He scowled down at the floor and sucked in a deep breath then moved to an office door and knocked. “Norm, you got a minute?”
Clayton waved him into the office and Colin quickly outlined the situation. “I want a restraining order on this guy, Norm. I know you don’t normally handle anything this trivial, but—”
“Stop right there, Colin. Have Josh and his boss come see me as soon as they’ve given their statements, and I’ll make sure the restraining order goes into effecttoday. Does he need additional protection?”
“I don’t think so, Norm. Not yet at least. And, man, I owe you on this one.”
Clayton waved away his thanks. “We take care of our own,” he said. “Now get to work, and try not to worry. I’ll take care of it.”
Colin returned to his office, but once Joshua and Miranda had given their statements, he guided them back to Norman Clayton.
“Clayton?” Joshua queried as they walked, his brows lifted in surprise.
Colin threw him a sheepish grin then leaned closer: “I may not like what he does in his off hours, but that’s none of my business. He’s still a damned fine attorney.” He kissed Joshua’s cheek. “Come see me before you leave.”
After speaking with Clayton and signing the papers necessary to file the restraining order, Joshua returned to Colin’s office and again urged him not to confront Dale Alensworth. But Colin would not be moved. “As soon as the restraining order comes through, I’m going to grab me a couple city cops and pay that sniveling little bastard a visit.”
Joshua’s face twisted in fright. “Goddammit, Colin! The fucker has a gun!”
“So you’ve said,” Colin told him. “But I flat out guarantee you, he won’t be using it today!” He wrapped both arms around Joshua’s neck and rocked him in his arms. “I’m not going to get hurt. I’m not even going to get mad. But Iamgoing to put the fear of god into him.”
“You mean the fear ofColindon’t you?” Joshua said, still visibly shaken.
“I’ll call you as soon as I’m back,” Colin murmured, then kissed him tenderly and nudged him toward the door. “Go to work. I’ll be fine.”
Furious, Joshua stalked from Colin’s office muttering under his breath. “Goddamned stubborn Irishman!”
“Iheardthat!”
* * *
Forty-five minuteslater Norman Clayton strode into Colin’s office and slapped a legal document onto his desk. “I assume you plan to deliver this in person,” he said, a half-smile drifting across his face.
Colin peered up at him and nodded. “I’m going to take a couple city cops with me.” He studied his superior’s face for a moment. “You gonna rat me out to Esther?”
“No. You going to ratmeout to Esther?”
Colin laughed, shaking his head. “Norm, I didn’t and I wouldn’t. But be aware that there’s been talk.” He tilted his head toward the staff lounge. “I’ve heard it mentioned more than once while they were sucking down their coffee and doughnuts.”
Clayton pursed his lips and nodded. “I get it, Colin. I’ll take it under advisement.” He stabbed his index finger toward Colin. “Make sure you take a cop, and for fuck’s sake be careful!”
“I plan to taketwo,” Colin chuckled. “The two biggest cops I can find hanging around down there.”
“Then get up and gonow!” Clayton ordered. “It’s almost shift change. You’ll be able to take your pick.”
Colin snatched up the restraining order and bolted for the city police offices, arriving as the shifts were changing. At least fifteen policemen were loitering in in the staff lounge, chatting as they prepared to either begin or end their shift. Most of them smiled and turned toward him as Colin approached.
“Guys, can I have a second?” Colin asked. “I need your help.”
He explained the situation and had a half-dozen volunteers within seconds. He selected the two most formidable police officers in the room, and as they walked toward the garage to requisition a car, Colin briefed them on the circumstances.
“He’s an abuser. Domestic violence against his wife who refuses to turn him in. Yesterday he accosted Josh in the clinic’s parking lot. Made a direct threat on his life. He left a bullet on the hood of Josh’s car a week or so ago so it seems likely that this asshole owns a gun.”
One of the officers shrugged. “Well, at least we know he ownsbullets!”
Colin scoffed out a laugh. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he had the gun to go with them. And I don’t think he works, so he should be there.”
* * *
