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“ L oosen up, Lulu. Have some fun.”

Lulu shouldn’t have come here tonight. She and Kai had been convinced by Chase and Henry to come out for a quick drink now that they had returned to town. They’d hit the barbecue joint for dinner, and then headed to one of the local watering holes. One of Chase’s friends from his high school years had a band, and they were playing tonight.

The band was pretty good, too, playing covers of famous rock songs. They were good musicians, and the lead singer had a good voice. People were dancing and even singing along to a few songs, and Chase had chided her for not letting loose a bit.

“You should be celebrating,” he said. “I’ve seen you dance on top of a bar in your favorite cowboy boots on a far less happy occasion than finding a killer. What’s going on?”

Lulu didn’t regret her wild and woolly ways - much - but she liked to think that perhaps she’d matured a bit over time. Dancing on top of a bar was fun, but it didn’t seem like something that a sheriff should do.

Now, in the privacy of her own home? That was a different story. She was still the lead singer of her own girl band, singing into her hairbrush while jumping around her room and on top of her bed, giving the concert of a lifetime to her devoted - but imaginary - fans. Brianna and Amanda had often joined in, their voices harmonizing pretty damn well for amateurs. In another life, they might have been pop stars.

In a completely different parallel dimension, where people with mediocre talent could become rich and famous.

“I am celebrating,” Lulu replied. “I’m just relaxing a bit.”

“I thought that’s what you did over the weekend,” Henry said as the band wrapped up their song to take a break.

“I did, and now I’m still doing it.”

Kai gave her a sideways glance but didn’t say anything. They’d “relaxed” in just about every room of the cabin, including the shower.

A shadow fell across the table and Lulu looked up to see Glen Foster standing there, a grin on his lips.

“Looks like you did it, Lu,” he said loudly enough for a few heads to whip around at the sound of his voice. “I have to admit that I was skeptical. Hell, we were all skeptical. Didn’t think a woman could take over your dad’s job, but I was wrong. You did pretty good. A lot of people are eating crow now.”

She could feel those eyes on her. Again. They were staring, watching her reaction closely. They hadn’t believed in her before, and to be honest, she doubted they truly believed in her now that she’d caught a killer. She had a distinct memory of her dad telling her that some people would never be convinced of anything, even when it was right before their eyes.

And some of those people lived right here in Harper.

There were always going to be people watching her, waiting for her to fail. They’d revel in her humiliation because for a few minutes, hours, days, or maybe even weeks, it made them forget how miserable they were in their own lives.

If she worried about them all the time, she’d never get anything done, and she’d be as unhappy and nasty as they were.

I don’t want to be like that. I won’t tie myself up in knots for their approval.

Lulu would never get it anyway. The only way to win was not to play. It was freeing to finally get that through her head. She’d always known it, but she hadn’t truly believed it. She’d kept thinking that she could change their minds.

I can’t, and I’m not going to waste my time trying. They don’t get to control me that way.

Glen was waiting for her response to his kind of compliment. She wasn’t sure what to say. If anyone was eating crow for dinner tonight that was their business. It had never been a contest. She hadn’t won a trophy or a blue ribbon.

Someone yelled Glen’s name from across the room, and he gave Lulu a wave before heading in the direction. She didn’t need to reply at all.

“Is it just me or do you not seem as happy as everyone else that you solved a murder?” Henry asked softly.

“I’m having my doubts about Allie’s guilt,” Lulu admitted. “Kai and I were talking about on the drive home. We’re going to look into a few things now that we’re back.”

“What few things?”

“Like who might have been able to plant the weapon in Allie’s apartment,” Lulu explained. “Her landlord, a maintenance person, or maybe her roommate or a friend.”

“With friends like that, who needs enemies?” Henry said. “You know, I can check out a couple of those items for you. I have a few computer skills I can use.”

“Nothing illegal,” she replied in a warning tone. “I mean it, Henry. Don’t hack the Pentagon or anything. You could do some serious time for that.”

“I’m an ethical hacker,” Henry emphasized, giving her an eye roll. “And I’m paid quite handsomely for it, so I’m not going to mess up that sweet gig. Don’t worry. Legal all the way. I’m too pretty for prison.”

