Chapter 27
Zack and the three others stepped into Higgins outer office. Miss Stevens told her boss that they were here and then she showed them in. They entered and all at once, Zack got a really bad feeling about this meeting. The sheriff had obviously been drinking more after he had been talking with Zack, and he appeared in a very bad frame of mind.
“What the hell took you so long?” Higgins asked with menace in his voice.
“We got here as soon as we could, boss.” Zack replied, trying to calm Higgins down who seemed to be getting angrier by the moment.
“Don’t give me that shit. I called you half an hour ago. You should have been here fifteen minutes ago.” Higgins’s face was becoming flushed, either from his anger, or because of the booze. Zack couldn’t tell which. Probably some of both he thought.
“Like I said, we got here as soon as we could.”
“Bull shit. You’re lying and I won’t be lied to.”
“Why don’t you shut up; you’re a piece of shit.” It was Joe Bob who spoke. Apparently, he hadn’t really calmed down after all. Zack was about to turn and tell Joe Bob to settle down, but before he had a chance to, Higgins was around the desk with such speed that Zack had no chance to react. From out of thin air it seemed, he had a switch blade in his hand and he had slashed Joe Bob on his left cheek.
Joe Bob staggered backwards, trying to catch his balance, but Higgins was upon him in a flash. He lashed out again, this time hitting the stunned Joe Bob in the right arm as he tried to protect himself. By now, Zack leapt into action, grabbing Higgins and restraining him from doing any more harm. The sheriff tried to struggle free, but Zack pinned him so that he could not move.
They struggled for what seemed like an eternity before Higgins seemed to lose what little fight was left in him. Zack led him to a chair, where Higgins slumped, totally exhausted.
In the mean time, Billy and Jethro went to Joe Bob’s aid. They managed to get the blood stopped. The wounds were more superficial than at first appearances, and within a few moments the blood had almost stopped.
Zack went to check on his friend, and when he saw that he was okay, he approached Higgins with caution. It wasn’t necessary. Higgins just sat there, not appearing to be a menace anymore. Zack was wary nonetheless. He knew that looks could be deceiving, especially in the sheriff’s case.
Joe Bob sat there, wondering what the hell just happened. He was still in a state of shock from Higgins attack. He said no more; he just kept an eye on the sheriff to make sure there wasn’t a second incident.
From his chair, Higgins was glaring at Joe Bob. There still seemed to be hatred in his eyes, but that gradually disappeared. He sat there, quiet but quite flushed in the cheeks. Zack wasn’t sure if the redness was from his drinking or his attacking his friend.
“Boss” Zack said. “I’m sorry for what just happened. I’ll speak with him later and get it through his head to show you respect. He’s just a dumb farm boy and meant no harm.”
Higgins sat there for another moment or two before he spoke. When he did he surprised Zack. Higgins actually apologized.
“No Zack. It’s my fault. Tell your friend that I am sorry. I‘ve just got so worked up about a big city inspector and his sergeant that I’m not thinking straight. I know you got here as quick as you could. You see. Time is of the essence. I need you to act quickly. The two of them are heading out of town as we speak, and I need to teach them some respect.
“They figure that because we live in this piss ant town, that they can shit all over us. I won’t have it!” Higgins’s voice started to rise again.
Zack was afraid that the boss was going to lose it a second time. He spoke quickly to calm him before he erupted again.
“It’s okay boss. We’ll take care of it. Tell us what we need to do.”
After a few moments, the four left. Joe Bob was still subdued and Zack was a little concerned about him. He hoped that he was fine, but he didn’t have time to look after him right now. They had a pressing matter at hand.
Higgins sat alone at his desk. “Now, my arrogant inspector, you’re going to get a little taste of mid western justice.”
And with that, he threw back another shot of whiskey. It burned his throat, but he didn’t care. He was going to get revenge and the taste was sweet. He sat there and laughed. Soon, he thought, the two pricks would regret the day that they crossed him.
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