Barbara Graham - Quilted 04 - Murder by Vegetable Read Online Free Page B

Jr. The man had committed a felony. He was competent to stand trial according to the rules. He knew right from wrong, the prosecution from the defense. He knew what the judge's role would be in a trial. Earlier, his office had been filled with a sense of impending doom. Nobody wanted to prosecute, yet they couldn't ignore the crime.
    At least he'd finally managed to shower and change into a clean uniform. Maybe he could go to Ruby's Café and have a piece of Blossom's pie. Not only would it make him feel better because it would taste divine, but it would guarantee he put in his hour in the workout room in the basement of the law enforcement center. Sometimes he needed a little extra incentive to make sure he did his time on the treadmill and weights.
    Just checking up, Tony drove the length of the county. The tanker was gone, towed away on its own wheels. The leakage had been less than feared but more than there should have been. Once all the measuring and discussion ended, it was clear the truck driver had been traveling too fast. He received a ticket and a lecture. Tony suspected he was going to get an earful from his boss as well. Wade told him how little the driver cared about the harm he'd done, and a string of curses and excuses had poured from the driver's belligerent face. Maybe his attitude stemmed from the shock of the accident itself, or maybe from the need to dramatize his life, but Tony didn't like him and would be pleased if he stayed out of Park County, Tennessee, for the rest of his life.
    Tony drove carefully around the curve and headed for town. He noticed a small red pickup approaching, traveling slightly above the speed limit and swerving a bit. It was staying in the right lane. As it neared him, Tony realized the driver held a cell phone and was apparently sending a text message. Both hands flew over the device as the driver stared down at the screen.
    A third hand, one belonging to a small passenger, gripped the steering wheel. Tony's daydream of continued peace and sane behavior shattered. He made a U-turn and fell in behind the pickup, flashing his lights and hitting the siren. The man behind the wheel—Tony wasn't sure he'd still qualify as the driver—leaned sideways like he'd dropped something and the pickup swerved hard, luckily not into oncoming traffic. The pickup finally stopped, half on the road, half in a ditch. The driver's side door opened and four hundred pounds of belligerent man shoved his way through the space. He clutched his cell phone in his left hand and dragged an ax handle from the open bed as he headed for Tony.
    He didn't get far. Stopped by a scream coming from the pickup and the sight of Tony's semi-automatic aimed at his huge gut, he dropped the handle and raised his hands over his head.
    Tony drove to Ruby's Café, went around to the back and sat outside. From his table he had a nice view of the ridge separating this area from downtown Silersville. The sight of spring foliage and the chirping of happy birds eased some of his frustration. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out, forcing himself to relax. Wrecks, robbery, texting, and attempted assault: what was next? He was sure it would be something stupid and spring fever would be blamed.
    The incredibly beautiful café owner, Ruby herself, brought him a glass of water. “Good morning, Tony.”
    Ruby had married Tony's deputy, Mike ott, in this very place only a few months earlier. Tony smiled at her and thought her voice held a happier than usual note. “You sound chipper.”
    “And why not? It's a beautiful day and one of my favorite customers has come by for pie? Cinnamon roll? Coffee?” Ruby didn't offer him a menu.
    “Apple pie?” Tony loved his wife and children, but some days the pie ran a close second.
    “Blossom just took one out of the oven. It should still be warm.” Ruby's lips turned up at the corners.
    Tony moaned, just a little, recognizing his lack of willpower. “Okay. Better make it a