Page 68 of Declan
“I did.”
“And the breathalyzer?”
“He refused.”
Jack cracked a knowing grin. “Telltale sign he knows he wouldn’t pass. I’ll take him, unless he wants to ride in the back with Tank.”
“Fuck you both,” Johnston said, then threw up, just missing Jack’s boots.
“Nice, man,” Jack snapped.
“I’ll be along behind you and write him up when we get there.”
Jack nodded, eased Johnston into the back seat, then swung his cruiser around for the drive back to town. Declan watched the taillights disappear into the night. He walked toward the woman.
“Ma’am, have you had anything to drink?”
“No, I don’t drink, Deputy. I’ll take a breathalyzer test if you need me to.”
Declan shook his head. He couldn’t smell any alcohol on her. “You can go. My advice, if he does get out, stay away from him.”
“You have no worries about that. First and last date. Thank you.” She shook his hand.
“Yes, ma’am. Be careful going home, the snow is gettingthicker.” Declan touched the brim of his hat before climbing into his own vehicle, Tank’s head resting calmly on his paws. The road lay quiet again, but Declan’s pulse was still racing as he headed to the department, following Jack.
As Declan had told the woman, the snow was getting heavier, and he hoped he didn’t have to stay too long at the office because the roads would get slick.
All he wanted to do was get home, shower, eat, and relax for the weekend. He hoped there wouldn’t be any serious accidents since he was off this weekend. Of course, all he did when he was alone was think of Elise and wonder how she was doing and if she missed him at all.
His family had been disappointed that he couldn’t make Thanksgiving dinner, but some holidays he was scheduled for, and this happened to be one of them. He was off Christmas day, but he’d rather work than sit around and think about Elise and how they should be together on that day.
When he finally got Johnston booked, he headed home. He was tired from the long day, and he knew Tank was too.
The next day, the sidewalks were packed with people doing their Christmas shopping. If he didn’t have to be out in this, he sure wouldn’t be. These people were locals, and it was a good thing tourist season didn’t happen this time of the year or people wouldn’t be able to move.
As he drove along, he swore when he saw Johnston striding along the sidewalk with a woman. He held several bags from stores and Declan was sure he was shopping too.
“Son of a bitch should be in jail,” Declan muttered, but he probably made bail and no doubt his trial wasn’t until after the holidays. Declan’s gut told him Johnston would, once again, get away with drunk driving. Since he refused the breathalyzer and blood test, the only thing that could be done was to suspend his license.
The next day, Declan pulled into the diner parking lot. It was lunchtime and he was starving. After parking, he let the vehicle run with the windows cracked for Tank, then he entered the diner.
People called out or waved as he looked around for a seat. He saw Rawley Bowman raise his hand from a back booth, so he weaved through the tables until he reached him.
“Have a seat, Declan. I just got here myself.” Rawley nodded for him to sit.
Declan removed his hat, hung it on the peg on the side of the booth, then slid onto the bench.
“Damn, it’s nuts out there today.”
Rawley chuckled. “Every year at this time. I don’t understand the people that have to shop the day after Thanksgiving.”
“For the deals,” Declan said with a shrug.
“Bullshit. Those deals will come up again right before Christmas.”
“Yeah, I know how you wait until the last minute.” Declan grinned.
“So, how are you doing?” Rawley asked as he stared at him.
