Page 21 of Desert Angel

“Hello, officer.”

“Ma’am, I’m going to have to take you into custody for harboring illegal aliens and aiding and abetting an illegal act.”

Nikki stood stock still, staring at the officer who had handcuffs dangling from his fingers. He looked so uncomfortable she thought maybe he might throw up. “I’m sorry?”

He repeated the charges and held up the cuffs. “I’m supposed to bring you in, Ma’am.”

She nodded and stepped toward him. “You don’t need the cuffs unless you’re required to use them.”

He shook his head. “I’d rather not. You’ll need to ride with me, though.”

She nodded again, glancing around the street for Dylan. Finally, she looked back at the police officer. “Could I leave a note for my friend?”

He shrugged and she stepped back into the trading post for some paper and an ink pen. After a couple of minutes she turned to the officer and said, “Let’s go.”

11

Dylan shifted the package from one hand to the other and smiled to himself. He’d never expected to buy a present like the one he had in his bag, but then he’d never been in love with a goat herder, either. His grin widened as he recognized his acknowledgment. He was in love with Nikki Hill.

He frowned as he approached the truck. He’d been gone longer than he’d anticipated and expected her to be waiting for him. But the truck was empty, as was its bed of the bags of groceries he’d expected to find. As he approached the driver’s side he saw a flash of white on the windshield. Plucking it off he read, then bit off a curse and headed into the trading post.

He didn’t bother to hide his irritation and sprayed the few passersby with dirt as he pulled out of the parking spot. On the way to the police department he dialed Hank. “They’ve arrested her.”

“What?”

He filled his boss in and requested some legal advice. “I need it as soon as you’ve got it, Hank. She can’t stay in there.”

“You’ve got it. I’ll call you back.”

Uncaring of the expensive piece of equipment, Dylan tossed the phone onto the seat beside him and focused on getting to Nikki as soon as he could.

When he got to the station, she was sitting calmly at the young police officer's desk, a cold soda at her side. At his abrupt entrance, Nikki looked up at Dylan and smiled. “It’s okay.”

“Okay?” He sputtered then sank onto a seat near her. “You’re okay.”

“I am. Are you?” She eyed him closely.

“Not sure. I guess. Maybe.” He reached over and got the soda, taking a long draft before setting the can back on the desk. “It’s not what I was expecting, Nikki.”

“Me neither,” she said.

“Have they read you your rights? Given you the charges?”

She shook her head. “Officer Phillips said he wasn’t going to do it. The prosecutor had to.” She shrugged. “I think I know his aunt. She was the lady who called me this afternoon, about the goat’s milk products.”

“The lady who promised to keep buying your stuff?” At her nod, he relaxed a bit. “Okay. So we have a little time.”

She looked around the police station. Desks, phones, and computers abounded. But there was only one clerk and Officer Phillips in the outer room, indicating the busyness of the crew. “I feel like I’m in a dream right now.”

“Not a nightmare?” he asked, scooting closer to her.

“Not yet. If I have to stay in a cell, it might turn that way.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” he said and glanced up as Officer Phillips stepped forward.

“Captain Wallace is coming in,” he said, relief in his voice.

“Thanks,” Dylan said and then leveled a hard glance at the young man. “What are the charges, Officer?”

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