"Hi Uncle Lou," I said as I walked into the office.

"Sherri. When did you get back?"

"Just now. Jimmy flew me down from Portland. How's things?"

"Things are fine, Honey. How's Dan?"

"He's okay. The results came through from the biopsies a couple of days ago, and they think he is clear, so now all he has to do is get better from the operation."

"That's good. Is he home yet?"

"Yeah, he came home three days ago. He is not able to bend, but he is getting a little stronger every day."

"You got thrown out, huh?"

I smiled.

"Yeah, they told me to go where I was needed."

"The Chief wants to see you."

I frowned.

"Oh, about being away?"

Lou shook his head, and grinned.

"No, I guess it may be about your little fracas at the store."

"Oh, that."

"Yes, that. So what happened?"

I went through the tale again, and about how the Mayor and Police chief wanted to invite me to a special dinner run by the Fraternal Order of Police, and they wanted to give me an award.

"So, when is that?"

"I'm not sure. Next month some time."

I sat on his desk, and looked through his log sheets.

He smiled and took them away.

"So, staying with us?" he asked.

I shrugged.

"For a while. If I go to Baltimore, Peejay will be through College in a couple of years and then I'll have to move again. So I have no real plans."

The Chief popped his head round the door.

"Aha. I thought I heard you were back," he said.

"Hi Chief. You wanted to see me?"

"This will do. I got a long letter from the Chief down in Florida. It seems he thinks the sun shines out from your butt."

I smiled.

"Seriously, we are all very proud of you. You made the whole department look good, and that means a lot. Also, I think we ought to discuss whether your career development will be served best with this department or with somewhere new."

I frowned.

"Sir, is my work not up to standard here?" I asked.

"Now, Sherri, your work is just fine. But I am not sure you want to kick your heels in a small town like this, when there are departments who would fall over themselves to have you work for them."

I did not understand, and Lou butted in.

"Sherri, what the chief is trying to say is quite simple. You are destined for greater things than Freetown. We can't offer you the career development that someone with your intelligence and your potential actually needs. But we are more than happy for you to cut your teeth with us until you get the right job for you."

That out the way, I went back to work, and after a couple of months found that the Chief was right, I started to feel that I was outgrowing Freetown, and began to yearn for something else.

They invited me to return to Florida to collect my award from the Police Chief and Mayor. I asked Peejay to join me, and we stayed at Mom and Dad's. Dad was still recovering from the operation, but was much better. They'd checked him for the cancer, and he was still clear.

The presentation dinner was really embarrassing. I wore a smart long evening dress, courtesy of my mother, who decided that I had nothing proper to wear. They were invited too. It was a very gushy event.

I was seated to the right of the mayor, and next to the Police Chief, and most of the department and their wives were there, as well as the security guard, and Mr Rossiter, the store manager, and his wife.

They had speeches, and said lots of nice things about me, and then I was given a medal and the key to the city.

I had to make a short speech of thanks, and managed to say a few words without disgracing myself. The next morning, I was in the papers, as the flavour of the month.

I flew home, and was back to earth with a thump as Wally came off the wagon and darn near killed his wife.

Summer had arrived, and with it the tourists. I was busy and content with my little house. Peejay and I would spend many hours a week on the phone, and I got to hear about his studies and everything. In turn, I told him about the job and the different people I dealt with.

It was Peejay who suggested that I do some form of night school or distance learning course. I saw a distance learning course in law advertised in one of the Police magazines. It took professional experience into account, and with a combination of that and study, offered bachelor degrees for the professional in law enforcement.

The joy of this course was that there was no time frame, you simply completed it at your own pace, so taking your individual circumstances into account.

I signed up, and to my surprise found I loved it. It gave me a whole new dimension to my life, and for the first time managed to stimulate my mind to a greater degree than ever before. I had to undertake a lot of reading, and some of those law books were real heavy. When I was at work, and in down time, I was able to read to my heart's content.

I had an assignment to compete every month, with two weeks Summer School in June, just after the colleges broke up for the summer break. Peejay flew out to see me when he finished for the break, and even came with me to the Summer School, which was held at Eugene College, just north of Freetown.

It was really relaxed, and we turned up and registered. There were a lot of cops and related professionals here, and some others who just wanted the qualification. Some wanted to join, and were in full time work and thought it might help, and others were just interested.

