Home Invasion - J. A. Johnstone [53]
For the first time in her life, thoughts of vigilante justice flickered through Alex’s brain. She was a cop, she had dedicated her life to law and order….
But right about now, she knew how soul satisfying it would be to put a bullet through Navarre’s head and splatter his evil brains all over the wall.
She shoved the thought away. “Don’t you do that, Alex,” she whispered to herself. “Don’t you ever.”
When people were pushed far enough, though … when pure evil flaunted itself right in their faces and dared them to do something about it … well, she could understand why some folks reacted the way they did. She might not condone it, but she could understand it.
It was suppertime when she got back to Home, normally a quiet time of day. Not today, though. The streets were jammed with cars, and even more people were on the sidewalks and in the parking lots than there had been the night before. And every face wore an angry expression, too.
She had sent Clint and Delgado back here before she ever started to the hospital in the county seat, so they were already on duty, thank goodness. So were all the other members of her department, and some deputies from the sheriff’s office were on hand, too. Alex was in her personal car, but it had a radio in it. She picked up the mike, keyed it, and said, “Jimmy, are you there?”
“Right here, Chief,” the dispatcher answered immediately. “Where are … you?”
“Just driving into town. Trying to, anyway.” Traffic had slowed to a standstill. Alex thought about getting the portable flashing light from the glove compartment and putting it on top of the car, but she realized that wouldn’t do any good. The vehicles ahead of her didn’t have anywhere to go to get out of her way.
Instead she turned onto a side street and figured she would wind her way through the back roads if she had to. She went on, “Tell me what’s happening. Any trouble so far?”
“Not so … far,” Jimmy replied. “Just lots of folks … millin’ around. They’re really … mad about Pete, Chief.”
“I know, Jimmy,” she said. “I am, too. Is everybody out on patrol?”
“Yeah. I can … go out, too, if you … need me to. I can get Eloise … to come in early.”
“No, you stay right where you are. I need you there at the station. Got it?”
“You bet.”
Alex relaxed, but only slightly. “I’ll be there in a little while. Hold down the fort until then, okay?”
“Okay, Chief.”
Alex put the mike back on its clip and took her cell phone from her purse. She didn’t have to look at it to speed-dial her house.
Jack answered after one ring, and Alex felt relief go through her. “You’re there,” she said.
“Of course, I’m here,” he replied. “Where did you think I would be, after I got in so much trouble last night?”
“You came straight home after practice?”
“We didn’t have practice. Coach canceled it. He’d heard about Mr. McNamara, like everybody else in town.”
“Did the other boys go home, too?”
“I don’t know. Rowdy and Steve are here with me, though. We’ve been playing video games.”
“Good. Keep them there, if you can. You boys don’t need to be out on the street tonight. Can you rustle up something for the three of you to eat? I don’t have any idea when I’ll be able to get home.”
“Look, Mom, don’t worry about us, okay?” Jack said. “We’ll be fine. Just go do your job.”
“All right.” She had reached the back parking lot of the police station. As she pulled into it, she added, “You know, you’re a good kid when you want to be.”
Jack snorted. “Yeah, yeah.” He paused. “Just be careful, all right? People were upset last night, but now they’re really mad.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up.”
But he probably would, Alex thought as she went into the station.
That’s the kind of kid he was.
CHAPTER 24
Alex went in through the back door and up to the front of the building, where Jimmy gave her a huge grin.
“Now I know that everything … will be all right. The chief is … back.”
Alex returned the smile. “I hope I live up to that faith you have in me, Jimmy. I’m going to get my uniform on.”
She came