back to Dale because he was semi-retired, but J.T. had found charges of fraud pending an investigation. The house he was living in was being foreclosed on for lack of payment, and he hadn’t paid this month’s rent on the office space.
Mr. Hornblower looked to be in financial trouble, and men who needed money did desperate things. J.T. really didn’t like that Hornblower was running around loose. It made the spot between his shoulder blades itch.
As J.T. headed out to his truck, he noticed Branson Taylor locking up the hardware store. It still infuriated him that a bear of a man like that would attack a sixteen-year-old girl. His temper was already frayed from his lack of progress on Nadya’s case, and he knew he should stay far away from Taylor, but he had a devil riding him and just couldn’t let it go. He took off his uniform shirt so he was dressed in pants and a white undershirt, which meant he was officially out of uniform.
“Hey, Taylor! Can I have a word with you?” he called across the street before striding over.
“Well, if it isn’t Officer McBride. I’m surprised you have time to talk, what with that hot piece you’ve been diddling with. I’d think you’d be racing back to her, not stopping to talk to me in the street.”
“Where were you yesterday around five o’clock?” Taylor was a big man, he could have knocked Nadya down for revenge if nothing else.
“I was right here in the store. The auction brought a lot of people to the center of town, and I was hoping to get some business from them.”
“Do you have anyone to corroborate your whereabouts?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Just answer the question.”
“I don’t know. Probably. I wasn’t paying attention to the clock. What’s this about, anyway?”
“Nadya was attacked yesterday in the alley between the general store and the post office. I heard you have a history of attacking her.”
“That’s a damn lie. That little tramp came on to me.” Taylor stepped right in J.T.’s face and poked him in the chest. “I didn’t do a thing she didn’t want me to do.”
“I’d advise you to watch what you say and how you say it. And keep your hands off me.”
“Or what? You gonna arrest me? For saying the truth? Once a gypsy whore, always a gypsy whore.” Taylor pushed J.T. back a step.
That was all J.T. needed. “I’m off duty,” he said, and he came out swinging.
His first punch landed in Taylor’s big gut. The follow-up hit him under his chin. J.T. waited on the balls of his feet for Taylor to react. He was itching for a fight and wanted to pound this bastard into the ground.
When Taylor roared and threw a wild haymaker, J.T.’s spirits soared. He ducked the flailing fist easily and came in with a jab to the ribs. Two more quick shots to the nose and it was all over. Blood streamed down Taylor’s face, and he sprawled back against the building.
J.T. grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him up on his toes. “How does it feel to be attacked by someone bigger and stronger than you? Did I do anything you didn’t want me to do? Keep your big mouth shut unless you have something respectful to say.” He threw him to the ground and spun on his heel.
The altercation—he couldn’t call it a fight—had taken only a few moments, but it made him feel much better. As he strode back to the truck, Peterson, another Dale police officer, waited next to the cruiser. He was going on his shift and had a clear view across the street.
“Have a nice evening, J.T. Enjoy your day off.” Peterson whistled a cheery tune and got into the squad car.
The Farleys had left long before J.T. got to Mary Ellen and Bill’s house. He’d wanted to talk to Mr. Farley but understood they had a long drive and didn’t want to go down the winding turns at night. J.T. would try to catch up with him tomorrow. Meanwhile, he couldn’t wait for a piece of lemon meringue pie.
As he pulled into the driveway, he could see Nadya sitting on the porch swing with Billy by her side. They were reading a book, and Billy looked freshly washed and ready for bed. The sight stole his breath.
He wanted that.
He wanted to come home to Nadya as his wife reading to his child. Wanted to wake up next to her and argue