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IT WAS ALMOST SEVEN-thirty when I pulled in front of the jail later that morning. Gertie’s quick gait set up the foreboding as she made her way to my car. Ida Belle wouldn’t follow behind.
“They’re keeping her?”
“She assaulted an officer.”
“She what?”
“That’s the charge.” Gertie slammed the door and reached for her seatbelt then hesitated. “Want me to drive? I need to blow off steam.”
“No.” I let off the clutch and eased away from the curb. “So what happened?”
“Ida Belle patted Officer Davidson’s arm and asked him about his family. Fawned all over him, if you ask me, but you didn’t. Anyway, Officer Running acted like a kid who got stuck with a number two pencil instead of the whole box of crayons. He claimed Ida Belle harassed the rookie.”
“Ida Belle was flirting?”
“Heavens no. She knows the whole Davidson family.”
I parked the car. “So you’re telling me she has to spend the night in jail for making conversation with someone she knows?”
“She’ll be out this afternoon. They’re keeping her to make a point.” Gertie blew out a hard breath. “She should’ve listened to me but you know Ida Belle. She holds a grudge. After Officer Running made a scene, she wouldn’t back down.”
“So she’s guilty?”
“Yep.” Gertie looked straight ahead. “I’m guessing Officer Running will wear the proof to court in the morning.”
“She hit him?” I couldn’t picture it.
“No, dear. He directed her to his office then went to get a cup of coffee. Ida Belle moved his chair. When he returned, he didn’t pay attention. Floor’s concrete. Coffee was hot. Bruised ego and a rump to match won’t play out very well for Ida Belle.”
“So much for showing the proof.”
“Oh I meant that. Officer Running shows his tail wherever he goes.”
“Maybe she’ll appear before a fair and honest judge and it’ll be thrown out.”
“Doubt it,” Gertie said, looking glum. “Ida Belle goes before Judge Running, Officer Running’s wife.”
“Bogus charges won’t stick.”
“The murder’s real. They have a body and a crime to solve. As far as they’re concerned, they have their suspect. With the right person pushing the paperwork, anyone can come up with motive.”