Page 5 of The Crime of Intensity

Throwing the file back at her I state, “Your hunch, you run the names and let me know what you find out.”

She stares at me before her eyes narrow. “Why?”

“Truth?”

She rolls her eyes. “No, lies, please because that would be the most helpful thing you can do.”

A chuckle slips over my lips. “I could use your help.”

Suspicion fills her gaze and she sinks into her chair. “Right. Thanks for your honesty, you can leave now.”

Her phone indicates she’s receiving a message. When she’s thumbed through her phone she gets to her feet and rounds the desk.

“Thanks for the heads-up about the serial killer. Good luck catching him,” she states and walks out of her office.

Releasing a curse, I jump up and follow her out the door. “Hang on, boss lady, I’m coming with.”

Kathleen whirls around to face me. “No, you’re not. Get the hell out of my town and go catch yourself a serial killer instead of bugging me.”

“Can’t,” I quip.

The deputy sitting behind his desk watches our banter with interest while he tries to look busy.

“What do you mean, you can’t? It’s real fucking easy to get back in your vehicle and drive until you can’t see my town in your rearview mirror.”

I slowly shake my head. “As of this morning, I’m the new undersheriff.”

“Get the fuck out,” she mutters under her breath and firms her voice to snarl, “Tell me you fucking didn’t.”

I shrug. “Then I won’t tell you.” Turning to face the deputy I tell him instead, “You guys are shorthanded with one deputy moving out of state, and the undersheriff just retired. The time I spent in this town was enough for me to decide to move here indefinitely. With the job of undersheriff available, I made a few calls.” I glance back at Kathleen. “Everything is set and done, boss lady. I’m all yours.”

“You’re insane,” she snaps and steps closer, jabbing a finger against my leather cut. “How the hell can you move here, take a job without my knowledge, and leave your duty of catching killers and being the president of Cowboy Bikers MC Lawmen? That shit doesn’t make sense, asshole. So, try a-fucking-gain and this time make me believe the truth instead of rattling out lies.”

I wrap my fingers around her wrist and give a gentle squeeze. “Check the patch you’re pressing your finger against.”

She rips her hand away from me and glances at my chest where the patch “nomad” is. For now, because I have more plans that need to be thrown into action.

“Motherfucker,” she mutters.

With a satisfied smile in my voice I tell her, “I’m still a part of Cowboy Bikers MC Lawmen, which will give us the added resources when we take on extra cases. For now, I’m still in charge of the serial killer case and would like your help to solve it. I do have to be at the Iron Hot Blood ranch later today to make sure my stuff arrives safely. Rourke offered to house my two horses until I’ve found my own place.”

Through clenched teeth, she grits, “Why didn’t I hear anything about this until now?”

I shrug. “If you would have answered any one of my calls, I would have talked it through with you first. Ignoring me didn’t leave me any other choice than to follow my gut and make the switch.”

“Follow your gut? You’re unbelievable.” She checks her watch. “I don’t have time for this bullshit, I have to go.”

Whirling around, she strides out the door, leaving me to follow. I open the door on the passenger side of her patrol car while Kathleen gets behind the wheel.

“Get out and in the back, Wrench,” I order and open the other door, her dog instantly listens to me.

“Suck-up,” Kathleen mutters as I get into the front and she starts the car.

The corner of my mouth twitches. “He likes me, you should try it some time.”

“I’d rather eat dirt and shit sandcastles,” she states, making my laughter flow through the car as we hit the road.

Best decision I ever made was to transfer here. My parents weren’t overly joyed when I talked it through with them yesterday morning. Especially my mother. While my father hoped I would continue to follow in his footsteps, he also understood and respected me to go and follow my gut.

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