When the night watch came on shift, they were briefed, then Santiago went back to looking through photos, comparing the ones he’d taken when he’d first arrived on the scene with those after they found the broken jar of chicken hearts.
“Hey Stillwater, you really pop that woman on the ass like everyone’s talkin’ about?” Deputy Loyd Peters called out as he walked into the station. Late again. Peters dropped his things onhis desk before walking over and leaning against the opening to Santiago’s office.
Santiago gritted his teeth, then looked up, turning a dead-eyed gaze upon the older man.
Loyd was old guard, thought he was a shoo-in for the role of sheriff but the old mayor, Anderson’s father, had other ideas.
“If they said it, then it’s got to be true,” Santiago said. “But since you’re out there keepin’ your ear to the ground on your off day and such, maybe you’ve heard something that will help you close out those two missing person cases on your desk for the last week and a half. I got complaints from both the Litten and the Dagney families saying that you weren’t taking their concerns seriously enough.”
“Well, will you look at the time,” Ms. Audrey said, rising from her desk. “I’m gonna swing by and see if Ms. Green, akathat woman, is faring well this evening. Y’all be safe out there tonight.”
“What the hell is going on with this cell?” Peters called out as he peered inside.
“Audrey’s been on a beautification campaign apparently,” Roan said, also gathering her things.
“Oh hush you,” Ms. Andrey scolded. She stopped beside Santiago and mouthedpatience.
Everyone was aware he had little patience for people who were incompetent yet found the time to be cavalier about their duties. In his old unit the worst he had to deal with was Sonny’s big heart and wild spirit. There was a cost to it, but never one his team or the people they were chosen to protect had to pay.
“I’ll see you out,” Santiago told Audrey. Shutting down his computer, locking his file cabinet, then locking his door, he followed her out, nodding toward Cutter.
“I’ll make my rounds before heading up the mountain. Call me if you need me.”
“Night watch has got this.”
Santiago looked pointedly at Loyd before reiterating to Cutter. “Call me if you need to.”
It took him under thirty minutes to drive around town, ending up right back where he was last night: at Aunt Carolina’s bed and breakfast looking up at the second story window to see if the hellion was still in town.
Audrey’s car was out front, but the upstairs curtains were closed, the room was dark.
A satisfied grunt rumbled through his throat and chest. He’d got her out of town and that was a job well done. A part of him though…a part of him couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed that she’d capitulated so easily; was already feeling a loss at never being able to throw her over his shoulder and feel the curve of her ass in his palm. At least not in person. In his imagination though…
Exiting his car—because he never did make it back to get that bacon—he paused in the middle of the street.
She was still here; passing the front window holding a cup of tea or coffee or whatever witches brew she drank as she trailed behind his great-aunt and Audrey.
The front door opened, and Audrey stepped outside. When she saw Santiago, Audrey waved, said something to Aunt Lina which made them both laugh, before getting in her car and driving off.
“Are you coming in for dinner, pececito?” Lina called out.
He continued the trek to the front door.
“Just here to pick up that bacon you promised me.”
“Of course he is,” the hellion muttered in derision. His fingertips tingled at the prospect of taking hold of her again.
“Ms. Green, you’ve got a bad understanding because I’m sure I was real clear about the necessity of you leaving my town today.”
She stood straighter, towering over his poor little aunt, and smiled at him, her eyelids lowered as she sipped from her cup.
“You ever heard the saying still waters run deep, Sheriff? Well you, Santiago Stillwater, are not that deep, which makes me wonder what gave you the impression that I’d give a shit about what you have to say. So, let me disavow you, Sheriff, I don’t. As a matter of fact, I’ve even decided to stay in your beloved little town a couple more days, and that’s on you. You interrupted my journey, now you deal with the consequences.”
She turned and sauntered away as he approached. “I hope he chokes on his bacon as divine intervention for cannibalizing his brethren,” he heard her say.
Aunt Lina’s eyes widened, her hand flew to her mouth as if she was the one to call him a pig.
“Santiago, maybe it’s best that you come back for the bacon in the morning,” his aunt said. “I hear bacon, it’s not so good for the health, and at this time of night?—”
