some burgers and their great French fries. It was Anita.
"Hey Anita."
"Hey Piano Boy. I just wanted to give you a quick update. Bubba stopped in here today to pick up some things and he looked awful. When I asked him what was wrong, he was very evasive and mumbled something about a family emergency and that he was going to be out for a couple of weeks. When I offered him help, he just shook his head and said 'no thanks'. I almost felt sorry for the bastard and then I remembered who he is."
"Interesting."
Frank then told her about the property in Green Cove Springs and about the other details of the case he had recently uncovered.
"Hey, I'm off tomorrow. How about if I join you on your little road trip?"
"Sounds good, but I don't want you to get in trouble with Drake."
"We're just two friends taking a ride. He has no reason to get mad. Unless, of course, he's doing something wrong."
"It's a date. We'll head out around ten."
"Ten is good, but it's not a date, though. You're not exactly my type. Now your friend, the vet, she's more my speed."
"Too much information. See you at my trailer at ten."
Frank went in and got the food. He then made the short drive to Nancy's. This time, when he pulled in, Lucy jumped up to greet him. She walked up to him looking pitiful with her shaved and stitched up hip, but basically looked to be back to normal. Frank patted her head, but her attention was on the Loop burgers and fries. She was definitely back to normal. Nancy was sitting on the porch with a large pitcher of iced tea, two glasses, and a dog dish.
"Lucy seems to be good as new," Frank said.
"She's about 90%. I wouldn't take her on a full run tomorrow. Take a couple of days to work up to it. Her stitches will dissolve and her fur will grow back before you know it."
They sat down on the porch and ate their burgers and fries in silence. Frank broke the silence.
"This tea is great. I need the recipe."
Nancy laughed.
"Just drive to Publix and buy a gallon with some lemons and you're done."
"OK," Frank said, ever the smooth talker.
"Um, I wanted to thank you for listening last night. It was good to get it off of my chest."
"I'm always here to listen."
Nancy took Frank's hand.
Frank felt nervous, but warm from her touch. He didn't pull away, but just sat holding hands with Nancy for a while. He felt better than he had in a very long time.
"Well, I have a big day tomorrow. Anita and I are following up on a lead and have a short road trip."
"Anita, huh? I'd say I'm jealous, but I think I know better."
"Anita is the sister I never wanted. She's a great cop."
They sat for a while longer and then Frank got up to leave. Lucy jumped up to go with him.
"Thanks for dinner."
"It's the least I can do. You've healed Lucy and you've started healing me too."
Nancy moved in and kissed him on the cheek and hugged him. Frank hugged her back enjoying the smell of her hair and the feel of her body against his. He forced himself to pull away and awkwardly said good night. He and Lucy walked to the car and got in for the short ride home.
When they got to the trailer, Lucy jumped out of the car with a little whimper forgetting the stitches in her hip. She tentatively walked to the dog door, sniffing every inch along the way, and cautiously entered the trailer. Frank unlocked the door and went in. He found Lucy searching the kitchen where the snake had been. Once she was satisfied it was gone, she hopped on the bed and was out like a light. Frank felt that life was somewhat in balance. He was going to sit at the computer and read through the Worthington file. Just then, his phone rang. It was Travis Bullock.
"Hello Mr. Bullock."
"Mr. Rozzani. I'm sorry to call you so late, but I wanted to let you know that Maggie just called us. She called to tell us that she ran away and that she is OK."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Frankly Speaking - A Frank Rozzani Detective Novel (#1) Page 15