Page 91 of Now or Never

“I’m not allowed to write a bond for him,” Connie said. “I told you that a couple days ago.”

“It was the only way I could get him here. The choice was to forfeit the bond money that Vinnie already invested or bring him in and write a new bond.”

“You delivered him to the desk sergeant, right?”

“Yes. Lula delivered him.”

“Then we get our bail bond money back,” Connie said. “No problem on our end. Jug has to find a new bail bond agent.”

“Okay, give me a contact.”

“There are two other bail bond agencies in the area. I’m texting their numbers to you. There’s a good chance that they won’t write the bond because the amount is going to be too high.”

Maybe it wasn’t too late. Maybe I could get Lula to whisk Jug out of the building and we could turn him loose.

I called Lula. “Where are you? Have you turned Jug in yet?”

“Yeah. We’re waiting for someone to take us to court.”

Crap!

“Call me as soon as the bond is set.” I looked down at Mr. Big. “This isn’t good. This really isn’t good.”

I took Mr. Big for a walk, and when I got back to the municipal building it was coming up to ten o’clock. I found a bench in the shade, and Mr. Big chilled out while I called Lou.

“Hey,” I said. “It’s Stephanie.”

“You snatched Bruno, didn’t you? I’m at his house and nobody’s home, including the dog.”

“I didn’t snatch him. He wanted to get rescheduled. He didn’t get cuffed or anything. We even made him oatmeal.”

“Yeah, him and the oatmeal. Did he eat in his pajamas?”

“More or less. Here’s the thing: He might not make his massage appointment at ten thirty. We’re waiting for the judge to set his bail bond.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing. Just sayin’.”

“Keep him away from the press and call me when he’s done. I’ll come get him.”

“Great. Good plan.”

I hung up.

Lula called. “We’re done,” she said. “Where’s Connie?”

“Connie isn’t coming.”

“Say what?”

“What’s the bond?”

“Same as last time.”

“Oh boy.”

“What do you mean byoh boy?”

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