Lawfully Challenged

by Ginny Sterling

  There was a timbre to Wesson’s voice that she’d not heard before. She tore her eyes from the range to look over her shoulder at where Wesson stood. His face was unreadable, eyes piercing. His brown hair was now slightly disheveled, and a lock fell on his forehead from where the combed back wet locks had dried and curled up. His stern expression had softened slightly as he watched her. His dark eyes were unreadable, as if he were trying to hide something from her… or himself.

  “You aren’t talking about just Duchess, are you?” she blurted out before her brain could stop the rush of words from flying out of her mouth. She wished she could take it back, but it was out there now. Had he been describing her or the dog? If it was the dog, she’d be humiliated. If it was her? She was slightly miffed at the term flighty being applied to her persona. Swallowing hard, she stared at him looking for any signs that she was wrong or that she’d messed up by speaking aloud her thoughts. Seeing no condemnation in his face, they looked at each other as if they were measuring up the other person. Almost like two wrestlers sizing up each other in the ring before a fight.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Thank you – I think. Flighty? Really?” she asked, her eyebrow arching at the description. She’d never been called flighty in her life. Daydreamer, yes. Unorganized, of course. But flighty? Cops couldn’t be flighty or distracted. It could get someone injured or killed. She was slightly insulted by the comment, but the expression on his face was the only thing that made her realize that it wasn’t meant as an insult but affectionately.

  “Flighty.” Wesson acknowledged, repeating it again with a wide smile that made her knees go weak. Oh yes, definitely a term of endearment. Her heart thumped wildly, and she looked away from him, suddenly unsure of herself. He crossed his arms on his chest and propped one foot up behind him to lean on the wall. “Go ahead, fire off a few. Release her leash first and order her to sit.”

  Cindy did so and was pleased to see Duchess obey the simple command the first time. Drawing her gun, she pulled the trigger and jumped at the loud pop that was enclosed in the basement. Normally when she went to a range, she wore ear protection. Duchess couldn’t though, and it didn’t seem very fair that she be exposed to what could be a terrifying sound – and she wasn’t.

  To her surprise, Duchess sat there quietly wagging her tail happily. She had a sudden sinking feeling in her stomach that maybe her initial thoughts that giving her the Malinois was genuinely a set up after all. But that couldn’t be! She acted like she was listening when Cindy spoke to her. Could she be acclimated to the sound of gunfire already? And if so, how?

  “It doesn’t bother her at all? Is she deaf or was she trained for someone else?”

  “No,” Wesson admitted easily with a small laugh. “She’s been exposed a few times. Want to fire off a few more? Or maybe talk while we have a moment alone?” He uncrossed his arms and stuck his hands in his pockets. His dark eyes sparkled in the fluorescent lights as he looked at her. The man was too good-looking to be in a small room with. The tiny range suddenly felt like the walls were closing in around her.

  “Talk about what?”

  “Tell me about yourself.”

  “Why?” she asked warily. Wasn’t he taken already? Having him look at her with intent and purpose was heady. She’d never, ever be the other woman or a homewrecker! But having him focused on her made her hands itch to smooth that lock from his forehead and feel that scratchy beard. The temptation was there, and she was fighting it with everything in her.

  “Because I’d like to know the real you that isn’t in the folder that your chief gave me.”

  “I thought you were seeing someone or married?” she asked candidly, embarrassed that her voice sounded hopeful. She quickly crossed her arms on her chest, almost as if she wanted to protect herself.

  “Nope.”

  “What about that blond woman that keeps showing up?” Her face reddened and she hoped he couldn’t see it. She didn’t want to know about her, but she wasn’t going to fall for the world’s oldest trick in the book either. She was confident enough to never be someone’s toy. And if that floozy was still sniffing around, then she wasn’t interested either – despite what her body told her!

  “She’s not my concern.”

  “I’m willing to bet money that she thinks that she is!” The coolness of his words stung her. She almost felt sorry for the woman, to be tossed callously aside like this. That irked her to no end.

