“Please,” Missy pleads.“Just enough for me to get through.”
For Mrs.Merrick’s sake, it would be easier to let Missy leave, but with the alcoholic fumes wafting off those two, I can’t risk her getting behind the wheel.God forbid she ends up hurting others.
“Before I can do anything, I need you two to back way the hell up.Move out of the way.”
When I see the two get to their feet and stumble away, I turn and head to my truck.Once inside, I immediately call the sheriff’s office.
Then I take my time arranging my truck into the perfect position and drag my ass attaching chains and straps, far exceeding what is needed to move the damn tree.All designed to give the sheriff’s department a chance to get here.
When a cruiser pulls up behind my truck, I’m surprised to see Tessa get out.I can hear Merrick cursing loudly behind me.
When I called it in, I’d mentioned who they’d be dealing with, and I’d been asked not to notify law enforcement.
Tessa walks up and asks in a voice loud enough for Merrick to hear, “What seems to be the problem?”winking at me with a saucy smirk on her face.
Chapter21
Tessa
I haven’t hadany personal interactions with Mayor Merrick before, but he doesn’t have a great reputation within the department.
Maybe that’s why Hugo decided to send me up here, to at least allow the man the benefit of the doubt.However, within minutes of me arriving at the scene, he is already living up to whatever has been shared about him.
“Outrageous!”Merrick repeats, barely able to wrap his tongue around the word, and therefore not helping his case.
I’ve already radioed EMTs and called for backup, because I had a feeling he might be causing some trouble.The mayor appears to be one of those belligerent drunks.
“Sir, with all due respect.I can smell the alcohol coming from your pores, and I’m a little concerned about the injuries you may have sustained in the accident.The best, and safest, way forward is for you to go with the ambulance when it gets here.”
I don’t tell him I intend to send a deputy with him.I wouldn’t put it past him to try and manipulate the EMTs into dropping him off somewhere, and I want to make sure we have his blood levels checked at the hospital.I’ve seen too many devastating results of driving drunk, and from what Hugo mentioned, this isn’t the first time for Silence’s mayor.
“Listen to her, Donnie,” the woman simpers, not yet aware I’ll have her taken home by a deputy as well.
“Don’t call me that,” Merrick hisses at her, making a move as if to strike her.
I quickly step in between.I’d hoped to avoid this, but I don’t want to take any chances.
“Sir, could you please turn around and move your hands to the small of your back?”
“For what?”he sneers, glaring at me.
Clem, who has kept his distance so far, is suddenly by my side in silent support.
“I’m going to detain you just as a precaution, sir,” I tell the man, who probably wouldn’t be able to take me in his current condition anyway.
But you never know, and cuffs might be enough for him to settle down a bit.
“For your safety and for mine,” I add.“I don’t want to have to force you.”
He glances at Clem before trying—and failing—to stare me down, but eventually turns his back as requested.I’m able to snap the cuffs on him, just as a sheriff’s cruiser followed by an ambulance pull onto the dirt road.
Looks like help has arrived.
I watchZiggy drive off with Missy Gentry in the back seat of his cruiser to take her home.
The ambulance is already gone, and Hugo—who’d hitched a ride with Ziggy—decided to accompany Merrick to the hospital himself.I know enough to know there is not much love lost between the two, but it’s probably the right call.There is no chance the mayor is able to bully our deputy sheriff.
I walk over to Clem, who is sitting in his truck.I asked him to wait for me to clear the scene before he starts moving things around.Not that there is much evidence to be gathered—it’s rather obvious the damage done was self-inflicted—but I wanted to check both vehicles myself before we clear the road.
