Page 83 of Wild Justice

Now, in the privacy of her own home? That was a different story. She was still the lead singer of her own girl band, singing into her hairbrush while jumping around her room and on top of her bed, giving the concert of a lifetime to her devoted - but imaginary - fans. Brianna and Amanda had often joined in, their voices harmonizing pretty damn well for amateurs. In another life, they might have been pop stars.

In a completely different parallel dimension, where people with mediocre talent could become rich and famous.

“I am celebrating,” Lulu replied. “I’m just relaxing a bit.”

“I thought that’s what you did over the weekend,” Henry said as the band wrapped up their song to take a break.

“I did, and now I’m still doing it.”

Kai gave her a sideways glance but didn’t say anything. They’d “relaxed” in just about every room of the cabin, including the shower.

A shadow fell across the table and Lulu looked up to see Glen Foster standing there, a grin on his lips.

“Looks like you did it, Lu,” he said loudly enough for a few heads to whip around at the sound of his voice. “I have to admit that I was skeptical. Hell, we were all skeptical. Didn’t think a woman could take over your dad’s job, but I was wrong. You did pretty good. A lot of people are eating crow now.”

She could feel those eyes on her. Again. They were staring, watching her reaction closely. They hadn’t believed in her before, and to be honest, she doubted they truly believed in her now that she’d caught a killer. She had a distinct memory of her dad telling her that some people would never be convinced of anything, even when it was right before their eyes.

And some of those people lived right here in Harper.

There were always going to be people watching her, waiting for her to fail. They’d revel in her humiliation because for a few minutes, hours, days, or maybe even weeks, it made them forget how miserable they were in their own lives.

If she worried about them all the time, she’d never get anything done, and she’d be as unhappy and nasty as they were.

I don’t want to be like that. I won’t tie myself up in knots for their approval.

Lulu would never get it anyway. The only way to win was not to play. It was freeing to finally get that through her head. She’d always known it, but she hadn’t truly believed it. She’d kept thinking that she could change their minds.

I can’t, and I’m not going to waste my time trying. They don’t get to control me that way.

Glen was waiting for her response to his kind of compliment. She wasn’t sure what to say. If anyone was eating crow for dinner tonight that was their business. It had never been a contest. She hadn’t won a trophy or a blue ribbon.

Someone yelled Glen’s name from across the room, and he gave Lulu a wave before heading in the direction. She didn’t need to reply at all.

“Is it just me or do you not seem as happy as everyone else that you solved a murder?” Henry asked softly.

“I’m having my doubts about Allie’s guilt,” Lulu admitted. “Kai and I were talking about on the drive home. We’re going to look into a few things now that we’re back.”

“What few things?”

“Like who might have been able to plant the weapon in Allie’s apartment,” Lulu explained. “Her landlord, a maintenance person, or maybe her roommate or a friend.”

“With friends like that, who needs enemies?” Henry said. “You know, I can check out a couple of those items for you. I have a few computer skills I can use.”

“Nothing illegal,” she replied in a warning tone. “I mean it, Henry. Don’t hack the Pentagon or anything. You could do some serious time for that.”

“I’m anethicalhacker,” Henry emphasized, giving her an eye roll. “And I’m paid quite handsomely for it, so I’m not going to mess up that sweet gig. Don’t worry. Legal all the way. I’m too pretty for prison.”

“I can’t disagree with that.”

Later when the band came back from break, Kai asked her to dance when they played a slow song. She happily melted into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. The tension she’d been carrying all day seemed to dissolve as she closed her eyes and concentrated on him, blocking the rest of the chaotic world.

“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” she asked with a small sigh as they barely moved to the slow ballad.

“That’s a loaded question,” Kai chuckled. “Can you be more specific?”

“About the investigation.”

“I think you should listen to your instincts. Anything else?”

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