Mullins’s eyes flashed. “That, like this case, is none ofyour business.”
“As kin, I have a right to know,” Hunter retorted, looking like one longline of danger.
“You don’t have a right here,” Mullins drawled. “You didn’t even know the kid existed.”
Miss Angelina drew herself up. “I do have a right, since I’m Jackson’s foster guardian. So please do your job and fill me in on the status of the case.”
The chief sucked in air, filling his chest. Finally, losing the staring contest, he pointed to a map beneath the pictures. “The lady has hit gas stations from here to the state line, and it looks like she just hit one in Indiana, heading northeast. We have a Kentucky manhunt in full force, and we’re reaching out to friends in Indiana right now. Those two won’t get away, and if they won’t give up, it’s gonna get bloody.”
“That kid gets hurt, and you answer to me,” Hunter said, his hand closing into a fist.
Mullins faced him and only paled slightly. “I’ve heard about you. Big tough marine who washed out and came home to fish. Why don’t you return to the river and let the professionalsdo their jobs?”
Hunter smiled, and the sight was nowhere near pretty. “Chief? I have absolutely no doubt you couldn’t find your ass with both hands.”
Miss Angelina pressed her lips together, her eyes sparkling. She cleared her throat. “Chief Mullins, I’m aware that you and Louise Stockley were, ah, friends. This must be difficult for you.”
The chief’s nostrils flared.
Faye jerked. Friends? What kind of friends? She keptsilent for now.
“That has nothin’ to do with this,” Mullins spat. “Now I’d like for the three of you to leave. Interfere with this case, and I’ll have you arrested, no matter your high standing in this town.” The last was obviously directed towardMiss Angelina.
Hunter opened the door. “Your threats are a bad idea, buddy.”
Mullins partially smiled, making his eyes look even beadier. “You’re not in a position to speak with me, Holt. Your whole family is a waste. In fact, I just talked to your daddy down at Sunny’s Tavern this morning. Guy doesn’t have much good to say about you oryour brother.”
Tension shot through the room, heating the oxygen. Hunter’s expression closed down.
Crap. His father was in town? Faye reached for his arm, needing to touch him. This was a disaster. “Let’s go, Hunter.”
Triumph filled Mullins’s face. “It has been a pleasure.”
Hunter took Faye’s hand, his grip firm. “I can see this office is being poorly run. It’s a pity. For now, this isn’t your case any longer, chief.” He nodded, and Miss Angelina swept out, followed by Faye, who kept his hand and waited to make sure Hunter didn’t lungeat the jackass.
“The hell it ain’t,” Mullins sputtered.
Hunter glanced at the map. “If they’ve crossed lines, this just became a federal matter. And oddly enough, this washed-out marine still has plenty of friends in high places.” He smiled, and his eyes glittered in a way that made Faye shiver. “Y’all have a nice day now,” he said, shutting the door behind them.
Chapter Four
Rage was an ugly feeling. Hot and desperate and out of control. The two women in Hunter’s life who’d taught him to deal with it were right beside him, walking into the nice spring day, both with concerned looks on their pretty faces. Faces he’d loved for years. “I apologize for my language in there.”
Miss Angelina pointed a fob to unlock her spunky light green Volkswagen bug. “That’s all right. You’d certainly make a much better chief than him. That man is definitely a horse’s patoot.”
Faye snorted, and Hunter couldn’t help but smile. It took a lot for Miss Angelina to use such language, and it had always been a delight to her kids.Her kids. How many had she saved through the years? At least fifty. “I’ll get the new information to Raider, Miss A. Since this is a federal case now, we’ll see if he can get his people involved. He says they’re the best.”
“Of course they are.” Miss Angelina turned and patted Hunter’s chest, her gaze somber. “Deep ops has always been a specialty for each of you.” She sighed and glanced down the street before focusing on him again. She tilted her head. “I’m not going to ask you to refrain from doing what you’re about to do.”
“Thank you,” Hunter said. He’d never defied her, and he couldn’t start now, but he needed to do this.
“Just don’t get arrested,” she said, slipping into the driver’s seat of her car. “That chief would love an excuse.” She angled her neck to look at Faye. “Keep him out of jail.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Faye said, her hand still in his. She had light calluses on her palm—no doubt from gardening, which she’d always loved to do. Even so, her skin remained unbelievably soft and her bones small.
Miss A nodded. “I have to get to the store. We’re expecting a new shipment of honey vanilla syrup for the lattes.” She shut the door, ignited the engine, and zoomed away from the curb. Two bicyclists dodged out of her way, followed by a coupleof other cars.
Faye sighed. “She didn’t hit anything this time.”
