Page 424 of Sticks and Stones
“The bone man didn’t have anything to do with this,” he admitted. “It was all me. He’s smart, but he couldn’t con his way out of a lavatory.”
Elizabeth said nothing as Chris lowered his shirt.
“He should be at the hospital. Some of his sutures are torn. It’s a matter of time before it opens up. A doctor needs to close them again.”
When her man got up, she leaned in the car.
“Remember that time when I was sixteen, and I got into a fight over a boy, and got my ass arrested by one of your deputies? Remember how you let me sit in jail for twenty-four hours?”
He swallowed.
Oh, shit.
“Well, that made my life particularly miserable, and now, Father Dearest, it’s your turn. When your bullshit effects my job, we have one hell of a problem! This was crossing a line!”
She glanced over at the cop.
“Take him away. Bring this one to the hospital, and put him under arrest. Cuff him to the bed, and make sure a doctor looks at him. I suggest a fucking elephant tranq to knock him out. The other one…I’ll take him. He’s going into FBI custody for being an idiot!”
Charlie was staring with his mouth open.
“You wouldn’t!” he said as Tony was pulled out of the back of the car.
“NO! Take me to jail! I changed my mind! Take me to the clink! Don’t leave me with her! She knows how to hide a body!” Tony shouted.
The window rolled up, and the car began pulling away. As it did, the cop dragged Tony over to her.
“Anthony. What the hell?” she asked.
He had tears in his eyes.
“I swear. I didn’t know he was on the flight! I didn’t help him. I’d never compromise his well-being. I just got him, Lyzee. I swear.”
She jerked her head.
“Uncuff the nut. Tony, get your suitcase and get in the vehicle.”
He was grateful she believed him.
As the car pulled away, Charlie watched her from the back of the car.
Oh, the parent had become the child.
As the car disappeared into the traffic, she had to get back to work.
Only, it appeared that they’d drawn a crowd.
When she saw them, she shook her head.
“What’s a Fed got to do to not have her father trying to butt in on all of her goddamn cases?” she asked, as Chris laughed.
“Now I know where my girl gets her sassiness from. How long are you punishing him?” he asked.
She sighed.
“Oh, I’m not his problem.SAMis. He’s going to make my father miserable. Thanks for getting him on a flight,” she said, giving him a kiss.
He winked.
