Page 15 of Heart of the West

Trixie squeals. “You’re the best, chief.”

I shake my head. I’m at the door to the breakroom when I hear dispatch get a call. Wilder Bennett is mopping the floor with a bunch of out of towners. I pop my head into dispatch.

“I’ll take it, Jo.”

Jo Ellen turns, surprised to see me.

“Sheriff, I didn’t know you were back.”

“I’m not officially. I’ll get Wilder and take him back to his house, provided he doesn't start the fight.”

“He never does,” Jo says with a shake of her head. “Cece and Ben will appreciate you looking after their boy.”

“He’s had a rough go of it since the accident.”

Jo nods in agreement. I head back to my office, grab my hat, and head back to the truck. Jolene’s takes me less than ten minutes to get there without the lights on. I won’t use them until after I sign the papers on Monday. This works out in the Bennetts favor. I’m not going to the bar on official business. If someone needs to be arrested, I’ll call for the deputy on duty. I park out front and head through the front door. Jolene has her shotgun out. Wilder is sitting on one stool. Three busted up men are in a nearby booth. Jolene greets me first.

“Sheriff.”

The guys at the table immediately start moaning about pressing charges. I walk over and take the stool next to Wilder.

“Round of beers and shots on me.”

Jolene puts the shotgun away and pours beers for everyone. The server hurries over and grabs the tray for the bruised men in the booth. They stopped complaining long enough to drink. I drop the shot inside the mug of beer and chug it. Being off duty has its perks.

I pull out enough money from my wallet to cover the drinks with enough left over for a generous tip.

“Jolene, can you give me the rundown?”

She pointed to the biggest of the three men. “That one kept mouthing off. He threw the first punch and when the broken,” she uses her fingers in air quotes, “cowboy dropped their friend, the other two jumped in.”

I take in the busted table, stool and chairs.

“How much damage.”

“Eight hundred oughta do it.”

I nod and for the first time approach the men.

“I’ll need two hundred from each of you.”

“What?”

“Why?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Look. We can do this one of two ways. I’m off duty right now. The four of you can split the damage and go on your merry way or I can call in the wagon and throw you all in jail since you,” I point to the big guy, “threw the first punch.”

“You’re taking his word over ours?” First punch asks.

“No, I’m taking the word of the owner of the establishment. She's been running for over thirty years. I trust she’ll tell the truth. She always does.”

“I’m not paying.”

“Me either.”

“No way in hell.”

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