Shotgun Justice by Angi Morgan Read Free Book Online

family.
    He had to convince Avery’s coworkers that she was in danger and to let him go. So far they’d left him alone. He wanted to see a confident, satisfied Avery waltz through and tease him. He’d imagined her barely speaking to him. Maybe making him beg to be released. Or putting her hands on her hips while stating dramatically to get out of town.
    Okay, that was a little on the Clint Eastwood side. She’d try to tell him she could take care of herself. He knew that much and had his argument ready.
    The door at the end of the hall opened, and a young deputy with a couple of bottles of water in one hand and cell keys in the other approached him. He began reformulating his arguments.
    Jesse had studied a lot of people. When you were best friends with a man as outgoing as Garrison, you weren’t required to say much to fit in.
    Garrison thought of what to say faster and usually better. Jesse required time to think things through. Then react. Which, admittedly, he could have and should have done better when Avery pulled him over.
    The deputy’s body movements indicated he didn’t know if he could trust Jesse. He dangled freedom from one finger as if he wanted to be convinced, then dropped the keys in his pocket.
    â€œMind telling me who you are?” the deputy asked, extending a water bottle through the bars. “No one logged you into the system.”
    â€œLieutenant Jesse Ryder, Texas Rangers. My ID’s in that duffel you’re holding, unless Avery took it with her.” He gulped the water, letting it cool not only his parched throat but his temper. “And you?”
    â€œDeputy Bo Jackson. Why are you here?”
    â€œWhere’s Avery?”
    â€œGood question.” He shifted his weight to his other foot, attempting to look casual. He didn’t succeed. “We’re hoping you could tell us if she’s not coming back here because of you. Or if you’re here because something’s up with that thing her brother’s involved in.”
    Jesse’s heart rate sped out of control. He lost his grip on the plastic, then watched the bottle bounce and roll, spilling cold water across the old tile. He has her. His gut and mind were in sync. Snake Eyes has her already. “Get me out of here. Now.”
    The deputy jumped back a little. Maybe from the spilling water but more likely because of the animalism Jesse barely recognized in his own voice.
    â€œJust hold on a minute and don’t get worked up again. Nothing’s happened to her, but I think you answered my first question. This is about her brother, but you’re here because of you. She’s been tight-lipped for the past hour and I wanted some answers.”
    â€œDeputy Jackson, you’re smarter than I gave you credit.”
    â€œThanks. I think. Easy mistake. I’m a lot older than I look.” The deputy retrieved the key and swung the door open. “Avery had your car brought to the office. Keys are across the street.”
    â€œYou aren’t going to keep me here till I spill what’s going on?” Jesse slid through the water on the floor and darted through the door before the deputy could change his mind.
    â€œSmarter. You should remember that later.” He smiled, making himself look younger than before. Then he handed over the blue duffel. “Go inside the office across the street and collect your keys. Avery wanted to know if you needed directions to her house.”
    â€œI got it, thanks.”
    Keys. Paperwork. A short drive down unfamiliar streets. Jesse’s mind was blank following the directions on the map he’d printed out. He hadn’t thought of what he was going to say this time. As he pulled into a driveway, a motion detector flooded the yard with light. His eyes adjusted and he saw her sitting casually on the front porch.
    Relief coursed through him like dousing a sunbaked body in a cool stream. She was safe. Exposed. Beer in one