“You doing okay there, sweet cheeks?” Jake asked.
Hope shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you.” It was a lie. Life behind bars was flashing before her eyes. “I don’t want to end my days in prison, however.”
“Not going to happen,” he said, stepping closer, which sandwiched her between him and the Texan. Hope enjoyed the solid weight of both of them supporting her. At least if her legs gave out, they’d hold her upright.
“I have brought in two of my men, who will transport Ms. Lawrence to Brook.”
“With all due respect, Governor Tyler, there are no grounds for you take Ms. Lawrence there, so that’s not going to happen anytime soon. She is one of my citizens, and will be left here until I have evidence that she is guilty or not. The chargeswill be investigated fully. I’m sure I can handle it, given I’ve done so many times before. I have no reason to believe this will be any different.”
“He’s pissed now,” Ethan whispered.
“How do you know?”
He flashed Hope a smile. “Small tic in his neck. Barely noticeable unless you know him well.”
Hope searched Cubby’s neck and saw it.
“I want her arrested, Mike!” Mr. Linear stepped into the conversation.
“Well now, seems to me you’re awful friendly with the governor there, Mr. Linear,” Cubby said.
“Wouldn’t read very good if it were to get into the papers that you’re being coerced, Governor,” Ethan added.
“Who the hell are you?” Casey’s father glared at Ethan.
“Ethan Gelderman III. In fact, I think you’ve flown in my daddy’s jet a time or two, Mr. Linear. You also, Governor.”
Both men paled, but the governor rallied.
“I have travelled in many jets, Mr. Gelderman, that is not the matter at hand here. The issue is one of concern that Ms. Lawrence be charged for her crimes, and that Ms. Linear’s property is returned to her. Therefore, we are taking Ms. Lawrence back to Brook for questioning, and there is nothing you can do about the matter, Sheriff Hawker.”
“You remember what I asked you, Jake?” Cubby turned to his friend.
“Yup, is now the time?”
“Yes.”
“Bring Hope, Tex.”
One minute she was standing, the next she was picked up by Ethan and thrown over his shoulder. They were soon running past reception and in the direction of the cells.
“What are you doing?”
“Ensuring no one takes you anywhere,” Jake said.
They arrived at the cells seconds later. He opened one, and Ethan carried her inside and put her back on her feet. He left, and they shut and locked the door. The keys were then handed through the bars.
“Hold these and don’t give them to anyone, or come out till we say.”
Hope took them, then staggered backward to the small cot. Falling onto it, she clutched the keys to her chest.
“No one, Hope, promise us?”
She nodded. The door to the cells then burst open, and in came the Linears, and the governor. Fury then rained down on the Sheriff of Lake Howling.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Newman’s eyes felt gritty and his head ached. He missed Hope, there was no getting around that fact. He wanted to hold her, talk to her about this emptiness he seemed to be carrying around inside him.
