Chapter 37

By the time they’d driven back to Conclave, Stretch had learned that all the ex-sheriff’s men and women had either been arrested or wounded except Rusty. What scared Stretch was that Steve didn’t react when Rusty gave him the news; he just stared out the window as Stretch drove.

As he made his way through town, Stretch wondered if he would see his son again. He’d taught Alex how to become invisible. No social media, use disposable phones, keep your head down, and don’t make eye contact if you don’t have to. If Alex had followed his lessons, he wouldn’t have gained a group of true friends and, most recently, a girlfriend.

It was a testament to his son’s adaptability. Plopping Alex in Middle America had changed him for the better. Stretch could envision his son creating a future for himself that didn’t involve the fear of going to jail at any moment. He could see it was for the best that he’d gotten out of Alex’s life.

Stretch knew his son would give almost anything to have him back. Alex would even go back to planning if asked. But that wasn’t going to happen because Stretch wouldn’t be asking; Stretch figured he’d either be dead or in jail shortly.

Working with Steve Calhoun had been a colossal mistake. Stretch should have known better because of the way Steve had messed up the Moondust debacle that almost got Alex killed. The only thing that made Stretch think Steve might be worth working with was that he was like a cockroach: Steve could survive anything. When the Moondust thing went south, he’d disappeared in plain sight.

Steve was more intelligent than most bent cops Stretch had encountered. Most of them thought they were too smart to get caught breaking the law—they were cops, after all. On the other hand, Steve knew when to pack up and leave before the good guys kicked his door down. He was also enough of a leader that his cronies and other bent cops followed his lead.

Stretch would bet big money that Steve’s crew were all lining up at that moment to cut sweetheart deals to keep their butts out of jail. The problem for them was that if Janice or Sheriff Conly held any sway, they would all be doing hard time.

“Go through the town square,” Steve said. “I want to see it one last time.”

Stretch’s head snapped around to see if he was serious because the sheriff’s station was right there.

“You sure?” Rusty asked from the back seat.

“They would never expect us. My guess is they’re busy celebrating right now.”

Steve turned at a corner with a giant oak tree, reached down, found his phone, squeezed it to turn it back on, and drove to the town square.

Alex jumped when the phone rang. Grace picked it up. From her words, it was either Janice or Sheriff Conly. It was a quick conversation, but Grace didn’t look happy when she hung up.

“They recovered all the jewelry and arrested everyone but your dad, Steve Calhoun, and Rusty Scruggs. Janice said they’re wrapping things up at the church and will see you two at home. They’ll begin the hunt for those three tomorrow,” Grace said to Alex and Lyric.

“In that case, I’ll wait and walk you all to your cars,” Lev said.

Mandy stood and stretched.

“What time is it, anyway?”

Lyric looked at her PC.

“Almost four.”

“Everyone, take the day off tomorrow and sleep in,” Grace said and began to clean up.

“What the...” Lyric said with a confounded look. “I just got a hit on a device, and it’s less than a block away.”

Alex jumped up.

“That has to be my dad. Lyric, take Snickers and lock yourself in your office. Grace, you need to gear up because I think that means Steve plans to take us out.”

“My vest and shotgun are in my cruiser,” Mandy said.

“We don’t have time,” Grace said. “Come with me. I have everything you need.”

The two of them went to Grace’s office, where she had an arsenal stored. Alex had made fun of her, but he was glad she’d insisted she might need it someday. Alex had countered that if she let him plan things, she should never need to have a gun.

“You stay behind me,” Lev said quietly to Alex.

“No. Let me be out front and see if I can talk us out of this,” Alex insisted.

“Alexei was emphatic. Your safety is my only priority. That means if I have to shoot all three of them, I will.”

“Please try not to shoot my dad,” Alex said as Grace and Mandy came out wearing vests and carrying shotguns.

Alex wanted to complain because if the two of them began to shoot, his dad was sure to get caught in the crossfire.

“Let me do the talking,” Alex said.

“Not happening,” Grace said.

“If you go all FBI on them, this won’t end well,” Alex said.

Lyric’s office door cracked open.

“They’re parking out back, and Sheriff Conly said his team will be here in five minutes.”

Snickers tried to push her way out of the office.

“No! Stay!” Alex said.

“I think you need your forty-five if this goes badly,” Lev said, recalling Alex’s words to Alexei.

Alex squeezed his eyes shut so he could think. He couldn’t see any reason not to have Snickers at his side. She would go through the office door if all hell broke loose, anyway. By then, they could all be dead.

“Let her out,” Alex said and made eye contact with the pit bull. “Come sit next to me.”

The dog could feel the tension, so she quietly growled when the downstairs door was kicked open.

“Easy,” Alex soothed Snickers.

“We’re coming up, and I have a gun in your father’s back,” Steve called out.

Lev, Grace, and Mandy spread out to cover the stairs. Stretch led the way with his hands in the air, followed by Steve and Rusty. Rusty raised his service revolver and began pointing it at everyone.

“Drop your guns!” Rusty barked.

“Not happening. I suggest you drop yours,” Grace said.

Alex stepped forward with his palms up so everyone could see he wasn’t armed.

“Why don’t you all lower your guns before someone accidentally shoots, and we all end up having a bad day?”

“Listen to him,” Stretch said.