Page 68 of Last Seen
“It’s called a search. You carrying any weapons I need to know about?”
Shit. Shit!
“In my purse. It’s registered.”
“Oh-ho,” he says, expertly, impersonally running his hands down her sides, her legs, her shoulders, her back. The violation is hard to take even though there is nothing lewd in his touch.
“Turn around.”
“I told you, there’s a personal-protection weapon in my purse. That’s all.”
He whips her around to face him, finishes his pat-down. He thoroughly searches the car, then her bag, confiscating the gun. Steps back, one meaty hand again resting on his Glock. “What brings you to Brockville with a weapon in your purse. Expecting trouble?”
“I think I should call a lawyer.”
“Don’t do that. We’re just talking.”
“No such thing when you’re wearing handcuffs.”
“Listen to me. I can make your life very difficult.”
She doesn’t say anything, and he curses under his breath. She decides to gamble.
“My friend was murdered last night. I’m just being cautious.”
“Murdered where?”
“Marchburg, Virginia.”
“You know it’s illegal to transport weapons across state lines that aren’t properly secured. I’d think you of all people would know that, Miss James. You’re taking an awful big risk right now.”
“How do you know so much about me, Sheriff?”
He shuffles his feet again. “Might have gotten a call from your friend Baird Early. He was concerned enough to ask me to keep an eye on you.”
Halley relaxes a touch. This is a show.
“And the handcuffs?”
“Weapons trafficking is something we take rather seriously, Miss James.”
“As I said, it’s for protection. I’m not planning to sell it.”
“I’ll make that determination. Let’s go to my place and have a chat, shall we? You can leave the keys, one of my deputies will bring the car.”
“Great. Fine. Take off the handcuffs, though. Please?”
He says nothing, and doesn’t make a move toward the handcuff key, just leads her to his truck. It’s an Escalade, a huge black beast. He settles her uncomfortably in the back seat, buckles her in, and gets behind the wheel. There is a thick plexiglass-screen cage between them, and she can’t hear him talking on the radio, just sees the handset go up to his mouth.
This is outrageous. She has to keep her head and not let her frustration get the better of her here, or she’s going to end up in a cell. Maybe she is anyway. Maybe he’s actually going to charge her.
She needs a lawyer.
She needs Theo.
A swell of emotion rises, and she fights back the tears. She is not behaving like a grown-ass woman right now. She doesn’t need amanto come save her. An ATF agent, though? That could help.
Just ... chill. You’ve done nothing wrong. Not really. Early probably told him to take you in and keep an eye on you. Interfering is one of his superpowers.
