Page 123 of Ozzie

Durango also found out that the moment John was released from the hospital, the police picked him up. He’sfacing a lot of charges and hopefully will be spending some quality time behind bars.

Ozzie left on an assignment two days ago. He told me it was related to his last two assignments and involves a senator.

With John in jail, Durango has loosened the reins and isn’t as concerned about me staying home alone. Or his desire for Willow is stronger. At least, that’s where I think he was until four this morning.

“Hey, I’m going to grab lunch. Want me to get you some too?” Durango asks as he approaches my desk.

He doesn’t look like a man who didn’t get enough sleep. Maybe she didn’t keep him up all night after all.

“Where were you last night?”

He grins. “You noticed?”

I nod.

“Sorry about that. I went to see Willow, and we fell asleep watching a movie. I didn’t mean to stay out that late.”

I lean back, shaking my head. “Wow, is that what I have to look forward to when I get old? Falling asleep on the couch in the middle of a movie?”

He leans against the edge of my desk. “Well, since you’re dating an old man, you probably can have that when he gets back.”

Touché.

The familiar beeping of someone punching in a code turns our attention to the door.

Jerry walks in. “Piper, I’m glad I caught you.”

Durango stands up. “I’ll grab you some food so you twocan talk.” He’s out the door fast.

Jerry laughs. “Guess he’s hungry. Either that, or I might be offended at how quickly he left.”

“He does have a large appetite.”

“Well, I’ll cut right to it. John’s attorney filed a dismissal. John no longer wants to pursue the case against you. It’s over.”

I jump up and hug this man. “It’s really over?”

“Oh!” He stills, likely unsure how to handle the situation.

I step back. “Sorry, but that’s fantastic news!”

He chuckles. “It is.”

“Did he say why?”

Reed walks out of his office toward us.

“No, the attorney said he didn’t know why, only that John told him to have everything dismissed.”

“I’d bet his criminal attorney made it clear to him that suing his victim wasn’t a good look,” Reed says as he crosses his arms.

“Criminal attorney?” Jerry asks.

“He attempted to kidnap me and threatened me and others with a fake bomb. He’s in jail now.”

Jerry’s eyes widen. “Well, that would have hurt his civil case for sure. Wait, were you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine. But my cousin had to shoot John. He lived.”

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