The three tourists dutifully trotted back to the sidewalk and turned, phones out and recording. The wide eyes and expressions of wonder made him remember his first moose sighting.

Twenty-some years ago at Mako’s old cabin. He and Hawk had dashed straight toward the animal before realizing how big the damn thing was. And that it didn’t like them at all. They’d run even faster the other direction. Thank God, it’d only chased them a short distance.

The sarge had laughed his ass off.

Would probably be laughing now.

Pushing the grief aside, Gabe turned his attention to work.

If the moose kept moving down Grebe Avenue, it’d reach the lake. That would be good. If it stopped here in town, well, wildlife on Main Street was an invitation to disaster.

“You going to shoot him, Officer?” one person yelled.

Gaze on the loudmouth, the animal halted in the center of the street. Its ears went back. The hair on its spine rose. Moose were exceedingly territorial about their space.

Pointing at the spectators, Gabe shouted, “You people move back half a block. Now, now, now.”

“Good idea.” Baumer turned to the two observers on the left side of the street and yelled the same instructions.

As people retreated, the moose’s ears came up.

Better.

Baumer motioned to the shotgun. “You’d better let me handle this.”

Not bothering to answer, Gabe strolled into the street until directly behind the beast. “Go, you idiot,” he muttered at the moose. “Visit the lake.”

Instead, the damn thing headed straight toward the noisy tourists.

Shit. Before it got too close to them, Gabe fired the shotgun. The beanbag nailed it in the right ass, and he shot again. Another hit.

Startled, the moose jolted forward, turning leftward to escape the stinging “insects.” Once it started moving, the animal continued down Grebe Avenue.

“Have a nice day at the lake, Bullwinkle.” As Gabe returned to the SUV, he chuckled. Damned if the spectators weren’t cheering as if he’d made a touchdown.

Still beside the car, Baumer studied him. “Nice job, Chief.”

“This time.” Gabe stowed the shotgun. “Let’s hope this isn’t a regular route for him.”

“Might be. I’ve seen him here before.” Baumer turned to look down the street. “Idiots. You should’ve let him kick a couple of them.”

Gabe gave him a look. “That’s not the job.”

“No, guess not.” The officer’s grin reappeared. “You know, I kinda wanted the chief job, but not if it means sucking up to Outsiders.”

“Unfortunately, it means sucking up to everyone.”

Baumer barked a laugh. “Never thought of it that way, but guess so.”

Maybe the officer’s attitude explained his slow promotions in the past. Closing the cargo door, Gabe pointed at the graffiti defacing the craft store. “Last night, did you notice anyone downtown?”

“No. That must’ve happened after I went off shift.”