Page 53 of Operation K-9 Brothers

“Aren’t you going to arrest him?”Rent-A-Cop said.

Deke glanced at Jack with entirely too much amusement in his eyes, then shifted his gaze to the security guard.“Sure, why not?”He leaned down and put his hand under Jack’s elbow.“Up with you, troublemaker.”

“But he didn’t start it,” Nichole said as Jack struggled to his feet.

“Good seeing you again, Nichole.I’ll let him have one phone call.”Deke grinned at her and winked.

“Ah,” she said, grinning back at him.“Don’t forget to frisk him,” she called as Deke led him away.

Jack glanced back at her.“Enjoy your lunch.”

“Thanks, and don’t worry.I’ll come bail you out of the slammer.”

“Y’all are having way too much fun with this,” Jack muttered.

Deke snorted.“Highlight of my day.Can’t wait to tell Heather.”

“Asshole.”He’d gathered from the exchange between Deke and Nichole that he wasn’t actually going to be hauled off to jail.But his shoulder was hurting like the dickens with his arms bound behind him.

“I’ve been called worse.”They stepped out of the building.“Wanna tell me what that was all about?”

Jack turned his back to Deke.“First get these off me.”When he was freed, he flexed his fingers, and then rubbed his upper arm.

“You okay?”

“Damn shoulder.”

“Hope you didn’t do more damage.He had those handcuffs too tight.”

“No shit.So I stopped by to bring Nichole lunch before I headed to my doctor’s appointment, which I’m going to miss now.Your wife isn’t going to be happy about that.”He told Deke what had happened between him and Gregory.“I don’t like the dude, but I hope he’s okay.”

“Let’s find out.”After making a phone call, Deke said, “My partner is checking with the hospital now and will get back to me.Nichole needs to get a restraining order on her ex.”

“She’s filed for one.I guess she has to wait for a hearing now.”

“Good.The court hearing happens pretty fast after a restraining order is filed.”Deke’s phone buzzed.“Matthews here.”He listened, then, “Thanks.I’ll be back at the station shortly.”

“Well?”Jack asked.

“He’s fine, just raising a stink, demanding you be arrested for assault.You need to watch your back with this guy, Jack.”

“I know, and I will.I’m more worried about Nichole.”A man who wouldn’t take no for an answer couldn’t be trusted, and he didn’t think she was taking the situation as seriously as she should.

“Might be a good idea not to go back in there today if you don’t want Mel tasering you.”Deke laughed like that was funny.It was not.“See you and Nichole Saturday.”

“Yeah, man.Looking forward to it.”

Now what was he supposed to do with his afternoon?He’d missed his doctor’s appointment, which was okay with him, but Heather wasn’t going to be pleased about that.He couldn’t go back inside and hang out with Nichole because he had no desire to get tasered.He thought about it, and then texted Nichole.

How about I take Rambo for the afternoon?

Why?

Some training.

Sure.

Great.Can you bring him out front?