Page 85 of Cash

“I was beaten fair and square. Good shooting, Livi. Great fucking shooting. Maybe she should be the one to work with Ava. That woman still can’t hit the broadside of a barn,” Axel states.

“No, I can’t, Smartass. But I can nurse my own babies,” Ava retorts heatedly.

I help Livi pack up her weapons then everyone walks back to the clubhouse. From the comments made to her by the members, Livi has gained newfound respect amongst them. Some ask questions about her gun collection, some about shooting situations. With Axel taking the loss so well it’s deflated a lot of air from the men’s balloons. Not much fun trying to rile someone up who lost doing something you would have lost at too. Especially when he’s taking it so well.

“Who won? Who won?” Mac shouts as soon as the door to the clubhouse is opened.

“Livi did. She’s good. Better be nice to her, Mac. She could shoot a cashew out of your beak,” Axel answers.

“My cashew?” Mac questions with a head tilt.

“Yep.”

Mac instantly lifts off the bar in flight and lands soundlessly on the table Livi and I sat down at. Walking to stand in front of her, Mac makes a purring sound.

“Pretty lady. Prettyyyyyy ladyyyyyy!” Mac says while rubbing the side of his head against a laughing Livi.

“You’re a little suck up!” Axel shouts.

“You suck! Mac loves Livi,” Mac answers before continuing his purring and head rubbing.

“What do you carry on duty?” Trigger questions.

“Colt 1911 .45. James and I both do. If a situation ever came up, we could swap ammo and mags. I reload our practice and carry rounds for both of us,” Livi answers.

“Why not Glocks? I thought most cops carry them nowadays?” Pooh asks.

“A lot of them do, but I’m not a fan. They’re accurate as hell and light to carry. But the downside to that is after you fire a few thousand rounds through them, they start working loose and jamming. During qualifying or practicing, you clear the jammed round and continue. On the street, a jammed round could mean death. I like to breathe, and I like James breathing too.”

“I have a Glock .40 and it’s never jammed,” Trigger insists.

“How many rounds have you put through it? Give it time, and it will. Sorry Trigger, but that’s just what I know from my experience with them,” Livi replies.

“I haven’t put more than a few boxes of ammo through it. You’re making me regret buying it now. Damn, it’s accurate though,” Trigger admits.

“Most cops only shoot during qualifications, and that’s only twice a year at most. James and I shoot at least once a month, usually more. If you’re only using it occasionally, you bought a good weapon. It boils down to what you like more than anything. What fits your hand, and what’s comfortable for you. But my dad always said if I was going to spend money on a gun, to spend it on one that will last or go up in value with time. I’m not trying to talk you out of your choice, I’m just explaining why I use what I do,” Livi explains.

“Your dad is right, though. Smart to have listened to him. Next time I buy a gun, I’m taking you with me,” Trigger says with a laugh.

“Why haven’t you joined the SWAT team?” Petey asks as he takes a seat.

“I’ve put in for it but never get selected,” Livi responds with a wry grin.

“What’s the reason they give?” Trigger questions.

“They don’t give one.”

“Can’t sue them for discrimination if they don’t tell you it’s because you’re female,” Petey concludes.

“Our Captain has a fit every time they pass her by, but Livi won’t press the issue,” James adds.

“I don’t make an issue of it because I like where I’m at and what I’m doing. I like working patrol, and I love having James as a partner. We make a difference, and I love that too. We help people, even when they don’t like it or know they need it,” Livi says quietly but with feeling.

“We handled a complaint one night, and it led to a small boy who’d been left alone with his dead mother who’d overdosed. When he got hungry, he left and got nabbed for shoplifting. I’m sure he didn’t even know what he was doing was wrong. He was hungry, and that’s all he knew, but we were called. We’ve tried keeping track of him since then when we can. He’s in a foster home right now, but it’s not going well. Livi spoke with his caseworker yesterday, and she said she’s probably going to try to find a better home for him. He’s deaf, so some foster parents don’t want to bother with him. But we’ll keep following up until we feel he’s in a good place. Even if the department frowns heavily on us doing that,” James says with a touch of anger in his voice.

“You said he’s deaf? About four years old or so?” Pippa asks from the next table over.

“Yeah, he’s about that age, but he’s pretty small,” James answers.

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