Then Cole saw the Sheriff’s SUV roll into the lot and felt a grin pull at his mouth.
“What?” Aftyn asked.
“That’s Deputy Declan Cavanaugh.” He nodded toward the cruiser. “And Tank.”
“Who’s Tank?”
“His K-9. Trust me, those two are not going anywhere.” He could already hear the dog barking from inside the vehicle. “They wouldn’t make it twosteps on foot.”
They watched Declan step out, close his door, and move toward Avery and Judd with the calm, unhurried stride of a man who already knew how this was going to end. A moment later Peterson appeared from his room and headed toward the cruiser.
“I suppose he’s going to stick his nose in it.” Aftyn sighed.
“Stay here.” Cole pushed his door open and walked over.
Declan glanced up. “Hey, Cole.”
“Declan. Didn’t expect to see you on nights.”
“Shift ran long. Sam caught me before I left.” He looked past Cole at the couple frozen beside the Tahoe. “Avery Newton?”
Avery’s voice came out barely above a whisper. “Yes.”
“Turn around and put your hands behind your back. You’re under arrest for identity theft, money theft, and crossing state lines.” He paused. “And given your prior record, Miss Newton, I’d strongly suggest you don’t make this any harder on yourself than it already is.”
Peterson stepped forward from the direction of his room. “Deputy, I’m Sterling Peterson. I was hired by Miss Newton’s aunt to locate her.”
Declan looked at him. “And?”
“I’m explaining why I came outside.”
“You’ve explained it. Go back inside, please.”
“Aftyn,” Avery called out, looking toward the truck. “Tell him.”
Declan took her arm firmly and turned her around without another word. She put her hands behind her back, and he snapped the cuffs on just as a second Sheriff’s SUV rolled into the lot. Deputy Mark Shawclimbed out, grinning before he’d fully closed his door.
“I’ll take her, Declan. Unless you’d rather she ride with Tank?”
Avery stiffened. “I am not sitting in there with that dog.”
“Thought so.” Mark’s grin held.
“I’ll bail you out in the morning,” Judd said.
Declan turned to him. “No, you won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re under arrest. Judd Hutchins, turn around.”
“For what?” Judd’s voice climbed. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Aiding and abetting. You actively assisted, encouraged, and facilitated the commission of a crime with full knowledge and intent. That’s not just knowledge of what she was doing. That’s participation.” Declan’s voice was flat and final. “So, turn around, shut the fuck up, and put your hands behind your back.”
Judd opened his mouth again and Declan simply waited, which seemed to work better than anything else could have. Judd turned around. Declan cuffed him, took him by the arm, and walked him to the cruiser. Mark opened the back door, guided Avery in, then Judd folded in beside her and the door closed.
Declan turned to Cole. “She’ll need to come into the office as soon as she can to press charges formally. I think letting them sit overnight will do them both some good.” He gave a short nod. “I’ll be in touch.”
