by Andrew Grey
Clay changed his clothes and then went to his office to check his email. He was finishing up when his phone chimed.
You okay? It was from his mother.
Clay called her back. “I’m fine, Mom.” He needed to reassure her. He didn’t want his mother calling him all night because she was scared for him. She tended to be a little dramatic and took things to heart sometimes, especially when it related to her only son.
“I hear your cousin is at it again,” she said immediately. “He’s all over the news, and your aunt has called twenty times, like I had anything to do with raising that son of Satan.” That was his mom. No sympathy from her for anyone. She was a no-nonsense kind of person, and Clay liked that about her. “Of course, I had to be nice to her because her son is a wanted criminal and will probably go to prison for the rest of his life….” She took a breath, and Clay tried to get a word in, but she continued on full steam. “The escape is all over the news. They said that three deputies were hurt, so I had to check to make sure you were okay.” Finally she paused a second.
“I’m okay. I was on the team transporting him. I saw the whole thing. And I can’t go into any details. But I’m fine, and one of the deputies is already home and another is doing well. The third, we don’t know yet. And for heaven’s sake, don’t share any of this with Aunt Marlene. It’s already bad enough.” His mother and his aunt had a weird relationship. They didn’t like each other, but they called each other on a regular basis. He thought it was a “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” sort of thing. Personally, his aunt made him a little crazy, so Clay avoided her as much as possible.
“Well, it’s awful, but I’m glad nothing happened to you. Let me know if I can do anything for the families of the other deputies. Maybe I could bake something and you could take it over to them.”
Clay cringed. His mother loved to bake, but no one ever willingly ate what came out of her kitchen. Her baking could best be described as experimental. The woman believed she could hide ingredients that were supposed to be healthy in what she cooked, but Clay knew there was no way in hell that mushrooms ever belonged in an apple pie.
“Mom, your good wishes are more than enough. We may need to take up a collection for their families because, no matter what, this will be a hardship for them.” And if Smith didn’t make it…. Clay shuddered. Smith had a family and two kids. The thought of them losing their father really twisted Clay’s gut. He knew what that felt like, and no kid should have to go through it. He wiped his eyes and stopped the sniffle that threatened. “Mom, I need to go and make some dinner. I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know if anything changes.”
“Okay, honey. I love you.” She ended the call, and Clay set down his phone. Petey had finished his treat and sat at his feet, looking up at him.
“Do you want to help me make dinner?” Of course, Petey’s kind of help was eating anything that fell on the floor. Petey’s tail wagged, brushing back and forth like a doggie dust mop. “You’ll get yours when I have mine. That’s the deal.”
Petey whined at the injustice.
Clay went to the kitchen, got a container of pasta and sauce that he’d made up over the weekend, and popped it into the microwave. He wasn’t in the mood to cook, and an evening on the sofa in front of the television sounded like a good idea. Clay also made up a small salad and dressed it with ranch. He fed Petey and settled in front of the television, eating while watching the news, changing the channel as soon as the escape story came on.
Petey joined him on the sofa, curling up next to him, his head resting on Clay’s leg.
“I know, buddy. You’re just what I needed.” He patted Petey gently on the head and stroked down his back. Petey blinked up at him with his big brown puppy eyes, and Clay was able to let go of some of the stress of his day. Few things were as relaxing as just spending some quiet time with his dog. Petey never yelled at him and didn’t expect much from him. He just loved him without judgment. There hadn’t been many people in his life that Clay could say that about.
Clay’s phone rang, and Petey barked, then growled. He hated the phone, especially when it interrupted back-rub time. Clay checked the number and answered. “Sheriff, what can I do for you?”
“I wanted to call and tell you that Smith is awake and responding to treatment. The bullet didn’t enter his brain, but it did a lot of damage. They still have him on monitors, but I went to see him and his eyes were open and he squeezed my hand. He can’t talk because of tubes and things, but he’s improving. Briggs will go home tomorrow, and Jared’s wife said he’s resting and grumpy.”
“I suppose that’s the best we can hope for,” Clay said, breathing a sigh of relief as he continued petting Petey.
“Yes.” Sheriff Hunter hesitated. Clay figured he’d called for more than just to give him an update on his fellow deputies. He had to give him a chance to say what he wanted to say. “With the department down three deputies for a while, we need…. You know Grange is on the loose, and apparently that isn’t enough for him. Judge Phillips received a call threating his safety about an hour ago.”
Clay groaned, realizing where he was going with this. “Sheriff… I….”
Sheriff Hunter sighed. “I know you and Judge Phillips don’t get along. The man could be a royal pain in the behind to Jesus Christ himself, but he needs protection. We know Grange has threatened Phillips in the past, and he’s done it again. Now he’s on the loose, and God knows where he is right now. We have everyone trying to find this asshole, but until we do, Judge Phillips needs to be kept safe.”
“All right. When is he expecting me?” Clay asked, knowing he had little choice.
“Tomorrow morning at eight in his courtroom. I told him I couldn’t have anyone before then. He went to a hotel for the night and will go directly to court from there. He’s going to need around-the-clock protection, so you’ll need to figure out how to secure his home as well. My suggestion is to make a visible presence. Let anyone watching know that you’re there to try to discourage them from making a play for the judge.”
