Badge of Honor (The Town of Pearl 9)

She struggled a moment to get free and then she practically snarled her words.

“I’m not giving you my firearm. I don’t give a shit who told you to take it from me or who appointed you to protect me. I can take care of myself. “

“Trust is earned, Lauren. You’ve got to earn our trust before we give you any privileges,” Gus warned her.

“Privileges? I think it’s you guys who need to earn my trust. I don’t know you. I don’t need your protection and I’m certainly not handing over the only weapon I have to protect myself, Mary, and Beth. Not happening.”

“There’s no use in fighting it. The order’s been issued and you’re our responsibility,” Harper told her.

She swung her head around to look at him.

Harper pressed closer, placed his hands on her hips, and spoke firmly. “I would listen to Galvin if I were you. He’s our leader, and what he says goes.”

Galvin watched the fire ignite in her blue eyes. She was bullheaded, resistant to authority, and a typical street cop. Why did that fact arouse him even more?

“He may be your leader but he’s not mine. Who do we need to call to resolve this? To get you out of this so I can be left alone?” She pulled from them and stepped back. Lauren looked at them as if they were out of their minds and could hurt her.

“No one to call. No changing the order. You’re just going to have to get used to us being around. In fact, I think it would be a good idea if you stayed with us,” Galvin told her.

“Ha! Are you out of your fucking mind? Is this how this town works? You just take control of a woman’s life and demand her to move in with you so you can have your way with her body? You’re fucking crazy!” she yelled the last part.

“Let’s discuss this.” Gus walked toward her.

She put her hand up. Galvin and Harper stood there with their arms crossed and feet slightly spread apart. Galvin felt ready to react and teach this woman about taking orders.

“I think we’ve discussed enough. Fuck off,” she stated and began walking away from them.

“You’ve got one hell of a mouth on you, woman. Seems to me you need some discipline and maybe a bit of soap,” Galvin threatened her.

She swung around and flipped him the bird.

Gus chuckled and so did Harper.

She looked both ways before she crossed the street and then continued on her way to the store.

“Follow her,” Galvin ordered toward Harper then Galvin pulled out his cell phone and indicated for Gus to follow him.

“Mace, I want you and Orin to dig deeper. I want everything on her, and I mean everything. Every fucking boyfriend, her Goddamn grocery list, you name it. I want it yesterday.” Galvin closed up the phone and continued down the street toward their SUV.

“What do you think?” Gus asked him.

“I think she’s got secrets, and I think she doesn’t want anyone coming close enough to figure those secrets out. In fact, text Harper. Have him keep Lauren busy for an hour or so. You and I are going to visit Mary Higgins.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Orin asked as Galvin’s cell phone rang.

He answered it on speaker as he pulled out of the parking lot.

“There’s someone here at the house to see us. Are you on your way?” Orin asked.

“Who?” Galvin replied.

“Mary Higgins,” Orin told him.

Galvin gripped the steering wheel and glanced at Gus.

“We’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Chapter 9