Page 232 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

For the first time in my career… The badge wasn't the only thing pulling at me.

"Think about it," Sinclair said, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Blackridge needs a Sheriff."

He gave me one last nod before walking deeper into the station. I was still staring after him when the front doors slammed open.

"Well, look at this!"

Derek's voice echoed through the bullpen before I even saw him. He and Mason stepped inside carrying tactical duffel bags over their shoulders, looking like they'd walked straight out of another operation.

The state had finally reassigned them. Derek spotted me immediately and grinned like Christmas had come early.

"We leave you alone for a second and suddenly you're running the county?" he laughed. "Sheriff Reed."

"Don't."

"Oh, he's blushing," Derek called toward Mason. "Sheriff's blushing."

"I am not."

Mason dropped his duffel beside one of the desks with a heavy thud before looking me over.

"You know..." he said thoughtfully. "Sheriff Elias Reed."

He nodded to himself.

"I hate how much I like it."

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"I'm surrounded by idiots."

"Correction," Derek shot back. "Highly trained idiots."

"With government funding," Mason added.

I shook my head.

"You two are exhausting."

"We prefer entertaining."

The clerk called Derek over to sign his transfer paperwork. He disappeared toward the front counter, still talking loud enough for the entire station to hear.

"I better get free coffee whenever I come visit!"

"No," I called after him.

"Then I'm reporting you to the Mayor!"

Mason chuckled quietly beside me. The bullpen slowly faded into the background. For a while, neither of us spoke. We'd spent enough years working together to know silence wasn't awkward. It was comfortable. He studied me not the way detectives studied suspects. The way old friends noticed things other people missed.

"You look different."

"I showered."

He snorted.

"You smile now."