Rules of Crime (34 page)

Lammers gave him a long hard look. “I understand how you feel, but I want you to give it more time. I don’t accept your resignation, but I will put you on paid leave of absence.”

A wave of relief rolled over him. “Thank you. My daughter wants me to be home with her for a while.”

“Do what you have to do, then come back. This town needs you.”

He turned to leave. At times he hated this job, but he wondered if he could live without it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photograph by Gwen Rhoads, 2011

L.J. Sellers is a native of Eugene, Oregon, the setting of her thrillers. She’s an award-winning journalist and bestselling novelist, as well as a cyclist, social networker, and thrill-seeking fanatic. A long-standing fan of police procedurals, she counts John Sandford, Michael Connelly, Ridley Pearson, and Lawrence Sanders among her favorites. Her own novels, featuring Detective Jackson, include
The Sex Club, Secrets to Die For, Thrilled to Death, Passions of the Dead, Dying for Justice, Liars, Cheaters & Thieves
, and
Rules of Crime
. In addition, she’s penned three standalone thrillers:
The Baby Thief, The Gauntlet Assassin
, and
The Suicide Effect
. When not plotting crime, she’s also been known to perform standup comedy and occasionally jump out of airplanes.