  “Are you jealous?” The hopeful smile on his handsome face made her want to wipe it right off, except she had no intention of being down here alone with him much longer. This was obviously a ploy to get her alone and she wasn’t a fan of it at all.

  “I have absolutely no reason to be.”

  “Is Perkins seeing you?” Wesson suddenly asked, putting his boot down off the wall and standing. He’d stopped leaning against the wall and didn’t look casual anymore. He looked… disturbed at the idea. His eyes were looking away from her and a frown marred is brow.

  “Perkins?” she squeaked out shocked. The idea of Perkins being her significant other made her skin crawl. The man was positively abhorrent and annoying. “Absolutely not!”

  “Good.”

  “You’re something, you know that? You think that you can get me alone and just start chatting it up like we are buddies? You have snapped at me, yelled at me and practically unloaded on me several times! I just don’t get it.” She finally blurted out the questions that she’d been dying to ask for the last few weeks. “Are you picking on me? Did I do something to you? Resemble someone you dislike?”

  “Not at all, but I do expect more out of you.”

  “Settle for less, okay? You are giving me a complex!” she retorted. She knew that she sounded like a nag, unloading on him like this, but it was all true. She’d truly felt picked on and now he was wanting to chit chat? He looked almost happy that she wasn’t dating Perkins. But frankly, it was none of his business who she chose to date.

  “I’ve never settled in my life and won’t start now. When you settle for something or don’t give it your all – things happen. People get hurt. When you dedicate yourself or want something, you go after it. You don’t settle.”

  “We are training. No one’s gonna get hurt.”

  “I am trying my hardest to keep it that way. Do you have any hobbies you like?”

  “I think we are done with the lesson. Aren’t we?” Cindy suddenly cut off and headed towards the stairs, Duchess following close behind. He was pursuing her, and it was obvious. “I don’t know that I am ready to talk about myself with you or anyone else. Maybe in the future when training is over or, or…” she hesitated and saw the cold mask he wore in class was suddenly in place as he followed her from the range.

  “No problem.”

  “Are you sure because I don’t want to be on clean up duty in the yard anymore.” Cindy threw that in for good measure. She’d spoke her mind, might as well get it all out in the open and off her chest while she had his undivided attention. The expression on his face was almost stony as he stared at the wall, avoiding eye contact.

  “Duly noted. I will keep it strictly business, Officer Lance.”

  Walking up the stairs, her mind was swamped with feelings of regret and sadness. Everything in her kept saying that she’d made a mistake pushing him away. She knew it wasn’t one, however. He didn’t seem like he was available, even if he claimed he was. She couldn’t afford to be distracted by a romantic entanglement that could cause drama or conflict for her at work.

  As she took her seat, she watched as others took their turns heading down and she could hear the pops as they shot off their guns. This embarrassed her because if she could hear their guns firing, they could also hear hers. She’d only shot a few rounds. The rest of the time, they’d been alone and talking. The others didn’t know that! They looked at her and she imagined that they were judging her or assuming the worst. Perhaps poo-duty wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to her
.

  The day dragged by and it couldn’t end soon enough for Cindy. She assumed that she would be chosen again to clean the yard in retaliation for her turning him down. Instead, she almost grinned as Perkins was ordered to do it. Perkins grumbled and muttered under his breath as they filed out of the building.

  She chanced a glance at Wesson, only to see him looking down at the desk sorting through papers. She wanted to say thank you yet couldn’t. Instead, she walked out of the room with Duchess into the evening air. She headed to her squad car and sat inside for several moments with it running, staring at the building and lost in thought. The others pulled out of the parking lot and yet she remained until she saw a little, black roadster pull in. Sure enough, and just like clockwork, that blond woman arrived dressed in a short, strappy sundress that would make your momma blush.

  Shaking her head, she threw the car in reverse and backed out of the parking lot. He’d lied. The proof of it strutted down to the building where Wesson was still located and looked like she owned the place. The regret was gone from earlier, replaced with a sadness she couldn’t explain.

