Page 54 of Not Mine to Rescue

“That bastard. You know, I have a castration kit Pop-pop used on the cows.”

It was wrong to laugh. Color me evil.

“That would be a felony, I think.” Wombat said.

But we were all thinking about it. “In case you’re tempted, it is.” Unfortunately.

“How do you know?” Wombat asked.

“What?”

“How do you know what’s a felony, and what’s not?”

That was simple. “Classification. Malum in se, which means ‘wrong in itself’ and refers to acts which violate moral or public principles like murder, rape, arson, and willful castration with malicious intent, so... by that scale, it is.”

“What if it’s a public service?” Lemon argued.

Wombat pointed at her. “Yeah, when you do it because everyone knows it should be done.”

“I’d have to prove that to the jury.”

“Is there a book where this is all written down?” Wombat asked.

“Several. But if you had to pick one source I suppose you could consult a legal dictionary for most of the terms.”

“That’s a thing?” Lemon asked.

Oh yes. I described the volume I had at home. “I have two copies. I’ll bring one over.” I never used the second book.

“Cool.” Wombat grinned from ear to ear.

Lemon stuck her thumb at him. “He’s actually read the dictionary. I haven’t.”

“I read everything.” He flushed as he realized he spoke the words. “Forget I said that.”

“Reading is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Lemon laughed. “It is when they’re my smutty books.”

His color deepened. “That’s enough.”

My cheeks heated as well. “I think reading is the start of a great education.”

Lemon couldn’t hold her snort in. “I’ll bet.”

Wombat cleared his throat. “Sis? Leave.”

“What? Did you get all hot and bothered and now need to talk to your girlfriend alone?”

He tipped his head. “It’s either that, or I kick your ass. Pick your poison.”

She pointed at him. “You don’t want to commit a felony.”

He took a swipe at her, which she dodged.

“Missed me.” She danced away a bit farther. “Oh, and Honor told me last week she’s got wicked plans for you!”

“Traitor!” I yelled at her. She laughed and kept laughing until she disappeared into the house.