Sweet Talking Lawman

by M. B. Buckner

  He glanced at his watch and nodded, hating to leave, but responsibility tugged at him. “When she wakes up enough to remember what happened, call me so I can talk to her. Okay?”

  The old woman nodded her grayed head. “Now, shoo out of here, Sheriff Storm Horse. Make this county safe so our little girl can come home again.”

  Chapter 17

  Leaving Mesa’s room, he stopped at the nurse’s station and found Trish, his cousin. She was happy to tell him that although Bob’s condition was serious, the old cowboy seemed to be not just holding his own, but gaining strength fast enough to surprise the doctors.

  “He told Dr. Potter that if he’d let me sneak him in a beer and a rare steak, he’d be ready to go home tomorrow,” she laughed softly.

  Rafe grinned. “He’s a tough old knocker.” He gently tapped her nose. “You take care of my lady, you hear me?”

  She batted his hand away and grinned. “Uci and I’ll make sure she’s taken care of. Don’t you worry.”

  Striding through the corridor of the medical facility, he gave thanks that Bob, as well as Mesa, would be alright, but now he had to turn his focus on finding the head of the snake that had brought this dangerous toxicity to Morgan County and cut it off.

  While he was at the hospital, he stopped by the emergency room to check on the condition of the shooter who had, as far as he knew, been the trigger man for all the shootings. When they’d brought him in, Levi had brought him up to date as far as he knew at the time, but now, his head deputy was busy at the office, questioning the prisoners they’d rounded up at the meth lab.

  The ER desk assured him that the doctor was doing everything he could, but the prognosis wasn’t favorable.

  “I need to see him. The doctor can work on him while I talk to him,” he insisted, but she shook her head negatively.

  “The doctor is prepping him for surgery, Sheriff and I don’t have the power to let you go in there. That’s against hospital policy.” Her reply was meant to be final.

  Rafe felt his control slipping and tamped it down to a manageable level. “Well, I hope this doesn’t cause you trouble, but I don’t give a damn about hospital policy. I’ve been dealing with this situation since yesterday. I’m tired, I’m dirty and I haven’t been to sleep since night before last. Needless to say, I’m in a pissy mood. That bastard has shot four people that I know of, since yesterday, and if I can get some information out of him I intend to do it and policy be damned. Now you need to tell me where I can find him or I’ll find him on my own.”

  The woman pressed a button to summon security and stepped back until she was sure he couldn’t reach her. “I’ve called security. You need to leave.”

  Rafe pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and called Judge Wilton. The judge’s secretary put him through to the judge as two security guards appeared in the ER. Rafe lifted one finger toward them, indicating he needed a minute, and to his surprise they stopped.

  “I need to talk to a suspect being treated in the ER and, I need you to clear this with hospital administration, asap.” Then he cut his eyes toward the security men. “Have him call the desk here in the ER, because I’m facing two security guards, and if they try to throw me out, somebody’s gonna need admitting here. I’ve got to talk to that suspect.”

  He closed the phone and looked into the bigger security man’s eyes. “Now, if you think you’re man enough to take me on, come on. I’m not leaving.”

  The guard’s face split into a grin. “Hell, I ain’t fighting with you, Storm Horse. Come on, I’ll help you find the guy you’re looking for.”

  Rafe arched one dark brow suspiciously and the guard shrugged as he turned and indicated with one hand that Rafe should follow him. “Mazie’s new and just didn’t understand protocol. Dr. Hodges would not have us stand in the way of you enforcing the law, Sheriff, and he’s the head man.”

  The woman behind the desk harrumphed loudly and realizing she had lost control of the situation, decided to be more cooperative. “He’s in exam room seven.”

  The burly guard led Rafe through the hall to a small curtain enclosed alcove. “In there.”

  Rafe nodded. “Thanks, man. I appreciate your help.” He opened the curtain and stepped inside.

  The nurse and the attending physician looked up in surprise, his gloved hands bloody as he lifted a gory swab from the man’s seeping wound.

