Page 55 of Ava
“So, I don’t have to pay a fine?”
“No, this isn’t a proper ticket, so I’m throwing the case out. You’re free to go.”
Justin gripped her hand, pulled her away from the bench, and escorted her out. He paused in the vestibule, and brought her close to his chest, and whispered in her ear. “Since we’ve been inside, I’ve been able to see my truck through the windows, and Tanner and his yahoo’s have been all over it, and under it.”
“Do you think they planted something on it?”
“No clue, but I want to stop and see Carl on the way home. We don’t need to have these guys show up unannounced.”
“I agree.” They gripped hands again and made their way out to the parking lot. They were only two feet away when Justin used the fob to unlock it. Before he could help her inside, Tanner again materialized out of nowhere.
“Hope the fine didn’t break you, Hanson.”
“Oh, it didn’t. Judge threw the ticket out.”
“What?” Tanner was shocked as he answered. The smug look on his face disappeared at her announcement. “What the fuck for?”
Ava was in the truck, and Justin was getting in the driver’s seat, and she waited until he started it, before calling out, “Shoddy police work. Have a nice night.” And they left. Neither said a word, too busy concentrating on watching behind them. Twenty minutes later, they pulled into a parking lot and walked over to Carl’s car.
“How’d everything go?”
“Judge threw it out. Tanner was pissed.”
“Why did he throw it out?”
“Incomplete ticket, but we’re here for a different reason.”
“What?”
“While inside the courthouse I was able to see my truck. Tanner had six guys with him, and they were all over the outside of my truck. Luckily it was locked, so they didn’t get inside. Is there any way to check to see if they bugged it, or put a tracker on it?”
“Shit, I never thought of that, but yes there is.” Carl exited his car, went to his trunk. After opening a large case, he withdrew a wand, and together the three of them went over to the truck. “Pop the hood.” Carl nodded and they started there. After not finding anything, he worked his way down one side of the truck, and back up the other side, then he dropped to his knees and actually crawled under the truck. Fifteen minutes later, he came back out, and held out his hand. Justin and Ava leaned in and saw three tracing devices.
“Shit.” Ava looked at Carl in shock.
“Yeah, I know you said the truck was locked, but would you like me to check out inside the cab?”
“Please.” Justin waved his hand and watched. This time, he came back with two devices. “They were making sure to get us, weren’t they?”
“Yeah. I’ll take these back to the office with me, and see if I can’t run the numbers. See where they came from.”
“Okay, what are you doing tomorrow?” Ava asked.
“Nothing much, hanging out at the office, or home.”
“Do you know where the Flying E ranch is?”
“The Erwins’?”
“Yes. They’re having a BBQ tomorrow, it’s open to the public. Why don’t you stop by, have a steak, or some roasted pig? It’s a graduation party for DJ, but it’s open to the public, like I said.”
“I’ll think about it, but I’m not going to make any promises.”
“Thanks, Carl,” Justin said, and made his way back to his truck. After putting Ava in her side, he went back to his. They were strangely silent on the way home. As they approached, he asked her with a raised brow. “House or ranch?”
“Ranch. I want to get this equipment off me.”
“Ranch it is,” he said, and headed in that direction.