  Four

  Cindy pulled her car into the parking lot of the A&P grocery. It was a small store that seemed to have been there in town forever. There weren’t many large chains here, much less a big-box grocery store. Walking in, she held the leash tightly and grabbed a cart. She was tired, miserable and planned on trying to do away with the sadness she felt right now.

  Picking up a box of Epsom salt, as well as a few other necessities, she headed to the front of the store where the empty registers sat to get in line at the one that was open. Small town, small demand. Tonight, she’d go home and soak in a hot bath with a pint of ice cream. Tomorrow she intended to lay out and had picked up a small, blow up pool, so she didn’t cook in the sun. Plus, it would give Duchess someplace cool to play as well until her nails tore up the plastic. That was okay in her book because she only intended to use it for a bit. It would serve its purpose and then be disposed of.

  Distracted, Cindy didn’t even realize that everyone had stopped around her and they were staring. Glancing up from the magazine she was thumbing through in the checkout line, she came face to face with an angry set of eyes and a large mass of blond, frizzy hair.

  “You tramp!”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me! You stole my man!”

  “Miss, lower your voice –”

  “Why? Because you don’t want the town knowing that you stole my man? What a piece of trash you are?” Cindy was surprised to see that she wasn’t crushed or crying. Instead, she looked like an angry child that had their favorite toy taken away. Didn’t she care about him or what he must be feeling? Didn’t she care how carrying on in public would be tied to them both?

  “That’s enough now,” Cindy began in a calm voice only to be interrupted yet again.

  “No! You listen to me!”

  “Miss, you are causing a public disturbance. Do not make me take you in.” Cindy put on her calmest expression and set down the magazine she had in her hand. Duchess sat next to her and was watching the woman. In a very controlled movement, she wrapped the leash around her wrist one more time. If this distraught woman made a move to attack her, she didn’t want Duchess to attack. They’d not covered that yet in class and she wasn’t completely sure that “sit” or “heel” would make her behave.

  “Why? For saying the truth?”

  “Penny?” Cindy kept her eyes trained on the blond yet turned and spoke with the cashier in a very cool, tight voice. She needed to distance herself and Duchess from the situation that was becoming out of control. She would either be leaving the scene, or she would be arresting the woman so she had some time to cool off. “If you can put this up for me in the freezer? I’ll be back for it shortly, once I have finished down at the station.”

  “Yes, Officer Lance.” The young girl stared at her, wide-eyed at the scene. Cindy could only imagine what the others must be thinking as she saw that it wasn’t only the cashier and the customer ahead of her, but the manager had exited his office to see the public fiasco as well as the produce clerks and several stock boys. Everyone wanted to see what the excitement was!

  “You aren’t arresting me, you hussy! You can have him, if you want him that badly!” She stormed out, her heels clacking behind her loudly. Her fists were bunched up angrily and she slammed one against the door glass as it didn’t move out of her way fast enough.

  Cindy attempted to look casual. She went back to thumbing through the magazine and prayed that everyone else would get back to what they were doing as well. Small town drama tended to spread like wildfire and become exaggerated as the story was told and retold. She didn’t know what bothered her more: the idea of the gossip that she’d be the center of or the fact that Wesson had ended any relationship he’d had with the woman. Was it because he was interested in her that he’d done so?

  Her hands were trembling as she held the magazine nonchalantly in an attempt to act normal. She finally heard the beeping of the register again, as it continued ringing up the woman that stood in front of her in line. It was sure to be all over by tomorrow that she had taken someone else’s significant other.

  She wanted that bath, ice cream and, perhaps, a good cry at the confusion her soul felt. Her peaceful world had been turned upside down and she wanted that serenity back. She thought she was ready for change, but maybe it was a bit more than she was expecting. Change could come in many forms and it might not be just little Duchess. Perhaps, tonight after indulging in all three guilty pleasures, she’d spend some time asking for guidance at how best to move forward during her prayers this evening. Until then, she would do her best to have everything settle down around her and avoid any conflict that might arise.

