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Curious, Juliana finally asked, “Are you from Divine?”
She received a sullen, monosyllabic reply, “No.”
“Are you living on the street and have no way to stay warm?”
Again with the negative reply.
“Did you take the jacket for someone who needs help?”
“No.”
“Why did you steal it then?”
No reply.
“Do you have someone you would like me to call for you?”
“Why would you do that?”
“So that someone who cares about you knows where you can be
found. That leather jacket sells for four hundred dollars. That’s a
Class B misdemeanor in Texas. You’re going to jail. You’ll have a
fine to pay, plus Mr. Woodworth will probably pursue civil charges
against you. I have security footage that proves you’re guilty. Is there
someone I can call for you? A relative or friend?”
The girl sat there and glowered at Juliana, and then she teared up
and bawled. The girl was incoherent for about five minutes, during
which time Juliana, Harry, Joe, and Evelyn had all grown completely
weary of her presence. Once the melodrama was over, after having
received no encouragement from any of them, Juliana took out a
notepad and paper and handed it to the shoplifter.
“Write your name and a phone number down if you’d like me to
call someone for you. If not, you’ll still get your phone call once you
get to the county jail.”
The young woman took the pen and pad and jotted down a phone
number and her name. Juliana took it from her as Hank walked into
the office and proceeded to question her.
Juliana had a strong suspicion that this young woman had stolen
the jacket for the kick, for the adrenaline rush, or to act out at
someone, or out of boredom. She’d stolen from the wrong store,
though, and in the wrong town.
Spurs and Heels
119
Juliana stepped out of the office, removing her phone from her
pocket, and dialed the number that was written on the piece of paper,
wondering why the number looked so familiar. Then she stopped in
her tracks in the hallway as the line started to ring.
A sweet, gravelly voice came on the line right away. “Hello,
darlin’. How’s my girl doing?”
Juliana paused for a split second, biting back the words that
fought to erupt from her lips.
She turned to look at the girl and caught her eyes as she spoke into
her phone, “Hello, honey. I’m doing great, or I was until just a few
minutes ago. We’ve detained a Brenda Sanderson in the store for
shoplifting. She gave me your number to call. Could you come up to
the store if it’s not too much trouble?”
“Shit,” he said with a gusty sigh. “You pressing charges against
her?” he asked in an even voice.
“I have to. It’s non-negotiable with Mr. Woodworth. All
shoplifters are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hank has the
security camera footage, and he’s talking to her right now.”
“Okay. I’m already getting in my truck. I’ll be there in five
minutes. Darlin’?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry you’re in an uncomfortable position. I suspect that
inside you’re furious.”
Juliana looked at Hank and pointed at the phone, verifying that it
would be okay to step away from the doorway for a few moments.
“I have to admit that my first reaction was anger when I
recognized the phone number. I’ll even admit to being a little green-
eyed. I kept myself awake all night imagining what could call you
away from my place right before bed and could only assume it was an
old flame. She’s quite manipulative.”
Ash scoffed. “That little twit has nothing on a woman like you.
She’s a buckle bunny from Denver. She’s by no means an old flame,
but I am sorry to say she is a woman from my past. She tracked me
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down through one of my sisters. I set her straight when I got home
then found out she hooked up last night with one of the ranch hands
back at her bed and breakfast. She moves fast.”
“Was she trying to get even with you?”
“I don’t know, probably just looking for the next thrill. Evidently,
tangling with the law was also on her to-do list. She’s a conniving
little thing, so I wouldn’t put much store in what she tells you, darlin’.
I’ll be at the side door in a few minutes.”
“Okay. See ya.”
She returned to the office, listening to Harry describe what
happened. Brenda looked over at her with narrowed eyes.
“Why did you give Ash Peterson’s phone number?”
“Because up until he threw me away last night, evidently for you,