“Well,” the man began, but Doc Cleary held up his hand. “Furthermore, I’m greatly bothered by the fact that Sheriff Tulley has not provided the names of the actual complainant or complainants that inspired this so-called order.”
“As I’ve said, my office is still pulling together that paperwork,” Sheriff Tulley interjected.
“Of course you are,” Doc Cleary said. “Just like you’re supposedly still investigating the attack on Mr. Kent’s property. Need I remind you that while this town has no jurisdiction in civil matters, our reciprocity agreement with our sister towns means you work for the residents of all of those communities, including Mr. Kent? I also find it interesting that you didn’t think it prudent to recuse yourself from the case when a member of your own family was identified as one of the assailants in the attack on Mr. Kent, Mr. Grainger, and two of the animals that call the center home.”
The crowd behind us broke into hushed whispers. Sheriff Tulley’s face went red. “How I do my job is none of your concern,” he muttered.
“It is when you cover up crimes.”
The entire crowd went silent and there was a collective shifting as everyone turned in their chair to see who the voice belonged to.
I didn’t need to check, because I knew that voice.
Had known it all my life.
Tears stung my eyes as I realized what was happening.
Maddox had come…and he was having my back.
I felt Nolan’s fingers squeeze my hand. He nodded at me and sent me an encouraging smile.
“Lieutenant Kent,” the committee head said in surprise. “This is a surprise and an honor.”
I forced myself to turn around so I could see my brother. He was standing just inside the doorway. He looked stern and forbidding, but I was surprised to see a line of sweat dotting his brow.
Was he nervous?
Maddox didn’t get nervous.
He had nerves of steel.
“Wish I could say the same,” Maddox said. Then he reached behind him and opened the door. He gave someone outside a brief nod, then all of a sudden Loki came trotting into the room. People gasped and several people along the aisle pulled back a bit when Loki padded toward me.
“What the hell?” the sheriff shouted, but I only had eyes for my pet.
“Don’t even think about it, Sheriff,” I heard another voice say. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that the sheriff had his hand on the butt of his gun. The new voice belonged to the sheriff’s own deputy who was standing next to my brother.
“What is going on here?” the committee head yelled.
I dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around Loki. He licked my face, then he was moving to Nolan to greet him.
“I think you want to hear this, Jeb,” the deputy said. His eyes shifted to the sheriff. “All of it.”
“Fine, come forward,” he said with a wave of his hand.
I watched my brother approach, followed by the deputy. Right behind them was Sawyer.
What the hell was happening?
As my brother stepped past me, he patted my shoulder. He sent me a small smile, but I didn’t miss how tense he actually was. He was definitely sweating and I could see that he was struggling to regulate his breathing.
“Floor’s yours, Lieutenant,” Jeb said. Maddox nodded, then called Loki’s name. The wolf hybrid trotted right over to him and sat in front of him. Maddox’s eyes scanned the room before settling on Newt.
“Newt, do you think you can help me with something?”
All eyes turned to Newt and his brother. Isaac flinched at the scrutiny, but Newt didn’t seem to even notice.”
“Are you still mad, Mad?” he asked as he eyed my brother.
Several people laughed as Maddox stood stock-still for a moment before his lips pulled into a slight smile. “No, I’m not.”
Newt nodded, then turned to his brother. “I gotta go help Loki, ‘kay?”
Isaac smiled and ruffled his brother’s hair. “’Go get ‘em, kiddo.”
Despite all the eyes watching him, Newt walked without hesitation to my brother, then proceeded to throw his arms around Loki. A few people in the audience tittered, but otherwise the room was silent.
“Deputy Miller, can you explain why this animal was removed from my brother’s property last night?” Maddox asked.
“Sheriff Tulley received a complaint that he bit someone who was walking past your brother’s property.”
“Do you think Loki bit this person?”
“Yes, I do.”
More gasps filtered through the crowd. I felt my stomach drop out at the deputy’s words. Nolan’s fingers bit into mine.
“Three weeks ago when the man helped Jimmy Cornell and another man break into the center and attack a bear that lives on the property.”
“That’s a lie,” the sheriff snapped. “Deputy Miller, I expect your resignation on my desk in the morning. Now leave this room before I have you arrested.”
“Deputy Miller, you will ignore that order,” Jeb said. “I think we’d all like to hear this. Do you have proof of what you’re claiming?”