Page 108 of All the Missing Pieces

“A-plus on form,” Patty called as she tucked her tray under her arm and offered Ridley a high five.

Ridley choked on a laugh and hit Patty’s palm with her good hand. “Thanks.”

Patty glared at Baker, whose cries had softened but he made no move to get up. “Rude as anything. Should’ve known he was up to no good.”

“Sorry you had to deal with him,” Ridley said.

“Not your fault, hon. Just glad to see the dirt where it belongs.”

A few of the bikers hooted at that.

“Need any backup, Ridley?” Ace called. “I got a man who can take the trash out.”

“I can help,” Norm offered.

“Jesus,” I muttered. “You’ve got bikers and senior citizens teaming up to off your enemies?”

Ridley just smiled up at me innocently. “I like making friends.”

“Fucking hell,” I mumbled as Ryan and Deputy Marshall charged into the bar.

Ryan scanned the room and started moving the second she saw us. “What happened now?”

“He assaulted Ridley. She tased him,” I answered, trying to fill her in as succinctly as possible.

“Tased him in the balls,” Ridley added helpfully. “You’re leaving out the best part.”

Ryan’s eyes widened as Sam yelled, “You show ’em, sweetheart.”

Ridley just waved at the chess-playing troublemaker.

I groaned and glanced at Trey. “Could you get Ridley some ice for her wrist?”

“Coming right up,” he said, heading for the bar.

“I’m okay,” Ridley assured me.

I pinned her with a look. “We don’t want it swelling.”

“She broke my balls,” Baker wailed. “Arrest her.”

Ryan tried to cover her laugh with a cough. “What do ruptured balls fall under in the penal code anyway?”

Ridley pressed her lips together to try to hold her laugh in but failed miserably. “Penal code.”

“I give up,” I muttered. “Marshall, will you arrest this asshole and get him medical attention if he needs it?”

“You got it, Sheriff. Just as long as I don’t gotta look at his balls.”

“Fuck me,” I muttered.

But Marshall hauled Baker to his feet, reading him his rights as he yelled. Baker glared at Ridley. “You’re going to regret this. My reach goes farther than you know. I can get to you anywhere?—”

“Get him out of here,” I yelled. “And addthreatening a witnessto his charges.”

All amusement fled from Ryan’s face. “Walk me through what happened.”

Ridley did as she asked, not getting rattled until she shared why she was so mad about what Baker was attempting to force her to do.

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