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She perked up at this. WasnÆt being a cop like being the boss of all people? And being the boss, wasnÆt she entitled to the respect and the appreciation that came with the territory?

If that was true, she could probably afford to be a little nicer to people. After all, lions are known to be nice to any antelope crossing their path. Especially when theyÆve just started ripping it to shreds and snacking on its innards.

ôIÆm king of the world,ö she now murmured, earning herself a strange look from Scarlett, which she pointedly ignored. She could be nice. She grinned before herself, practicing her smile. It made her cheeks hurt for some reason. Probably because she was using muscles she hadnÆt practiced in years. Also, her dentures suddenly felt clickety.

ôWhy are you looking like a serial killer all of a sudden?ö asked Scarlett.

ôIÆm trying to be nice,ö said Vesta, grimacing even wider.

ôWell, donÆt,ö said Scarlett. ôYouÆre scaring me.ö

ôEveryoneÆs a critic,ö she grumbled.

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When we arrived at the Brookwell Archery Club, Mrs. Brook was standing perfectly poised with bow and arrow, the picture of the Olympic champion. Only she wasnÆt aiming at a target but at her husband, who stood, arms akimbo and sweating profusely, staring at his wife and either hoping sheÆd never discovered his infidelity, or wishing heÆd never been unfaithful in the first place.

ôCarlotta, please put down that bow,ö Chase called out.

Several club members stood watching the scene, some of them with their phones out, filming everything. Probably so they could later turn it into a funny TikTok movie.

ôHe needs to confess first!ö Carlotta said. ôAnd apologize for his appalling behavior!ö

ôLook, I admit I may have strayed from the straight and narrow!ö Dennis called out. ôBut only the one time!ö

ôYouÆre lying. I can see it in your eyes, Dennis.ö

ôIÆm not lying! Honestly!ö

ôHow many times?ö

ôOkay, so maybe it happened twice. But only twice!ö

ôLiar!ö

ôThree times!ö

ôHe sounds like an auctioneer, Max,ö said Dooley, very aptly I thought.

ôLiar!ö

ôFive times!ö he cried, his final offer.

ôWhere!ö Carlotta demanded.

ôIn the clubhouse,ö said Dennis.

ôDo you love her?ö

ôNo, of course not! I only love you, honey, you know that!ö

ôYou bastard!ö suddenly a voice sounded from the crowd of onlookers. It was a shortish woman dressed in a nice summer dress, showing a lot of tanned leg. ôYou told me you loved me! That you were going to divorce her and marry me!ö

ôTanya?ö said Carlotta, momentarily lowering her bow. ôIt was you?ö

ôIÆm sorry, Carlotta,ö said Tanya. ôHe told me you were over.ö

The former OlympianÆs expression hardened, and she now aimed at the woman whoÆd just spoken. ôI thought you were my friend!ö she cried.

ôI am your friend!ö Tanya cried. ôPlease donÆt shoot me!ö

ôPut down your weapon!ö Chase boomed, and this time his voice brooked no contest.

Carlotta wavered for a moment, then finally relented and relaxed the bowÆs string, lowering the arrow.

Both her husband and Tanya breathed a sigh of relief.

ôI swear to God itÆs over, Carlotta,ö said Dennis.

ôYou piece of shit!ö Tanya cried, and before anyone could stop her, had run over to Dennis and was pummeling the man with her fists, then kicking him where it hurt.

While Chase got busy releasing Dennis from his loverÆs fury, Odelia confiscated CarlottaÆs bow so she couldnÆt do any harm. And as she led Carlotta away, Chase talked to Dennis for a moment.

ôLook, you have to understand,ö said the guy, as he watched Tanya stalk off on a huff in the direction of the clubhouse. ôFor a man in my position itÆs important to maintain friendly relations with the clubÆs members. And sometimes you take things too far.ö He shrugged as he dusted himself off. ôIs it my fault that IÆm such a friendly guy?ö

ôSounds to me like you were a little too friendly,ö said Chase, giving the man a disapproving look. Then he glanced over to Carlotta. ôWhen did she find out?ö

ôThis morning. Tanya and I have been texting, and Carlotta must have seen a message come in on my phone. Stupid of me, of course. I should have kept a separate phone.ö ChaseÆs implacable and penetrating gaze must have hit its mark, for he amended, ôIÆm sorry. IÆm a big jerk, I know. AndthereÆs absolutely no excuse for my behavior.ö

ôNo, there isnÆt,ö said Chase, still staring the man down.

Dennis now cowered slightly, wilting under that basilisk stare.ôOkay, so I messed up! Show me the man who doesnÆt give in to temptation sometimes!ö

ôJust get lost, Dennis,ö Chase growled, and the man quickly skedaddled. A call now came in on ChaseÆs mobile, and he listened for a moment, then cursed under his breath. When Odelia finally joined him a few moments later, he said, ôTheyÆve found a bow and arrow in Lynnette and Franco SayÆs garden shed. TheyÆve arrested them both.ö

ôYou asked your people to search the shed?ö