Snakes Among Sweet Flowers Read Online Free Page B

thing an ex-con can do is fall back in with his old crowd. I’m out here changing my ways, and I hope those sons of bitches have no idea where to find me.” That last was more truth than he probably should have told, but it was the God’s honest, for more reasons than he planned to share with the local law enforcement.
    “Mm-hm,” Rhodes agreed sarcastically around a mouthful of biscuit. “I get the distinct feeling you haven’t changed one stripe. And you are in my jurisdiction, scamming the residents of my town.”
    Cam narrowed his eyes. “So what’s next, Mr. Law? You gonna get a warrant? Come in here and tear up the place I bought with hard-earned money? Maybe turn the community against me? Some late-night hooded visits? Odd accidents until I up and leave? You think I don’t know your kind?” Cam was getting louder, thinking back to the way guards had taken care of anyone they didn’t like. How police treated men like him. He stood up and stepped toward Rhodes as he continued, his anger making him tremble. “You think it’s easy for an ex-con to find a job? Find a place to live? Find a way to go straight? Not when assholes like you take the law in your own hands, decide who is innocent and guilty without the need for any evidence. And who is going to stop you? Who is going to believe a two-time ex-con over the town golden-boy cop? HUH?”
    Cam had only paused for breath, his passion blinding him until he heard the sound of a gun cocking in the silence. He froze, eyes widening as he looked up at Officer Rhodes in true abject fear.
    “I’m going to need you to step back and take a seat, Mr. Sanders.”
    The gun wasn’t pointed at him; Rhodes simply held it at his side, ready if needed. Cam realized how close he had gotten to the officer and quickly did as directed, taking a deep breath and blowing it out.
    “Look,” Officer Rhodes continued, “I don’t know what kind of law enforcement you have dealt with, but they sound unsavory. In Hog Mountain, we don’t take the law into our own hands, but we do protect our citizens. Right now, you are one of them, but don’t think I won’t be watching you. If you’re cheating people, I will catch you, Mr. Sanders.”
    Before Cam or Rhodes could say more, there was a sharp rap at the service station door. Both of their heads quickly swiveled in that direction. At the sight of a customer, Cam stood and Rhodes quickly holstered his gun. Hesitantly, an older gentleman opened the door and peeked his head around the frame.
    “Am I safe to come in?”
    Cam nodded and Officer Rhodes smiled and said, “Hey, Jim. Come on in. I was just having breakfast and a chat with Mr. Sanders here.”
    Jim glanced between the two. “With your gun out?”
    Cam dove into the conversation then, ready to be done with the officer and get his balance back. “Welcome, Jim. I’m Cam. What can I do you for this beautiful morning?” Cam glanced out the front door and added, “Ain’t that fine ol’ truck, is it?”
    When Cam walked outside, both Jim and Rhodes followed him. “No, not the truck. I was just checkin’ to see if you fixed bike tires. I got one in the back needs air and a patch.”
    “Sure thing,” Cam said. “Let me take a look.”
    From the truck bed, Jim pulled a blue boy’s bike, a colorful flag on a long flexible pole attached behind the seat, and handed it to Cam, who set it down and went to open the garage. While he was jiggling the lock on this door—it had become such a regular occurrence that he was sure he would automatically start jiggling the key in any lock he tried to turn—he heard footsteps and turned to see the officer and Jim close in on each other. Great! Rhodes was even going to ruin a cheap tire repair.
    “Taking up biking, Jim?” Rhodes quipped.
    “Nah,” Jim said with a chuckle. “I been collecting old bikes I see at garage sales and secondhand shops, then taking ’em over to the Arcadia House. Ain’t much I can do for those kids,