Page 95 of Call it Reckless

My phone buzzed. When I saw Zane’s name, I was quick to excuse myself and answer it.

He didn’t waste any time. “You were right about Mary Smith’s car.”

“What did you find?”

“I did like you suggested and pulled some videos from the neighbors’ door cameras. We got him.”

“What did he do?” I growled.

I hadn’t been able to get past a gut suspicion that Buck Tanner was behind what happened to Mrs. Smith’s car. He had messed with my woman, and therefore, he had messed with me. Ever since Bristol had said it was almost like the car had been tampered with, I got suspicious. But wanting to be smart, I had Zane investigate it so I couldn’t be accused of tampering with anything to support my girlfriend.

Not that Bristol was beyond human errors, but Buck had been a little too smug as if he expected the fallout that fell her way. I also knew she was precise, and as part of teaching her young mechanic, she’d been a second pair of eyes on a “mistake” that no mechanic should ever make.

“We have video showing him sliding under the car two nights before Mary had problems with her car, well after it was at Head to Tow. He messed with the oil plug, which jiggled loose while she drove. The oil leaked out and caused the engine to seize. He’s an idiot. Not only did he not cover his face, but he wore a sweatshirt with markings on it that make it easily identifiable. I got a search warrant, sent a couple of guys over to his house, and sure enough, he has a matching sweatshirt. We arrested him for tampering with a vehicle. He’ll probably only get slapped with a misdemeanor, but for now, his father, George, isn’t posting the fine. He’s embarrassed that his son has ruined the reputation that he built. He’s taking back over for now. He said he’ll personally go to Bristol and apologize and make sure everyone knows what happened. I feel for him. I can’t imagine being so disappointed in one of my kids.”

“Sucks.” I felt bad for George, but at least Bristol’s name was cleared.

“I also might have happened to mention what we discovered to Beverly Seymour. I figure word will get around town faster that way. The phone will probably be ringing off the hook over at Head to Tow.”

I grinned. “Brilliant.”

Zane chuckled, then cleared his throat. “I got some other news. We got the lab results back on those boards we found a few weeks ago. It’s animal blood, specifically a dog’s. They weren’t able to get any fingerprints off of the boards or the syringes we found. But they did discover that the syringe didn’t contain any kind of illegal substance, certainly not meth.”

“Do we know what it is?”

“Dexamethasone. It’s a steroid. Another syringe had amoxicillin.”

I clutched my phone a little harder. “That wasn’t what I expected to find.”

“Me either. Do you think we’re barking up the wrong tree?”

“I’m starting to think your statement is more accurate than you know.” Thoughts of Buddy and the other dogs we found at the site last week flashed in my head. “I wonder if there’s a dogfighting ring. That would explain the dogs, at least. I’m going to pay a visit to Zach and see if we can begin piecing things together.”

“Let me know what you find. As relieved as I am that we might not be searching for a meth dealer, the other isn’t any better.”

“No. It isn’t,” Zane agreed.

I hung up with Zane and called Bristol.

“Hey, Deputy. I’m glad you called. I just got a call from Monroe Sinclair to come down to the department.”

She sounded like she’d just swallowed lemon juice. I not-so-secretly loved that she was disappointed to have him as our interim sheriff. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be for long.

“Should I be nervous?” she asked.

“No. Not at all.” I filled her in on what Zane had told me.

“You did that?” I heard the disbelief in her voice.

“Well, I had Zane look into it so it didn’t appear as though I was misappropriating time and funds and creating a conflict of interest, but I knew something fishy was up. You’re too good at your job.” There was silence on the other end. “Sweetheart? You still there?”

“I’m here.”

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy.”

“Oh, I am. And you’re going to be, too. I hope you have your lunch hour free.”

“Why? Are you taking me out to celebrate?”

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