Chapter 45

We placed our orders, and while we were waiting for our food, I took out my cell phone and said, “I need to take care of some business.”

I dialed information and asked to be connected with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office. “Can I help you?” a female operator said.

“Sheriff Sutton, please, Captain George Martin from Jacksonville calling.”

There was a pause followed by a few clicks. “Hey, George,” Dan said. “Are you in the area?”

“Hello, Dan. Yes, we are. In fact, we have some guests, and we’re at Joey’s as we speak.”

“What can I do for the pride of Jacksonville this morning?” he said.

“Oh, puh-leez, Dan,” I said. “Don’t try to butter me up—especially when I’m trying to keep you out of trouble.”

“Me? In trouble? How?”

“Sometime this morning, one of the FINGs from Atlanta is going to descend upon your county.”

“Shit,” he said.

“Exactly,” I said, “and wait until you hear why.”

“I’m all ears,” he said.