Sidetracked by Dellani Oakes Part 54 by Dellani Oakes

Scott took the phone and hung up. “I have to cuff you, but I’ll put them in front. Don’t make me regret that decision.”

“No, sir. Thank you.”

Scott tilted the camera so he was looking into it upside down. “We cool now, Aiden? Don’t answer, I can’t hear you.” He and Felix walked to a cruiser, and the boy was put in the back. Scott stood beside it, directing activities.

The last of the ring leaders were rounded up. Felix was the only student caught in the sting, but he was treated well and kept separate from the adults. He sat with Scott, telling him everything he knew.

“Is it over now?” Deidre asked as things wound down.

“Not entirely,” Vanessa explained. “These are some powerful people, who will pull strings and do their best to blame others. I expect Jim Butcher to be taking the brunt of this, not that I pity him. He probably deserves the worst he gets. But many of the guilty will do their best to wriggle free. Fortunately, the judges that will handle these cases, are kin, in one way or another, to Teague’s family. They’re the most honest people I know.”

“If they aren’t kin, they’re friends,” Teague added. “And many of the lawyers around and about. Most of the others won’t touch a scandal like this. It’s career suicide. They’ll have to pay lawyers from out of state.”

“Really?” Deirdre’s eyes got huge. “Your family influence is that great?”

“Yeah. Volusia County is where many of us call home, but we’re related to people all over the state. These folks don’t know the strings I can pull with a single phone call.”

“I’m in the presence of royalty,” Deirdre said with a smirk. “My family’s been around quite a while, but we came with the English.”

“We’re kin to the Spanish, Minorcans and Natives,” Teague said, looking proud.

There was a loud knock at the door. Suddenly alert, everyone waited while Teague went to the door and looked out. Laughing, he opened the door. Scott swaggered in, grinning and carrying a donut box.

“I bring donuts and coffee.”

“I don’t see coffee,” Teague said, blocking his way.

“That’s because my Boss is bringing it.”

A lovely woman with strawberry blonde hair stood behind him. Dressed in a pretty black dress, covered with butterflies, she walked in with a Box o’ Joe and a bag of sugar and creamer.

“This is my boss, Lieutenant Scott,” Vanessa said. “And the lovely lady with him is his wife, Cadence.” She made introductions all around.

Their midday victory party was interrupted by the front door banging open and shut. All eyes turned to the door.

“Dee!”

“That’s my husband,” Deirdre gasped. “In the kitchen,” she called, trying to get up.

Eoin helped her stand to greet her husband. Fred rushed to her, ignoring everyone else. Sweeping her into his arms, he hugged and kissed her.

“Oh, my love. Are you all right? You’re wearing a boot? What happened? And who are all these people? What the hell have I missed? What have you made your mother do?” He focused at last on his sons.

“It’s a long story, Dad,” Corin said. “Sit down, have some refreshments, and we’ll tell you.”

Their father took his seat and waited. Cadence served him coffee, Scott gave him some donuts. “Well?”

“It all started with the vultures,” Corin began.

“Oh, don’t,” Burl said. “Or we’ll be here all day.”

“I’ve got all day,” Fred replied. “But just one of you tell me, or I’ll go out of my f**king mind. After the week I’ve had, the level of violence would escalate, and we’ve got pregnant ladies present.”

“Spooky how this family can do that,” Vanessa said.

Aiden took the narrative, with help from Eoin and Deirdre. Fred focused on one after the other, too shocked to eat and drink.

“And all this shit was going on under our noses? What the ever loving f**k? I’m glad I didn’t join that stupid Private Golf Club. They were all after me to do it, Bigby and Mona Colfer. Why would she be so hell bent on it?”

“Mom’s hot,” Corin said with a wink. “And you’re buff. Maybe Mona wanted in your pants?”

© 2018 Dellani Oakes