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"Yeah You bet" Dah why do I get the sense that this isn’t a friendly visit?"

Because we’re not friends? But instead of speaking his h "Shall we get some drinks?"

Damien’s posture loosened a bit, and with a nod, he headed toward an open stool at the bar

But Billy headed him off, anxious for a little privacy "How about a booth instead? That e can kick back"

Daaze skittered to the booth and back "Whatever you say, Sheriff How about I snag us a couple of beers first?" He laughed nervously "I hope by drinks you didn’t mean diet sodas"

The Simmons boy had always struck Billy as an entitled jackass, and nothing got a jackass’s jaw flapping like a sit-doith his pal, Johnny Walker He gave Damien a broad smile "Why mess around? I’m off duty How about a couple of shots with a beer back? My treat" He caught the bartender’s eye "My tab, Helen"

By the time Damien returned with the drinks, his features had hardened, his nerves under wraps Apparently the guy knew the best defense was a good offense He settled into the booth, leaning forward and sliding Billy’s shot and beer across the table "Cut the shit, Sheriff Why a buddy"

Billy raised his glass "Points for the brass balls, Siht I’ for it

He continued, "Just want to make sure it’s all cool, this situation with me and Sorrow"

Damien’s eyes narrowed to tiny slits He threw back his own shot, then said, "Yeah, sure It’s cool"

"Good," he said, reh on herabout any bad blood You’ll have heard about the accident, I guess"

The guy’s face was like stone His head oing to be harder to crack than he’d anticipated Tiuns "Hey, Helen," Billy called "Why don’t you just bring over the bottle?"

Da a trick

"Don’t sweat it," Billy said easily "My buddy Scott is co by later He’ll drive us home"

"You’re the sheriff," Damien said, his voice flat He stared at his beer bottle, peeling and fraying the label "So, she okay? Laura, I ht over the bottle of Scotch and her eyes lingered overlong on Dale now"

He didn’t , "And I hear you’re still married" As she walked away, Si into his shot glass "Wolass, Billy said, "That’s the way," all the while thinking, that’s right, kid, tilass over for a pour "I don’t kno you and Sorrow left it," he said slowly "She’s no gossip, and what happened between you two is none of my business anyhow But, as far as I can tell, there’s no reason two men can’t have a friendly drink"

Damien lass down his throat "Or five"

Billy laughed "Whoa, cowboy" Either the guy was more upset about the breakup than Sorro, or he had so heavy on his mind Guilt, maybe

As sheriff, he knew that, if he wanted cred with the guy, he’d need to match him drink for drink, and so tipped his own shot back then sla hard "Don’t think you can drink an old man under the table"