Page 85 of Tasting Fire
“Not since Jonah Steele started throwing all his dirty cash around,” someone else said. “Everyone in the Steele family thinks they don’t have to play by nobody else’s rules.”
Although most folks in the area had been appreciative of Jonah’s cash infusion into the local economy, some would—as his granny used to say—bitch if they were hung with a new rope.
“I’m giving every one of you sixty seconds to head for your vehicles,” Maggie said. “Anyone left in this area after that time will be escorted away in hand restraints.”
There was plenty of grumbling and a few choice words, but they all shuffled away while Maggie pointedly checked her watch. When the last person slammed his car door, Maggie gave a satisfied nod. “Fifty-three seconds.”
Only then did Cash realize his hands were curled into fists and his legs were braced in a fighting stance. His heartbeat and respiration had both sped up in response to the threat against Emmy.
“What the hell was that?” Maggie asked him as she leaned down to scoop up an abandoned sign. It said:Go home, Dr. McBitch.
“They were waiting here for Emmy.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I figured that out.Dr. McBitchmade that pretty clear.”
“Fuck,” Cash said, scanning the parking lot for all the cars pulling out. But there were too many for him to make out all the drivers. “I should’ve taken a picture of the group.”
Maggie pointed at the security camera in the portico. “Maybe that’ll make up for it.”
