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“Arraignments this morning for the big gang in the run,” said Molly.

“Have they eaten breakfast?” I asked.

“Uh huh. All done.”

“Ted and I will haul their druggie asses over to the courthouse. They’ll all make bail and get right back to their drug business. Don’t see how our effort is paying off none.”

“I can see how upset you are about Harlan, Tammy. Try not to worry so much. He’s in good hands in the hospital.”

“He won’t want to stay there, Molly. It will remind him of the detention center.”

“Yes. I can see that happening. You can go visit him later and he might know when he’s being released.”

“If he had a release date, he’d be cheered up.”

“How are you and Virgil getting along?”

“Not.” I made a face thinking about the little fart.

“Oh, I see.” Molly smiled.

“Let’s load up the prisoners, Ted,” I hollered. “Get this shit show over with. We got shooters to track down.”

“Copy that.”

“Billy and I will catch up all the paperwork while you’re gone, Tammy,” said Molly. “Today will be a better day.”

“Couldn’t get any worse.”

Harrison County Courthouse.

Ted and I each hauled a squad-load of prisoners over to the courthouse. We turned them over to the bailiff at the back door and went inside to find seats.

“I hope we don’t get none of them back,” said Ted.

“Less work for us at the jail, Ted, but what good is it doing? They’ll go right back to selling drugs. Hardly miss a fucking beat.”

“Yeah, I see your point, Tammy. We end up having to go arrest their asses all over again.”

Barb Hamilton was the first case called and she made bail. No problem and she had the money to pay.

Then the rest of them were called in order. Two of them had outstanding warrants and we got them back. We’d be feeding them until their trial dates came up.

“Jeeze, that pisses me off,” said Ted.

“That’s the way the law works, Ted. We follow all the rules, and the judge grants the scumbags bail, and it’s one big piss-off for law enforcement.”

“Let’s get our two asswipes and get out of here.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

“Ted’s locking up the two bikers, Molly. They had outstanding warrants and we’re stuck with them until their trials.”

“Okay, let me see which two they were, and I’ll see how long we’re going to be feeding them.”

“Ted and I are going to take the dogs back to Ethridge and see if we can pick up a trail,” I told Molly and Billy heard me from his office.

He gave a shout out, “The kids will be long gone, Tammy. You and Ted are probably wasting your time.”