Page 101 of Rules

After a brief pause, a deeper voice came on the line. "Sheriff, good morning. I understand you're inquiring about our little warrior."

"How is he?"

"Stable. He has a cracked rib and a few little cuts from what I was told was glass, but no internal bleeding. We've got him on pain medication, but he's a tough little guy."

"When can he be released?"

A pause. "With proper home care, he could be released today. But Ms. Manchester would need to—"

"I'll be picking him up," I interrupted. "For now, if anyone calls asking about Joey, please tell them it's a police matter."

"Ah, why?"

"It's important for an ongoing investigation, I don't want the person who did this to know anything." I said, letting my tone convey that I wouldn't be answering any further questions. Being sheriff had its advantages.

Dr. Wright seemed to understand. "Alright, he'll be ready when you are."

"Thank you."

I hung up and headed out, the weight of the morning's events still heavy on my shoulders. My next stop: Law's office.

I found him at his desk, papers spread out before him, Mouse and Keyboard typing furiously at computers nearby. Law looked up as I entered, his expression immediately alert.

"You look like hell," he observed.

"Oh good, I was afraid I looked better than I felt."

"Coffee?" He nodded toward a chair. "How's Ruth?"

I sank into it, suddenly feeling every hour of missed sleep. "Beat up. Bruised. She was unconscious while I was there." I welcomed his coffee mug with a long sip of the steaming liquid. Damn, Law made a strong cup of coffee. Just what I needed.

Law's face darkened. "And the bastards who did it?"

"Got one in custody. The one Ruth knocked cold with a bucket of water. Other two are in the wind."

A ghost of a smile touched Law's lips. "A bucket of water? Remind me never to piss her off."

Despite everything, I found myself almost smiling too. "Yeah, she's... something else."

"Is there any evidence they are Michael's men?"

I nodded. "Last night, Sang reported that Ruth said they referred to someone called The Emperor. I haven't talked to her yet, she was sedated because of the pain when I saw her." I took another sip. "Oh, she did tell Sang after she'd been hit she heard a man say the scanner said the cops were coming."

Law's expression hardened. "So, that's how they keep tabs."

"There's a tough guy in my jail who might have some interesting things to say," I remarked casually. "If someone could get him to talk."

Law's eyebrow quirked up. "Is that an invitation, Sheriff?"

"Just sharing information with a colleague." I put my hand up. "Has to be on the up and up."

He nodded, understanding. "Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll stop by."

My phone buzzed. Holly's name flashed on the screen.

"Holly? What's up?"

"The hospital called, Ruth's been discharged," she informed me. "Her aunt picked her up about twenty minutes ago. The nurse said they were told they were going to Ruth's place."

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