Peejay wasn't signed up, as he just came to be with me. There were some entire families, with the partners and children along for the break too.

No one checked registers or anything, and so Peejay came along to some of the seminars, just to be with me. The lecturers found that they were dealing with lots of cynical cops, and experienced ones at that. I didn't envy them one bit! Most cops had a jaundiced view of lawyers and so it was a very different style of teaching that Peejay was used to.

We had a double room in one of the accommodation blocks, and it was so nice being together all day and every day. He found it so different to the rarefied atmosphere of his law school. He gained more than he thought he would. We would spend evenings in the bar (the booze type bar, not the legal one.) discussing a whole range of topics. Then we would retire and make love for much of the night.

I had visited my local doctor a couple of weeks after getting back from Florida, and was now taking the pill. I wanted kids, but not yet.

I was sad when the course finished, but Peejay came and stayed with me at my house, and together we really hit the decorating and repairing. I would go to work, and he would paint my house, then I'd come home, and we'd just have fun, occasionally painting the house. Unfortunately, all good things must end, and he returned to college in the fall. Neither of us was in any doubt that we would get married as soon as he settled into a job.

I settled down into a routine, of work and studying. I became quite dull really, but the guys would sometimes kidnap me and take me to the Elk for a night out.

At about eight fifteen in the morning, one day in October 1996, I was sitting in my cruiser at a busy junction, reading my law notes, when a black sedan flew past making the cruiser rock slightly on it's springs.

I swore, put the book down, and set off in pursuit. The sedan was fast, but I knew my beast was faster. I called it in, and Bobbi was through to the State Police as we were heading for the freeway. The mountainous terrain did not favour those used to long straight roads from further south.

They obviously realised I was on their tail, for they speeded up. I saw a cloud of black smoke come from the tail pipe as their gas pedal got hit.

"Charlie One five. Copy me, over?"

It was Lou.

"Charlie one five, what you got for me Lou, over?"

"State troopers aware, they are heading your way. Got a licence plate yet, over?"

"That's a negative, can't get close enough. Just a black sedan, Ford, I think, with blacked out windows. Over."

"Sherri, we had notification that vehicle of that description was involved in a fatal officer shooting in Sacramento three days ago. So be warned, stay safe. Over?"

"Copied, Lou, and thanks. It is still going, over 130 mph. Over."

Suddenly the brake lights on the other car came on and it stopped dead after producing a hell of a lot of smoke. I braked too, keeping my distance. I called it in, and waited.

The reverse lights came on, and it started coming back at me, so I reversed up the road too. It swung round, and started heading towards me. I had to make a decision. This boy must know that troopers were in front of him, so that meant a scanner. So he knew I was female, and alone.

I spun the car round, and waited, then at the last minute, I reversed towards the oncoming car. My reasoning was simple, if it hit the back of my car, they were in control, but if I hit them with the back of my car, against the front of the Ford, I was more likely to have an engine that still worked than they were.

The driver must have realised I wasn't playing his game, because he braked, but couldn't turn in time, and I hit the front of his car at a good 50mph.

My trunk flipped open, and the Ford's hood flew up, the impact puncturing both his front wheels and smashing the radiator. Steam erupted in a cloud.

I immediately drove twenty yards up the road, grabbed the keys from the ignition and my shotgun, and rolled out of the passenger door, and into the ditch. I crawled rapidly up the ditch towards their position. Both front doors of the other car opened, and I ducked down as automatic weapons opened up and raked the cruiser. I saw enough! Two men, both African American, were standing by their car, and pumping my poor cruiser full of holes.

I heard the wail of sirens, and they turned and saw two state police vehicles coming towards them.

I raised the shotgun to my shoulder and shot the man nearest me, and he fell back across the road, dropping his machine gun.

"Marv?" shouted the other guy, and moved so I was looking at him across the crumpled hood of his car. I shot at him, and he ducked down behind the front wheel. There was another burst of automatic fire.

I ducked and crawled along the ditch some twenty feet nearer the on-coming police cars. Steam from the Ford's broken radiator rose and I saw the guy leap into my cruiser. I smiled, as the keys were in my pocket. Then I crept onto the roadway, checked the Ford, and found it was empty. I moved to the rear of the police car and was tempted to shoot him in the back of the head through the broken rear window.