  Five

  July 2016

  “Officer Lance! Why do you not have your animal on a leash?” Wesson roared out in disbelief at her arrival this morning. It had been five weeks of grueling lessons with Duchess and the horrible Mad-dog Wesson. It seemed like every single day she was doing something that caused him to frown or yell at her. The last week was the most peace she’d had at the kennels until he’d asked to get to know her. He’d backed off of her during training, but his expression and words burned in her mind. That fiasco at the grocery store had made her nervous and she found herself avoiding heading into town, instead hanging around the house and practicing with Duchess at home.

  “Sir, permission to speak?” She stood at attention and looked at a spot just over his shoulder, refusing to look at those harsh, black eyes that she knew were burning with intensity. He was frustrated and angry – and it showed! She was still trying her best to find peace in her own turbulent life. She’d found herself wondering what had happened between Wesson and the blond… and what it would mean for her.

  “Please do! Speak away, Princess!”

  “It’s Duchess,” Cindy bit out carefully, correcting him and ignoring the snickering laughter around her. No doubt, they had heard the rumors of the confrontation at the grocery store and had noticed that the blond woman was not coming around anymore. It didn’t take rocket science to put it all together. “Not Princess. And I have bonded with my animal. She listens, obeys, and we trust each other.”

  “Oh really?” Wesson drawled in disbelief and wonder on his handsome face. “You hear that? They trust each other! Officer Lance knows better than I do on how to raise her dog. Smith! Get me a sleeve, NOW!” He angrily looked at her directly. Why? Shouldn’t he be glad that she felt confident in her bond with Duchess? She was learning rapidly and felt like she was progressing in lightning pace compared to the others.

  “A sleeve?” Cindy questioned as Smith raced into the building and returned with a large, padded bite sleeve and guard. Watching the scene unfold, she felt sick to her stomach as she realized that he was going to have Duchess attack the poor man. Or perhaps, she’d get to see Duchess gnaw on Wesson a bit since he insisted on calling her “Princes
s” all the time. To her absolute horror, Wesson grinned wolfishly and threw the sleeve at Cindy’s feet.

  “Three. Twoooooo,” he drawled out pointedly and crossed his arms on his chest. That smug, arrogant smile made her skin crawl and gave her goosebumps. Cindy flew into action as she realized that he was going to have the dog attack her, not himself or Smith. She yanked the sleeve onto her arm forcibly just in time as he counted down to one. Her hands shaking in disbelief at what was about to occur, she braced herself.

  “One.” Cindy glanced up in time to see Wesson uncross his arms and hunker down like he was prepping for a fight. It was she that needed to be prepared, right? Or was this another lesson? Then she heard the command in his strong voice.

  “Duchess! ATTACK!”

  Her sweet Malinois that she’d petted, groomed, fed and loved over the last several weeks became some feral demon she didn’t recognize. Brutal, tearing, grunting whirls of fur and teeth were hurled at her in record time. Hard pressure on her forearm as Duchess clamped down on the padded sleeve caught her by surprise, causing her to grunt in pain. Her eyes broke contact from Wesson’s but not before she saw his face pale and his expression become pinched. Her eyes closed against the pain and shut out everything around her but what was happening in this very moment. Handle the situation, Cindy! she thought frantically as she heard snapping and growling. She was jerked bodily around and staggered to keep from losing her footing in the grass.

  Thank God for the padding!

  “Duchess!” Cindy roared with force that made her throat raw with the effort. “Duchess! SIT! DOWN!” – and just like that, Duchess abruptly released the padded sleeve, allowing her to breath in relief as the pain disappeared. She sat on the grass, looking up at her and wagging her tail expectantly. Horrified, she stared at Duchess’ happy face and caught her breath. Her heart was beating a mile a minute at the experience.