Page 10 of Stilettos & Whiskey (Deputy Gemma Stone)

The hearing was scheduled for eight a.m. in the impressive judicial building on Jefferson Street.

I smiled at Jim Bob’s startled expression as Mom, Dad, my brothers, Sergeant Bergman, Frank, my entire squad and Sheriff Maxwell walked into court with me.

My backup filled the courtroom, and Jim Bob didn’t like it at all.

“All rise,” the bailiff called.

We all stood, except for a wizened old man with gang tattoos on his face sitting at the opposition’s table. Jim Bob dragged him to his feet.

The door to the judge’s chambers opened and to my relief Judge Savage took the bench. He was one of the good guys. “Please be seated.”

As I took my seat, I frowned. Why did the old guy at Jim Bob’s table look so familiar? Oh, my, God. That was Papa Garza. From the blank expression on his face, he looked like he should be the one having the competency hearing, not me.

Samuel Goldwood, the Alpha Dog’s awesome attorney, thought so too.

“Your honor, this petition is nothing more than harassment. My client has been a Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputy for five years.

Raul Garza on the other hand was just released from prison for medical reasons.

He lives in a halfway house and his only income is social security.

Yet he claims he can care for his granddaughter.

The granddaughter he tried to sell to a convicted child molester when she was eight. ”

“I object,” Jim Bob protested.

Judge Savage raised his eyebrow. “On what grounds? According to my paperwork, it’s all true.”

“Look at her! It’s obvious she can’t take care of herself,” Jim Bob cried.

Sheriff Maxwell stood. He was tall, imposing, and every inch a lawman. “If I may, your honor, I’d like to speak about Deputy Garza’s injuries.”

“I object,” Jim Bob hollered again.

Judge Savage’s irate gaze fell on him. “Overruled. Sit. Down.”

“But your honor, I have evidence of her inappropriate conduct...”

The judge banged his gavel. “Overruled!”

“No! I won’t be overruled. I have important evidence that must be seen!” Jim Bob held up his phone.

Judge Savage motioned to the bailiff. “I want him arrested for contempt of court.”

The bailiff nodded and pulled out his cuffs.

“No! You can’t arrest me. She’s the one who should be arrested. Look at the video on my phone.” Jim Bob hurled his phone at the bailiff.

It smacked the bailiff between the eyes and fell to the floor. Dad and Sheriff Maxwell helped the bailiff take the wildly struggling lawyer into custody.

I glanced at my grandfather. He still had a blank expression on his face. Who in the hell was paying for Jim Bob’s legal services?

“Look at the evidence on my phone,” Jim Bob cried

Dad picked up the cellphone and I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Gee, in the scuffle Jim Bob’s phone had gotten crushed and by the look in Dad’s eyes, I’d say by his size fifteen boot.

“Your honor, I also want to request a restraining order on Jim Bob Duke and Raul Garza,” Samuel said.

Chest heaving, Jim Bob snarled, “For what reason?”

“You were arrested for breaking into the Stones’ home and making threats to Deputy Garza. Plus, this court hearing is nothing but more harassment,” Samuel stated.

The color drained from Jim Bob’s face. “The door was unlocked. I was simply doing a welfare check on an injured woman.”

“You were armed, and we have you on video using an electronic lockpick to enter the house,” Dad interjected.

“I’ll personally see to your restraining order, Deputy Garza,” Judge Savage said.

I smiled in relief. “Thank you, sir.”

“I hope you catch the person responsible for your injuries.”

Sheriff Maxwell nodded. “You can count on it, Judge.”

“They’re all lying. Julie Garza’s injuries didn’t occur on duty. She was drunk and fell down a flight of stairs,” Jim Bob snapped.

God, did I want to punch him. “Not true, sir. I was wearing a body camera at the time of the attack, and you’re more than welcome to view the video.”

Judge Savage turned his irate gaze on Jim Bob. “I’m also revoking your bond.”

“You can’t do that,” Jim Bob snapped angrily.

Judge Savage bristled. “I can and I have. I’m also fining you two thousand dollars for your unruly conduct.”

“I will file a complaint with the Judicial Conduct Board. You have no authority to do this,” Jim Bob howled.

“Get him out of here and add assault to his charges,” Judge Savage ordered.

The bailiff wiped at the blood trickling down his face. “Yes, sir.” He dragged the loudly protesting lawyer from the courtroom.

“Case dismissed and I’ll have your restraining orders ready for you in about twenty minutes.”

“Thank you, sir.”

As soon as Judge Savage left the bench, everyone cheered.

I heaved a huge sigh of relief. It was over. My gaze fell on Papa Garza. Or maybe not.

Mom wrapped an arm around my shoulders and whispered, “See the woman with the purple hair at the back of the court?”

