Page 11 of Wild Justice

“Sheriffs shouldn’t cry.”

“That’s bullshit,” Seth replied, his voice rough. “We all cried when we thought Tanner wasn’t going to make it last year. It’s okay to cry.”

Uncle Tanner, now retired from being governor, had scared the shit out of all of them by having a “cardiac event” that had put him in the hospital for a few days. It had hit hard to see Aunt Maddie crying in the hallway outside of his room. He was fine now, but they’d all freaked out. Especially, her dad. He’d always said that Tanner was such a mentor to him. They were as close as brothers. All the men were.

“That’s different,” Lulu sniffled. “Of course, we’d cry about Uncle Tanner.”

There was a soft knock on the window, and Lulu turned around to see Chase grinning at them and making funny faces. He was such a goof sometimes, but it was just the thing to make them both laugh.

“I think your brother wants us to get on the road,” her dad said. “We don’t want to keep him waiting.”

“Right.” Lulu’s fingers lovingly closed around the badge in her hand. “I’m going to wear it every day. Thank you, Dad.”

He didn’t have a clue as to how much this meant to her. Not a clue.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I can’t think of better hands for it to be in. You know, if you ever need any help or advice, I’m there for you. No matter the time of day or night. Your uncles are there for you, too. We wouldn’t have been as successful if we’d worked alone. Teamwork made the difference. I highly recommend it.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

He started to open the door but then hesitated.

“And one more thing. Just some advice from one cop to another. Always trust your gut. It will never steer you wrong.”

“Trust my gut. Got it.”

With her dad behind her, Lulu believed she could do anything.

The three of them - Lulu,Chase, and her best friend Henry - ended up at the sports bar for dinner. Televisions on every wall, and the best cheeseburger in the county. The place was busy, although not packed. Off in the corner, she saw Kai Oliver eating alone at a table and reading a book.

For a moment, she thought about inviting him to sit with them, and then realized that she barely knew the guy. She had a few hazy memories of him from when they were kids, but she didn’t know that much about him other than she liked his grandfather a great deal. She couldn’t say that he was someone she wanted to share a meal with. Besides, he seemed content on his own. She did notice, however, that he’d had the good taste to order the cheeseburger with a side of steak fries.

She and Chase both were ordering the cheeseburger, but Henry was trying to cut down his red meat consumption. She didn’t know why he was doing that, but then Henry often “tried” things. It was one of the reasons she adored him so much. He didn’t think that her penchant for wanting to try new and different things was strange at all. In fact, he wholeheartedly wanted to support it as long as she wasn’t doing anything crazy dangerous.

And even then, he’d go with her so she wouldn’t be doing it alone. She’d just hear about it for a while.

I guess we didn’t get maimed or dead, Lulu, but we could have.

She considered it a massive win that she hadn’t heard that in a long time. Hopefully, she was acquiring a sense of self-preservation.

In other words, she’d realized she wasn’t immortal or indestructible. Dying was always a possibility.

“I’m going to have the chicken sandwich,” Henry pronounced, closing the menu. “Is it good? Do I need to change my mind?”

“It’s good,” Chase replied. “And the fries here are tasty, too. You don’t want to miss them.”

“There goes my girlish figure,” Henry chuckled. “I’m going to gain ten pounds while I’m here.”

Chase glanced at Lulu, a question in his gaze. He had never truly understood her relationship with Henry.

At first, he’d thought they were dating. Nope.

Is he gay? Nope.

But you aren’t a couple? Nope.

Just friends? Yes.

But he’s coming to Harper with you? Yes.

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