Free Rising Storm by Kathleen Brooks Page A

always."
    He kissed his mother's cheek and gave Miles a slap on the back as he hurried to the cruiser. He was going to need the lights for this one.
     
    As Marshall approached the Blossom Café a growing crowd prevented him from seeing the situation inside. He flashed his lights and pulled up to the curb.
    "Sheriff! I'm glad you finally decided to show up. Is there so much crime in Keeneston that it takes you ten minutes to get to the scene of an assault?"
    Marshall stopped the curse coming from his lips, but just barely. Standing in front of him in all his pompous glory was Jack Jacks. His sandy blonde hair sliced down the side of his head and folded perfectly into shape. He wore a dove gray suit and red power tie against a white shirt. And right now he was pissed.
    Behind him was a white-haired army. Miss Daisy stood with a wooden spoon, Miss Violet with a spatula, and Miss Lily was armed with her broom. Most of the patrons had emptied out of the Café and were standing on the street watching the spectacle and most likely placing bets.
    "Miss Daisy, what's going on here?"
    "Why are you asking her? I told you I was assaulted and I want those women arrested and I want them arrested now!"
    "Mr. Jacks, you may be used to ordering everyone around at your hotels but not here. So, be quiet and let me listen to her. You'll have your chance to speak." Marshall watched his tan face turn red in anger, but he stayed quiet.
    "This man came in here and ordered me to close the whole café just so he could eat. He then said some very ungentlemanly things to me when I refused. He said he didn't want to eat with all the noise. It would disturb him. Then he got angry and started yelling. Well, I don't know how he was raised, but I don't take a shining to behavior like that in my place of business."
    "So, what did you do?" Marshall could see Mr. Jacks demanding the place for himself. It was a typical move on his part.
    "Well, I did as I would do to any of the boys in town, what I did to you when you back-talked me that one time when you were twelve." Uh-oh. Marshall knew what was coming next. "I rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon," Miss Daisy said proudly.
    "There, she admitted it. Arrest her!" Jacks shouted.
    "Mr. Jacks, please be quiet. What happened next Miss Daisy?"
    "Well, instead of taking the lesson that was being taught and apologizing for being rude, he leapt up and tried to yank the spoon away from me. That's when Violet called Lily and then she smacked his hand with the spatula."
    Marshall stared at her with his eyes opening wider in surprise. He'd seen them do this routine to badly behaved kids trying to steal desserts, but never to an adult. Although, when he was around Mr. Jacks, he felt the urge to hit him too.
    "Is that all?"
    "No. Then I asked him to leave and he refused. That's when Lily came in and shooed him out with the broom."
    "Is that everything?"
    "Yes. But, I have to say this to him. Mr. Jacks, bless your heart, but you are one rude and entitled jerk." The town murmured their agreement, which only fueled Mr. Jack's temper.
    "You crazy old bat. Maybe you and your sisters can get a job cooking in jail." Mr. Jacks shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels, pleased with the idea of the Rose sisters in jail.
    "Father! What in the hell do you think you're doing?"
    Marshall watched as Katelyn pushed her way through the crowd. Her face was flushed and her body rigid.
    "Cleaning up this town of no consequence. I'm glad to see you. I need to talk to you when I'm done having these three tossed into jail."
    "Father. Stop it. You will do no such thing. You will apologize to all these people for being an ass right now."
    "See Katie, you were always too soft. You need to let them know who’s boss."
    "Father, you are not their boss and they are not your employees. Now apologize right now and stop embarrassing me and yourself."
    Her father paused and looked at the hostile crowd of people around him. Marshall