a jury trial, no plea bargain.”
Someone was paying big dollars for Leroy’s defense. Had they bought the judge, too? “If you’re going for a verdict of insanity, it won’t stick. Otherwise you wouldn’t have been hired at the school.” Vic leaned over the table with his hands on the top. “A jury will convict you and throw away the key.”
“My client will take his chances.”
His jaw hardened. “Even if you know my son’s friend is going to be put on the stand? He’ll testify that you tried to entice him and Jeremy into the custodian’s closet outside his classroom to see your other tattoos.” Vic’s anger was kindled. “Speak up now while I’m still in the mood to listen.”
Leroy sat there like a vegetable, infuriating Vic until he saw red. He lunged across the table and grabbed his shoulders. “Talk to me you worthless coward—”
“Ranger Malone?” He heard Kit’s voice, but he was still so livid, he couldn’t think. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
The interruption got through to Vic, forcing him to release Leroy. On legs that felt as heavy as water, he moved past Kit into the hall.
His friend shut the door. “Hey, bud. I want to beat the crap out of him, too, but when you grabbed the prisoner, you gave his attorney ammunition against you. I wager he’ll inform the captain what happened in there and he won’t sugarcoat it. Come on. Let’s get you out of here. You need to go home. Claire’s outside in the waiting room. She’ll follow you.”
His head jerked around. “What’s she doing here?”
“She wants answers badly, too. Before we left the house she told me she felt guilty because she waited too long to go inside the school when Jeremy didn’t come out right away.”
“That’s absurd.”
“It is, but like I told her, it’s a human reaction to an impossible situation. I’m still waiting to interrogate the two guys brought in with Leroy. When I find out anything, I’ll phone you. Now do what you have to do to stay out of trouble and go home.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You have to.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “If it were your son...”
“If it were my son, then you’d be the one telling me to get a grip and go home.”
“But I’m heading up this case!”
Kit shook his head. “Before I left headquarters the captain told me to keep an eye on you. He’s asking someone else to take over the investigation. You’re too close to it. Get out of here before the attorney sees you and files battery charges against you.”
Vic knew his friend was speaking the truth, but his agony over what had happened to his son had affected his ability to control himself. If he’d had time alone in there with that creep, there’d be nothing left of Leroy. This was a living nightmare.
“Are you ready?” Kit murmured.
No. He’d never be ready while Jeremy was out there suffering, but this was one time when he needed to follow someone else’s counsel. There was no one he trusted more than Kit.
After taking a deep breath, he followed him down the hall to the door that led to the lounge.
Claire saw him immediately and hurried over to him. The worry lines on her lovely face reminded him he wasn’t the only one in pain over Jeremy’s disappearance. “I wish I had any new information, Claire. For now all we can do is go home. Kit’s going to call me after he’s questioned the other two prisoners brought in with Leroy. We’re investigating several leads I’ll tell you about after we get back to the house.”
They left the jail and he walked her to her car. “Drive safely. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
“Is there anything I can do for you? Any shopping?” Her heart was in her eyes.
“If there is, I can’t think of what.”
“Then I’ll see you at home.”
He watched her drive away before he strode over to his car and got in. He put his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes for a minute. Never in his life had he come close to feeling like he did when he put his hands on Leroy. For a few seconds he’d lost complete awareness of his surroundings. If it hadn’t been for Kit watching his back, he’d have beaten that lowlife to a pulp before realizing what he’d done.
Temporary insanity. That’s what the defense called momentary madness. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought he could be capable of forgetting the oath he’d taken to uphold the law. He ached for his son. But he’d compounded that ache by trying to take vengeance into his own hands. No jury, no trial. He’d been the executioner while his prisoner couldn’t fight back.
What he’d done would never bring his son home. It would take him a long time to forgive himself for what had almost happened. He heard a horn honk and sat forward. It was Kit, waving to him before he drove off.
Humbled by the other Ranger’s friendship during the darkest time of Vic’s despair, he started the engine and left for home. As he pulled into the driveway, his cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID. It was TJ.
Vic dreaded the phone conversation they were about to have, but he had to answer it.
He clicked On. “TJ?”
“It’s a damn shame about your son, but I still have to do my job. I just got off the phone with the DA who’s going to prosecute Leroy’s case. You overstepped your bounds at the jail. Though I’ve taken you off the case, I haven’t suspended you. As for now, you’re on vacation. I suggest you get some counseling with the department psychiatrist.”
He knew the captain was cutting him slack by not suspending him, but he’d never felt so helpless in his life. “Yes, sir. Have you put Kit in charge?”
“Kit’s too close to you. I’ve put Ranger Rodriguez on it. He’ll be objective.”
Vic groaned.
“I’m a father and can only imagine how I would feel and react if my son or daughter had been kidnapped. But there are still consequences to pay. After some therapy you can report for duty. I need you back on the force ASAP. I want you to call the psychiatric unit today and set up some appointments with the doctor you used before.”
TJ meant Dr. Marshall, the psychiatrist who’d helped Vic deal with his grief after the tornado struck.
“We need you, Vic. You’re one of our best and that’s not lip service. We’re all sending up prayers that your son will be returned to you soon.”
Vic knew that. “Thanks, TJ.”
Rodriguez was a good Ranger, but his instincts weren’t quick like Vic’s closest buddies. TJ’s choice to head up this case was made on purpose because like Kit, he knew that Vic’s other friends, Cy and Luckey, were too close to Vic to be objective. Vic got it, but he didn’t like it.
After saying goodbye he left for
