Free Friendly Fire by Lorhainne Eckhart

Boise. If nothing comes of that, I’ll be inclined to go have a chat with the principal.”
    Logan took in the air confusion around Rose. She glanced away as if considering something before shaking her head and saying, “No, Sheriff, he told me plain as day that he was from Chicago. If there’s one thing I do well, it’s finding out everything about people. I’m not some scattered old woman who can’t remember what she had for breakfast. Julia must be mistaken.”
    Logan took in the determination in her expression. “Maybe so, but the fact remains, Rose, there’s something not quite right here. There’s one thing I don’t like, and that’s a missing piece in the puzzle. Right now, I bet you anything that Brent Maloney is hiding something; so I mean to get some answers,” he said, taking in the shared glance between Rose and Clinton.
    “Sheriff, you let me know where I can help,” Rose said before she was interrupted by the telephone ringing. She hurried away, and Logan listened as she answered in the background.
    “Clinton, start in Boise,” he said. “I think I might just go pay the principal of the school a visit right now.”
    “Her name’s Sue Griffin, Sheriff,” Rose called out over her shoulder, phone stuck to her ear, still talking to someone and listening to him at the same time. He glanced back at Clinton, who shrugged as if this was normal behavior from Rose.
    Logan would have to remember to be careful around her. Ears that could pick up anything could be useful; but they could also be a problem, if he wasn’t careful.
    ****
    Logan parked in front of the new, single-story, brick schoolhouse. He remembered hearing that the old one had burned down ten years back. The kids had been bussed to another district, for quite some time, until portables were brought in and a new school could be built. The building was first class, too; with a fancy playground and climbing apparatus that must have set the county back a dollar or two. The office was clearly marked at the front door along with a sign for visitors to check in.
    Logan stopped at the long counter. A woman with long gray hair was looking at the desk, writing something down with the phone to her ear. She glanced up and noticed Logan, and her blue eyes widened when she took in his gun and the sheriff badge pinned to his chest.
    “Sheriff, I’ll be right with you,” she said.
    Logan didn’t say a word as the woman hung up and then set a bright smile on her face. He could tell that beneath the surface, she seemed a little on edge. Maybe she was worried he’d shoot up the place.
    “I’m Logan Wilde, the new sheriff,” he began. “I was wondering if I could have a moment to speak with your principal.”
    Her eyes widened. “You want to speak with Sue? Is everything all right?” she added with way too much interest.
    “Everything’s fine. Is Sue in right now?” he asked.
    “Oh, yes.” She slid back her chair and hurried around the desk, tapping on an open door around the corner. She poked her head in and whispered loud enough that Logan could still make out what she was saying. “That new sheriff is here, the one—you know, who shot up Julia’s cafe? He’s cute, too.”
    Logan leaned on the counter when the secretary hurried back to her desk, a bright smile on her face.
    “Sue will be right with you,” she said.
    A second later, a woman with cropped hair strode out of the office. She appeared to be in her fifties and wore a light blue, knee-length skirt and matching suit jacket. She held out her hand. “Sheriff, I’m Sue Griffin, the principal here.”
    Logan took her warm hand. “Logan Wilde. I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time.” He waited a second, and both women exchanged a glance.
    “Yes, of course. What can I do for you?” she asked, not moving but resting her hand on the desktop.
    Logan gestured to her office, and she took on a startled look.
    “Of course,” she said, leading the way.
    Logan followed