Page 85 of JoyRide

I laughed. “That would’ve been a shocker for her. First thing we’ll do is get everybody to the courthouse who has an arraignment today, then we’ll come back and book all the new people who haven’t been charged.”

Tammy laughed. “After all that, we’ll give Molly the reports from over the weekend, and all of that evidence we have to enter.”

“Should be time for lunch by then, and we can run over and eat at the diner.”

“I’m for that. I’m looking forward to lunch already and it’s noteven nine o’clock.”

I walked into the squad room and stood at Molly’s desk while she read me the names of the prisoners who had arraignments and the times they needed to show their faces in front of the judge.

I got the keys to the run and got my ass in gear.

Harrison County Courthouse. Coyote Creek.

I helped Tammy get the pickpockets into the back of her squad and she took them over to the courthouse. Ted helped me get Simon Platte and Jeff Ecclestone, the drug slingers, into the Bronco and we followed Tammy across town.

Inside the courtroom, Mrs. Smollett was present for her son Kyle, along with both parents for Greg Gillespie. The juveniles were in a different courtroom than the one our drug dealers were in.

The parents of the pickpockets seemed to be in shock over the trouble their kids were in, and it made me wonder if Mrs. Smollett was in the dark too, or if she knew what her husband was up to. If she knew, she could be charged as an accessory.

I talked to Tammy about it, and she said she’d wait in the juvie courtroom and talk to Mrs. Smollett while Ted and I went to see if our drug pushers made bail.

Sheriff’s Office.

With Ted there to help me get Smollett out of his cell and into the booking area, I printed him, took a mug shot and charged him with everything on the slip of paper Billy had written out for me.

Billy had a concussion and was missing more work because of Smollett, the prick, and I wasn’t feeling friendly towards him.

Attempted murder of a police officer. Felony assault. Attempting to remove a prisoner from custody. Billy’s list was long and detailed. He wasn’t fond of Smollett either.

“I want my phone call,” Smollett snarled.

“You can have your call now that you’re booked,” said Ted. “You can use the one in the squad room. I’ll show you.”

Smollett nodded and Ted led him down the hall.

“You can sit there and use that phone.” Ted pointed.

I followed along and gave a hand signal to Max and Sarge to watch Smollett and not let him move from the desk where he sat.

The dogs positioned themselves and focused on Smollett with low growls coming from their throats.

“Get those fuckin dogs away from me.” Smollett swung the receiver at Max, and Max reacted like he was trained to do. He jumped up and grabbed Smollett’s arm, took him down to the floor, and stood with his jaws clamped around Smollett’s throat.

I ran into the squad room with my gun drawn and gave Max a signal to release Smollett. I pointed at the empty desk as Smollett scrambled to his feet.

“Sit down there and make your call. You antagonize the dogs, they react. They’re doing their jobs.”

Smollett rubbed his wrist. “I’ll sue the whole lot of you fake cops.”

“Before you do that I’ll introduce you to a real cop. He’s coming to talk to you later.”

Smollett laughed. “You can’t threaten me.”

“I don’t have to. Make the call.”

Mainliner Diner.

The diner across the road from the station was a favorite place for me and Harlan. We always did good thinking about our cases there and had great talks. The food was good too and the service was fast. Maryanne, the only waitress, was always friendly.

---