Page 87 of Warrant
“It’s alright,” I told her. “I’m the same way.”
“Yeah, I’m actually not sure who would be worse with the questions,” Maya mused, “a cop or a reporter.”
“Reporter,” everyone, including Mona, said together.
We all laughed at that.
There were only two of the three county commissioners sitting here, the third had left town before I got here and was helping out her sick sister in Chicago. I hoped to meet her one of these days, but two out of three would have to do. Plus, having Harlow here was a bonus as well. It meant I only had to do this once.
I waited until the waiter took my order, then I pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Kaisa.
“What’s this?” she asked, unfolding and scanning it. She looked up at me in shock as she handed it over to Maya. “But…why?”
“What?” Harlow asked, her eyes narrowing.
“She’s resigning as sheriff,” Maya murmured.
Everyone stared at me, silent. Though I could tell it was taking all of Harlow’s willpower to remain quiet. Looking around to make sure no one was listening, I told them, “I’m in love with Warrant.”
The squeals and happy sounds were loud in the restaurant and completely took over the previous somber mood.
“We’re so happy for you,” Rae said once everyone settled down.
“We are,” Harlow agreed. “But I don’t get why that means you have to resign? You’ve been the best sheriff we’ve had in over a decade.”
“I can’t be involved with Warrant, and inadvertently with the Berserker’s Rage, and do my job.” I was purposely leaving out everything to do with Linstrom. I couldn’t admit to that right now. I planned to tell Warrant. He’d find out anyway. But somewhere between some kids getting kidnapped and then all of us being attacked in my home, I started believing in vigilante justice. That the ends justified the means. I couldn’t continue being in law enforcement if I felt that way.
That was my number one reason for leaving. Warrant was just the cherry on top. That sense of justice my mother had spoken about was warped now. And I wasn’t even upset about it because it saved the lives of two kids. How could I feel remorse for the deaths of men who were going to hurt, or kill, kids? I couldn’t bring myself to. So it was time to leave. On my own terms. In my own time. It was best that way.
“Why not?” Harlow demanded. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“It is,” Melody said, cutting off what was sure to be a long tirade from Harlow. “I get it.” She smiled at me. “We’re expected to be impartial. Neutral. We can’t give that up and still do our jobs.”
“Exactly,” I said, so glad that someone else finally understood how I was feeling. “I’d be compromising my morals every time they… Well, I’d be compromising my morals for him. This way, I won’t have to.”
“You’re choosing love over duty,” Rae said with a soft sigh. “That’s so romantic.”
Kaisa snorted. “Look, I get it. I’d probably do the same, but it’s a damn shame you’re going to lose the job you worked so hard for.”
“Will you leave law enforcement completely?” Maya asked.
“I’ll have to,” I told her with a wry grin. “But I’ll find something else that fulfills me.”
“Is he worth it?” Mona asked after a couple of beats of silence.
“I really think he is,” I admitted. “And, on the bright side, if he’s not, I’ll dump his ass and get hired back on as a deputy.”
I grinned at them all. It’d taken me almost another week to come to this decision. And it probably wasn’t right that I was telling my friends before I’d even let Warrant know.
But I needed to cut ties before I let him in on my secret. Otherwise he might try to talk me out of it. He wasn’t going to be happy that I was doing this. I knew it. He’d want me to keep being the sheriff. Not because it helped him out, but because it was what I wanted. And if he really loved me like he claimed, he’d want me to be happy.
But that was the thing.Hewas what I wanted. I’d decided that taking a chance on him was something I couldn’t pass up. I was mostly okay with my decision. I’d need to mope a little now that I’d done the actual deed and quit. But I’d get over it.
Digging into my pocket, I pulled out my badge and handed it over to Maya. She stared down at the gold shield and shook her head. “If you’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” I didn’t know what I was going to do with my time, but I’d figure something out. I was making the right decision. I was doing this for myself.
“I’m not sure whether to be happy for you, or depressed,” Harlow announced, but she smiled at me. “I think I’ll have to be sad for us for a while for losing you.”
