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“Screw the Tide. We’ll come back for it later. We need to get out of here.”

“If Trixie told them I was here, I’m sure she told them why. They’ll have a warrant to search the car, which is in my name.I’m screwed either way. But you’re not. You get out of here, and I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

“Ben, I’m not leaving you to take the fall.”

“Al,” Ben laughed. “It’s fucking Tide. Not gold bars from Fort Knox. How do they know I’m not starting a new laundry business? Worst case, I’ll have to go downtown for a few hours. See if you can scrounge up a couple hundred dollars for bail, just in case.”

“Fine.” Al rolled his eyes. “Be smart, okay. They don’t call that deputy Beast for no reason. As long as you don’t provoke him, he won’t kick your ass.”

“Yeah, yeah, just get going.”

“According to the case notes, the anonymous tip said he was dealing drugs, not selling Tide. Based on that, and what they found in the car, maybe Ben had a side gig he hadn’t told you about.”

“There’s no way. Trixie might have said the drug thing to get back at him, but it wasn’t true. Ben would have never done anything that would have put Jeannie at risk.”

“Where do you think the drugs came from?”

“My best guess is they came from one of their mom’s boyfriends. She always had a steady string of them, and I wouldn’t put it past her to let them store shit at her house, especially if they offered her money. Did Ingall interview any of them?”

Hunter shook his head. “Doesn’t look like it. Once Ingall found the gun in Ben’s room that matched the casings from a drive by, he didn’t need to look anymore.”

Al nodded. “Ben had never seen that gun before they pulled it from under his bed. If Ingall was such a shit deputy, how did he find something Ben didn’t even know he had?”

Hunter rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s a good question. I’ll keep digging, and I think it’s time to bring Christian in on this.”

“Thanks, Hunter. I appreciate it. If what you’re thinking is true, this could be a bad look for the office.”

“Screw that. If there’s an innocent guy in jail, he should get out ASAP, no matter what. And I know Christian would feel the same way.”

“Jeannie and I have been hustling ever since to raise money for a new attorney who could bring in a private forensic analyst. I checked the file out my first year but wasn’t sure what I was looking at.”

“And you didn’t think to ask me?” Hunter asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Dude, come on. In the beginning, I was just the pretty face for the reality show. No one took me seriously. I figured I’d be better off making sure I kept my job and waiting to hire the lawyer. Which we have, finally, thanks to this show.”

Hunter nodded. “Well, we’re here now. Have the attorney give me a call. We’ll compare notes, and maybe you won’t need that private forensic analyst and you can stop doing dumb shit for money.” Hunter gave him a pointed stare, then stood up and put on his goggles. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’ve got to shine the light on some secret liaisons.”

Chapter 29

“Well, well, well.” Christian rubbed his hands together. “Our little Al is growing up. It’s about damn time!” He raised his beer mug into the air, foam sloshing over the top as it collided with the other mugs.

“He’s been whoring so long, I was worried he might never slow down. Least, not before the syphilis took him,” Mr. Bill added, playing with the zipper on his purple velour track suit. Which he was wearing shirtless. Obviously.

Al rolled his eyes and glanced at his watch. Lindsey had insisted on a “family advice” scene before they left town with the final three women. Unfortunately, Al had no family, at least none that he wanted to admit to. Jeannie said she’d handle it and had convinced Christian, Nick, and Mr. Bill to participate. He was still in shock. Well, not so much about Christian. Jeannie had probably talked to Marina first and she would have made Christian participate. And Mr. Bill, well, it made sense to have an elder-type person, and better Mr. Bill than Ms. June. ButNick? He had no idea how she’d managed to convince him to film a scene. It was like pulling teeth to get him to tape forGrimm County Lawmen.

The table went awkwardly silent, the three of them sipping their beers while Lindsey glared from the side. What was he supposed to do? He’d never had one of these conversations before.

Nick prodded Christian with his elbow, nodding toward Christian’s hand.

“Oh! Right.” He raised his palm, lowering his eyes to look underneath. “You are two dates away from proposing. What will you be looking in order to make your decision?”

“Oh, good question, Sheriff Prude.” Mr. Bill tipped his glass toward Christian before taking a sip.

“Yeah, that actually is a really good question.” Al’s brow furrowed. Lindsey was grinning now. “But, um, I guess I’m looking for someone with wife material.” Whatever the fuck that meant.

“The fuck does that mean?” Nick asked.

Al groaned. “I have no idea. I heard it somewhere.”