Chase

Twenty-Seven

The SUV came to a stop directly behind the Flo’s Cabins pickup truck. Flo, who was still standing out front of the house, walked with a spring in her step towards it. She had several empty cabins — all cleaned and ready for guests — so she put on her most welcoming smile.

With the engine still running, Daggert stepped out of the SUV. Seconds later, two other doors opened and Bailey and Crawford exited. They stood next to the vehicle, one on either side, while Daggert came up alongside the pickup, stopping to look at the door that featured the camp’s name.

“How are you folks today?” Flo asked.

Daggert made a fist and pointed a thumb at the door. “Are you Flo?”

“That I am,” she said, coming to within six feet of the man. “You folks don’t exactly look like you’re dressed to go fishing, but if you’re looking for a cabin, you’re in luck! I just had a cancellation!”

She did not, after all, want to look desperate for business. Let these folks think that they were lucky to find a vacancy.

Daggert eyed her from behind his shades. “Where’s the boy that was driving this truck?”

Flo blinked. “Uh, is there some kind of problem?”

“I said, where’s the boy that was driving this truck? You’re his aunt, right?”

“Uh, yeah, I am. How did you know that?”

“Where is he?”

“Well, you can see that he’s not in the truck, that much is for sure.”

Daggert took a step towards her. She tried to see his eyes behind the glasses, but couldn’t make them out.

“Your nephew’s in a heap of trouble,” Daggert said. “You’re going to be, too, if you don’t tell me where he is.”

“If you could just tell me what this is about and who you people are, maybe I could help you with whatever your problem is.”

“Where’s the dog?” Daggert asked.

“The... what?”

“The dog. He’s got the dog. Where is it?”

Flo shook her head and chuckled. “Mister, if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that Jeff—”

“His name is Jeff, is it?”

“That’s what I said. And I’m telling you, that if there’s one thing I know, it’s that Jeff does not have a dog. That’s because I can’t stand dogs.”

“That’s what he told me,” Daggert said.

“So you’ve already talked?”

“We’ve met. Just because you don’t think he’s got a dog doesn’t mean he doesn’t.”

Flo crossed her arms and sized up Daggert, his two associates and their fancy car. “You know, I get it now. You guys are the county’s new dog-tag enforcement unit. I gotta say, you’re the coolest-looking bunch of canine control officers I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Daggert glanced back at his aides, raised a hand into the air and snapped his fingers. They began to move.

“Hey, listen, I’m just kidding,” Flo said. “I’m gonna tell you something and you better listen. My nephew’s a good kid. Whatever you think he did, I’m sure he didn’t mean it, or else he had a good reason to do whatever he did. If you guys can’t even tell me who you are, then I don’t see any reason why I have to answer your questions.”

“Search,” Daggert said to Bailey and Crawford.

Flo, without realizing it, glanced at the house, then back to Daggert.

“Start there,” Daggert said, pointing.

“No, wait, stop!” Flo said. “He went into town! Jeff borrowed my other car and drove into Canfield to get us some takeout for dinner! Honest! There’s a great fish and chips place!”

Bailey and Crawford strode past her. Flo grabbed Bailey by the arm in a bid to slow her down but Bailey quickly shook her off.

“Stop,” Daggert told her as he reached into his jacket pocket.

“No! No! You stop! You’ve got no right! You can’t go in that house! You... you need a warrant! I’m ordering you off my property! You get out of here! If you think you can search my house you better have a warrant in your hand!”

“Do I look like someone who worries about paperwork?” said Daggert, who was holding something that looked like a gun, but not quite. “What the heck is that thing?” Flo asked.

“Allow me to demonstrate,” Daggert said, and jammed it into her side.

There was a sound like when a light bulb pops.

Flo went down.

She landed on the gravel driveway on her back, her right leg getting stuck behind her thigh, her left poking out at an odd angle.

She did not move.

Daggert knelt down beside her, touched two fingers to her neck, just under the jaw.

“Was worried I might have set it too high,” he said to himself. “Sweet dreams, Flo.”

He left the woman there on the driveway and followed his two agents into the house.