“But now you are?” Skylar’s voice was taut with concern.
“Ninety-nine percent. If I can compare those tire treads—” He stopped mid-sentence, his body suddenly tense.
“What is it?” She leaned forward, her fingers gripping his hand.
“I have to go back to the office.”
“You were told to take time off.” Skylar frowned at him.
“Well, if I come back, then I suppose I will, but I need to talk to Dave.” He tapped his fingers restlessly against his thigh.
“You’d better hope he doesn’t throw you out of the building.”
Rawley smiled and kissed the top of her head, breathing in the faint scent of her shampoo. “Lock the door behind me.”
He picked up his hat, lightly kissed her lips and walked out the door. The truck’s engine roared to life in the quiet afternoon as he headed back to the department, dust billowing behind his tires.
Rawley eased his pickup between two SUVs in the crowded lot, the engine’s rumble fading as he cut the ignition. He swung open the door, the leather seat protesting, and climbed out. The late-afternoon sun cast long shadows across the concrete as he strode up the steps. A faint tang of exhaust and pine filled the air. Inside the lobby, the hum of fluorescent lights mingled with muffled conversations. Spotting a line of’ people waiting at the elevator, Rawley veered left, to the heavy steel door marked ‘Stairwell’ and jogged up the steps. At the third floor landing he emerged beside the elevator, eyes locking on the tall glass door ahead, the MDOL logo etched on it.
He inhaled deeply with anticipation, then pushed the handle and slipped through the threshold. All heads turned as he passedby and murmurs halted. Killian, leaning against the wall, offered a curt nod. Encouraged, Rawley approached Dave’s office and tapped his knuckles on the glass.
Inside, Dave lifted his gaze from a stack of files. His brows shot up, eyes widening in surprise at Rawley’s sudden appearance. Then he exhaled slowly and waved him inside. Rawley pushed open the door and stepped into the room.
“I thought you were off duty today,” Dave said, eyebrow arched, leaning back in his high-backed leather chair.
Rawley kept his tone steady. “Mind if I sit?”
Dave gestured to the chair, its fabric worn at the arms. “Go ahead.”
Rawley perched on the edge, hands clasped. “I’m not wrong to suspect those men, Dave. They’re dangerous, not just because they trailed me and my date. But take a look at the tread pattern on their truck tires. I’m convinced they match the other tracks at the Mitchell ranch.”
Dave shook his head. “You’re convinced. If I had a dollar for every time my gut told me I was on the right trail, I’d be sipping margaritas in retirement by now. Rawley, you’re sharp, your instincts have saved agents more than once. But without probable cause, we can’t run those plates. And they’d probably give fake names.”
“I figured as much.”
Dave leaned forward, fingers steepled. “We have to have cause.” Dave held his hand up when Rawley opened his mouth. “You’re fixated on those tags to the exclusion of everything else. Did you ask for their IDs?”
“No, sir. We were in the diner, and I didn’t want to scare anyone.”
“If you’re right about them, we’ll find out and you can bring them in, but until we have probable cause, step back. We don’t need to scare them off if they are involved.”
Rawley tightened his jaw. “I need to speak with Sam.”
Dave’s gaze hardened. “Sam Garrett won’t run them, and you know it.”
“He doesn’t have to. He can alert his deputies to keep an eye out for that truck. I know what it looks like. If they spot it, they’ll have to have a valid reason to pull it over, but if they do, they can run the plates legitimately.”
Dave tapped a pen on his desk. Then he nodded once. “That could work. I’ll call Sam.” He lifted the phone, dialed, and exchanged a few low-toned words. Finally, he glanced up at Rawley. “Get to your desk and I’ll transfer Sam”
Rawley rose and nodded. “Yes, sir.” He left the office, the door clicking shut behind him, retraced his steps to his desk, and sank into his chair. He picked up the desk phone receiver and pressed the button.
“Sam?”
“Hey, Rawley. Give me a description of that truck and I’ll have my deputies keep an eye out. I don’t have to tell you that unless they do something wrong, we can’t pull them over without probable cause.”
“I understand that Sam. Please let me know.”
“Will do.”
