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

“Does he have it written somewhere?”

The back of Caitlyn’s neck prickled. “I don’t know.”

“I’m sure it will be fine. We’ll run the ballistics, and I’ll have your gun back to you in no time.” Colt took her Glock to his Jeep and Caitlyn videoed the exchange. He turned before he got into the car. “Are you doing anything later?”

“Just going over this case.”

“Want company?” Colt’s car radio squawked, and the Sheriff’s voice crackled over the line. “Deputy Branson, this is Sheriff Tackett. Do you copy?”

Colt reached in, unhooked the transmitter, and pressed the button. “Loud and clear.”

“What’s your 10-20?”

“I’m about ten miles from Moose Creek on the forest highway. I have Caitlyn Reed with me, and we’re completing the transfer of firearms.”

“That’s fortuitous. Bring Ms. Reed back to the office with you. We can check the firearms into evidence together.”

Caitlyn gave Colt a thumbs up. “Good idea. Tell Sheriff Tackett I’d like to have an official receipt, signed by him for all the guns.”

Colt relayed her message.

“Of course.” Tackett’s voice crackled. “Explain to Ms. Reed, that I always do everything by the book.” Colt smirked and rolled his eyes. “Yes, sir. Out.” He clicked the radio off.

Caitlyn shook her head and canted it toward town. “Renegade and I will follow you.”

“Sounds good. Maybe you’ll let me buy you a cup of coffee afterwards?”

“We’ll see.” Caitlyn and Renegade climbed into the truck and tailed Colt back to the Sheriff’s office. She had to admit to herself that she enjoyed spending time with Colt, as much as she ever did. And that smile… she found herself teasing him just to see if she could get him to flash it at her. It was the learning to trust him again that was hard.

At the Sheriff’s Office, they carried the firearms into the building. Catie videotaped while Colt and the sheriff tagged each firearm and documented it on an evidence form. “How long will it take to run these guns through ballistics, Sheriff?” she asked.

“I’ll let you know when it’s done.”

Caitlyn sat on the edge of his desk. “Tell me, what do you make out of Jim Hague revealing that Wendy was suicidal?”

The Sheriff’s eyes popped open before they narrowed to slits and aimed their anger at Colt. “Talking out of school, are we?” The sheriff pointed and shook his beefy finger at Caitlyn. “You need to keep your nose out of this investigation.”

A low rumble echoed in Renegade’s chest, and he took a menacing step into the space between Caitlyn and the sheriff. Caitlyn reached down and stroked his head. “I will not stay away from this investigation. My degree is in criminal justice, and I intend to use what I’ve learned. I’m confident I can do a better job than you’re doing.”

Sheriff Tackett edged toward Caitlyn, and Renegade’s growl rolled into a bark. He bared his teeth, and Tackett retreated behind his desk. “You’ve got your receipt, now get your mangy dog out of my office. I don’t care what you studied in school. By the way, do you have a private investigator’s license? Because if you don’t, I can bring you up on charges for interfering with an ongoing investigation.”

The sheriff’s bluster, no matter how puffed up he got, didn’t intimidate Caitlyn. “Sheriff, the problem is that you’ve already decided Dylan’s guilty. Now you’re only looking for evidence that will prove your assumption. Don’t neglect the evidence that points in a different direction.”

“Like what?” Tackett scoffed.

“I know you want to believe that if Dylan is the baby’s father, it gives him a motive for murder. You’re guessing that maybe Wendy refused to have an abortion, and so Dylan killed her. Is that your line of thinking?”

The sheriff lowered himself into his desk chair, crossed his arms over his belly, and nodded. “There’s probably more to it, but that’s the long and short of it.”

“Right. To my point—you’re completely neglecting the fact that Jim would then also have a motive for murder. After all, another man slept with his girlfriend. Jealousy can definitely incite a crime of passion. And that type of motive holds far more water than the one you’re assigning to Dylan. Not to mention, Hague lied when he said Dylan was the last one seen talking to Wendy before she disappeared.”

“I understand your position, but love for your brother clouds your perspective.” Sheriff Tackett leaned forward, his face pinched in anger. “Now I’m warning you, stay out of this case. Let the professionals handle it.”

“Ha! I’d like to know what makes you a professional, Sheriff Tackett? Somehow, the people of Moose Creek elected you to this office, even though you didn’t live here and barely passed the Law Enforcement Academy exams.” Caitlyn reached down and smoothed Renegade’s hackles. “At least I can rely on Colt. Come on Ren, we’re out of here.”

19

Caitlyn ended up not only having coffee with Colt, but dinner as well. By the time she left town, it was almost ten o’clock. The late hour surprised her when she looked at her watch. Their time together was engaging, and she had more fun than she expected. Maybe she could finally move past her anger toward him. At least he stuck up for her desire to run her own investigation. Sheriff Tackett, on the other hand, had been so angry about it, he’d even threatened to bring her up on charges.

Colt walked her to her truck. She lingered at the door, waiting to see if maybe he’d try to kiss her again, but he shoved his hands in his pockets and said goodnight. Feeling vaguely let down, she scoffed at herself. What? You wanted him to kiss you after you sent him packing last night? Stupid move.

Renegade leapt into the cab and Caitlyn heard paper crumple. She reached for the loose sheet lying on her seat. Someone had marked it in red letters. “Mind your own damn business, bitch — or else you’ll be next!” A thousand pins pricked