“Hell, Harrison, did it ever occur to you that he might pray for you?” The sheriff shook his head. “I’m a man who can admit I’m wrong on the rare occasion that I am. I was wrong about you. You’re not just good at your job; you’re a living legend. I looked you up on my computer.”

“Apparently I’m trending.” Hank grinned. “I had to put up with you growing up, Sheriff. I knew the make of a legend.”

Hank went to work, afraid if he talked to the old guy another minute they’d be hugging.

Professor Monroe stood to the side, watching. He must have watched enough cop shows to know not to interfere. Hank wished security guard Bull Wills had. The leftover high school football star and druggie had contaminated everything.

While they were finishing, Ranger McBride showed up and suggested they all meet and talk. The campus cops had offered him their conference room.

Sheriff LeRoy said he had to be in court in an hour, but the rest of the team headed toward the campus.

Hank noticed all three men, including the professor, pulled out their cell phones to make a call. So Hank pulled out his phone and called Millie.

“You all right to stay a little longer at the library?”

“Of course.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “I’m fine, Harrison. I work here, you know, and all three of my staff are mothering me. It is time I got back to work.”

“Since you got your one shoe on, how about we go out to eat when I pick you up? This may take a few hours.”

“I’d like that.”

For a few moments after the call ended, Hank was smiling. He’d never met a woman like Millie.

Chapter 27 - Benjamin

Chapter 27

Benjamin

The day had turned cloudy by the time Ben drove his Jeep to the campus security building behind the gym. He had to go into the small box of offices every year to get his parking permit. Twice over the twelve years he’d been teaching, Ben had forgotten his faculty ID. Not surprisingly, the clerk would not give him a faculty sticker without proper identification.

Now and then he’d stay overtime at the library and a ticket was always waiting on his windshield. Ben considered it his opportunity to support the college.

But now he was a part of an elite team. The Clifton Bend Bomb Squad. Ben couldn’t wait to tell Jenny all about it. He’d give her the facts calmly and watch her explode with excitement, then she’d probably hug him tight and worry about him.

Of course he wasn’t worried, but he didn’t mind if she did, just a bit.