Page 94 of Wild Justice

Ray Ramsey had admitted when questioned that he’d pushed to hire Lulu for one reason - he thought she’d make an awful sheriff and could easily be controlled.

Obviously, he hadn’t known her all that well despite her growing up in town.

When he’d hired her, he hadn’t been planning to kill Dana Cartwright. He’d simply wanted to pull the strings of the head law person in Harper. He said it made him feel like a big shot. Later, when Dana told him she was pregnant and planned to keep the child, he’d decided to use Lulu to his advantage. He’d kill Dana, and Lulu would never solve the murder because he assumed she was incompetent.

He’d gone to Dana’s house that night, and they’d argued in the garage. He’d tried one more time to get her to terminate the pregnancy, but she wouldn’t do it. She’d turned her back to go in the house, and he’d grabbed the nearest thing he could lay his hands on, which turned out to be a pipe. He’d hit her on the back of the head and then decided to move the body to the lake area, hoping it wouldn’t be discovered for a while so that forensics wouldn’t be that helpful. It was Ramsey’s bad luck that Kai liked to jog in that area.

When it appeared that Lulu was actually capable at her job and making progress, Ramsey decided to throw Allie Baker under the bus since she was already under suspicion due to her unusual behavior. As her landlord, he had no trouble sneaking into her apartment when no one was home and planting the murder weapon.

He thought he was home-free until Kai asked about who had access to Allie’s apartment. He panicked, went to see Lulu, and realized that from the way she was acting, she suspected him. Even if she didn’t, he needed to stop her from continuing the investigation. He didn’t have an answer when the district attorney offered up the theory that Kai wouldn’t have let it go if anything had happened to Lulu.

That’s the truth. I wouldn’t have rested until I found out who killed her.

It just proved the theory that criminals often didn’t think things all the way through to their logical conclusion.

“I’m not quitting,” Lulu declared. “I’m the sheriff of this town, and I’ve arrested my first murderer. They’ll have to fire me if they don’t want me.”

“I don’t think anyone will be doing that,” Chase said. He and Henry had been pretty quiet during the reunion with the parents, letting Lulu soak up all their worry. “You’re a hero, and heaven help any town council member who tries to get rid of you. Ellen Dunphy is going around town telling everyone she always knew you’d be amazing as sheriff. Everyone is saying the same thing. They all knew you were going to kick butt and take names.”

“Liars,” Henry hissed, his expression stormy. “They didn’t believe in you.”

“We believed, and now they do,” Chase replied. “Everyone learns at their own pace. Some just take longer.”

“You know, Dad, you were right,” Lulu said. “Kai and I trusted our gut. And it all worked out.”

“When your father gets it right, he really gets it right,” Presley said. “But ultimately, it was you who made it happen. You’re a good sheriff, and this town is lucky to have you.”

Lulu was looking at her dad now, wanting and needing that validation. Seth Reilly didn’t disappoint. No two people on earth could look prouder of their child than Seth and Presley Reilly did at this moment.

Chase and Henry were grinning like idiots, seriously proud, too.

“You are an excellent sheriff, baby girl,” Seth said. Kai thought it sounded like the older man was slightly choked up when she spoke. “I’ve put this town in good hands. They are fortunate to have you.”

“Who wants pizza?” Presley asked, a big smile of happiness on her face. “Our treat.”

“I’m not turning that down,” Chase stated. “But be warned that Henry and I are starving.”

“We wouldn’t expect anything else, son,” Seth laughed.

“Let me comb my hair and put on some shoes,” Lulu said, standing up.

Kai immediately went to her side, ready to carry her if she needed it. The soles of her feet had been cut in a few places, and she’d stayed off of them in the last couple of days, but she was bound and determined to go back to work tomorrow. Kai was wasting his breath trying to talk her out of it. She was still in some pain, but she didn’t want to admit it.

It turned out Seth Reilly had the same idea, however, and they both almost crashed into one another to lift Lulu from her spot on the couch. Presley appeared amused, Lulu’s father less so.

“I guess you have this handled,” he said, straightening up. “If you don’t feel like getting out of the house, sweetheart, we can order in.”

“Are you kidding? I’m dying to get out of this house. I’m about to go stir-crazy. Just give me a few minutes.”

She leaned on Kai’s shoulder as they walked into the bedroom so she could get ready to leave. When she closed the door behind them, she stopped and wrapped her arms around his middle.

“I think my dad likes you.”

“I’m not so sure about that. He wanted to help you. Maybe I should have let him.”

“He’s just having a little trouble realizing that I’m all grown up. He doesn’t have to worry about me anymore.”

Kai wasn’t an expert on parent and child dynamics, but one thing was for sure…

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