We didn’t have to find out.
Ten seconds later another police car came around the corner, and this one had markings that indicated this was the chief of police of Cow Spots himself.
It appeared that the law had come to the rescue, after all.
I just hoped that all this effort was worth the tongue-lashing I knew that I was going to get from our chief of police.
“I didn’t do anything!” I heard Bernie Maine say in protest the moment the chief of police got out of his cruiser. He was a handsome and fit man, with dark hair cropped short and his eyes covered by sunglasses.
“Now, hold on, Mr. Maine. Nobody’s accusing you of anything, at least not just yet. I’d like to ask you a few questions, and as a matter of fact, so would a colleague of mine from Timber Ridge. Now, it’s probably only fair to tell you that I can’t make you hang around, but I guarantee you one thing. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll be an unhappy man, and believe me, you don’t want that. Now, are you going to pull your car back all the way into that driveway and wait with us, or do we have to do this in a more official manner? The choice is yours, but if you decide to make things difficult, I’ll make sure that Officer Petty handles you personally.”
We all glanced at the deputy, whose grin was unmistakable. “That’s the choice I’m hoping you make.” It was clear that Maine got the not-so-subtle warning.
Maine threw his hands up into the air. “Have it your way. I’ll be in my car, but I won’t wait long, and in the meantime, I’m calling my attorney.”
“Call anybody you’d like to,” the chief said. “Just don’t try to leave.”
As Maine did as he was told, the chief turned to Petty and said, “Watch him.”
“Yes, sir,” the deputy said as he started walking toward the BMW.
“Nicely,” the chief called out loudly.
“Yes, sir,” his officer acknowledged, though this time there was quite a bit less enthusiasm in his voice as he said it.
The chief of police shrugged as he explained, “Officer Petty’s mother lost money as a minor investor in one of Maine’s companies. I don’t think the man wants to take any chances with my deputy, not if he knows what’s good for him.” The chief smiled at us both, removing his sunglasses as he did. His dark brown eyes had the same flecks of gold in them that my late husband had, and that made me feel warmly toward the lawman, no matter how crazy that might sound. “Ladies, I’m Chief Hudson, but you may call me Stephen.”
“Hi, Chief,” I said, despite his offer to be a little less formal. “Thanks for coming to the rescue. I suppose you want to know what this is all about.”
“Actually, Chief Hurley already filled me in,” he said as he glanced at his watch. “He should be here in ten minutes.” The grin dampened slightly as he added, “I’m afraid he’s not very pleased with the two of you.”
“I’m not at all surprised,” I said. “I’ve got a feeling we probably deserve it.”
“Well, as long as you aren’t misbehaving in my jurisdiction, I don’t have a problem with either one of you.” Then he looked over at the BMW and added, “I guess that’s exactly what you’re doing, though, isn’t it?”
I was about to explain when he held up a hand, demanding immediate silence, which I gave him. The chief continued, “I understand that this might just be justified, though. I’m sorry for your loss.”
I was afraid my sister would take that opportunity to make a smart reply, but thankfully, all she said was, “Thank you.”
Chief Hudson pointed to the BMW. “Your chief didn’t exactly have to twist my arm, anyway. I’ve had my eye on this joker for the last year, but I can never seem to nail him on anything. If he leaves town and never comes back, I could live with that, but if he’s killed someone, then we need to get him, and get him good.” As he said the last bit, there was a deeper hint of iron in his voice, and I knew that I didn’t want to cross him, ever. He might live and enforce the laws in a town that had a funny name, but there was nothing clownish about this man.
A minute later a familiar squad car hurried up toward us, and I didn’t need to see who was driving to know that it was our own Timber Ridge chief of police.
He got out of the car and walked straight toward us, but Maddy and I got none of his attention. Instead, he headed for his counterpart and stuck out his hand. “Chief, it’s good to see you again. Thanks for the backup.”
“Always glad to lend a hand, Chief,” Chief Hudson answered. “I’d be happy for you to talk to Maine here, or you can use my office in town. It’s just a few blocks away, and it might make a bigger impression on the man if you do that, though I doubt it.”