Page 100 of The Wounded Warrior

Luke rolled into the sheriff’s department a minute or so later, wheeling right up the desk. “Hey, I have an appointment with Sheriff Neeley.”

“Hey, Luke. Give him two shakes, huh? He’s on thephone.”

“Not a problem.” He peered at the desk sergeant. “Lord have mercy, Danny. When did you become a cop?”

“I went to the Academy after I got out of the Army. It’s a good job.”

“Good deal. You look like civilian life agrees with you.”

“I’m happy. You look like you’re doing well. I saw you on your crutches the other day, too. You’re moving like a pro.”

“Thanks.” He and Danny had graduated together and had gone off to basic at the same time. Danny had been Army all the way, though.

Jake came out of his office. “Luke. Hey. Sorry, man. I was on the phone with my mom. She’s…a mom.”

“Of course she is.” He rolled up to shake Jake’s hand. “Thanks for seeing me.”

“Any time. Come on in.”

Luke followed Jake into his office, where the chairs had been moved for him to settle in front of the desk on his own.

“So, what’s up, Luke?”

“I want to know where we are on Doug Harris. He’s trying to kill my guy, Jake. It needs to stop.” No sense pussyfooting.

“Yeah, the two shooters flipped on Harris. There are going to be charges filed.”

“What about the bartender?”

“Not yet.”

“Damn.” They should never have let him leave the restaurant. Two Senoritas had given them the guy’s name and address, but he’d skipped town. “Well, at least he won’t be here to poison Rory a third time.”

“No shit. I’m sorry about the whole thing with the truck. I just thought he was overreacting.”

“I get it. I thought he was just really fucked up the first time with the beer. That was some kind of date rape drug, I bet. The second time I guess the guy was improvising.”

“Well, you hadn’t made reservations, right?”

“No. Not at all.” Could you even make reservations at Two Senoritas?

“I was joking, man. Sarcasm, only one of the services we offer.”

“Oh.” Luke shook his head. “I didn’t know cops were allowed to have a sense of humor.”

“I’m an aberration, what can I say?”

“In many ways,” Luke agreed. “So what kind of proof do I need to get Harris arrested, Jake? This needs to be over.”

“I think the county district attorney is going to have him arrested, but they have to build a case.”

“Okay. What does he need?”

Jake scowled at him. “For guys like you and Rory not to get killed trying to force his hand. The old guy is a nutbag. He’ll fuck up.”

“He’s a fuck up. Seriously, I want this over. I have plans that don’t include dealing with that asshole anymore.” Big plans. Some sexual plans.

“Stop it. Just stop looking like that.” Jake pointed a finger at him. “Harris sees y’all being gay as a weakness, so he’ll come after you if you’re not careful.”

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