“They’re due to be released from the hospital into police custody either today or tomorrow. Dixon says they’re looking at trespassing, unlawful imprisonment, and aggravation with deadly weapons charges on top of the attempted grand larceny charges. He suspects their attorneys will advise them to plead guilty to the worst of the offenses in hopes the lesser charges will be dropped.”
“Cutting a deal will be good,” Olivia said. “It means there won’t be a trial.”
Doc grimaced and LT said, “Something tells me you’ve saved the worst for last.”
Olivia slipped an arm around her husband’s waist and demanded, “Out with it, Doc. Don’t keep us in suspense.”
Blowing out a windy breath, Doc told them, “Dixon said because Fin Allen died while he and his friends were attempting to commit a felony, the DA might choose to charge the other three with felony murder.”
“Which means therewillbe a trial.” Maddy’s Texas twang emphasized both syllables of the last word. “There’s no way they’ll plead guilty to that.”
Doc touched his nose. “As LT likes to say,bingo,bango,bongo.”
“Damn,” Olivia muttered. “I was hoping we were done with them.”
“Believe me.” Doc nodded. “Me too.”
A trial meant he’d have to recount and relive Fin’s death. Maybe even have to look into the eyes of Fin’s widow and children while he did it. It also meant he’d have to see Cami again—no doubt, she’d be called as a witness.
“This is goin’ to suck,” LT grumbled.
A long silence followed his pronouncement, and Doc counted the seconds ticking by on the cuckoo clock. Then Uncle John clapped his hands together. “Nothin’ to be done about any of it now. Let’s eat.”
“Thank goodness. I’m starving,” Alex declared.
“No surprise there.” LT chuckled.
Alex sniffed. “Didn’t your father teach you not to make fun of people who have conditions?”
“And what are you sufferin’ from? Besides motor-mouth-itis?”
“Hypoglycemia!” Alex placed her hands on her hips. “I’vetoldyou that a million times.”
“I’ll believe it when I see a note from your doctor.”
“Ooh.” Alex stomped her foot. “And to think I missed you when I was away.”
“Ahhh.” LT caught her in a headlock and scobbed her noggin. “I missed you too, pipsqueak. It was awfully quiet around here without your constant commentary. Even Julia had nothin’ on you.”
“Hands off my woman,” Mason growled in mock affront, making both LT and Alex laugh.
A pang of melancholy stabbed into Doc as he watched the antics. These people were his family. Found family, but family all the same. And soon they would be scattering to the four winds.
He was going to miss them terribly.
Close on the heels of that realization was the certainty that, after years of everyone living on top of each other at the beach house, the ranch was going to feel awfully empty. Awfullylonely.
But Iwon’tbe alone,he assured himself.I’ll hire a manager and ranch hands. And if I start a private practice, I’ll have my patients.
It’s enough,he told himself staunchly and once again ignored the voice of dissent when it asked,Are you sure?
The group shuffled into the kitchen. But before Doc could follow, Uncle John slapped a hand on his shoulder, holding him back.
He lifted a questioning brow.
“Cami was lookin’ mighty low when she left this afternoon,” John said. “You might think of usin’ the sat phone to call her.”
“Why the hell would I do that?”