Everything was happening in slow motion, and I was able to see small particles of shattered glass in his short curly black hair. A small trickle of blood came from a cut on his ear, and I could see the sweat on his collar. He had a grey sweatshirt on, and his armpits stained dark with perspiration. I saw him search in vain for the car keys, and I raised my shotgun to my shoulder once more.

"Freeze asshole, or you are dead!" I shouted.

He was turning, and as he turned, again in slow motion, he rolled out of the car and I saw a glint of gunmetal, so I shot him twice, once in the chest, and the second in the neck as he fell back.

I went over to the first man, and he was dead. I didn't have to check the other man, he had a hole the size of my fist in his chest, and most of neck was blown away. His body was twitching as it lay in the road. I felt the bile rise in my chest, and it took all my control to keep it down.

I stood there shaking as the State troopers arrived, my shotgun still pointing at the second dead guy. My ears hurt, and were ringing terribly. Carl Frewin, one of the troopers, came over to me, and another couple of guys went to check the perps, and their car.

"Hey, Sherri, it's okay, girl. It's over," Carl said, and I stared at him as I could hardly hear him.

I stared at him, still holding the gun.

"Sherri, it's okay. Really. It's over," he repeated.

"They tried to waste me, Carl."

"Yeah, I can see. Lou is gonna be pissed about the car, though."

He took the shotgun from me and I went and threw up into the ditch in which I had been crawling only a few moments earlier.

One of the other troopers came over to me, and put his arm around me.

"Hi Sherri, are you okay?" he asked.

It was Martin Owen, and I nodded vaguely. He was a nice guy, and all these guys were my friends. I still felt sick, and the ringing in my ears didn't help, as I was dizzy as well.

"These were the guys who killed an officer down in Sacramento, the car is hot, and there is a whole trunk load of crack-cocaine and cash."

I nodded again, still with ringing in my ears. I was aware that loads of police cars were arriving, and suddenly Lou was by my side.

"She's okay, Lou. She took them both out, and they had Ingrams," said Carl, as Uncle Lou put his large arm around me. I saw the small black machine pistols lying on the road where the men dropped them. Several empty cases were scattered about, testimony to their determination to kill me.

The troopers had closed the road, as it was now a crime scene. The Chief arrived, and came over to me.

"Sherri, are you okay, Honey?" he asked, looking at the dead men, and the bullet holed police car.

"I'm okay, Chief."

He smiled and nodded to Lou, and told Lou to take me home.

I grabbed my books from the damaged car, and got into Lou's car. He drove slowly back to town. He kept looking at me with a worried expression, and I smiled, and told him I was okay.

"Then why are you shaking?"

I looked at my hands, and I was shaking like a leaf.

I shrugged.

"I guess I have never killed anyone before," I said.

"You beat me, kid. I never have," Lou said.

"I don't recommend it, Uncle Lou," I said.

"You did fine. They would have killed you."

"Yeah, I know," I said, and sat on my hands.

We sat in silence for a while. I hadn't realised how far I had followed them.

"Lou, what will happen now?"

"The Sheriff's department will investigate the incident and report to the coroner, who will make recommendations to the DA."

"Oh. Am I suspended, or what?"

"No. There is no evidence of misconduct. You will take some sick leave. That is non-negotiable."

"Will I get disciplined?"

"Sherri, you will probably get a fucking medal, so quit worrying."

I smiled, but there was little humour in it.

We pulled up outside the Police Station, and there was TV truck and reporters already congregating on the sidewalk.

"Goddamn vultures," muttered Lou.

We ran the gauntlet and got safely inside. There was only Bobbi and Gail there, and Gail gave me a huge hug as soon as I walked through the door.

I went over to Bobbi, and hugged her.

"Thanks for getting' the troopers the so quick," I said, and she burst into tears.

I frowned, and looked at Lou.

"Your carrier was open, and all we heard was an almighty crash, followed by machine gun fire," he explained.

"I thought you'd been killed!" Bobbi said, and hugged me again.

Gail brought me a coffee, and I was shaking so much, I couldn't drink it yet.

"I've locked them bastards out for the time being," she told Lou, who grunted and nodded.

"I suppose I'd better give them something," he muttered, and went and made a brief statement to keep them happy. I went into his office, and collapsed into his comfy armchair. Gail came and sat with me, I was pleased she was there, as I did not want to be alone right now.

"Who were they?" she asked, and I shrugged.

