“Works for me,” Miss Gina said. “When will those cameras come in, Wyatt?”
“Any day.”
“What cameras?” Jo asked.
“Security cameras and a security system.” The idea had been Miss Gina’s, and no one argued the need. The entire place needed to be wired, but Wyatt said he could do it.
“Perfect.” Jo then turned her questions to Wyatt. “How are things going with the custody case?”
“The social worker wasn’t willing to file for an immediate removal of Hope, knew the grounds wouldn’t hold up . . . but she didn’t close the case either. My dad has met with Nathan’s lawyers and he is coming back this weekend to go over what’s next.”
Melanie couldn’t believe there was any what’s next.
“Do we have any idea of what we might expect?” Jo asked.
“I might have to show up in court in LA sooner than later. With Nathan’s connections and all the press, he’s pushing for Hope to return to California. Even claiming I left the state without his knowledge. Like he somehow cared where we were.” When William had called to tell her that Nathan was pulling every conceivable ploy to force a preliminary hearing in front of a judge, and refused to meet and settle anything in a boardroom, Melanie knew he was doing something underhanded. One of the things William had said was that she was not going to bring Hope back into the state of California without a court order. Right now Wyatt’s father was in Southern California playing endless rounds of golf with friends and colleagues of Nathan’s father. When he broke for the afternoon, he spent his time doing some “good old-fashioned elbow rubbing” with some of the Stone clients.
Melanie wasn’t sure how any of that was going to assist her in keeping a hundred percent custody of her daughter, but Wild Bill Gibson had the reputation of winning his cases, so she didn’t question him directly.
The radio on Jo’s shoulder squawked and captured everyone’s attention.
“Sheriff?”
Jo lifted the mic and squeezed. “I’m here.”
“Josie just called, requested you stop on by.”
Melanie did a quick head count. Nope, no one she was close to was in a bar fight tonight.
“Is there a disturbance?”
“No. She just asked if you could come by real quick like, maybe help keep one from starting.”
Jo lifted herself off the couch, her heavy belt following her up like a chain. “I’m on my way.”
Luke stood with her. “Need some backup?”
She patted his shoulder. “Your bruises just went away. I think I have it.”
“You know where we are,” Wyatt offered.
She pointed two fingers in Melanie’s direction. “Just keep an eye on Mel so I can find Mr. Lewis.”
“Got it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jo didn’t bother trying to find a space to park at R&B’s, and pulled up behind several motorcycles that took up a handful of spaces. High-end Harleys mixed with a couple of BMWs, and at least one Ducati rounded out the average bike. She was fairly certain this was the doctor and lawyer crowd Josie normally had pass through toward the end of summer. They didn’t often cause any concern, but it wasn’t unheard of for those who used bikes as their daily vehicle to cause a little trouble for those who only did on the weekends.
With her hat on her head, her arms loose at her sides, she stepped into the busy bar and swept the room with her eyes. Sure enough, a big crowd of fortysomethings surrounded one of the pool tables, swigging back beer. All of them men, short hair on top, a few rebels with a couple days’ growth on their chins. Most couldn’t stand the itch and didn’t bother with the act. They wore black leather, but it wasn’t well-worn with cracked elbows and dirt around the collar. Doctors and lawyers. No doubt about it.
A couple of locals sat at the bar, several groups of the early twenty-plus crowd did the jukebox thing. She’d make a point to swing by that group before leaving to make sure one of them was sober and driving.
The place was loud, but it didn’t feel edgy, which made Jo ask why Josie called.
“Hey, Sheriff?”
She turned to find Zane. His eyes were a tad glossy, but he had a soft smile on his face. The fact he called her Sheriff actually warmed her heart. His respect for her badge was nil ever since she put it on.
“Hi, Zane.”
“It’s been a little crazy around here lately, wouldn’t you say?”
“Understatement of the year. How is Zanya doing?”
He actually shuffled his feet. “Gonna be an uncle any day now. And don’t worry, I walked here.”
“Good to hear, Zane. Let me know how your sister is coming along.”
“I will.” He offered a timid smile and turned back to his group of friends.
Jo wasn’t sure when his switch happened, but she liked it. She reached the bar, caught the bartender’s eyes. “Josie?” Jo asked.
She waved her thumb toward the other end of the bar before noticing Josie’s frown.
When she stood in front of her, she asked, “What’s going on, hon?”
Josie nodded her chin to one of the tables in the corner of the room.
It took a second for Jo to realize who she was looking at. “What the hell is he doing back here?”
“Keeps looking out the window like he expects company.”
“What’s he drinking?”
“Jack.”
“How many?”
“One. Wouldn’t have allowed that but my waitress didn’t know who he was.”