“All right.” He wasn’t thrilled about doing this, but it was his job, and he could get along with anyone for a few days. God, he hoped it was only that long. “I’ll protect Judge Moody-and-Superior.”
“Great. And for goodness’ sake, don’t let him hear you call him that or he’ll probably hold you in contempt.”
“We’re supposed to tell the truth in court,” Clay retorted, and Sheriff Hunter snorted.
“You’re also not supposed to piss off the judge. Just behave yourself until we catch this guy. I’d really like to not have to transport one of my deputies to jail.” He hung up, and Clay sighed loudly enough that Petey lifted his head.
“I know, boy. I’ve got an awful assignment with a picky judge who thinks he’s God’s gift to everyone. The man is a pain in the ass.”
Petey climbed onto his lap and lay over his legs. Clay petted him gently, and Petey sighed, soaking in the attention.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you while I’m gone. I can’t take you to Mother’s. She’ll keep you on her porch because you get hair on her furniture.”
Petey huffed again, as though he understood and didn’t have any answers either.
Chapter 2
“THANK YOU, Sheriff. I appreciate you providing some security,” Judge Andrew Phillips said into the phone, still sitting in his hotel room, getting ready to go to the courthouse just down the street.
“Deputy Brown will meet you in your courtroom in half an hour. He’ll provide protection while you’re at work, as well as at your home. You’ll need to have a room he can use while he’s there.”
“Brown.” Andrew thought a minute and pursed his lips. He remembered this particular deputy. An impatient control freak. Just great. “I know him.”
“Yes, I’m sure you do.”
“Isn’t there anyone else?” Andrew wasn’t sure he wanted that guy in his house.
“Clay is
a superb deputy, and he’ll protect you to the best of his ability. With three deputies out because of the attack, and our regular duties, I’m short on personnel. He’s willing to do the job, which is 24-7. That’s a lot to ask of anyone. You could hire your own security.”
Damn him for the veiled threat. Andrew was smart enough to know he wasn’t going to get a different answer, and he needed some protection. He’d been up all night, jumping at every sound, hoping it wasn’t Harper Grange coming to get him.
“All right. Thank you.” He ended the call. There was no point in prolonging it, and he needed to get over to the courthouse.
Andrew got his things together, checked out of the hotel room, and took his bag along with him as he walked across the street with the others heading to the court. He kept looking over his shoulder the entire time until he was inside past security. He went right up the stairs to his courtroom and into his chambers, closing the door and breathing deeply, his heart racing.
“Judge Phillips. I’m here to provide security until Harper Grange is apprehended.”
He turned, recognizing Clay. God in heaven, the man got more stunning every single time he saw him. How in the hell was that possible?
Andrew didn’t want to stand there gawking, and it was likely he’d drool on himself if Clay Brown was any closer to him. He could already smell the headiness that washed off him, and damn it all, he was at work and needed to be professional. Having the hots for the guy who was supposed to protect him was not a good way to start off the day.
“Great. I’ll be at my desk.” Andrew hurried to his private office and closed the door, breathing deeply to get control of himself. He had a full docket of cases and plenty of work to do. He didn’t need the distraction of Clay Brown. Well, as far as he was concerned, at least at work, Deputy Brown could stay on the other side of his door and guard him from there. That ought to work.
He sat at his desk and went over the information on the day’s calendar.
“Good morning,” Eileen said as she brought in his coffee. “There’s a deputy sitting outside your office.”
“Yes, I know.” Andrew took a sip, letting the bite of the strong coffee brace him. “Yesterday Harper Grange escaped from custody, and I received a call from him here at the court just after you left. He wasn’t paying compliments.” He swallowed hard, trying not to think about what Grange had said he’d planned for him. “Deputy Brown is going to provide some extra protection for me.” He lifted his gaze from the papers. “And you be careful too. Who knows how he may try to get to me.”
“I’ll be fine. I have a gun and I know how to use it.” She winked, but Andrew knew she wasn’t kidding. Eileen had been hunting with her father since she was a girl, and she and her husband, Claude, shot competitively at weekend tournaments, so she could definitely take care of herself. “Besides, I doubt he even knows who I am.” She sighed softly as though gathering her thoughts. “That man is….”
“Definitely. I wasn’t looking forward to having him in my courtroom again. Two years ago was bad enough.” Harper Grange’s case had been one of the first ones he’d overseen after his appointment to the bench.
“I remember that trial. I’ve been a legal assistant here for twenty years, and that was the worst I’ve ever seen. I thought you handled yourself well and gave him plenty of opportunity to make his case without letting him make a mockery of the court, which was his intention.”
“The man is crazy, and I wish now I’d ordered a psychiatric evaluation and had him incarcerated that way. Instead, I’d sentenced him to four years and he got out in less than two.” It drove him crazy, but there were things beyond his control. “Please just be careful.”
“I will,” she promised, then handed him a copy of his schedule, as well as the files for his upcoming cases. “It’s a busy day today. A few hearings, and hopefully you can hear motions for the next trial.”
