Page 67 of Whispers of You
“What about your gut? You trust that, don’t you?” she pushed.
Lawson was quiet, but his lack of answer gave Amber everything she needed to keep pressing on.
“My gut has been screaming about Joe Sullivan for years. And I’m not the only one. If you don’t do something about him, people will take action on their own.”
Lawson stiffened, his back going rigid. “You’d better not be suggesting what I think you are, Raymond. That’ll cost you more than your job. You harass that boy, and I’ll take you into custody myself.”
Redness crept up Amber’s throat. “You would protect him over me? I’ve served with you foryears. I’m trying to keep the people of this town safe.”
“You need to take a break and get some perspective. I’m giving you paid time off tomorrow. Get your head on straight. If you can’t, you and I will be having another conversation altogether.”
Her cheeks puffed out as Amber struggled to get her breathing under control. Instead of saying anything, she whirled and stormed out of the office, knocking into me on her way past.
My gaze followed her as she charged through the desks and out the front door of the station. My insides twisted themselves into intricate knots. They pulsed and cramped with grief for everyone involved. Joe. Amber. The endless stream of people the shooting had marked.
As I turned back to Lawson’s office, I took him in. He leaned over his desk, his head resting on one hand as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
I stepped inside and quietly shut the door. Taking a seat, I studied the man who had been like a brother to me for my entire life. “What can I do?”
Lawson didn’t look up. “I wish there was something.”
“She’s hurting.”
“I know. But I can’t have her going out and doing something stupid just because she’s in pain.”
I made a humming noise in the back of my throat. “You’re right. And Joe doesn’t deserve this town being on his case. He’s already torn up because of how people around here treat him.”
Lawson straightened, sitting back in his chair. “If you can see that, why the hell can’t the rest of Cedar Ridge?”
I let out a long breath. “Because it’s easier to think there’s a bad guy. An outsider. Someone to look out for. But the truth is we all had a part in what those boys did.”
Lawson stared at me, not saying a word.
“They needed help, and they didn’t get it. We’re supposed to be a community. We look out for each other. People knew they weren’t getting the care they needed at home. But no one stepped in.” I swallowed hard. “I’ll never forget what they did. That terror. But it’s not as simple as two rotten apples. People made them that way.”
A muscle in Lawson’s jaw ticked. “You’re right. I’ve had some minor trouble from Joe, but nothing that would suggest this.” Lawson was quiet for a moment and then seemed to come to a conclusion. “I’m gonna have a word with him.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Lawson held up a hand to stop me. “I’ll do it out of uniform. Invite him to dinner. Seems like he could use a friend.”
My mouth curved. “You’re a good man.”
He grunted. “Don’t go spreading that around.”
Laughter bubbled out of me. “I hate to break it to you, but the rumor’s already out.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He motioned for the papers in my hand. “Those for me?”
“Abel’s end-of-the-month reports.”
Lawson took them from me. “You’d better go tell him to take lunch. If he doesn’t get fed after paperwork, he can be a real bear.”
I winced and glanced over my shoulder to see Abel muttering to himself. “That ship might’ve already sailed.”
Lawson chuckled. “Hurry. Maybe you can turn it around.”
I did exactly what he instructed, all but running back to our cubicles. “Paperwork dropped off. Why don’t you take lunch?”
Abel eyed me suspiciously. “I packed a lunch.”
