Page 44 of Renard's Deliverance

Had the Grackle really called Jake about Renard.

“Ahh, yeah, the old bat took offense to my plain speaking, huh?” Renard drawled.

Jake sighed. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call Mrs. Gingers an old bat. And she was offended by your vulgarity and defamation of her character. Also, she said that you were stripping in public.”

“She wishes I would strip in public,” Renard muttered. “That would be the most excitement she’d had in years.”

“Renard,” she scolded. “Just say you’re sorry.”

“Me? I’m not saying sorry to the Grackle.”

Oh God.

She was really regretting using that nickname in front of him. What the heck was she going to do now?

“Who?” Jake asked.

“Look, Sheriff, this isn’t Renard’s fault. It’s all mine. I’ll sort it. You can leave now.”

Jake sighed. “I’m not an asshole, Opal.”

“I didn’t say you were,” she replied quickly.

Things were going downhill fast.

Fix it. Quick.

“I’m sure you’re a great guy. Renard’s not in any trouble, is he?”

Renard made a scoffing noise. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“No one is in trouble. I just told Mrs. Gingers that I would come talk to you both about what happened. Did you really swear at her, Renard?”

Renard shrugged. “Just told her the truth. She called Opal a trollop. So I told her to stop acting like an old shrew.”

Jake ran his hand over his face. “Why me?”

Opal glanced over as a truck pulled up at the curb.

Uh oh.

Three doors opened and out stepped Beau, Raid, and Tanner.

Oh hell.

This was just what the situation needed.

Malones.

7

“What the hell?” Jake muttered.

Renard had to grin. It was well known that the Malones weren’t fans of the sheriff. Not because he wasn’t a good sheriff, but they weren’t fans of obeying the law.

“Did one of you message them?” Jake asked.

“No,” Opal said. “When would I have done that?”

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