I casually glanced at her. She was Mom’s age and dressed like a hooker. “I do.”

“That’s Elvira, Roger Evans’ mother.”

Sonovabitch! The little weasel was behind all of this. “Let’s go have a talk with her.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Mom whispered.

Raising my voice, I said, “I don’t know about you all, but I need some coffee.” I headed for the exit at the back of the courtroom.

“Coffee?” Lucas parroted. “You don’t drink coffee.”

Mom jabbed her elbow into his stomach. “Of course she does.”

Elvira’s hate-filled eyes locked on me. “You destroyed my son’s life, now I destroy yours.” She raised a handgun.

Mom shot it out of her hand. They didn’t call her the fastest gun in the West for nothing.

Shrieking like a banshee, Elvira ran for the exit, and my entire squad jumped her ass.

“Now that’s what I call a dogpile,” Mom laughed.

I grinned. “Yep.”

“Everyone get off her,” Sergeant Bergman hollered.

Poor Frank was at the bottom of the pile. He cuffed the homicidal bitch and yanked her to her feet. “You are under arrest for aggravated assault and threats.”

“That harlot ruined Roger’s life,” Elvira shrieked.

Frank shot back, “Deputy Garza had limited contact with your son. His beat was on the opposite side of the district until this week. He was filling in for Deputy Stone when he wrecked his patrol car and we discovered the bodies in the trunk.”

“That bitch put them there because Roger dumped her ass.”

“I’ve never dated Roger. He’s not my type. I’m not his type.”

Lucas put his arm around my shoulders. “I’m her type.”

I wanted to punch him in the gut again. Instead, I gave him my best Debbie Sunshine smile. “Lucas is the love of my life.”

“And Julie is the other half of my soul.” Lucas said and brushed his lips over mine.

The guys hooted and hollered.

When I got Lucas alone, I was gonna kick his ass.

“You’re lying. You’re lying. I’ve seen the videos of you pleading with my son to take you back,” Elvira cried.

Sheriff Maxwell interjected, “The videos are AI-generated, and poorly done. The woman looks nothing like Deputy Garza.”

I cringed. How many people had seen the videos?

“No,” Elvira pleaded. “Look on my phone. I have pictures of them together.”

Frank opened her purse and took out her cellphone.

He scrolled through the pictures. “These are AI-generated too. On this one the fake Deputy Garza has six fingers.” He held her phone up and pointed at the woman’s hand.

“See what I mean? And this one? Her arm is way too long. Plus, the woman is twenty pounds heavier than Julie and there is no tattoo.”

“I don’t understand. I don’t understand.”

I couldn’t feel any empathy for her. “We have evidence that your son is a serial killer. Tell us where he is before he hurts anyone else.”

“No! That’s not true. He’s a good cop, a good man. Roger said… He said you were about to get fired for dereliction of duty,” Elvira cried.

I stared at her in disbelief. “That’s not true.”

“Roger was put on a two-week probation, not Deputy Garza” Sergeant Bergman inserted. “He was falsifying his reports and using excessive force.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Rolling his eyes, Frank started the Miranda Warning, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you…”

“Stop! You can’t arrest me.”

Sergeant Bergman growled, “Yes, we can. If you don’t want Roger to end up in a body bag, you’ll tell us where he is.”

“Do you know who my husband is?”

Sheriff Maxwell’s mouth tightened. “Yes, ma’am, we do. He’s also under arrest.

“What? That’s not possible. He’s a commander in the Wickenburg Police Department.”

Mom smiled without any trace of humor. “Your husband and his militant buddies attacked our ranch.”

“Reggie said your family was dealing drugs and that he was getting a warrant to raid your compound.”

Dad countered, “His attack failed. Ours didn’t. The meth lab in your barn blew up and caught your house and outbuildings on fire.”

“Fire!” The color drained from Elvira’s face.

“We were able to save the livestock, but the house and outbuildings were a total loss,” Sheriff Maxwell added.

Elvira’s eyes rolled back in her head and down she went.

“Should we call the paramedics?” Frank asked.

Mom pulled a smelling salt capsule out of her purse. “Won’t be necessary.” She broke the capsule under Elvira’s nose.

“Noooo!” She shot upright. “You’re lying.”

Dad shook his head. “Afraid not.”

Fury contorted her face. “No matter how long it takes, I will kill all of you. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, we all heard you and we have everything you said on video tape.” Frank tapped his body camera.

Elvira burst into tears.

Judge Savage stood in the doorway of his chamber. “I think we need to expand your restraining orders, deputy.”

“Yes, sir.”

An hour later, we walked out of Superior Court with a handful of restraining orders. Sheriff Maxwell and Dad had a talk with Jim Bob, and he admitted Reggie Evans had not only hired him but had also posted his bond. Papa Garza was nothing but a patsy in their attempt to take me down.