“I swear this place would fall to pieces without you.” Andrew took the files and thanked her as she left, then checked the time. He reviewed the briefs, not really reading a word. He had half an hour and wanted to refamiliarize himself with the details, but he was having a hard time concentrating.
A knock pulled his fragile attention away. The door cracked open and Deputy Brown put his head in. “We need to speak before you go to court.”
Andrew swallowed and sat up straighter. He was a judge, after all, and he’d get through this by acting like one. “Then come in,” he said formally, placing his hands clasped together on the desk. “Let’s review where we are.” He motioned to the chair, watching Clay as he sat. For a second he wished he could see how those uniform pants tightened around Clay’s thighs.
“In court, you have a bailiff and there is plenty of security, but the building is open to the public, so I’ll stay in the back of the room, watching the door. If you see anyone suspicious, signal to me and I’ll take action.”
“How will you know?” Andrew asked.
“All you need to do is say the words ‘habeas corpus’ and I’ll know. It isn’t likely to come up naturally in the course of your work. And if at any time you feel in any danger, adjourn the court and go to your office. Lock the door. Don’t wait for me or anyone else, just get here to safety. I’ll handle anything that happens. Though if you want my opinion, he’d be a fool to try anything here in the courthouse. There’s too much security and too many officers in general. If he’s really going to try to get to you, it’s likely he’ll do it at your home.”
Andrew had thought the same thing. “What do we do there?”
“I’ll go home with you after work, check out your premises, and develop a security plan. But let’s get through the day and we’ll figure things out afterward.” Clay shifted in his seat as though he were a little nervous. “I know this is difficult, and I will try to do my job without affecting your court.” He sighed and leaned forward. Andrew got the distinct impression that he wanted to say something more, but was hesitating.
A knock interrupted them. “Your honor, it’s time,” Eileen said gently.
“I need to get dressed for court.” He tugged at the collar of his shirt. The room was getting warm, and the source of that heat was right across the desk from him.
“Yes, of course.” Clay stood and left the office. Andrew told himself that he wasn’t going to watch him go, that he wouldn’t peek at his firm butt encased in that tight blue fabric. “We’ll talk again once court is done.” Clay closed the door behind him, and Andrew slumped in his chair. He needed a few seconds for his heart to stop thumping.
He didn’t know what it was about Deputy Clay Brown that got his engine running on overdrive, but one look at his chiseled jaw and intense blue eyes sent his libido skyrocketing. Every time Clay made an appearance in his courtroom, Andrew could barely think. He had to cover it somehow, so he always reverted to a more formal style. It created distance, and that was what he needed when dealing with Clay. Distance and plenty of it.
Andrew stood, went to his closet, and put on his robe, which didn’t help the overheating at all. Still, the routine was calming. The robe was like judicial armor, and with it on, and after walking into court, he was the one in charge and what happened in court was his to control.
When he was dressed, he entered the court, the bailiff called it to order, and he got down to work, doing his best to ignore the tall and attentive deputy standing like a sentinel of security at the back of the courtroom.
THANK GOD the day was over. Andrew had managed to keep things moving and had gotten through his entire agenda. He took off his robe and hung it up, then sat at his desk to get some work accomplished and prepare for the following morning. What he needed was a few hours alone, but he was more likely to get just a few minutes. Still, he used them to his full advantage.
“Judge Phillips,” Clay said after Andrew had gotten in a half hour of uninterrupted work. “When do you intend to leave for the day?”
Andrew checked the clock and figured now was as good a
time as any. He stood and began packing his bag for the evening. “Give me ten minutes.”
“Then I’ll bring the car around so I can take you home.” Clay picked up the suitcase that Andrew had placed by the door that morning and left the office.
Andrew finished up, and by the time he was ready, Clay had returned. They went down the back stairs and out through the front door. A sheriff’s vehicle was parked just off to the side. Clay watched all around as he escorted Andrew to the car and got him inside before hurrying to the driver’s side. They took off and turned onto Hanover Street.
“Where are we going?” It definitely wasn’t his home.
“I need to stop at my house to check on Petey. He’s been cooped up inside all day, and I need to let him out and feed him. It won’t take long.”
“Do we really have to do this?” Andrew grumped as Clay turned onto Chapel and pulled into his garage.
“Yes… we do. Please stay here,” Clay directed. He got out, closed the overhead garage door, and locked it before checking the yard. Then he motioned for Andrew to join him, and they walked up to the house. Clay opened the back door, and a short blond dog raced by, hurrying to the nearest tree to do his business. “That’s Petey.”
The dog ambled back, and Clay knelt down to pet him and receive doggie kisses. Petey accepted the attention and then hurried over to Andrew, looking upward with huge brown eyes, his tail wagging constantly.
Andrew knelt and petted the dog slowly. “He’s really adorable.”
“Petey is special.” Clay went inside, and Andrew followed. Petey raced to his empty bowl, and Clay fed him and changed his water. “He spends a lot of the day here alone. I try to come home at lunch to let him out, but I didn’t get a chance today. Corgis are pack animals, and I think he suffers when he’s alone so much.” He set the bowl down, and Petey crunched his food.
