Chapter 49

“Everybody, stay right where you are. My dog located drugs in a car out in the lot. The man who was heading toward it fled when he saw us. I think he came back inside.”

Roy stood his ground. “Nobody’s come in for the past half-hour, officer.” The man might look like a Teutonic god, but his arrogant tone grated. “This is a quiet, orderly place. We don’t tolerate drug dealing, violence, or anything but law-abiding behavior.”

The gas-flame blue eyes flickered to him and as quickly away, in clear dismissal. When the policeman barked a harsh, guttural word, the dog left his side. It began to move around the room in a zigzag pattern, dark nose twitching.

Roy stepped back a couple of paces to edge behind the bar. The dog and the cop both ignored him. After the dog sniffed and then passed the three remaining patrons, the cop gave them a nod. “Get out. It’s closing time, whether you’re done or not.”