Page 8 of Safe With Me

He’d tell us our jobs were to “keep it boring” because boring was good. But while I’d never wish for anything bad to happen here, I was sick of breaking up this ongoing fight between two adults who would continue to bicker until one either moved or stopped breathing, no matter how many of us came out here to attempt some kind of peace between them.

“Listen, ladies, I think we can appreciate that Mrs. Wagner’s dog is a watchdog, whichdoeshelp you out as well, right, Mrs. Scarpullo?”

I got an irritatedhmmin return, but she was still for the moment.

“And Mrs. Wagner, if you could please try to keep him calm as much as you can in the late evenings, that would be a neighborly compromise, right?”

“Well, he’s a dog that should have a right to play in his yard. He should be free in nature.” She shot Mrs. Scarpullo a glare over my shoulder.

“Yes, but this isn’t the woods. If you want him to roam and play, head down the road where the lake is and I can’t hear anything.” Mrs. Scarpullo sneered, but she kept her distance.

“I think taking him on walks in the afternoons to keep him active and calm when he returns could be a wonderful solution, right?” I glanced at Mrs. Wagner. “Then you’ll all have peace and quiet.”

I was flying by the seat of my pants with this one. Did I think making the dog run around in the woods would help, or that she would even take him? Not a clue, but this was my last visit here for a while. I’d ask if our sergeant could come out here instead the next time something ridiculous would inevitably put them at each other’s throats.

I’d never seen Jude crack a smile on shift. If these ladies couldn’t respond to reason, maybe some good old-fashioned intimidation would work—or at least give me a break for a bit.

“I knew that intelligent ladies like you would be able to come to an agreement.” I tipped my hat. “Unless there’s anything else, I need to get back.”

They glowered at me, the same tilt to their pursed lips as I headed out of Mrs. Wagner’s yard toward the front of the house. My shift was almost over, but I drove the cruiser over to Main Street to check things out. Most of the kids were at the lake during the day after school let out for summer, but a few always looked to get into a little trouble in town.

Even though I felt as if I’d just dealt with two children, I could deal with reckless immaturity when it was age-appropriate.

While I was in the academy, I’d considered moving to a bigger city or a different town, where I’d be Officer Russo and wouldn’t have to fight to be taken seriously. But I loved this town and being close to my family. Keith had said the only way to get everyone used to me being a cop was to put in the work, and I was more than happy to do that, even if it frustrated the shit out of me at times.

I made my way down the street and ended up at my father’s office. I’d worked with him a few summers at various construction jobs in Kelly Lakes and neighboring towns. He’d always say how much he loved working with me, and while I’d appreciated the time with him and what he’d taught me, construction wasn’t something I’d wanted to do for a living.

Dad had never pressured me and had said he’d support anything I wanted to do. He would have been happy with any profession I’d picked—except this one.

But I could tell that he was trying.

“I didn’t think I’d find you here,” I said as I stepped through the door. “Peyton told me you’ve been out at the crack of dawn all week.”

Dad laughed when he lifted his head from whatever paperwork he was mulling over at his desk.

“I have. Happens when you book a big job two towns over.” He dropped his head into his hands and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Your stepmother keeps telling me to let the guys handle it, but I like the work, even if I’m fucking exhausted now.”

My stepmother liked to call us “before and after” since we shared the same color eyes, profile, and almost the same build. His was from working with his hands all his life, while mine was courtesy of the police station gym.

Dad and I were even about the same height, although I was an inch taller. He still had a full head of hair the exact shade of brown as mine, only with growing spots of gray at his temples and in the bristles of his beard.

“To what do I owe this lovely surprise. Everything okay?”

“I was in the neighborhood,” I said, laughing at my father’s smirk.

“You always seem to be.” Dad grinned. “Not that I mind. It’s nice to see my son.” He pulled me into a hug. “How’s it been? Okay?”

“Not bad. Mrs. Wagner and Mrs. Scarpullo are at it again, but other than that, quiet this week.”

Dad laughed and shook his head. “They have been at it since I was a kid. But I guess it’s good if that was the worst of your week, right?” Dad’s smile shrank an inch as his eyes flicked to my gun belt.

I’d been a cop for almost two years, but every time he saw me in uniform, tension pulled at his features, even if he tried like hell to hide it. I wondered at times if Keith had ever confided in him about what went on here sometimes that no one else knew about, or if he was just that uneasy about his only son carrying a gun for a living.

“You’re still taking Keely to the water park next week, right? She’s been packed since school let out last week.”

I laughed, picturing her hot-pink backpack bursting at the zippers. I’d bet each bathing suit was covered in sequins. My baby sister loved anything bright, and if it sparkled, even better. Sometimes the glare off one of her outfits would give me a headache.

“Of course. I know it’s not your thing, but you could come with us.”

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