  “I’m Sheriff Rafe Storm Horse and I need to talk to this man.” Even as he spoke, his eyes were fastened to the man on the gurney.

  The doctor’s eyes fell to the badge securely clipped to one side of Rafe’s belt buckle and he shrugged. “Fine by me. He’s certainly not the most pleasant patient I’ve ever treated, and I’ve done all I can for him. They’re getting an operating room ready for him as we speak. This has been a hell of a morning. This guy is our third gunshot victim.”

  Without looking at the doctor, the big lawman nodded. “Yeah, and this…gentleman is the one who put the bullets in the other two victims, along with two more that went to the morgue.”

  Rafe felt the focus of the cold eyes as the shooter turned his head slowly and looked up at him. Rafe met that flat, icy glare steadily. “I’ve been informed by Dr. Hodges that you probably won’t survive the surgery,” Rafe lied without any hesitation. “Is there someone you want us to notify?”

  The man’s head moved weakly from side to side.

  Rafe shrugged his broad shoulders. “No one. Okay. Want us to get your name right on the plot we bury you in?”

  The man’s eyes wavered, but then he spoke. “Fisher. Leonard Fisher.”

  Rafe pulled a small pad from his pocket and jotted the name down. “I know you didn’t come in to this county and set up that meth lab yourself. You’re working for somebody and I need his name.” He paused for only a minute and then continued. “I’m looking at you for killing that kid on the motorcycle, taking out Shiver’s right hand man, and the other one at the river, plus you almost killed that old cowboy and tried to kill my fiancée. Personally, you living or dying don’t matter a damn to me, but I can promise you that if by some miracle you do make it through surgery, your boss will be not take kindly, knowing that you got yourself caught. Your life won’t be worth crap unless I offer you protection.”

  Resignation settled onto Fisher’s face. He already knew what the lawman was telling him and he knew what the sheriff wanted in exchange for that protection. “Shiver is the only…one I know, but there…are others.”

  Rafe frowned. “Which Shiver?”

  “The one that’s…mayor. That…other one’s…dumber than…dirt.”

  “Tell me about the kid, Hal Cartwright.” Rafe said firmly.

  “He was…part of it, but…wanted out. Shiver…told me…to make sure…nobody else…decided they wanted…out. I did.” Fisher’s attempt at a chuckle sounded more like he was strangling. “Should’a…took you…and your…deputies out…that same…night, too.”

  Rafe looked at the doctor and the nurse standing on the other side of the gurney. “You’re both witnesses if this…man doesn’t survive.” He added their names onto the page of his note pad.

  Having obtained that information he turned on his heel and left them.

  He called Judge Wilton back on his phone. “I’m headed to the court house to arrest Ralph Shiver for involvement in the meth lab we broke up last night. “I’m not expecting a fight from him, but...” He was cut off by the judge and then chuckled dryly. “The shooter gave me his name, and I have reputable witnesses.” Another brief pause. “Yeah, it’ll stand up in court.”

  He left the hospital and climbed into his SUV, the phone still to his ear. “Hell, Judge, if you want to be in on it, just stand at the door of your office. I’ll make sure we come by that way as we leave the courthouse with the honorable mayor in cuffs.” When he finished his call to the judge, he called Levi and asked him to meet him at the court house without explaining why.

  Walking up the sidewalk to the courthouse a few min
utes later, Rafe suddenly realized he’d left Spur at the Rocking H. Quickly he called Levi and asked if he’d seen the dog.

  Levi’s short masculine laugh in response to the question unaccountably irritated him, but Rafe didn’t acknowledge it.

  “Anderson and Gibby made sure all the horses were taken back to the barn and were put up. Anderson found Spur at the barn and brought him to the office. You need him?” came the verbal reply.

  “No. Let him stay there and rest. He’s probably wrung out.” Rafe spotted Levi’s patrol vehicle approaching the courthouse and stopped at the door to wait for his deputy.

  Levi hopped out after parking his unit and jogged up the walkway to join his boss. “I know your mind’s running like crazy for you to have forgotten that dog for this long,” he observed as he approached the Sheriff, casually continuing the conversation.

