Take the Key and Lock Her Up Read Online Free PDF

arrived. On Tuck’s immediate
     right was the lieutenant, and beside him was the coroner—Kennerly. Devlin had seen
     the name on the man’s white lab coat when he drove up earlier in the coroner’s van.
    That wasn’t all Devlin had noticed. He knew exactly how many police were on the scene,
     how many were in the basement right now, and how many vehicles were either in the
     yard or parked on the shoulder of the highway. In addition, he had three different
     escape routes mapped out in his mind for how he could drive his truck out of here
     in a hurry without getting stuck behind a patrol car or ending up in a ditch. He didn’t
     expect to need any of that information, but logging it and marking the exits was as
     natural to him as breathing. Especially when there were cops around.
    “Mr. Buchanan, thanks for waiting.” Drier offered him a falsely bright smile.
    Devlin reluctantly shook his hand.
    “I apologize on behalf of Savannah-Chatham Metro PD for the unfortunate incident ,” Drier said. “We appreciate that you were trying to assist an officer in need and
     we hope you understand that sometimes less-than-ideal decisions are made during the
     rush of excitement.”
    From the way Jones and Tuck were staring at Devlin, their jaws locked tight, he imagined
     the “we” didn’t include them. O’Malley didn’t look any more pleased than her fellow
     detectives. Her face was flushed and she wouldn’t meet his gaze. Amusement flashed
     inside Devlin. The “unfortunate incident” Drier referred to must have been the fact
     that O’Malley had shot at him even though he didn’t have a weapon. That explained
     the simpering smile. The lieutenant was worried about a lawsuit.
    Devlin was mildly surprised Drier hadn’t insisted that O’Malley do the apologizing.
     Maybe she had more gumption than he’d given her credit for and she’d refused her boss’s
     order. Good for her. She didn’t owe him an apology. He’d have done the same thing
     in her position. To hell with a fair fight. If someone came at him, he wasn’t going
     to wait and see if they had a weapon. He’d neutralize the threat, whatever it took.
     Because he admired O’Malley’s spirit, he decided to take Drier down a peg.
    “I assume you’re referring to Detective O’Malley drawing her gun on me. My understanding
     of the situation is that she felt her life was in danger and did exactly what any
     officer would have and should have done. That is what you’re trying to say, isn’t it, Lieutenant? That I shouldn’t be . . . concerned
     . . . because you’d have done the same thing if you’d been in that basement. Correct?”
    The look on the lieutenant’s face was comical. He obviously didn’t want to say that
     O’Malley had been right. But if he didn’t, he was probably worried Devlin might sue
     the police department. He finally cleared his throat and adjusted his tie, as if it
     had grown too tight.
    “Of course, of course. Detective O’Malley acted appropriately.”
    O’Malley’s eyes widened and the ghost of a smile curved her lips.
    Mission accomplished.
    “Good. I don’t have much time,” Devlin said. “And I’ve already been waiting out here
     too long. I’ll allow you five minutes for questions.”
    Drier blinked and his face turned red. He looked like he was about to choke, probably
     on whatever biting retort he wanted to throw at Devlin. His mouth thinned and it seemed
     to take some effort before he could make it curve into the practiced, false smile
     of a politician again.
    “I know you prefer not to go to the police station,” Drier said. “But it would be
     much easier for everyone, including you, if you did. I can have an officer follow
     behind us in your truck and you can leave right after the interview. Won’t take long
     at all.”
    “No thanks.”
    Drier’s smile dimmed. He obviously wasn’t used to being told no.
    “Will you at least sit in a patrol car where we’ll be more