Page 76 of No Man Left Behind

“You know there’s nothing to be sorry about. None of this is your fault. Or my fault. It’s all on the idiot in the cell back there. You did nothing wrong. We helped people who needed that assistance. Stop with the blaming.”

She sighed and snuggled into him. He kept his arms around her and ran his hands over her in comfort. Finally, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll try. I think I’ll be seeing Owen in his hands in my nightmares for years.”

He kissed her head. “That makes two of us. And I’ll be seeing you there, too. But I’ll also remember how smart and brave you were. That’ll help.”

“Thanks again for saving everyone.”

He chuckled. “I believe that was a team effort.”

She reached up and kissed him on the side of his jaw. “You’re still my hero.”

He grinned. “Right back at you.”

Her eyes misted, and he laughed. “Okay. Let’s try something else. How do you feel about helping me write up the ad for new deputies?”

She smiled and blinked away the tears. “I’d love to help, but I don’t have a clue what belongs in that kind of thing. Have you searched to see what other small towns do?”

Marcus helped her into the chair and pulled his own around the side of the desk where he could keep an eye on Aazar who still hadn’t moved. He passed his notepad and a pen over to Elina. “There are several recruitment sites, so I’ve been skimming those. All the ads sound the same, and I want ours to stand out. I figure this town has more than its share of wacky, and I want to somehow use that to lure in the right people. But I’m a step-by-step person. I need your creativity.”

She smiled at his words. “What kinds of things do you want to include in the ad?”

He shrugged. “There’s an online form they’ll fill in with most of the information. This is just to attract their attention and get them to consider us.”

“We can have some fun with it?”

He pointed at the posters. “I love what you’ve done with the Wanted ads, so something with that tone would be great.”

They dove into the task, trying to balance the practical with the silly. Movement on the screen had him turning to see the prisoner standing and staring at the camera. “I think he wants to talk. I have to go back and see. Stay here.” He didn’t want her anywhere near that man again.

When Marcus stood, Finch did as well. After the dog stretched, he trotted over to Marcus. With his growing legs, it only took him a few strides to cross the room. “Finch, stay.” He smiled at Elina. “I shouldn’t be too long.”

He closed the door behind him. Another barrier between Elina and the man who’d tried to hurt her. Marcus took a deep breath and shoved the rage way down. He was an officer of the law, and he would control himself.

When his face and body were composed, Marcus opened the door and strode into the small hallway in front of the cells. It included a chair and a small desk. Instead of sitting, Marcus moved to stand directly in front of the man.

Figuring the man had something to say, Marcus waited. He was good at waiting.

Aazar stared back at him but Marcus didn’t so much as blink. When it threatened to become a staring contest, he raised an eyebrow. The man remained silent, so Marcus turned to leave.

Sure enough, the man spoke. “I demand to be released.”

Marcus turned. “No.”

“You have no reason to keep me here.”

He stared and waited. The man knew as well as he did that the arrest and confinement were justified. He’d broken more than one law. During his initial arrest, Marcus had read him his rights, and listed the initial charges. He’d also told him he’d potentially be adding more. There was no need to repeat any of that.

Anger flashed through the man’s eyes. He was used to being in charge, which was not going to happen here.

“She destroyed my life. You both did. I have the right to take back what is mine.”

What the hell did that mean? What had he been trying to take back?

“I lost my position. I was forced to leave my country behind. Because of a woman who doesn’t know her place.”

Marcus nearly rolled his eyes in disgust. Instead, he continued to stare at the man to see what else he’d spew.

“You will see what happens when people cross him.”

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