My shakes died away, and I was able to drink the coffee without spilling it. Gail was on the phone to the State Troopers, and she came in to where I was sitting.

"They've an ID on both men. Both wanted for murder and drug trafficking. One escaped for Prison down in LA six months ago, and is wanted for at least six killings. The other for four. Two of the dead were cops. You did good, kid."

"Why do I feel like shit?" I asked.

"Reaction. The chemicals the body creates at times of stress so you can deal with the situation are toxic, and cause after-shock."

"No shit?"

She shrugged and smiled.

"Or so they say."

"I could do with something to eat. My breakfast is in the ditch by the wrecked cruiser," I said.

Gail smiled.

"What do you want?"

"Anything. Just a sandwich would be good."

"Will you be okay?"

I nodded, and Bobbi told her that she was there.

"Go on, I'll be fine," I said, and she left.

Bobbi wheeled herself in and took my hand.

"Thank God you are okay. I really thought they'd got you."

"I didn't realise the carrier was still open."

"Everyone heard it, and you should have seen them go."

I smiled.

"And at donut time, too."

One of the guys called in, and Bobbi went and answered it. I turned on the TV, and it was weird to see the outside of the station, in which I was sitting.

Lou was in front of the camera.

The officer turned her own car, and reversed into the front of the stolen car, thereby effectively ruining the engine. She managed to jump clear of the wreckage, taking her car keys and a shotgun.

The two male occupants of the stolen car then fired at the officer with automatic weapons, but she managed to return fire, and killed one of the men. The other man attempted to steal the damaged, but driveable cruiser, and was challenged by the officer. He attempted to shoot the officer, but she managed to fire twice, and killed him.

Both men were wanted on suspicion of numerous killings and drug related offences, including the brutal slaying of law enforcement officers in California. A large quantity of narcotics, money and firearms were recovered by police from the stolen car.

That is all I have to say on this matter. The Sheriff's Department will be compiling a full report of the incident for the County Coroner."

"Sergeant, will this change the current department policy of allowing female officers to patrol alone?"

"Sergeant, is it correct that she is your niece?"

"Was she the same officer who was involved in a shooting in Florida some time ago, when she saved the lives of two local police officers?"

"Was she awarded for valour on that occasion?"

"What does it feel like to have a real life heroine in your department?"

"Ask the folk who live here." Lou said, and ducked back into the building.

Gail come back and gave me an enormous roast beef sandwich, and I tucked into it. I began to feel better, almost immediately.

"Well, you look better. You've some colour back. Honest, she was as white as a sheet when I got there." Lou said.

"I'm okay now. I'll make a statement."

"Relax. No rush, just get yourself chilled, Honey."

I finished the sandwich, and got some water from the cooler.

"I'm okay. Really, I need to talk about it."

An unmarked sedan pulled up outside and two men in suits came in.

"Officer Brewster?" the taller one asked.

"Yeah?"

He smiled, and produced a badge.

"Hi. I'm Lieutenant John Cowie, Sheriff's department. I've just come from the scene. Man, you did real good out there today."

"Thanks. I think."

"I'm heading the investigation, just a formality, but I need your statement. These were some bad-assed SOBs, and make no mistake. If it makes you feel better, we have had over three hundred calls from cops across California singin' your praises."

"I'm ready to make my statement."

"We can delay this Sherri. You can have 24 hours before you need to speak to them." Lou said.

"No, I need to talk it through. I'll do it now."

"You have the right to have an attorney present," said the other guy.

"This is my colleague, Sergeant Rivers," the Lieutenant said.

"Hi sarge, I don't need an attorney, but can Lou stay?" I asked.

"Sure, lets be honest, we aren't looking to crucify you here, we just need to get your side of events."

"My side, as opposed to who else? Those bastards aren't saying diddly-squat."

"The crime scene boys will piece together what happened, and then match it up with your statement. Perceptions can be weird in stressful situations." I just nodded and they took out a tape recorder.

I went through the events as I recalled them. I shut my eyes and ran through it very slowly, recounting every detail as it came flooding back. When I finished, I looked at the clock, and was amazed it had taken me forty minutes. The whole incident from the impact of the cars was over in a matter of seconds.

The Lieutenant nodded.

"Okay, one or two questions, Sherri. Why didn't you attempt to drive off after the impact?"

"I was fearful of getting shot in the back. I thought that if my gas tank was ruptured, then I could have been fried."

