He stepped into the elevator, pushed the floor for the lobby, then leaned against the wall. His ribs hurt like a bitch, but the bruises didn’t bother him. The elevator stopped and he stepped out into the lobby, then made his way to the Sheriff’s Department. He could have taken the stairs, but he didn’t want to chance hurting his lung again.
Once he reached the department, he opened the door and stepped inside. He mentally groaned when he saw Betty Lou Harper at the counter. She looked up with a frown, then smiled. She stood, walked around the counter and hugged him, making him hold his breath until she let go.
“I’m happy to see you, Rawley,” she said as she wiped a tear away.
“I’m happy to see you too, Betty Lou. Is Sam here?”
“Yes, he’s in his office. I’ll let him know you’re here.” She turned from him and yelled; “Sam, Rawley’s here.”
Rawley had to look away from her to hide a grin. He watched as Sam entered the lobby of his department.
“Betty Lou, when are you going to start using the intercom?” Sam asked then grinned at Rawley.
“When I feel like it, Sam Garrett.” Betty Lou huffed as she placed her hands on her hips.
Sam shook his head as he strode to Rawley and shook his hand.
“It’s damn good to see you, Rawley. I suppose you want to see them?”
“I do.”
“Follow me.”
Rawley nodded then followed the sheriff to the cells in the back. Sam opened the door and nodded for him to enter, then looked at him.
“Let me know if you need any help.”
“I will, Sam. Thanks.”
Sam returned to his office and Rawley stepped inside. He saw both men on cots in separate cells. He folded his arms and leaned back against the wall. When Hill looked at him, all color drained from his face.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Hill,” Rawley said.
“I thought—” Hill cleared his throat.
“You thought I was dead. I warned you what would happen if you were setting me up.”
“I’ll tell you everything.”
“Shut the fuck up, Hill,” Roby said from his cell.
“You lied to me, Hill. I knew I should have gone with my gut about you.” Rawley looked at Roby. “I hope you like the bars because you’re both going to be behind them for a long time.” He grinned when Roby clenched his jaw. “Not so big now, are you?”
“I can still kick your ass,” Roby snapped.
Rawley nodded, then walked from the room to Sam’s office. Sam looked up, then raised his eyebrows.
“You’re finished with them already?”
“No. Could I have the keys to the cell Roby’s in?”
Sam grinned. “Sure.” He opened the drawer in his desk, removed the keys and tossed them to him. Rawley caught them.
“Want to join me?”
Sam stood. “Hell yes. I don’t want to miss this. In fact, let me open the cell.”
Rawley chuckled. “Alright.”
