The Family Gathering (Sullivan's Crossing #3)(50)

“On the chance I’m a little off?” he asked incredulously.

“And then there’s the fact that I wasn’t inclined to believe her,” Stan said.

Dakota sat back in his chair and let all the breath he didn’t realize he was holding escape. He ran a hand through his hair. “Well, thanks for saving that for last.”

“You might’ve told me up front about the disagreement, about being set up for some romantic purpose,” Stan said.

“Yeah, Cal suggested that. But I watched her get in her car and I had no desire to make trouble for her. I was very stern, told her never to do that again and thought the matter was taken care of. I suspected her of the damage but I didn’t have proof.”

“I know you didn’t do what she said,” Stan said. “I have something to show you. Give me a second.” Stan clicked the keyboard on his computer, then turned the screen toward Dakota. It was a dark image. Dakota squinted to make it out; Neely’s red wrap made it easier. And that was him, bending to look at the tire, then standing only to have her lunge at him. And he grappled to push her off.

“Jesus,” he said. “There it is.”

“Oh, there’s more.”

Indeed, it took Neely quite a while to get out of her car after he’d left the alley and then, looking around cautiously, she bent to the task of letting the air out of his tires.

“What’s that in her hand?” he asked.

“A tire deflator,” Stan said. “With a light.”

When there was only one tire left, she went back to her car, dug around inside, then went after the final tire with a knife. Dakota winced when he saw that.

Stan turned the screen back. “Obviously I’d like you to say nothing about this.”

“Where’d you get it?”

“Security camera on the back of the bank. It’s not very obvious. Apparently she wasn’t aware of it. A lot of people think a little hick town like Timberlake wouldn’t have any use for such a thing.”

“Are you going to arrest her?”

Stan shook his head. “The image isn’t quite clear enough. Besides, it would only be a misdemeanor. She might not even get a fine. I’m going to hold on to this while I look a little deeper. This is going to stay between you and me. That’s all I’m prepared to say. Except I don’t know that you should turn your back when this woman is around.”

“Don’t worry!”

“I hadn’t even looked at this tape yet when she paid me a visit. Not that I don’t take you seriously, but it was air let out of three tires—not exactly high crime. But I found her whole presentation a little...odd. She is real pretty, though. Oh, and about Sid? You don’t have to be so secretive. Everyone knows you like her. No one would be surprised you’re steadies.”

“Great,” he said. “She wanted us to go slow, not start up the gossip.”

“Then you ought not be on the same bar stool three nights a week unless you can manage to drink a little heavier.” Then he laughed, but it was more of a giggle.

Dakota made a face.

“Small town,” Stan said. “Just when you think you’ve got a secret...”

“So...where do we go from here?”

Stan folded his hands on top of his desk. “I’ll be collecting information. I don’t have much use for people who do things like that. I try to think of ways to request their departure from my beat. As for you? Go about your business and see what you can do to be less irresistible to the ladies. Hmm?”

“It’s not funny,” Dakota said.

“I’m not exactly laughing,” Stan said.

Dakota could admit to himself that he’d been lucky with the ladies over the years but he’d never been in a situation like Neely in the alley. “Will you give me a call if you find out something more?”

“I can do that,” Stan said. “Listen, I don’t consider myself a wise man. I have a little experience, that’s all. But I’m gonna tell you something. Don’t think I’m talking down to you or anything, but just in general—I’ve discovered men are stupid. In a situation like this, for example, you’re probably thinking you don’t have much to worry about up against a girl, and maybe you don’t. You’re definitely stronger. Probably smarter, too. But if you smell an ill wind, you’d be smart to pay attention. Men tend to think just because it’s a girl...”

“She creeped you out, too,” Dakota said.

“I’m just saying, I don’t take too much for granted. I know it don’t seem like it, Timberlake being a small and uncomplicated town, but we’ve had us a situation or two I could probably sell to a movie channel.”

Dakota smiled. “How long have you been doing this, Stan?” he asked.

“Too damn long. Twenty-five years now and retirement is not in sight. Got four kids and three dogs and a happy wife. At least she was happy last time I checked. If it ain’t broke...”

“I’d like to buy you a beer sometime, hear some tales. I’d like to hear that one about Maggie shooting some guys who kidnapped a girl. Cal can’t seem to even talk about it.”

Again Stan’s laugh was almost a giggle. “That sure riled him up, didn’t it? I’ll be the first to admit, took about ten years off my life. That woman’s so frickin’ headstrong! I ever get a blood clot in my brain, I want her in the operating room with me, but the rest of the time?” He shook his head. “It takes a big man, that’s all I’m saying.”