Chapter 8

SHE'S BACK!

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Chapter 8

'It's been quiet here for the last 6 months. If anything I'm not really sure why we need another Sheriff, you, but that's that and here we are'

She raised her eyebrows at Cliffords, a bristling hitting her spine and raising her jaw. She wasn't entirely sure what made the man dislike her from their introduction. But he'd been nothing if not dismissive of her all afternoon, since she walked in the doors, and was edging along to outright rude. And she wasn't one to let that idle before squashing it. She hadn't requested to step on his toes.

'Yes well I got sent back here so here I am. I'm not looking to make things hard for you, we both want the same things. Keep the quiet that you've been telling me about. But if there's a problem I'd prefer to know now'

'You see Jarry the only problem I have. Is the concern that maybe we don't want the same things. I'd just prefer we were honest about it'

'I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that'

'The Sons are the only thing we still have in this town that needs to be exorcised. It has been quiet since I got here, I mean in comparison to what was going on under your leadership. What was it? 4, 5 bodies that came from Charming in 24 hours? Blood trail went across state lines'

She bit her tongue onto a statement that pointed out that that quiet had more to do more with Jackson Teller and the rest of the Sons, rather than this man's ability to do his job.

'I'm still not sure how that makes you concerned that our end games are any different?'

'You're a smart woman Jarry and from what I hear a good cop. So I have to wonder, why this town was spiralling in a bloody mess and you packed up and left'

'I got an offer to work in New York. Anyone in my position would have considered it, if not taken it and what was happening in town wasn't -'

'But it's not the only reason you left. Is it?'

Heat flushed up her face. Lie, she thought.

'I don't know what you're implying Cllifords but I can tell you that I'm good at this job. I am better than anyone. I live sleep and breathe my work. You are lucky to have me'

'That's the problem though. Live sleep and breathe your work, and you're bound to get too close. It's a small town Jarry, and with people sitting on one side of the fence or another when it comes to the Sons of Anarchy, they don't have a lot to do except time and talk. And the way you left, and your behaviour beforehand, sounds a lot like a bitter break up'

'And if it had been it would be none of your business. Or anyones here for that matter'

Clifford continued as though she hadn't spoken. Sweat was filtering out of her skin, she could feel it as she heard him speak again.

'And from talking to people, and in turn looking over the rap sheets of the men you were spending most of your time investigating and it looks like, with. As well as some interesting visits I've had with the Sons here, I have to ask, was the boyfriend you had, the one that made you leave, was it Filip Telford?'

Blood stopped moving. Lie better she told herself. She wasn't losing this early on. It wasn't supposed to end like this.

'You're asking me if I was in a relationship with the President of the Sons of Anarchy?'

'Yes'

'He's married. He's the president of the Sons of Anarchy!'

'Yes'

'You're actually asking me that? Surely this is a joke'

'Im waiting for you to answer the question'

'Are you angry at me because I got sent here. Like I said I didn't choose it!'

'I'm not angry I'm just worried none of us can trust you to do your job'

'Don't be'

'Because Filip Telford wasn't your boyfriend?'

'You really want to stop asking me that'

'You know trying to find a reason as to why you'd be stupid enough to run away during a career making period of time in this town. Especially considering how close you were getting to bringing the whole club down, and after how much work you had put in. And the only reason I could come up with for why you'd be in so deep is because you, were his mistress'

'That's sexist and insulting. I'm going to do you a favour and pretend this conversation didn't happen. I've been doing this job long enough and as I said, I am good. If you don't trust me I can't change that. But I'm not standing here and having this conversation anymore. So goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow and I'll be on my cell if you need anything else'

She walked out into the cool night towards her car as she felt the stinging of tears behind her eyes. She wouldn't cry over this. She had no right to. He was right. And if she had been in his position she would have done the same thing. He said it perfectly, it was a small town. And a station house full of deputy's wanting to rise up the ranks, that had probably heard enough to take some guesses. She got into her car and turned the engine over before she had a chance to think about where she was going.

X

She was an idiot, or at the very least, a masochist. She couldn't even figure out why she was there, all she'd been aware of was her car driving the familiar route, memory steering her more than logic or reason. Until she was there. If she had the space in her mind to think about it, she would notice how where Chibs lived, was different to what people probably imagined. A modest set of ground floor flats, not even 5 minutes from what used to be the clubhouse. His was tucked in the back. Behind the 2 sets of retired couples and one young family, who'd probably prefer to live elsewhere but couldn't afford to. She knew he'd spent years silently trying to convince his neighbours that if they left him alone, he'd leave them alone. And despite his club affiliation never crossing into his neighbours lives, they still eyed him warily and kept their distance. She also knew it didn't bother him, he spent so little time there that he didn't need friends in them. Jax had had his spare key and that was it. She did wonder who had it now though..

She made her way past the other apartments and before her brain caught up with her body, knocked on the dark wooden door. She stared into the small glass circle she knew he looked out of before he ever opened his door, and waited.