  Rafe chuckled. “All of a sudden I missed the sound of his claws ticking against the sidewalk and realized that I’d left him with the horses.”

  “Well, I left him asleep on his bed in your office.” He cast a quick glance at the edifice they stood before. “So what’re we doing here?”

  Rafe made a quick explanation.

  “Well, I’ll be a son-of-a-sawed-off-shotgun,” Levi retorted as he shook his head in disbelief. “How long you think that meth lab was up and running?”

  Rafe shrugged. “We’ll probably get a better idea once we check through Shiver’s financials. According to Fisher, he’s not the only one. Just the only one Fisher knew by name.”

  “Is he gonna make it?” The head deputy was still frowning at the realization that the drug trade had made its way into city government, right here in his hometown.

  “Probably,” Rafe responded. Then he turned and started walking. “But keep that info to yourself for now.”

  Side by side, the two lawmen walked through the corridors of the courthouse and up the stairs to the second floor where the Mayor’s office was located.

  Entering the office, Rafe grinned at the receptionist in the outer office.

  “Good morning, Gretchen. Is the Mayor in?” he asked.

  “Morning, Sheriff, Levi. Yes, he’s in, but he’s with someone. Should I buzz him to see when he’ll be available?” she replied, automatically smoothing her upswept hair in the presence of two of the county’s most eligible bachelors.

  Rafe shook his head negatively. “No. In fact, why don’t you take a little break? Maybe go down to the break room for about ten minutes.”

  Her carefully shaped brows arched. “I’m not scheduled for a break, Sheriff, and the Mayor wouldn’t like for me to leave without him knowing.”

  He looked at her for the length of several heartbeats before he spoke again. “Ms. Holmes, you need to be out of the office for a few minutes, starting now.”

  The tone of his voice radiated with authority and conveyed the message that he expected her cooperation. She shifted back in her chair, but then stood up and hesitated only a second or two before she nodded and walked out the door.

  Making sure she was headed down the stairs, Rafe turned, crossed the reception area and opened the door to the Mayor’s private office.

  Immediately, the man behind the big desk jumped to his feet, anger at the unannounced interruption, shading his face. “What are you…” his voice lifted in volume. “Gretchen.”

  Rafe glanced around the room, taking in the two men seated across from the mayor, both of them now standing as well. “I sent her downstairs for a few minutes, Mayor Shiver.” He strode across the office and around behind the desk where the object of his attention stood, blustering in shocked surprise. He grabbed one of the older man’s wrists and jerked it around behind his back as he pushed the chair aside and pulled his handcuffs from his utility belt. “Ralph Shiver, you are under arrest for conspiring to manufacture and distribute methamphetamines and for ordering the death of Hal Carpenter. You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford one, one will be provided for you. You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say, can and will be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand your rights as I’ve stated them to you?”

  “What the hell are you doing?” the mayor suddenly roared as Rafe fastened the handcuffs around one wrist and pulled his other hand behind him for the same action. “Have you lost your mind? I am the Mayor of this town.”

  Rafe shrugged. “But we’re pretty sure that won’t be for long, Mr. Mayor. The citizens of Morgan County deserve someone who’s looking out for their best interests, not some glorified drug dealer hiding behind this desk.”

  Shocked by the scene going down before them, the other two men were being closely scrutinized by Levi while Rafe cuffed the mayor. Then the deputy’s soft voice drew their attention. “Gentlemen, we’ll be needing to talk with you at a later time, but for now, you can go. Just don’t leave town.”

  Later, Rafe sat in his office for a few minutes, allowing his mind to slow down. Feeling a little more in control, he buzzed Beth on his intercom. When she acknowledged him, he sighed tiredly. “I want you to make sure Anderson, Clark and Levi go home. I don’t want them back in this office until tomorrow morning, and I’m headed to the hospital.”

  “And then home?” she suggested.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Rafe,” Beth’s voice took on that motherly tone that he’d come to recognize over time. “You need rest, as well.”

