Page 22 of G8
G8 snorted. “Lots and lots of spy movies.”
Striding over to the man, MacDavis had the guy spread his legs and bend over the hood before placing a hand on the man’s back until Sowels returned. G8 stood guard by the bumper.
“How did you know we needed backup?” he asked the deputy.
MacDavis smiled. “Biggs has one of us on watch here twenty-four-seven.”
“He told me that, but how did you know…”
“Sheriff tried to call you a few minutes ago about an issue, but when no one answered, he put a call out to me to come check on you. The rest, they say, is history.”
As much as he wanted to ask the deputy what issue the sheriff was calling about, G8 decided to wait until Sowels arrived to take the second guy to the hospital before hauling him to the county jail. By that time, P8, T8, N8, and Ricks had taken what the man had hauled over and dumped it inside the main lodge where they could check it out and decide what to do with it later.
He made sure to give Ricks his thanks for the delivery.
“Do I, uhh, need to stay to give the deputies my side of the story?” the man queried.
Overhearing the question, MacDavis walked over to answer him. “We’ll be in touch when it’s time for you to give us your deposition. In the meantime, thanks for your cooperation and moreso for your donation. Tell everyone who contributed that it’s greatly appreciated.”
“I can go home now?”
“You’re free to go, but be anticipating a call from the D.A.”
Ricks bobbed his head in thanks and returned to his truck. G8 watched as the man backed up until he could turn the vehicle around and departed.
When he was certain the guy sitting inside the deputy’s vehicle couldn’t overhear, G8 pulled MacDavis to the side. “Thanks again, Vaughn. I’ll call Sheriff Biggs when I go back inside. Uhh, you wouldn’t happen to know what he was calling us about, would you?”
MacDavis shrugged. “I have no idea, but I’d say it would be a safe bet it has something to do with those labs, don’t you think?” G8 agreed. “Oh.” The man held out a hand. “I’m gonna need that pistol. It’s evidence.” G8 reluctantly turned it over.
He remained in the driveway until the deputy departed with the other man, then turned to join the others waiting inside the main lodge.
11SITU8
T8 threwout the first question when G8 came through the door. “How did they know we were in trouble?”
Instead of answering, G8 looked over at where the women stood, surrounded by boxes and pieces of furniture. “You ladies all right?”
“We’re fine,” F8 reassured him.
“Where are the babies?”
“We left them in the pantry,” Ingrid replied. “They’re asleep, and we felt it would be quieter in there.”
He nodded and turned to address everyone. “Sheriff Biggs had told me he had this place under surveillance around the clock. Did you guys hear the telephone ring earlier? That was him, calling to talk to me about something. Deputy MacDavis told me that since no one answered, Biggs had him drive in to check on us.”
“We were damn lucky,” P8 observed.
“I take it that deputy called for the other deputy to join us?” N8 queried.
“Yeah, since I let him know the other guy was armed.”
“Do you still have that gun you retrieved?” P8 asked.
“Nope. Wish I did, though. He had to take it with him. It’s evidence.”
“Bummer.”
“Look. I’m going to call Biggs to thank him for his foresight and see what he was calling about.” Running a quick eye over what had been brought in, he caught sight of what looked like a radio. “Hey! Lookie there!”