“I can’t disagree with that.”

Later when the band came back from break, Kai asked her to dance when they played a slow song. She happily melted into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder. The tension she’d been carrying all day seemed to dissolve as she closed her eyes and concentrated on him, blocking the rest of the chaotic world.

“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” she asked with a small sigh as they barely moved to the slow ballad.

“That’s a loaded question,” Kai chuckled. “Can you be more specific?”

“About the investigation.”

“I think you should listen to your instincts. Anything else?”

“No, just that. I don’t think I’m as crazy-wild as I used to be.”

“I’ve heard some stories,” he admitted, his lips close to her ear. His breath tickled her cheek. “Since you and I started seeing each other, a few people have stopped me on the street to tell me a story about your wild youth.”

Oh, my stars. That cannot be good. There were some doozies.

“I’m more mature now.”

“You are, but don’t lose that zest for life, Lulu. Never lose that. I admire that about you. It’s special…and rare these days.”

“You wouldn’t care if I hopped up on the bar and danced? You wouldn’t be embarrassed?”

His arms tightened around her as his hand slid over her shoulders and his lips brushed her temple.

“Nope, I’d cheer and remind myself that I am one lucky son of a bitch. You be you, Lulu Reilly. You let me be myself, too. I’ve never felt so relaxed around anyone in my life. You just accept me for who I am. You’re not trying to twist me into someone you think I need to be. I want to be that place for you.”

While Kai’s parents sounded like mostly wonderful people, Lulu had a feeling that they’d spent a good deal of time trying to make Kai into something he simply didn’t want to be. Like a cutthroat corporate lawyer attending fancy cocktail parties and dating supermodels.

“How about you take me home, and I’ll show you just how much I love you,” she suggested as the music stopped. “And how I don’t want you to change.”

“Woman, you are brilliant.”

She’d take that compliment and cherish it. She wasn’t brilliant, of course, but every now and then she had a good idea.

Getting naked with this hunk of man who was currently looking at her like she hung the moon?

A very smart choice indeed.

She’d leave all her cares and worries for tomorrow. Tonight, she’d concentrate on the man she’d fallen in love with.

It was almost dinnertime the next day, and Kai was putting the finishing touches on an article for the online newspaper about a microbrewery-slash-restaurant opening one town over. He’d interviewed the owner in the morning, and he wanted to get it loaded to the website before he met Lulu for dinner.

Lulu.

He hadn’t planned to fall in love, but here he was, happy as hell. He walked around with a smile on his face pretty much twenty-four-seven, he was so in love with this woman. This amazing, wonderful, full of vinegar and spunk woman. She could dance on bars, jump from airplanes, race her car down deserted roads, and generally make some noise, and he was fine with all of it. He hoped he got through to her last night that she didn’t have to change to be loved.

He loved her. All of her. The good, the bad, the goofy, the crazy, the devoted best friend, and the dedicated sheriff, too.

The door to the newspaper office swung open, and Henry strolled in looking quite satisfied with himself if his smug smile was any indication.

“I have some information for her that she wanted,” Henry said. “But she’s working, so I thought I’d give it to you.”

“We’re supposed to meet for dinner in about an hour. Have you called or sent a text?”

“I did send a couple of texts, but she hasn’t replied yet, so I’m guessing she’s busy. To be honest, I was getting antsy to tell her, which is why I’m here,” Henry admitted.

“She’s probably out handling a call,” Kai replied. “May I ask what you found?”

“It was simple really,” Henry said. “All I had to do was look up the property tax records for the county, and I found it. Ray Ramsey is Allie’s landlord.”

“The town councilman?”

“That’s him. Lulu said you two were looking into people that had access to Allie’s apartment and could have planted the pipe that killed Dana Cartwright.”

“We are, and that’s interesting. I’d planned to look at the property records myself today, but I got bogged down with work.”

“I had some free time, so it was no big deal.”

“I do appreciate it. It’s not all that surprising, though. Ramsey is a real estate agent, and he’s involved with several properties in the area. I just didn’t realize he owned that particular building.”

