just send up a bunch of red flags we don’t want to deal with. All we need is for you to get thrown into jail and miss the full moon.” She started the car again. “You’ll just have to keep out of sight, and I’ll give them fake information.”
This did not set well with Reno. “I don’t want you to get into any trouble on my account.”
Journey giggled. “It won’t make any difference. I’ll be leaving with you soon enough.”
She found a parking spot about a block away. “Stay here and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Be careful,” he warned, watching her go.
At the sheriff’s office, Journey met with an officer in a private room.
“Thank you, ma’am, for coming down. This is routine, nothing to worry about. All I need you to do is read your statement and sign it if you agree with what’s written there.”
Journey did as she was asked. “Looks right to me.” She wrote her name on the signature line.
“Now, about this Mr. Black who came to your aid and put the two…gentleman out of commission for a while.”
Journey clasped her hands together tightly. She had plenty of time to formulate her answer to the question that seemed ages in coming. Officer Hancock, according to his name badge, seemed to take a nap between every third word he uttered.
“What can you tell me about this Mr. Black.” He consulted his notes. “Reno Black.”
“Not much. He was visiting the park and just happened to come along at the right time to prevent me from being hurt or killed.”
“So, you don’t know how we can reach him?”
“Not really. I think he’s from out of town.” Way out of town.
“And he was on horseback, you say?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is that allowed in the park?”
“I’m sure you would know better than me, sir. I’m just glad he was around when I needed him.” She shifted nervously in her chair. “He didn’t do anything wrong. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a hero.”
“Well, I’m just a country lawman. After talking to those two heathens, I can’t say I disagree with you.” He slapped the folder on the table. “Uh, about that threat…”
She held up her hand. “Don’t worry about it. I know I’m safe as long as he’s in your custody.”
“Very well. If you have any trouble at all. You let us know.”
Just down the hall…Reno waited. There was no way in hell he was going to sit safely in the car and just wait to see if she returned to him in one piece. When he’d entered the office, Reno had expected to be met and questioned about why he was there and who he wanted to see. He’d been surprised to find how busy the place seemed to be with people traipsing in and out. After snooping a bit, he’d caught sight of Journey being escorted into a private room. Reno claimed a spot in the hall as close to where they’d taken her as he could get. Various people made their way through the offices and up and down the hall where he’d planted himself, but he didn’t offer to leave – and no one asked him to go.
According to the clock on the wall, the interview lasted about twelve minutes. When the door was pushed ajar, Reno’s eyes were trained on the opening and he missed the commotion at the end of the hall. As Journey emerged, she stepped into the path of two other officers who were escorting an inmate. The man was handcuffed, but that didn’t stop him from lunging at Journey.
“Bitch! This is all your fault! So, help me God – when I get out of this jail, I’m coming after you!”
Reno moved even before he saw Journey cringe and draw away. By the time his heart beat again, he was standing between her and the one who made the threat. He didn’t have to be told the name of the scum. “Kinsella,” was the one word breathed from his lips.
“You! Hey, cop! This is the dirty redskin who attacked me. Arrest him!”
The cops just pushed him on through, but Kinsella wasn’t finished.
“I’ll find you, bitch. Next time, your Injun friend won’t be there to protect you!”
Nothing on God’s green earth would have prevented Reno from doing what he did – not even the threat of arrest. He plowed between the cops, took Kinsella by the throat, and nailed him to the wall. “Listen to me, lowlife. You harm one hair on her head,