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“That’s strange,” Terry said. “I didn’t see it an hour ago when I was by there last. Anyone around?”
“Not that I can see, but I’d appreciate it if you’d come down and give me some backup, just in case.”
“You bet, Sheriff,” Terry said. “Spike and I will be there just as soon as we can.”
While she waited, Joa
Joa
The woman, a spare gray-haired lady in her late sixties or early seventies, had approached in such complete silence that Joa
“Yes. That’s right. Who are you? What do you want?” “My name is Brady, Sheriff Joa
“It’s a nice day,” Elvira answered. “I’m taking a walk.”
But not up in the mountains, Joa
In fact, the woman seemed so totally harmless that Joa
“Tucson,” Elvira answered.
“Well, then, you may not be aware that we’re currently having some difficulties at this location. Some people object to the construction of this new subdivision. In fact, there was a near riot on this property yesterday, and there’s likely to be another one this afternoon. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“All right, then,” Elvira said. “I’ll go.”
Elvira Hollenbeck was moving toward the car door just as Terry Gregovich drove up from the opposite direction. Stopping with the front of his Bronco nose-to-nose with the Legacy, the deputy jumped out. Then he opened the Bronco’s back door and Spike bounded out after him. Terry turned and started toward Joa
“Everything under control?” he asked.
Joa
Terry froze too and stared down at the dog. “What is it, boy?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”
“Get him away from me,” Elvira yelled. “That dog is vicious. Get away! Shoo.”
But instead of going in the other direction, she charged toward the dog, screeching and flapping her arms. Spike stood his ground. In fact, the dog paid no attention to the flailing woman. His whole being seemed focused on the car-on the back of the car.
Joa
Not knowing the dog well enough, Joa
“I don’t know, ma’am,” he replied. “Spike’s never done this before. What is it, boy? What are you trying to tell me?”
Joa
“Nothing,” she snapped. “You can see for yourself. There’s nothing there.”
“The dog seems to think otherwise. Open the trunk.”
“I won’t,” Elvira Hollenbeck declared. “You can’t make me. You don’t have a warrant, and I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Yesterday this site was the scene of a riot, Mrs. Hollenbeck,” Joa
“I won’t.”
“All right. Fair enough. Deputy Gregovich, if you’ll check in the backseat of my Blazer, you’ll find a toolbox with a crowbar in it. Go get it, please, and then come back and pry this thing open.”
“But my car,” Elvira objected. “You’ll wreck my car.”
“Then open it yourself,” Joa
Leaving Spike where he was, Terry walked to Joa
“Why?” Joa
She expected Elvira to answer “Dynamite,” or “Blasting caps.” Something explosive. Something that would blow pieces of Mark Childers’ earth-moving equipment to kingdom come. What Joa
“Snakes,” she said.
“Snakes?” Joa
Elvira nodded. “Rattlesnakes. Fifteen or so. I had another one that I was bringing back to the car, but when I saw you parked here, I had to let him go.”
Joa
“I collect them,” Elvira said. “They’re worth a lot of money these days. When a developer comes through and clears land like this, they’re here for the picking. Besides, with their habitat all torn up and with winter coming on, they’ll all die anyway.”
“You collect snakes and sell them?” Joa
Elvira looked Joa
“So that’s what you’re doing?” Joa
Elvira clamped her lips shut and didn’t answer.
“Open the trunk, Mrs. Hollenbeck,” Joa
Elvira moved forward and unlocked the hatch. As soon as she began to raise the lid on the i
“That’s enough,” Joa
Elvira shut the lid. “What happens now?” she asked. “Am I under arrest, or what?”
For a moment Joa
While Terry and Spike led Elvira back to the Bronco, Joa
“I beg your pardon?”
“We’ve picked up a woman whose trunk is full of rattle-snakes. What do we do with them?”
“How would I know?”
“Get on the horn and check with somebody from Arizona Fish and Wildlife,” Joa
“Don’t tell me, let me guess.” Dick Voland groaned. “The Subaru’s on Oak Vista Estates.”