"Why did you take the keys from the car?"

"Because I knew that way no one could take off in the cruiser."

"Why the shotgun?"

"Because it is more effective than a handgun. They had automatic weapons, and I needed the best I had."

"Why did you exit the cruiser through the passenger door?"

"Because I believed that if they were anticipating for me to get out, they'd look at the driver's side."

"Did you challenge either of the suspects?"

"As I said in my statement, the first one, no. He was standing with a machine gun, and I just took him out before he could point it at me. The second man, I challenged him when he was in the cruiser trying to find the keys."

"What did you say, exactly?"

"Freeze asshole, or you are dead."

"Are you sure you challenged him?"

"Yeah, because he rolled from the car and started to level that fucking Ingram at me, so I took him down. I admit I was tempted to shoot the mother in the back of the head, but I just couldn't do it."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm a cop, and I am sworn to uphold life and the law. But the stupid bastard wanted to make me shoot him, so I did."

"So, you feared for your life?"

"You bet your ass I did. I would have peed myself, if I had had the time."

Both men grinned, and Lou looked at me and winked.

"Thank you officer, that is all we need. I am to formally inform you that this matter will be placed before the DA, and the Coroner. I do not anticipate that any legal or disciplinary charges will be forthcoming, in fact, I will go so far as to state that if they do, I'll eat my badge," the Lieutenant said, and switched off the tape machine.

He packed everything away, and stood up. He looked at me and smiled.

"You know, I've been a cop for eighteen years and in all that time, I have never had to shoot anyone, and I would just like to say, it is an honour and a privilege to meet you. You are one hell of a cop, and you deserve more than a fucking medal for what you went through out there today," he said, and shook my hand, and then the sergeant did too. They nodded to Lou and walked out, past the waiting press.

"Uncle Lou?"

"Yes, Honey?"

"Can I stay at your place tonight, I don't feel like I want to be alone just now?"

"Of course. Do you want to go there now, I've already called Terri, so she knows what's happened?"

"Yeah, but I don't really want to face the press," I admitted.

"Look, we'll take the Jeep, so, put your hat on, and the shades, and we'll just go for it. I'll go out first, reverse it back, then you walk quickly out and I'll open the door for you. Okay?"

I nodded, and went and washed my face, and pulled my hair back and tied it back with a scrunchy. I slung on the hat and put the sunglasses on.

"Okay," I said, and Lou walked out and got into the Jeep. He reversed it back, and I walked straight out and jumped in and we were away. It happened so fast, the press never moved.

We drove past my house, and several new hounds were already encamped outside. Lou swore quietly and just kept going. His house was clear, and he dropped me off.

"I'll be back later. I want to see how they are getting on with the scene," he said.

Terri came out and put an arm around me. Lou waved and drove off.

"Come in, Honey, you must be beat?" she said.

"No, I was awful for a while, but I'm sort of numb now. The most surprising thing was the noise of those bloody guns. Most of the shots I have fired have been on a range or on a simulation exercise. Somehow the shots in the Wal-mart in Florida didn't seem as loud. I have always worn ear defenders, and now I know why."

We went inside, and thankfully the kids were in school, because otherwise I would be suffering from big-time hero-worship.

"Do you want a coffee, or something?" Terri asked.

"No, but I could really go for a long soak in the tub."

"That's fine, I'll get you something else to wear, will a skirt and tee shirt do?"

"Yeah, whatever," I said, as we were more or less the same size.

I went and ran the bath, and undressed. I stepped in and just relaxed and closed my eyes. I kept seeing the two men, just at the moment the shots hit them, and the force of the blast knocked them backwards. I had taken two lives, and no matter how justified I felt, I had their blood on my hands.

I looked at my hands, and realised that I had accepted this responsibility when I had set out on this journey, and it was part of what I had always wanted to be. My training and instinct meant I was alive, and the two criminals were not. For that I was grateful.

I had still killed, and that shook me deeply!

Terri knocked on the door, and I awoke. I had dozed off.

"Are you okay Sherri?"

"Yeah, I'd dozed off," I said, and added some hot water to warm up.

She came in and sat on the chair in the corner.

"I was getting worried about you," she admitted.

"Sorry, it took more out of me than I had thought."

She looked concerned, so I smiled at her.

