by Joe Nobody
Zach’s temper nearly got the best of him, the blood flooding to his cheeks making his face red hot. The senior officer noted the reaction.
With a softer voice, the major continued, “The AG has laid down the law to the Crenshaw city officials. No more milking tourists. I’ve been assured that all of those involved will resign over the new few months. It's best for the nation, Ranger. Let it go.”
But Zach couldn’t. “They are raping people, sir. Right there in the jail. No amount of negative publicity or politics should trump that.”
Shaking his head, Putnam continued calmly. “No, that’s not accurate. We interviewed several of the male and female victims of their scheme. All reported that a large deputy threatened to rape them, but no actual assault ever occurred.”
“What about all the money they bilked from the public?”
“According to the Attorney General’s office, those funds were reinvested in Crenshaw’s public infrastructure. The investigators couldn’t find any significant amounts in the hands of the local cops or politicians. If they’ve been stashing money away, the AG’s people couldn’t find it.”
The major waited for any additional comments, but Zach offered none. Sam could feel the heat resonating off of her partner.
“I’m going to give you both a few days to recover from your travels before your next assignment. I suggest you take advantage and recharge your batteries. I’ll be in touch. Dismissed.”
The two rangers left the office without a word, remaining silent until they were outside and in the truck. Sam knew her partner was pissed.
“So,” she opened, trying to be cheerful. “What do you have planned for our little vacation? You and Cheyenne going to party?”
Zach shook his head, his expression making it obvious he was still steaming.
“You’re going back to Crenshaw, aren’t you?”
The ranger didn’t answer, which told Sam she’d nailed it. “Don’t, Zach. Let it go. The major is right; the Republic is still licking its wounds.”
“No, it’s not right,” Zach growled. “Besides, I’m suffering from a massive case of inadequacy about now. I need closure.”
“Oh, come on, Zach. You restored our new country’s reputation, averted a war, and solved three murders. I’d say that was a pretty good batting average.”
Zach didn’t agree. “I got Hinton killed; Ghost got away; you stopped the war, and now those assholes in Crenshaw are going to get away with their crimes. I need closure.”
Sam studied him for a moment, before asking the question, despite really not wanting to hear the answer. “So what are you going to do?”
Zach decided to play it straight with his partner. As they left Austin, the ranger outlined his plan. When he finished, Sam volunteered, “I’m in.”
“No. No, you’re not. If this goes wrong, I’m going to be in a shit wagon full of trouble.”
“I’m in, and you can’t stop me,” Sam continued. “It’s in the ranger handbook.”
The chief closed the back door, inserting the key to secure the deadbolt.
The old lock needed a shot of oil, yet another task on his long list of domestic chores. He paused for a bit, realizing that he’d probably have plenty of time for such activities in the near future. The mayor and he had agreed that his resignation, via request of the attorney general, would be submitted to the city council next month.
“It was a good ride while it lasted,” he whispered, turning toward the driveway and the parked squad car. “I wish I could have milked just a little more out of it, but what the hell.”
Thinking about how he would make up the difference in his now lacking retirement plan, the chief pressed the fob to unlock the car’s door. “I’m going to miss having a free car, too,” he noted.
The appearance of a man stepping from the shadows stopped the chief cold, the officer’s hand automatically reaching for his sidearm. The icy steel of a shotgun barrel pressing against his ear stopped the now-terrified lawman’s movement.
“You,” he hissed at Zach after the stranger stepped into the light. “Piedmont! I thought the rangers had tossed you in jail and thrown away the key!”
“We don’t want any trouble, Chief,” Zach said, holding his hands up so the lawman could see that he was unarmed. “My girl and I just want our names cleared and our records clean. The rangers dropped the charges, and I want to go back to Little Rock without any bad blood following me around.”
The chief’s eyes rolled toward Sam and the shotgun she was still holding against his head. “You’ve got a damned funny way of showing it, Piedmont. Pulling a weapon on an officer of the law is a serious offense.”
“We knew you’d be startled,” Zach came back, soft, kind, just wanting to talk. “We didn’t want any accidents to occur. All I want is your word that if I pay my fine, you promise that the charges against us will be dropped. Do we have a deal?”
Sam backed away one step but kept the scattergun trained on the chief’s head.
Moving slowly, Zach reached for a paper bag tucked under his arm. He opened it wide and pulled out a fist full of cash. “I’ve got $12,000 Texas in this little sack,” Zach said. “If this will cover the fines and court costs, then I’ll head back to Little Rock, and you’ll never see us again.”
The chief’s eyes zeroed in on the bag of money while his mind calculated the impact 12 large would have on his retirement fund. There was no way that bastard AG in Austin would know. Without another second of hesitation, the lawman nodded and smirked at his good fortune. “Deal.”
Zach stepped forward and handed the cop the money. “Pleasure doing business with you, sir,” the ranger concluded before he and Sam began backing down the driveway toward the rental car.
The two drove away, leaving the chief standing next to his car, counting the contents of the bag.
“What will they do to him when he tries to deposit that counterfeit money?” Sam asked, a sly grin indicating that she’d enjoyed the little ruse.
“I dunno, but I wish I could be there to see the look on his face when they catch him. Those fake bills will lead the investigators to wherever that crook has stashed his ill-gotten gains. I don’t think the AG is going to give that guy a second chance.”
“Do you feel better now, Ranger Bass?”
Zach’s smile was genuine and wide. “Yes, ma’am, I surely do.”
“Well let’s get out of this one-horse town and find a good bacon cheeseburger to celebrate.”
“A cheeseburger? What happened to your salads and pasta?”
“I’m supposed to support my partner,” she replied. “I thought that would include dietary needs. Hell, I might even start drinking coffee. After all, it’s….”
Zach finished the sentence with her, “…In the ranger handbook.”
The End
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15