Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

Caitlyn didn’t bother asking the sheriff what the attorney said, she wanted to hear it with her own ears. She pulled out her phone and dialed. After telling the legal office’s receptionist who she was and what she was calling for, Caitlyn waited for the lawyer to come on the line. She set her phone on the corner of the sheriff’s desk and put it on speaker.

“Good morning, Ms. Reed. I’m glad you called. I just spoke with Sheriff Tackett and explained that I am unable to make it up there this morning. However, I have gone over the details of this case thus far, and have informed the sheriff that he does not have enough probable cause to hold Dylan for questioning any longer. I explained that if he wanted to keep him in jail, he would need to bring him up on formal charges, and the sheriff definitely doesn’t have enough evidence to do that. You should be able to pick your brother up this morning and take him home.”

“Thank you, Mr. Vanderbilt. I’m standing here in the Sheriff’s Office now with you on speakerphone. Others in the office include Deputy-Sheriff Colt Branson, my brother Dylan, Wendy’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gessler, and Jim Hague, her boyfriend.”

Sheriff Tackett crossed his arms and glowered at Caitlyn. “Yes, Mr. Vanderbilt, Sheriff Tackett here. I should inform you that the Gesslers came in this morning to let me know they have appealed to the court for a mandate ordering your client to perform a paternity test. They want to determine whether he is the father of the baby Wendy Gessler was carrying at the time of her death. We have just received news from the lab this morning that Jim Hague, is not the father.”

Caitlyn bit down hard on her tongue so she wouldn’t gasp at the information. She eased up at the coppery tang of blood and glanced at her brother. He looked away.

“Dylan, can you hear me?” The attorney’s voice sounded over the line.

Dylan sighed. “Yes, sir. I can hear you fine.”

“If the court orders you to take a paternity test, which they may well do considering the circumstances, you will have to comply with that order. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.” Dylan sat down on the narrow cot, braced his elbows on his knees, and rested his chin in his hand.

The sheriff’s mouth pressed into a flat line as he watched Dylan, then he shifted his gaze to Caitlyn. “Since this is a murder case, I expect we will hear from the court by noon.”

Caitlyn took a step toward the desk. “We understand the situation. Is there any reason I can’t take Dylan home right now and wait to hear from the court there?”

“No reason at all,” the attorney answered through the speaker. “Please keep me informed as the day progresses, though I will get a copy of the court order if they send one down.”

“I’ll call you this afternoon.” Caitlyn picked up her phone.

“Very good. Have a nice day.”

Caitlyn turned off her phone and slid it into her pocket. She turned to Colt. “It’s time for you to release my brother.”

Colt nodded, and with the jingle of his keys, walked toward the cell. Caitlyn retrieved Dylan’s jacket and cowboy hat from the rack by the door. “Sheriff, my brother didn’t kill anyone, though it seems he’s all you can focus on. But I’m going to find the real culprit, with or without you. Come on Dylan, let’s get you out of here.”

Mr. Gessler stepped into Dylan’s path and raised his hand to her brother’s shoulder. “I hope you understand, Dylan. We’ve not only lost our daughter, but a grandchild that we’ll never know. We’re just trying to put the pieces together.”

Dylan patted the man’s hand and looked him in the eye. “I’m sorry for the loss of your daughter and that you’re having to go through all this.”

Jim pushed his way into Dylan’s face. “I don’t know what all was going on between you and Wendy, but if we find out you were the father of that baby, then I guess we’ll also know who killed her.”

An angry spark flashed in Dylan’s eyes, and Caitlyn edged her way between the men. She took Dylan’s arm and propelled him toward the door. Brushing past Jim, she said, “Knowing the identity of the baby’s father is evidence only of paternity, Jim. It does not prove murder. We will not stand for anything less than factual evidence in this case.”

As Caitlyn gripped the knob and pulled open the door, the sheriff’s desk phone rang. All eyes in the room swung to the device. The sheriff lifted the headset. “Sheriff Tackett’s office, this is the sheriff speaking.” He nodded several times before answering. “Yes ma’am, I’ll look for that fax to come through. Thank you so much for getting right back to me. Time is of the essence in this case. Have a lovely morning.” He turned to the Reeds with a self-satisfied grin plastered across his face. “That was the County Clerk calling to inform me that Dylan Reed is required by the court to submit to a paternity test. I guess you two can stop by the clinic on your way home.”

Dylan yanked the door out of Caitlyn’s hand and stalked out toward her truck. Colt rushed up behind Caitlyn. “I’ll walk you out.”

Before she left, Caitlyn smiled softly at the Gesslers. “I’ll personally let you know what we find out as soon as we know anything. I agree, you have a right to know.” Without looking at the sheriff, Caitlyn walked out of the office with Colt following close behind.

Dylan slapped the front fender of Caitlyn’s truck and growled his frustration. Renegade responded like a rabid animal from inside the cab, his drooling fangs flashing.

“Dylan, knock it off. Look, you’ve upset Renegade.”

“I’m not getting in the cab with that crazy dog.” Dylan leaned against the truck. “You need to teach him some discipline, Caitlyn.”

“You’re the