  He switched off the intercom and appeared in her office, an affectionate smile twitching his lips. “After I’ve seen Mesa and Bob, maybe I’ll be able to rest. I’ll let you know where I’ll be, but don’t hesitate to call me if you need me.”

  Beth stood up and followed him to the door of her office. “Krystal is on duty and between the two of us, we’ll take care of things until tomorrow. You need rest, also.”

  He nodded. “I hear you, ma’am.”

  She lifted one hand and patted the back of his shoulder as he turned toward the exit. “Then you heed that advice, Sheriff. We need you alert and rested, not bordering on exhaustion like you are right now.”

  At the hospital, he hurried to Mesa’s room. He pushed the door open and when he entered and she smiled at him from her bed, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders so quickly he wasn’t sure if he walked across the floor or if he floated to her side. Leaning over, he kissed her gently, his heart quivering with relief at seeing her safe, at touching her and knowing she was warm and alive. He lifted his head and when he looked down at her, she shimmered in the mist that coated his eyes. He blinked several times to clear his vision as he stood back up and cut his eyes around the room. Uci sat in a chair on the other side of the bed, her smile reassuring him that this was real and not a dream.

  “So,” his grandmother spoke softly, her voice filled with joy. “Exactly how long do Mesa, Shirley, and I have to get this wedding planned?”

  Mesa giggled, still feeling the effects of the anesthetics from her surgery.

  Rafe shrugged. “As soon as it can be arranged. Tomorrow would be fine with me.”

  Uci stood up, her grayed head shaking in denial. “It won’t be that fast, young man. Every woman deserves a beautiful wedding and I’m sure Mesa doesn’t want to walk down the aisle on crutches, so…”

  “As long as I’m marrying Rafe, I don’t care if he has to carry me down the aisle.” Mesa’s voice cut in, surprisingly strong. “The sooner the better for me, too.”

  Uci harrumphed loudly. “Well, it will matter to Raale, to Shirley, to Jory and it matters to me. We’ll work fast, but the two of you might as well be prepared to be patient. It will not come together overnight.”

  After a short visit and taking time to check on Bob who was giving the nursing staff a hard time, simply because he could, Rafe went by his office and picked up Spur before he headed home.

  After a quick shower, he lowered the shades in his room and was asleep by the time his head hit the pillow.

  It was late afte
rnoon when the ringing of his phone jerked Rafe out of a deep sleep. His brain was foggy from the heavy slumber when he growled into the receiver. “Storm Horse.”

  “Sheriff, I’ve got some bad news,” Krystal Montgomery’s voice greeted him.

  “Oh hell,” he growled again. “What now?”

  “The hospital called and the man named Fisher is dead. They had him on monitors and all of a sudden everything went off and when they got to him they couldn’t revive him.”

  Rafe sat up on the side of the bed, dropping his bare feet to the floor. He swore again. “I’ll go there first and then come on to the office. Would you get something delivered to eat? I don’t think I’ve eaten since lunch yesterday.”

  When he disconnected the phone, he decided another shower might help him shake off the sluggishness of near exhaustion, but it was only marginally helpful.

  At the hospital he stopped in to see Mesa for a few minutes and was relieved that she was awake, but then he hurried to meet with the staff members who were connected with Fisher’s care, to question them, while a forensic team arrived to process the patient’s room. It appeared suspicious because up until his sudden death, the patient had been showing surprising signs of progress. Unfortunately there had been no security camera in Fisher’s room, and the closest nurse had been called away on what turned out to be a false alarm in a room down the hall. The coroner had assured Rafe that one of the first tests he’d run would be a tox-screen to ascertain if there were elevated levels of anything in the dead man’s blood.

  Still feeling like he was moving in a fog, Rafe then went to his office and spent only a few minutes questioning Ralph Shiver, who was still belligerently and sullenly refusing to talk. He’d demanded to speak to his lawyer who, unfortunately, was away from his place of business.

  When Rafe finally entered his office Beth followed him in, carrying a bag from the diner. He wasn’t sure what was inside, but his mouth began to salivate like crazy.