Page 46 of Fighting for Tawny

As soon as they reached the command base and climbed out of the rescue truck, the Titans left behind burst from the tent, screaming, “Captain Finnigan! They took Joy and Precious! The cops dragged them away in handcuffs!”

“Where?” Moira demanded.

“We don’t know!”

Moira whipped out her cell phone and contacted Sheriff O’Grady. “Did your officers arrest Joy and Precious?”

“They’re not under arrest, but they are persons of interest. I can hold them for seventy-two hours without charging them, and that’s what I intend to do until I either get their confession or proof that condemns or exonerates them.”

“Like hell!” Moira exclaimed. She ended the call and made another one. “Cameron? It’s Moira Finnigan. I’m sorry to bother you so late, but we have an issue. How fast can you get to Chino Hills?” She paused. “Perfect. Thanks.”

“Who’s Cameron?” Yolanda asked.

“Cameron McAdams is a former U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice who specialized in eradicating drug cartels. He still holds the record for putting a major dent in the drug trade,” Tawny explained.

“And what’s he gonna do?”

“Descend on Sheriff O’Grady like a hurricane. In fact, that’s his nickname. “Hurricane” McAdams.”

With nothing left to do, the Titans gathered their equipment and supplies and headed back to the bunkhouses.

“Where the hell have you been? It’s after three o’clock in the morning!” Whitcomb shouted when they approached the main bunkhouse.

No one answered him. They shuffled past him, entered Bunkhouse A, and dropped their gear. Yolanda started a pot of coffee, and Terrin and Tawny set out deli meat and cheese and jars of mayonnaise and mustard for sandwiches. Dee opened a bag of potato chips. Someone went into the bathroom, and a moment later, they heard the water running.

Whitcomb followed them inside and demanded to know what happened. “And where the hell is Colfer?”

Everyone froze.

Moira stepped forward to deal with him. “Colfer is dead. Someone murdered him while we were searching for Layla Murray. And Joy and Precious are in custody.”

Whitcomb let out a string of expletives that didn’t fool Tawny.

He’s overreacting. But why? Jesus Christ! Did he arrange to have Colfer killed? Was my scenario right? Again, why?

“If they killed Colfer, I’ll make damn sure they spend the rest of their lives behind bars!”

Yolanda turned toward him with a butter knife in her hand. “Yeah, we already heard that once tonight. Get off the train, man.”

Whitcomb’s face grew beet red. “Why you slutty?—”

Moira cut him off. “Stop. Get the hell out of here, Whitcomb. I’m staying to take care of my team. Go home. We don’t need you. Your presence is upsetting all of us.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Perhaps Director Dickinson would have something to say about it when I call him and file a complaint. Now, go outside and wait for an Uber. I’ll even pay for it myself. Nothing is going to happen, but if it does, I’ll take full responsibility. Trust me, no one is going to squeal that you left your post.”

Murder shone in his eyes before he spun on his heel and slammed the door behind him.

“Good riddance,” Yolanda muttered as she handed a ham and cheese sandwich to Susan.

They didn’t speak much as they gobbled down a platter of sandwiches and munched on potato chips. After they ate, the women of Bunkhouse B returned to their quarters.

Moira, Yolanda, Terrin, and Tawny took turns using the bathroom. Moira kept extra clothes in her office and changed into cotton sleep pants and a T-shirt. They found a rollaway cot for her and pillows and blankets in a linen closet. Within a few minutes, everyone fell asleep.

The sound of Moira’s angry voice roused Tawny. She glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand and groaned. She’d only been asleep for four hours. She rubbed her eyes and swung her legs over the side of her bunk. The scent of something baking and the aroma of coffee filled the room. Tawny stretched and listened to Moira’s side of the conversation.

“Suspending my team is a mistake, Chief Pierce. Yes, it’s true I forced Carey Whitcomb to leave, and we were without a guard for the night. Don’t forget, it was three of my members who found Layla Murray.” A pause. “No one on my team murdered Gary Colfer. He’d still be alive if he hadn’t taken Joy and Precious off by himself. Have you asked yourself why he disobeyed orders?” Another pause. “Fine. We’ll sit tight. And when my team is cleared of any wrongdoing, you’ll owe us a huge apology.”

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