@xxtorpedo
It was a slow day for the sheriff. She had gone out to the jail to check in with the deputies and officers after a busy intake weekend, but after that, it was back to her office for paper work.
Lyla couldn’t complain too much about that, but she certainly missed being out in the field and being ‘in on the action’. When she was elected as sheriff, she hadn’t expected there would be so much office work and political events she would have to do. It was more about socializing and being likeable than being an officer of the law.
It kind of sucked. And she missed the uniform.
But the only good part was getting to clock out at six and head home. Well, Lyla didn’t have to punch a time card being that she was now on salary. So her routine was to turn her computer off, lock her office door, say bye to the ladies working the desk, and go.
Instead of heading home she went to the local grill for supper. Wayside Bar and Grill was a local favorite and was often packed but it was a slow Monday so it was just her and two others in the restaurant when she walked in.
“Hey, Tommy,” she threw up a hand as she settled down at the bar. “Can I get a beer? An’ my usual except no fries this time. A side salad.”
Tommy, the cook, stuck his head up at the window and frowned, “Has hell frozen over?”
“Nah,” Lyla laughed with a shake of her head, “I’m just tryin’ to eat a lil’ healthier.”
“No bun either for the burger?” He cocked his head with sass.
“Yes, sir. No bun.”
“Girl, if you wanted a tossed salad and piece o’ meat you at the wrong bar,” Tommy cackled but gave her no more grief as he disappeared to whip up her dinner. A second later, he hollered, “Sheriff, go on an’ grab you that beer from the cooler. I had to let my help go.”
Lyla got up and walked around the counter, “Yeah? Why’s that?”
“He got arrested in Lakeland county last night,” he appeared just long enough so she could see his scowl. “The dumbass was caught with an ounce of weed. Second time. He gonna be there for ninety days.”
She let out a soft sigh, grabbing the beer from the cooler and headed back to her seat, “M’sorry to hear that Tommy. You need some help? I can work a couple hours in the evenin’ when I get off.”
“You too sweet, Sheriff, but you don’t need to be caught workin’ a second job. People be runnin’ they mouths sayin’ you bored an’ you ain’t want tha’ now. I’m here to tell ya, baby.”
That was Tommy McCallister for you. Always giving out sound advice but couldn’t take it. Lyla appreciated it. He was a good man when he wasn’t prostituing himself out to men he didn’t know. But if it hadn’t been for Tommy, she never would have made it through her divorce after twenty years of marriage without him. He had been her best friend and rock through it all. A lot of people didn’t like her friendship with him, but that was of little consequence.
Her thoughts were interrupted with the diner door swung open and a blast of air care through. On instinct, Lyla turned quickly with her hand resting on her holster. She didn’t know what to expect but it certainly wasn’t some woman with similar hair standing in the door way.
“Evenin’,” she tilted her head to her in a welcoming fashion.