“What happens now? Do you go talk to Ray Ramsey?” Henry asked. “He probably knows who all have keys to the building, including any maintenance people.”

Kai wanted to speak with Ramsey, but ideally, Lulu should be there as well.

“After we talk to Ramsey, you can go to dinner with us.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Henry replied. “Can I vote for pizza? Is there a vote being taken?”

“Pizza is fine with me. We’ll see what Lulu wants.”

The buzzing of Henry’s phone interrupted their dinner planning.

“It’s Lulu,” he said. “I’ll put her on speaker. Hey, Lu. It’s me and Kai here.”

“I got your message,” Lulu said. “I had to make a trip to the Perry ranch today. They’re having problems with ATV riders on their land. What’s up? What did you find?”

“Henry found it,” Kai clarified. “He was just telling me about it.”

“I found out the person who owns Allie’s building,” Henry explained. “It’s Ray Ramsey. From what I can see, he owns several houses and a few apartment buildings in town. He would know everyone who has keys to the building.”

“That’s great,” Lulu said. “I can ask him for the names so we can check them out. I’m headed back to town now, and I’m planning to stop at the ranch on the way to change clothes. I feel grubby after my shift. I can try and stop by his office afterward and ask him.”

“Are you sure? We can do it,” Kai offered. “It sounds like you’ve had a busy day, and we only need to get a list of names from him.”

“I’m not going to argue with you. I’m exhausted and just want a shower. The sports bar is just two doors down from his office, though. How about we meet there for dinner?”

Kai gave Henry a questioning look as to whether the sports bar was okay. He’d been the one wanting pizza, after all.

Plus, Lisa worked there. Had she and Henry worked things out?

“A cheeseburger might hit the spot,” Henry said with a nod. “We can do pizza tomorrow night.”

“We wanted pizza?” Lulu asked. “Oh wait. Lisa. We can go somewhere else, Henry.”

“Lisa isn’t working tonight,” Henry replied with a shake of his head. “It’s fine. Even if she was working tonight, we’re both in a small town. We’re going to see one another now and then. We can have pizza another night. Kai?”

“I’m starving and not picky,” Kai declared. “We’ll see you soon then.”

Hopefully, this meeting would help move the investigation forward. Was Allie Baker innocent, guilty, or one-half of a criminal pair?

It was time to find out for sure.

All Kai wanted was to have some dinner and then curl up next to Lulu for the rest of the night. It had been a long day, and he was ready to relax a bit.

But that relaxation would have to wait a bit. He needed to stop by Ray Ramsey’s real estate office and see if he could give him a list of who might have a key to Allie Baker’s apartment.

That shouldn’t take long, right? How many people could it be? Two or three?

“There’s something about this guy that gives me the creeps,” Henry remarked as they approached the building. “I don’t know what it is or why. He just does. Maybe it’s just me.”

“No, I get what you’re saying,” Kai admitted. “I think it’s because we know that Ramsey wants something from us. He wants us to buy or sell a house. I think he sees relationships mostly transactional in nature.”

“That’s a sad way to live.”

Kai couldn’t argue the sentiment. It was a sad way to live. He’d seen it in others, and it never led anywhere good in the long run.

He parked on the street in front of the building and walked into the deserted reception area. It was already after six, and the employees might have already left for the day. There was a hallway behind the reception desk, and at the far end, it looked like an office door was open and the light was on.

The front door had been unlocked, and he had seen Ray Ramsey’s sedan parked behind the small brick building.

“Ray?” he called out. “Are you here? It’s Kai Oliver and Henry Austin.”

Ray Ramsey stuck his head out of the office door, a big smile on his face.

“Come on in. This is a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure? Let me guess. Your city friend is thinking about buying a house here in town. Good choice. Real estate is an excellent investment.”

Henry was not planning a real estate purchase. According to Lulu, she wasn’t even sure he was going to stick around Harper. He’d already been here longer than his original plan. He’d just come to help get her settled in her new job, but then…murder happened.

Kai gave Henry a questioning glance and received a shake of the head in return.

No, he’s not buying a house.

