in a day, and you’ve used a bunch of them up with this bullshit.”
Connor stalked off to lean on his big pickup, parked near the door of the shop. He folded his arms and waited, obviously intent on seeing the end result of the chaos he’d caused.
Deputy Norris’s reluctance to end his big moment was evident in each step he took toward Arch. He clutched the handcuff keys like a toy he didn’t want to share. “My boss says he spoke with your parole officer. He knows you did your time. You’re clear, for now. He said to tell you that he’ll be checking in on you pretty often.”
Relief surged through Arch’s veins. He’d made a huge mistake driving here today. He wouldn’t make it again.
“So unlock the cuffs,” Todd urged. Arch tried to convey his gratitude in a glance. He wouldn’t beg, but he wanted the metal off him with a longing so deep it ached. They were a symbol of every sadistic creep he’d come across in jail. Creeps just like Patrick Norris. He couldn’t count the times he’d been tripped, hands cuffed and unable to catch his fall, by some pissed-off prison guard. This felt way too close to those dark times.
Arch turned, and Patrick unlocked the cuffs. “Better behave yourself, Hoffman, or I’ll be slapping these right back on.”
“I’m getting this all on video,” Todd reminded him.
Arch shoved his freed hands into his pockets, just to keep them under control.
“I think you’re out of line, Deputy,” Todd said. “And I mean to speak with the sheriff about what went on here today. Mike Davidson’s a good man, and he won’t be happy when I tell him how Arch was treated.”
The deputy looked uncomfortable, glancing over at his buddy. But Connor looked away, as if he’d had no part in all of this unpleasantness. It was kind of sad to see how the two men hadn’t changed. “He always did make you do his dirty work, Patrick.” Arch kept his voice quiet, so Connor wouldn’t hear. “I’m surprised you’re still content to be his lackey after all these years.”
“Shut up, Arch,” Patrick sneered, a high school kid again.
Arch gave up trying to reach the humanity in him. “If you’re finished, Todd and I have things we need to do.”
Todd stayed with Arch, watching as the deputy’s car and Connor’s oversize pickup rolled out of the lot. “Not the greatest homecoming.” He clapped a hand to Arch’s shoulder. “I apologize that happened at my shop.” Disgust dripped from Todd’s voice. “It’s obvious those two have it in for you.”
“Well, not for nothing. I did all I could to give them, and everyone else in this town, a hard time when I lived here. I don’t like their vigilante attitude, but I don’t blame them for seeing me as a menace.”
“But they have to realize that ten years in jail can change things,” Todd said.
“A lot of guys are changed for the worse by doing time. And the verdict is still out on me.” Arch’s voice shook even though he tried to hold it still. “I made my first big mistake, driving down here today. It’s my old attitude coming through. Thinking that whatever I want or need is above the law.”
“I don’t see it that way,” Todd said. “You drove here because you were worried about Mandy. To me that’s different. Nora has told me plenty of stories about you. But honestly, now that I’ve met you, it’s hard to connect you with that guy.”
“Oh, I’m him.” Arch felt the bitter taste of it in his mouth. “And he’s me. I live with that every day.”
“Well, maybe if someone I respected got upset about your return I’d have more understanding. But Connor—what an idiot. Throwing his money around like it will buy him anything. If I didn’t want to get his tractor off my property so badly, I’d take it to pieces and leave it for him to put back together. I don’t need his business enough to put up with him again.”
Unfamiliar emotion washed over Arch’s skin. “I wish I’d known you when I was younger,” he blurted out. “I could have used a friend like you.”
Todd’s answering nod was accompanied by a devil’s smile. “You might just change your mind. Because now that I covered for you with that bike story, you have to ride out of here on my bike. I’d bet a hundred bucks that Deputy Norris is waiting around the corner to catch you driving that old truck. You do know how to ride a bike, don’t you?”
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