Static

over him and it seemed to be there to stay. He’d had Clarice for such a short time, and now he was looking at being alone once more.

  He made the rounds that morning; the church, the funeral home, the attorney that handled his affairs. Each place he left his mood darkened even more if it was possible. Tuck was feeling low and mean by the time he reached the Sheriff’s office. As he stared at the familiar building, he wondered why he was even there. He knew there was no job here; his only hope was to wait until the next election over a year away to try to get back in.

  With a heavy sigh, he shoved out of his truck and in through the front door. Seeing Roy sitting in his usual spot with the same slouch and hang dog look on his face was best thing Tuck had seen in months. “Hey, you old miserable son of a gun,” he said by way of greeting.

  Roy looked up, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth before he remembered why Tuck was back. The two men exchanged greetings and handshakes but the atmosphere was subdued. Tuck was starting to get tired of the depression everywhere he went, this was his place and he didn’t want this feeling to be here as well.

  “Sheriff around?”

  “In the back.” Roy jerked his head toward the jail area.

  Tuck headed around the desk and couldn’t stop himself from peeking into his old office. It looked exactly the same as if he had just left it yesterday. He found that a little strange as he’d assumed Bay would have made some changes. With a shrug he continued to the back.

  As soon as he saw her, the electricity zapped through the air. With a rueful grin, he thought to himself that at least that part hadn’t changed. She stood with her back to him, leaning against the counter. Her long black hair, in its usual pony tail, seemed longer than it had been a few months ago.

  He saw her stiffen suddenly. Keeping her body mostly turned away from him, she looked over her shoulder at him. Tuck could see the quick surprise as well as the tension that sprang into her eyes. Wondering about it, he walked closer and leaned against the counter as well. “Hey. How’s it going?”

  Bay took her time answering. She seemed to be studying his face for something before she finally nodded. “All’s good. How long you been back?”

  “Got in last night.”

  “Clarice?” Her voice held many questions in the single word.

  Tuck looked toward the empty jail cells to gather his thoughts. “She’s out of time.” He managed that much before his throat closed up as it did when he tried to talk about his wife.

  “I’m sorry.” Bay started and then stopped. She turned back away from him.

  He appreciated that she didn’t try to placate him, offer sympathy. He got that everywhere he went and frankly it was getting old. “So uh, I know it’s pointless to ask, but got any openings for an officer?”

  Bay surprised him by snorting out a laugh. “Well, actually I just closed the application deadline for a new officer yesterday. But for you I think I could make an exception and let you sneak one in.”

  Frowning Tuck asked the back of her head, “Did someone leave? How do you have an opening?”

  “Got a grant. Took a little longer to get all the red tape cleared than I wanted, but we’ve got the green light to hire. I gotta’ get someone going ASAP.”

  More confused than ever Tuck wondered, “Why? What’s the rush?”

  He saw Bay square her shoulders and stand up straight. She finally turned to face him. Now he was completely confused when he saw she’d shoved a ball under her shirt. What the hell was she up to? At a loss he only looked at her, with the question clearly on his face.