The Price Of Justice

Chapter Thirty-three

"How are you holding up?"

    I laughed, the sound echoing off the empty barn. "Well, I'm going crazy, but other than, I'm okay."

    "Why are you going crazy?" Ryan questioned, a hint of a smile in his voice.
    
    "Oh, I don't know, maybe because I haven't been able to leave my ranch in four freaking weeks! I need human contact, Hayes. I'm losing my grip on reality."

     "Stop being dramatic. You know you're supposed to be dead, Justice. So unless your spirit is wandering Dallas, I suggest you stick to the ranch."

    I bit my lip. "You have him in custody, Ryan. You've had him for weeks. That was the only reason for this murder thing. You know as well as I do there's no reason for me to keep hiding from the world like this."

   "Well, maybe not, but Kyle is worried sick Anderson has another accomplice, and he doesn't want you roaming the streets until we're sure he doesn't."

   "I don't care. I'm strong enough to take care of myself now. I don't need a babysitter."
    
    "Why don't you tell Kyle that?" Ryan countered.
    

     "Give him the phone, and I will." I leaned against a stall door and sighed. "Ryan, give it to me straight. Is there any chance of him posting bail or a jury finding in his favor?"
    

     "What? No, not a chance. We've got samples of your blood on his spurs, proof he was driving through Whitesboro that morning when he was supposed to following up on a lead, we've even got the gloves he used. Found them in an old dumpster behind Speedway, not ten miles from the ranch. Oh, and one of the kids from the ring is willing to give a firsthand testimony in court."
   

    "Which one?"
   

    "Angel...No, Andrea. Andrea Morgan. Said she owed you a favor, whatever that meant."

     I chuckled. "Just a friendly intervention. So... now that I know Midnight isn't walking any time soon, I..."

      Ryan opened his mouth to speak, but never got the chance. Static crackled across the line as another voice broke through the silence.
    
    "Justice, don't you dare even think about leaving the ranch." Kyle said, trying to sound stern but failing miserably. "I'm not sure it's safe yet, I..."
     
    "Oh, it's safe. And I'm coming, like it or not."
     
     "Justice, we're trying to interrogate him right now. I'm literally looking at him from the surveillance area, this very moment. Ash is taking a crack at it."
     
    "A smile broke across my face. "Really? Interrogations are open?"
     
    "Yeah, and for now..."
     
    "See you in a hour and a half, Kyle. Keep him talking until I get there."
     
    "What? Justice Taylor, there is no freaking way I'm going to let you..."
     
    "See you in a bit." I disconnected and pocketed my phone. "Power," I patted the stallion's neck as I passed by his stall. "Looks like it's time to give Midnight a real taste of his own medicine."
      

     Ten minutes later, I was dressed in a crisp black button-down, a clean pair of jeans, and my gray Stetson. I pinned my badge in place above my left shirt pocket and holstered my Sig. After grabbing my leather jacket, I bolted out the door to my F-150.

      I drove along the quiet roads of Collinsville, excitement pounding in my chest. Anderson's words flittered through my mind, what he said just before he kicked me in the head and knocked me unconscious.

     "I'm sorry it had to end this way, Justice. But you brought it on yourself."

     A smirk crossed my features as I pressed the accelerator. "You brought this on yourself, boss." I whispered.