It was all over the radio, and news crews came up from Billings and Helena to cover the press conference. Jericho was there, in the back of the crowd, watching as it unfolded on the steps of the sheriff’s office.
The bust was the result of a joint federal task force, working in the area for several months, meticulously building a strong case—Hockley was in his element as he went through the details, managing to be boring despite the clear excitement he was trying to keep under control. Many members of an outlaw motorcycle club, including the entire leadership, were facing multiple charges related to trafficking in various narcotics, importing narcotics with the intention of trafficking, and illegal weapons. Valuable evidence had also been gathered that would contribute to building a case against members of the organization for the recent triple homicide.
According to the timeline the feds presented, the bust had been carried out the day before, while Wade had been in Jericho’s apartment.
Jericho listened to the questions from the media, wishing he could jump in and ask a few of his own. But maybe he didn’t want to hear the answers. Or maybe he didn’t need to hear them.
“It’s all wrapped up nice and tidy,” he heard a familiar voice say, and half turned to find Kayla at his elbow.
“Seems like,” he agreed carefully. “How come you’re down here instead of up there taking some credit?”
“Not much credit to take, not on this one. The feds never let me in, so I didn’t do much on this at all.”
“I know the feeling.”
Her look was quick and sharp, but he shrugged it off. She was tough.
They stood together and watched the rest of the press conference, and when it was over Hockley jogged down the concrete steps, shoulders loose and step confident. He was the conquering hero, descending from the great heights to share a moment of his time with the peasants.
“Wade set this up,” Jericho said as soon as Hockley was close enough to hear quiet speech.
“What?” Hockley said. “No, I think we were overestimating Granger’s involvement in it all. I mean, I’m sure he’s guilty of a lot ofothercrimes, but this one—”
“He set it up,” Jericho said. He didn’t need to argue this, not when he knew it with such certainty, but it felt like his responsibility to at least tell Hockley the truth. What the feds did with the situation afterward wasn’t Jericho’s problem.
“We can talk later,” Hockley said, and clapped Jericho’s shoulder in a way that probably looked like a good-natured dismissal. But Jericho felt the extra squeeze and got the message. They could talk later, when Kayla wasn’t listening.
Hockley strode off, likely to glad-hand whoever else he could find, and Jericho was left there with Kayla. His boss, sort of. His friend, definitely. He understood the reasons why she couldn’t know about her father’s activities, and he more or less agreed with them. Just like he understood the reasons for his suspension. But damn it, he didn’t like being on the outside, not aware of what was going on with her, not knowing how to help. His suspension was interfering with his ability to help her out, in more ways than the obvious.
“I was out of line,” he said quickly. “That—that cowboy bullshit. It felt right, and it worked out okay, but that’s not the point. I need to trust your decisions and follow your orders. And Idotrust your decisions, Kay. I promise. That was— I was wrong. Sorry.”
She frowned at him suspiciously. “And how will we be sure the same mistake won’t happen again?”
“I don’t know. I mean, obviously I’ll try to be more aware of what I’m doing. I’ll try to take less initiative, and be a better follower? What are you looking for?”
“I guess I’m looking for a reason to trustyou. It’s great that you trust me—” She stopped. “Okay, that came out sounding sarcastic, and it shouldn’t have. Itisgreat that you trust me. I appreciate that. But it has to go both ways, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, I get that. But I’m really not sure what— I mean, that’s your thing, not mine. You trusting me or not is going to come from you, so I kind of need some hints so I know what will make you feel better about all this.”
“Let’s not say ‘feel better’ as if I’m hormonal or something and you need to humor me, okay? You screwed up, Jay. This isn’t about what I feel, it’s about what I know.”
He tried to restrain his frustration. “Okay, so what’s it going to take to make you know you can trust me?”
Her expression softened. “You know I’d trust you with my life, right? I mean, I trust your intentions, absolutely. I know you’re on my side. I just—” She stopped, then frowned. “Shit, maybe that’s enough. Things have to calm down now. No more biker bullshit means no morereasonfor you to get reckless.”
Well, he wasn’t sure he quite agreed with that, but apparently his cautious nod was enough for her.
“Okay. So, we’ll give it another try.Onemore try. You’ll remember that I’m responsible for your safety, and you’ll act in a way that willnotgive me multiple heart attacks.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She nodded, then said, “Good. That’s settled. So, in your first duty as reinstated under-sheriff, you’d better go track down Hockley and have that conversation he didn’t want to have with an audience. If they aren’t going to talk to me, talking to you is better than nothing.”
He snorted. “You don’t miss much, do you?”
“I’m missing whatever’s up their asses about sharing information. But, no, I’m not totally clueless.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” he said. “And, Kay—I’ve got your back, okay? Always.”
“You’d damn well better,” she grumbled, and then she turned away and skirted around the crowd on the way into her station.
