Page 102 of Call it Reckless

He grimaced and took a sip of his beer. “Yeah. I know the guys who were in on the bust. Pretty brutal. Messed with them pretty bad.”

“I have reason to believe we’ve got a dogfighting ring taking place in the general area.”

His eyes widened marginally. “Shit. You got any evidence?”

I explained all that we’d found, including the dogs and complaints of lights moving about deep within the forests.

“Hmm. Could be. If the roads aren’t traveled as you say, it would be a good way to move in and out, but far enough away from usual traffic to go unnoticed. Maybe they got word you were out looking, so they shut things down quickly. They’re probably long gone.”

“You’re probably right.

“Have you found any breeding farms?”

“Breeding farms?”

“Yeah. Those dogs have to come from somewhere. Good money in it.” He leaned his arms on the table. “You need to understand the people who run those are like the mafia. They’re into a lot of illegal shit. Drugs, human trafficking. You need to be pretty damn careful. No offense, but it might be more than a small-town department can handle.”

I scratched at my chin. He had a point. We were good at what we did, but we didn’t have the manpower for such a big investigation.

“Unfortunately, these people are very good at hiding,” Nick mused. “And from what you say, they’re probably long gone. You most likely don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Except I would worry about it. If it was here once, it could be here again. And who were the people who were committing the crime? People from my own town? I hated to think anyone I knew would be that vicious. I didn’t say anything more to Nick, who seemed to have moved on from the topic, but I was going to keep my ear to the ground.

We spent another hour catching up over appetizers, but by then, I was ready to go. I missed Lexi and Bristol. Watching them bond had been one of my greatest pleasures, and despite being happy to see an old friend for the first time in years, I was still distracted by the image of them joining together to gang up on me and all the laughter we’d shared.

It felt like family. Itwasfamily.

“Where are you staying tonight?” I asked Nick.

“I was able to get a room at a motel outside of town. Last-minute cancellation, they said. I figured I’d catch an Uber there.”

“Where’s your car?”

“I drove the van the agency uses to transfer animals. It broke down on me just before I got to Sterling Mill. The tow guy dropped me off here. Said it was on his way home.”

I stared at him, then burst out laughing. “I guess I’m your Uber then.”

He looked startled. “What do you mean?”

“Man, this is the country. We don’t have Uber out here.”

“Oh. Well, shit.”

“Why don’t you just crash on my couch? Otherwise, you’re going to have to find a way back here to check on your van.”

He scratched his head. “That’s true. Yeah, sure. I mean, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s what friends are for. And I can assure you the van is in capable hands. My girlfriend owns the garage in town. You’ll get to meet her when we get home.”

Nick insisted on paying for our drinks and food. On the way out, I followed tradition and rubbed the head of the mechanical bull. I didn’t know what other good luck it might bring, but thanks to that electronic ride, I was going home to a warm, soft woman instead of cold sheets.

* * *

It was onlya little after nine o’clock when I unlocked my door. I was half-expecting a boisterous greeting, knowing the two I left behind and how they liked to have fun together—something that warmed my heart. Instead, I was greeted by nothing but silence.

I shot Nick a worried look, then hurried to the living room. I came to an abrupt halt when I saw the two figures sleeping on the couch. Lex lay in front of Bristol with one of the couch pillows beneath her cheek. Bristol was stretched out behind her along the back of the couch, her head on the arm of the couch and one hand curled around Lex’s hip. The superhero movie still on had been muted. They looked content with each other—like mother and daughter.

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