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He turned it toward Josie. “You’re on private property, miss.”
“I’m also a detective with the Denton Police Department, and I am instructing you to lower that weapon right now.”
Luke gave Blue a command and the dog stopped barking. A low growl emanated from his throat as he peered between Luke’s legs at Gamble.
A humorless laugh erupted from Gamble’s throat. The bow wobbled in his grip. Josie’s eyes were glued to the bolt, loaded, ready to be fired. Its broadhead had three blades. Gamble said, “You gonna shoot me? On my own property?”
“Not if you put that down,” Josie said.
Luke said, “Sir, we’re really sorry. We were conducting a search. The dog led us onto your property. We meant no harm. We’re happy to leave if you’ll lower your weapon.”
Archie glanced over at Luke, whose hands were still up. Getting a good look at them now, he froze, then turned his body in Luke’s direction, lowering the bow somewhat. “What the hell happened to your hands?”
Luke glanced at Josie. She gave him a slight nod, indicating he could continue to engage with Gamble. He already had the man’s attention, and the bow wasn’t pointed at any of them for now.
“It’s a long story,” Luke told him. “I’d be happy to tell you about it sometime, but maybe over a beer and not a crossbow.”
As if just realizing the bow was in his hands, Archie looked down at it. He laughed and let it fall to his side. Looking over at Josie, he scowled. “Guess you won’t be happy till I’m not holding this, huh?”
Josie nodded at him. He turned and put the crossbow into the bed of his pickup. Once he had taken a few steps away from it, Josie holstered her weapon. He took a closer look at her. “You,” he said. “You were here the other night.”
“Yes.”
“’Bout some lady and a car.”
“That’s right,” said Josie.
“You sent those damn animal rights people over here. Trying to collect the cats. You got some nerve, you know that?”
Josie said nothing.
The crunch of gravel sounded from behind her. She chanced a look over her shoulder. Relief flooded her. The cruiser that had been on-call most of the afternoon for when Blue needed to rest and get warm had just pulled into the driveway. Two uniformed officers got out. Josie signaled them to wait.
Archie scowled. “What’s the problem now?”
“Our search dog followed the scent of the suspect in two homicides to right here in your driveway. What can you tell us about that?”
One of Gamble’s bushy brows rose. “I’ll tell you this. You better get you a warrant and me a lawyer before you say another word. Now get the hell off my property.”
“I’ll do that,” Josie said. “While I do, my colleagues are going to hold the property.”
“Hold it?” Gamble said. “What in the hell does that mean?”
One of the uniformed officers stepped forward. “Come with me, sir,” he instructed Gamble.
“The hell I will!” Gamble snarled.
The other officer approached. “Is there anyone else here with you?”
“No, now get off my property!”
“We can’t do that, sir,” said the first officer.
Josie let them handle the situation. They’d make sure that Gamble didn’t go back inside his home and tamper with any potential evidence before the warrant could be served. They’d also clear the premises to make sure there was no one else there.
Keeping her eyes on the three men, Josie waved Luke and Blue toward the road. She followed with her back to them, watching as Gamble argued heatedly with the men.
Once out by the road, several feet from Gamble’s driveway, Luke let out a long breath. Josie didn’t notice just how badly he was trembling until Blue whined. Luke dropped to his knees and the dog licked at his cheeks. “It’s okay, boy. It’s okay.”