"Look, Terri, I really am fine. I've had my wobbly, I shook like a leaf for about half an hour when I was at the Station. If I hadn't have done what I did, I would be dead, and maybe lots of other people would be too. I did my job, it is what I am trained and paid to do. So don't you go thinking I'll go soft on you. Those two guys made their decisions, and it just happened to be me that pulled the trigger, it could have been Lou, or Gail, or any of them state troopers." She smiled, and put a tee shirt and a skirt onto the chair.

"Well, all I know is I sure am glad that people like you are willing to do the job you do, for I couldn't do it."

"Terri, your job is harder, you have to support Lou, and that is worse."

She smiled and nodded.

"Maybe you are right. Lunch is in half an hour."

Lunch? The day sure was dragging.

Fifteen minutes later, I went down and found Lou and the Chief in the living room.

They both stood as I entered, both were smiling, and Lou gave me a great big hug.

"How are you, Honey?"

"Fine. I would be better if everyone didn't keep asking."

"Beer?"

"Sure. Can I call Dad?"

"I already have."

"Oh, Uncle Lou."

"Sorry, uncle's prerogative."

"So what did he say?"

"You can ask him yourself. You dad and mom are flying up, and will be here at 8 pm tonight."

I was stunned. Finally, the two brothers were to see each other after too many years.

"But I haven't called your young man, and if this goes out on national news, he'll find out pretty damn soon."

"Shit." I said, and went and picked up the phone.

I dialled a familiar number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Peejay."

"Sherri. Hey girl, what's up?"

"Ah, I'm okay, how are you?"

"Fine. Sherri, you never start a conversation like this, what's happened?"

"You haven't seen the TV?"

"No, why?"

"I, ah, I, well, I sort of got involved in an incident, and it just may just get on the news," I said, squirming, and curling a finger in my hair. I felt like a six year old confessing to some terrible gaff.

"What sort of incident?" he asked.

"Well, it involved some guns."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Not a scratch."

"So, what happened?"

"I got into a pursuit and, well I ended up shooting a couple of guys."

"How many?"

"Two."

"And?"

"Well, they kinda died."

"Kinda died?"

"No, they died. I took them down with an automatic twelve gauge."

"May I be so bold as to enquire why?"

"They tried to kill me with machine guns."

There was silence on his end.

"Peejay?"

"Shit. I'm marrying Robocop!" he said.

I giggled.

"Well, you seem to be the same girl."

"I am."

"Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yeah. They were wanted for several killings, and they totalled my cruiser."

"Well, they deserved it. A cruiser? I mean. Man, they should have been executed twice over."

"Peejay, now you are being silly."

"Sorry, but, I mean, most guys speak to their girls, and they say, 'Honey, I've been to the mall, or I've been to the gym.' Not my girl, its: 'Honey, I've killed two guys for totalling my cruiser.' You have to be unique Sherri."

"I didn't kill them for that. They opened up with machine guns after I rammed them."

"So, you totalled your own cruiser as an excuse."

"No. Oh you silly man," I said, and dissolved into giggles.

"Seriously Sherri, how are you?"

"I'm okay now. I had the shakes right afterwards, but I am staying with Lou and Terri for a couple of days. Besides, the press people are everywhere."

"Do you want me to come?"

"I always want you, baby, but there is no need. Mom and Dad are flying up from Florida tonight."

"Okay, but if you want me, I can be there."

"Thanks, but I just wanted you to know before you saw me on TV."

"I appreciate that. Is it likely it gets to the national news?"

"I don't know. You can never tell."

"If it goes by looks, then they'll run it."

"Anyway, enough about me, what are you up to?" I said, to change the subject.

"The usual, orgies every night, and debauchery every day."

I laughed.

"Just studying and drinking too much beer. Hey, why don't you come over here for a break?"

"What, and have you smuggle me into halls?"

"I'm not in halls, I share a house with three buddies. I have a nice big room with a nice big bed," he said.

"Okay, you've convinced me. Let me see how long Mom and Dad are going to be here, and then I'll call you."

"Really?"

"Sure. I miss you so much."

"Yeah, me too. What you doing for Christmas?"

"I think I'll be working. The guys with kids want it off, so I said I'd cover."

"Hey, can I come and be with you?"

"Don't you want to be with your family?"

"Sherri, you are my family," he said, and I almost cried, again.

"We'll talk about it when I come over," I said.