He walked down the hall and into Ray’s office where the man was beginning to pack up papers into his briefcase.

“Have a calendar,” Ray offered, holding out one of those calendars with a magnet. He even had his smiling face and phone number on it, too. It was the same one that Ramsey had given Lulu for her new home. She’d put it on her refrigerator. “So, is your friend looking for a house? I can think of a few good candidates in the county. One is completely move-in ready. The other might need some TLC. Tell me, are you handy with a hammer and nails?”

“Not in the least,” Henry replied. “I consider myself mechanically declined, if you know what I mean.”

Ramsey laughed at the joke a little too hard.

“He’s not actually looking for a house,” Kai explained. “We’re here on another matter. I was here to see if I could get a list of people that would have a key to Allie Baker’s apartment.”

Frowning, Ray shook his head.

“I don’t quite understand. Why do you need a list like that? What’s going on?”

“I’m just doing a little more investigation. It’s for an article I’m writing.”

Kai didn’t want to go into great detail. That hinky feeling that Henry had spoken about was back and more intrusive than ever.

“More investigation? Why? Tony didn’t mention that he needed the police to do any more investigating.”

“This isn’t about anything the police are doing. This is for me. It’s just a few routine questions. It’s not a big deal.”

He didn’t want to drag Lulu into this discussion. Ramsey had already tried to insert himself more than was needed. That was behavior that Kai didn’t want to encourage.

“It’s a big deal to me,” Ramsey objected. “The town council needs to know what the press is doing here in Harper.”

No, you don’t need to know.

“I’m sure the town council doesn’t want to get into a First Amendment showdown over something so trivial,” Kai replied.

From the sour expression on Ramsey’s face, Kai had scored a direct hit.

“What do you want the information for?” Ramsey pressed. “I don’t see why you need it.”

“It’s for an article about the evidence against Allie,” Kai said.

“It’s an open and shut case,” Ramsey argued. “Everyone knows she did it. Does Lulu think Allie is innocent?

“Any competent defense attorney is going to ask for the information,” Henry said. “They’ll want to establish reasonable doubt that someone else might have planted the weapon. You’re going to have to produce the list sooner or later.”

Ramsey stared at both of them for a long moment and then crossed his arms over his chest. Kai knew from the body language alone that they were wasting their time.

“I think I’ll wait until later then,” Ramsey said. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“That’s it,” Kai said. “Have a nice evening.”

He and Henry turned to leave, but Ramsey had one more question.

“Wait…does Lulu know you’re here asking for this?”

Kai didn’t answer for a moment. Lulu didn’t need this guy on her ass.

“No, she doesn’t. This is all about a feature for the newspaper. But as Henry pointed out, eventually someone else is going to ask you for the information.”

Kai and Henry exited the building silently, not speaking until they were in front of the sports bar.

“That was weird,” Henry said. “Or am I imagining it again? Because sometimes I don’t see things the way others do. That was weird, right?”

“It was weird,” Kai agreed. “He seemed hostile to anyone looking into Allie’s possible defense. The attorney will have to subpoena the information from Ramsey. The guy’s not going to give it up willingly.”

“The question is why,” Henry said. “Why is he hesitating? If Allie is guilty, he has no reason not to give the names.”

“Unless he doesn’t think Allie is guilty, and he’s protecting someone,” Kai observed.

“Why would he protect someone if he thinks Allie is guilty? Open and shut is how he described it,” Henry said. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“It doesn’t,” Kai replied. “We need to talk to Lulu about it. I also think that I’m going to call up my investigative journalist friend and see if he can help me do some digging into Ray Ramsey. He might be up to something that he’s trying to keep quiet.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, but he doesn’t like people looking into his real estate affairs. That’s where I’ll start. Maybe he’s doing something illegal. Or maybe he’s squeaky clean. If he is, I’ll be the first to apologize and buy him a beer. Either way, it wouldn’t hurt to look into his business dealings a bit.”

Ray Ramsey might simply be a garden-variety strange guy who just didn’t know how to act with people and was generally socially awkward.

But Kai was with Henry on this one. He didn’t trust the man.