Page 102 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

“It’s funny; once my father contacted them and told them you were being brought up on assault charges, six of them decided to make the trip to town to make statements,” Caroline said, grinning. “Three of them are here already. I wonder what they’re telling the nice officers about your very”—she looked down at his crotch—“unimpressive equipment.”

Kyle lunged at her with a roar.

Throwing her right shoulder forward, she twisted under his arm and kicked him as hard as she could in the groin. As he grabbed himself and groaned, she swung her right fist and hit him across his cheekbone, sending him crashing to the floor.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and the room filled with police officers and her father.

“Are you all right, Caroline?”

Shaking her hand out, she said, “Just working out my demons, Daddy.”

Sam came in, scowling at Kyle. “We got it.”

“Everything?” Caroline said, relief rushing through her.

“Yeah, you were right,” Sam said, shaking his head. “I can’t believe you got him to hang himself.”

“Oh, believe me, I can irritate anyone if I put my mind to it.” Leaning over Kyle, she pointed at the camera in the ceiling corner with the red blinking light. “Wave to the camera, Kyle.”

Kyle turned his head, and when he saw the camera, he struggled against the cuffs. “Oh, you bitch . . . you fucking bit

ch,” Kyle groaned from the floor. Two of the officers reached down and hauled him to his feet.

“Caroline?” her father said, his mouth twitching like he was fighting a smile.

“Yes, Daddy?”

“Have you ever considered a career in law enforcement? I have some connections . . .” he said, his lips still twitching with humor.

Surprised by his attempt to be funny, she laughed.

“Thanks, but I actually love the way my life’s turning out.” Turning to the chief of police, she said, “Sir, I believe you have something of mine, and I’d like it back.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“The three hardest words in the English language are not ‘I love you’ but ‘I forgive you.’ ”

—Miss Know It All

“GABRIEL MORIARTY,” ONE of the officers called out as he opened the cell. It seemed a little silly to Gabe, considering he was the only one in the cage.

“Yeah,” he said, sitting up.

“You’ve been cleared, son.” The officer opened the door and stepped back. “You’re free to go.”

“How was I cleared?”

The officer shook his head. “Chief just said you had an angel on your side.”

Gabe walked out of the cell and knew exactly who the angel was.

After he finished his paperwork, another uniform drove him down the road to the apartment. He got out of the car and took the stairs two at a time, only to find the front door unlocked.

Caroline looked up from the kitchen table, a pen and paper in her hand.

“You’re home,” she said breathlessly.

Gabe nodded. “Seems the charges were dropped. I’m guessing that was you.”