""Yeah, okay. Shit Sherri, the TV news is on. My God, they've a camera on the wrecks. Man, there are hundreds of holes in the cop car. Were you in it?"

"No, I was in the ditch."

"Hey, I gotta see this!" he said, and then shouted to someone. "That's my girl's car."

"Sherri, I gotta go, I'll call you back," he said, and was gone.

I smiled, and put the phone down. I walked through and saw the news report on the TV.

At least they'd removed the bodies. The camera panned round and showed the forensic team picking up all the spent cases, and a Trooper was pointing to all the bullet holes in my cruiser.

Terri looked up and saw me watching. I felt curiously detached.

"Okay, Honey?" she asked, and I nodded, unable to take my eyes from the screen.

The reporter was standing next to the cars, and faced the camera.

"So rather than face the might of the State troopers who were advancing from in front, they must have thought it would be easy to take out the lone female officer who was pursuing them.

"But they had not counted on the experience, courage and sheer determination of Officer Sherri Brewster.

"As they tried to instigate a head on collision, the officer turned her cruiser round, and reversed towards the felons. By doing this, she disabled their car, whilst keeping her car's engine safe. She leaped to the relative safety of a ditch, and the two men opened fire with automatic weapons, raking the car extensively.

"Officer Brewster had the presence of mind to take her cruiser keys with her, and returned fire, killing twenty eight year old Marvin Brown instantly. Brown fell back, just here, dropping his Ingram Machine pistol.

"The other man, convicted killer Lennox Dwight, attempted to escape using the police car, but when challenged by the officer, he tried to bring his Ingram to bear on her, and she shot him twice. When police searched the trunk of the stolen sedan, they recovered narcotics to a street value of over $40,000, together with a substantial amount of cash and more guns.

"Lieutenant John Cowie, of the Sheriff's Department has been assigned as the investigating officer of this shooting. I spoke to him a few moments ago."

The scene changed to the lieutenant, taken further down the road, and I could see the cars in the background.

"That would be a matter for her Chief, but as far as my investigation shows so far, there is no evidence of any wrong-doing by the officer, who reacted perfectly correctly, and very courageously in a difficult and highly dangerous situation. Indeed, I have spoken to her department Chief, and there is no question of suspending her at this time. As with all post incident welfare issues, it may be perfectly appropriate that she be allowed space and time to deal with what must have been a very hard experience."

"Can we confirm that she was unhurt?"

"Yes, the officer sustained no injuries whatsoever."

"Would it be too early to establish whether any recommendations would be made to the DA or Coroner?"

"My investigation is not yet complete, but the initial conclusions would indicate that the officer acted correctly, and indeed could expect another citation or commendation for her actions here today. These were very dangerous men, and they chose their lifestyle. The officer defended herself, and at the same time up held her duty to protect the public.

"I interviewed the officer, and have nothing but admiration for her. She is a shining example of the high standard of officers of which your communities can be justly proud."

The reporter came back into shot.

Lou turned to me.

"Hey girl, you'll have my job next."

Terri brought lunch to the table, and we sat and had a quite meal together.

"Can I go back to work tomorrow?" I asked Lou.

"Well, we got a trained counsellor coming to see you. So, perhaps we'll wait a couple of days before we start getting you back to work."

"A counsellor, why?"

"Department policy. Every time an officer is involved in a shooting, then we have to make sure that officer is treated correctly so as to try to offset post traumatic stress disorder."

I shrugged, I felt fine, and I said so.

"Yeah, I'm sure you do, but these things have a habit of staying around, and then they pop up when you least expect it."

"Do you think I need counselling?"

"Sherri, it can't hurt to talk through it with someone unattached to the department."

"Okay. I called Peejay, and he's asked me to fly over and visit with him for a while. So when Mom and Dad leave, I thought I'd take a couple of weeks off."

"That sounds a good idea. How is he?"

"He's fine. Missing me," I said with a smile.

"Still no date for the wedding?" asked Terri.

I shook my head.

"No. I want him to get qualified, and look for a job. Then I can fit in with him."

"Do you think he'll come up here?" Lou asked.

"I don't know, but I doubt it. He'll want to be in a little more active place to start with."

That comment caused some mirth.

"How much more action do you want, girl?" Lou asked. I just smiled.

We finished lunch, and Terri and Lou were talking together in the kitchen.

