“I’m Sheriff Jones. Let’s head to my office,” he announced, his voice firm yet welcoming.
“Yes, sir,” Deke replied respectfully, and they trailed after the sheriff into a modest, cluttered office. Papers were strewn across the desk, and a faint aroma of coffee lingered in the air.
“Let me get another chair,” Sheriff Jones offered, glancing around the cramped space.
“No need, Sheriff. If I keep sitting down, I’m going to doze off,” Rawley said, rubbing his eyes.
Sheriff Jones chuckled, nodding in understanding. “I get that, son. Now, tell me whatyou need the warrant for.”
Deke leaned forward, his demeanor serious as he recounted the details of the case, producing the receipt for the tires as evidence. The sheriff examined it, his brow furrowing.
“I’ll call Judge Shaw. I know he doesn’t care for Winchester. Most of them are in Winchester’s pocket. I had his two older sons for the poisoning of that well, and I can’t tell you how pissed I was when they were released. There was no way they should have gotten out, and if this puts them away, I’ll help you all I can.”
“We appreciate that, Sheriff. How soon can you get it?” Deke inquired, hope in his voice.
“Just let me make a call,” Sheriff Jones replied, reaching for the phone.
Deke stood up, signaling to the others. “We’ll wait in the lobby.”
Killian and Rawley followed Deke out of the room, returning to their seats in the lobby, the air thick with anticipation.
A few minutes later, the sheriff strode into the lobby, prompting the men to rise from their seats. His presence seemed to fill the room; a no-nonsense demeanor etched into his features.
“You can pick the search warrant up at the judge’s office, then proceed to Winchester’s place,” he instructed, his voice steady and unwavering. “If there is any kind of problem, please call me. I’d love to tell him he has no choice in the matter.” With a firm gesture, he handed Deke a crisp business card. “I wrote the judge’s office address on the back,” he added, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
“Yes, sir. We appreciate this,” Deke replied, histone respectful and earnest.
“No need to thank me. That SOB has been getting away with too much for far too long. I know it’s his sons causing trouble, but he must be aware of their actions, if he keeps getting them out,” the sheriff said, a frown creasing his brow.
“How many sons does he have?” Killian asked, curiosity piqued.
“Four,” the sheriff replied. “The oldest is twenty-two, followed by a twenty-year-old, an eighteen-year-old, and the youngest at thirteen. The oldest two have been nothing but trouble since their mother passed away two years ago. Winchester remarried a woman young enough to be his daughter, and the boys don’t like her. Not that it bothers her; she married him for his money.” Sheriff Jones shook his head in disapproval. “Good luck. Call if you need me.”
“Yes, sir.” Deke shook the sheriff’s hand firmly, then headed toward the door.
After Killian and Rawley exchanged handshakes with the sheriff, they followed Deke out to his truck. The men put their protective vests on as the sun glinted off the polished metal, then they climbed inside, a sense of determination settling over them. Deke entered the address into the GPS, the device’s screen glowing softly in the dim light of the cab, then followed the directions. They soon arrived at the judge’s office, collected the warrant, and set off for the expansive Winchester property.
“I bet Winchester didn’t think you’d be able to get a warrant,” Rawley remarked from the back seat, his voice tinged with amusement.
“Yeah, I’m just glad the sheriff and judge are honest men,” Deke replied, a note of gratitude inhis voice as he drove them onward.
****
Ava walked through town to do a little shopping, hoping to get Deacon out of her head. Ellie, from her stroller, pointed at everything while chattering away. She waved as people smiled and walked past. Ava laughed as she listened to Ellie say some words. She could say, mama, puppy, kitty, Papa, doll, Ty, and no. No being her favorite word. Every day, she seemed to pick up new words. She’d run more than she walked and loved sitting on the floor playing with her blocks or dolls.
Ava wanted to teach her to say, daddy, for Deacon. She knew he deserved to know his little girl and Ava knew that she wanted Ellie to know her daddy. She knew they had a lot to talk about but with him on this case for her father, he would be busy.
She pulled open a door to a toy store, then entered and everyone inside laughed when Ellie let out a happy squeal as she looked at the toys.
“Doll, Mama,” she said as she pointed at a big doll with red curly hair, dressed in bibbed overalls. The little boots on her feet were adorable, but when Ava looked at the price tag, she winced. She didn’t want to pay that for a doll Ellie would, no doubt, get tired of in a few days. She knew her father would get it, but as of right now, Ellie didn’t need it.
“How about this one?” Ava picked up a much smaller doll.
Ellie shook her head. “No.”
Ava squatted down. “I will not get the big dollright now. We’ll come back, okay?”
“No.”
