Free A Reason To Breathe by C.P. Smith Page B

answered then turned and walked out of my office.
    “Fuck.” I did not need this complication with everything that was happening. I picked up Jenn’s folder then slammed it back down. Looking up at the window, I saw the Mayor walk to his truck. He looked up, then back at my window and saw me staring. Then the asshole put his finger to his forehead and with a grin, saluted me before he climbed his truck and drove away.
    “All right, asshole, game on,” I mumbled, as I grabbed Jenn’s file and headed down the hall to find Grady.
     
     
    *                             *                            *
     
    Jenn
     
     
           Running on empty and needing a boost, I stopped off at The Bean on Main Street, to grab a coffee to go before hitting the interstate back home. Mandy, one of the Barista’s I’d met when I first moved here, and had instantly hit it off with, was younger than me by nine years, single, and cute as a button. Short dark hair, brown eyes, and a pixie face; I had no doubt she was beating off men with a stick. We’d hung out a few times, movie, dinner, and a crafts fair in Ouray. I was hoping she was on duty and had time for a break, but when I pulled open the door I saw Barry at the counter. My immediate reaction was to turn tail and run; I’ve never been good with confrontation, and today’s incident at lunch made me uncomfortable. Needing to get some of the headaches out of my life, so I could concentrate on my story and what to do about a certain bossy Sheriff, I figured no time like the present and headed to the counter.
    “Hey, Mandy, Barry, you two doing good this evening?” Barry turned his head to me but didn’t offer up a smile. Mandy being Mandy jumped right in.
    “Hey, Jennifer, you done for the day?”
    “Yeah, just getting coffee to go, then heading home.”
    “What’s your poison?”
    “I’m not picky, something with chocolate in it.” Mandy moved to make the coffee, so I turned to Barry and smiled. Barry took a drink of his coffee studying me, so I searched for something to say.
    “I heard there was another killing.”
    “Not at liberty to talk about the case, Jennifer.” I nodded in return, understanding more than what was spoken. Damn.
    “Sorry, of course. Are you working tonight?”
    “Yup, just getting coffee for the road,” He replied while picking up his cup and keys and then turning to leave.
    “Well, stay safe.” I mumbled as he moved away from me.
    Barry stopped, looking back at me, saluted and then kept moving towards the door. When he reached it, he turned back and warned me once again about Jack.
    “Jennifer, remember what I said… Jack isn’t the type to settle down, just be careful.” I had no response to that. He was probably right, and I probably did need to keep my distance, someone just needed to inform Jack of that.
    I watched Barry walk out the door, and then turned around to find Mandy with a cup of coffee in her hand, and a smile on her face.
    “You’re like the shiny new toy.”
    “What’s like a shiny new toy?”
    “You are… All the men want you; all the woman want to be friends with you and all the old men want to protect you.”
    “Great, so what you’re saying is once the shine has worn off I’m screwed?”
    “Ha, yeah, probably, just like the rest of us. You’ll be a mere mortal once again and totally screwed over by men.”
    “Bitter much, Mandy?”
    “Hell yeah, men have been nothing but trouble for me.”
    “I’m so out of my league with these men asking me out. My only experience with dating was my husband twenty years ago.”
    “Heard the Sheriff curled your toes today outside of Mike’s,” She laughed and then wiggled her eyebrows.
    “Pfft, he curled my toes, my hair, and left me in a puddle.”
    “That good, Huh?”
    “Unfortunately, yes, that man throws me off balance. I wasn’t looking for a relationship, and he just keeps moving forward no matter how