"Hey Sherri. Terri wants to know whether you want to put up your Mom and Dad at your place. You got more room than us, and they'll keep you company."

I thought about it, and it made sense. Lou and Terri had the three kids, and just the spare room in the basement. I had two spare rooms, and it would be neat to have my folks with me.

So I agreed, and we talked times with Lou.

My folks were getting in to Portland at eight, so I rang Jimmy. He agreed to fly me up to meet them, and then bring us back. He was planning to fly a couple of guys up at about six in any case, so I was more than welcome to join him then.

After lunch, Lou gave me a ride back to town, and I collected my pickup from behind the police department, and made my way home. There were a couple of reporters outside the house, but I was quick enough to avoid them.

I changed out of Terri's skirt and top, put on my jeans, and hung up my uniform. I made the spare bed and tidied up some. I had never had my parents to stay and it was quite exciting. While I was doing it, I saw some more reporters arrive, and then a police car pulled up. Gail gave me a wave as she told them to go away and give me some space.

I met Jimmy at the airfield, and he was talking to two city hunter types. They were on their way back after spending a couple of weeks 'in the wilds'.

"Hi Sherri. I heard about your little incident. Way to go, girl."

"Hi Jimmy. Thanks. I'd rather not talk about it right now, if that's okay."

"Sure. You ready?"

"Yup."

"Okay, let's roll." he said, and we got into his little plane.

We arrived in Portland earlier than I had wanted, so I went to the coffee shop and had a coffee with Jimmy. He saw a friend and told me he'd meet me at the plane at about eight thirty, and dashed off.

I mooched around the shops for a while, and kept seeing the news reports on the TV monitors. They were making me out to be some form of super heroine. I just was scared shitless and did my job.

I watched the plane from Tampa land, and waited by the gate.

I saw Dad first, as he pushed his cart up the short ramp. I waved, and he saw me and smiled. Then I saw Mom, and she waved back.

I ran over and gave them both huge hugs, and it was so nice to see them again.

We chatted all the way over to the other plane, and Jimmy arrived just as we got there.

"Hey Mr Brewster, Mrs Brewster. Good to meet you," he said and shook their hands before loading their cases onto his plane.

"Jimmy Banks is my private pilot," I joked, and we all clambered in.

We chatted all the way home. It was good to see dad looking so well. He was going to a gym regularly, and was almost as fit as he had been before the operation.

"I haven't seen Lou for years," he said, as he looked out of the window. He was obviously quite excited at the prospect of seeing his brother after so long.

"We are heading up there for a late supper, and then back to my place for the night," I told them

"We aren't staying with Lou?"

"They thought it best to stay with me, what with their kids and all. Besides we live only a couple of blocks away."

"I'd rather stay with you, dear," said Mom.

We landed, and Jimmy helped carry the stuff to my pickup.

"So, this is yours?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, what did you expect, a Mercedes sports?"

"Nope, you sorta met my expectations," he said with a grin.

I drove them to my place first, and we dropped off their bags. I noticed the reporters had gone.

They seemed pleased with my little home, and Mom especially.

"Did you do all the decorating yourself?"

"Peejay did most, as I was working, but we did it all together."

"How is he?"

"He's fine. We talk every day. I'm going over there for a couple of weeks when you go home."

"That's sound fun. Won't he be in classes?"

"Not all the time," I said, and blushed.

I drove them over to Lou and Terri's. I realised that dad had not mentioned the incident at all.

The reunion of the two brothers was quite emotional. Before long everyone was in tears and laughing at the same time. The kids had not seen their uncle and aunt since they were very small, so really they were meeting them properly for the first time.

Supper was tacos and tortillas, and stretched on late into the evening. The kids went to bed at about eleven, as they had school in the morning, and the five of us sat around drinking and chatting.

At one point dad took me aside.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"Fine Dad. Thanks."

"If you want to talk, I'm here for you."

"I know, but I'm okay, thanks."

At midnight I took them home, and we all went to bed.

I found sleep illusive. I kept seeing all the events roll past me, again and again. It wasn't frightening, just stuck, like a self-repeating video.

I got up and went to get a drink, and just sat in the kitchen, trying to clear my mind.

I heard a sound, and there was my Dad.

He didn't say anything, he just opened his arms and I went and cuddled him.

We sat on the sofa, and I curled up and wrapped my arms around him. I felt safe now, and I fell asleep.

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