Page 99 of Justice for Radar

“But nothing, baby,” Marlin declared gruffly. “You’re fuckin’ family and families help each other.”

“Mine never did,” I murmured, and Cutter shook his head.

“Fuckin’ citizens,” Marlin grunted and shook his head too.

“I’m afraid I can never repay you all you’ve done for me,” I said, and Cutter shook his head a little harder.

“Another fuckin’ citizen construct you’ll have to forget about. It’s fine, babe. That’s not how this works, not how we operate, and you’ll figure it all out given enough time.”

“We’re just here to tell you, you got a problem – any problem, with the town or anybody in town who’s an outsider and Radar isn’t around you callus,” Marlin said.

“Forget 9-1-1 in this town, it’s a thing for the citizens, but you’re not a citizen anymore,” Cutter affirmed.

“Just what are you two losers doing?” Hope demanded from behind them. I looked over the two men’s heads and Hope stood with two drinks, one in each hand, next to a leggy blonde who was extremely tattooed.

“Letting the woman know where her shit’s at and rolling out the welcome wagon,” Cutter said over his shoulder. “And who you calling a loser, woman? I ought to spank that ass of yours.”

His eyes sparkled as he said it and Hope’s eyes lit up and she shot back, “I would love a good bar fight – bring it on!”

“Uh-uh,” the tattooed blonde said. “Shut up and drink up – we’re all here to have a nice time.”

“Spoilsport.” Hope stuck her tongue out at her.

“Anything else I should know?” I asked softly as Cutter upended one of my hands softly dropping a ring with two keys into my upturned palm.

“If there’s anything else, it can wait,” Marlin said and patted my knee.

“Welcome home, babe. We’re happy to have you here,” Cutter said, and I smiled.

“Thank you,” I said, and he gave me a nod.

“You get this woman a drink?” he asked Hope.

“Yep! Right here.” She handed him one. He took it and the other drink out of her hand, handed me one, and drank out of the other with a wink at Hope as she made a noise of protest.

“Neeeeeah!”

She lifted her foot and tapped him on the ass as he went by, and I nearly snorted rum punch out of my nose.

“What you need, Hossler?” Marlin asked the tattooed blonde.

“To say hi to my new girl,” she said. “Why don’t you go find your woman before Atlas sweeps her three times ‘round the dance floor?”

Marlin grunted and got up. “He can do the dancing so I don’t have to,” he said and I smiled. Hossler came over and dropped into the chair near me.

“Welcome back, baby. I figure you maybe got some stories. Love to hear them.” I smiled and she raised her glass and brought it forward I clicked mine against hers and took a sip.

“It’s a long story,” I said. “At least if I start from the very beginning.”

She smiled and winked at me and said, “We ain’t got nothing but time. Fire away, I’m here for it.”

She raised her eyebrows and winked over her straw between her lips, and I laughed and sighed.

Oh, where to begin, though?

Epilogue

Six months later…

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