Breaker's Reef by Terri Blackstock

Washington and work for one of the major papers.”
    “Is that what you’re gonna do?”
    “I’d want the option, even if I didn’t take it. Didn’t you ever think of going to college?”
    “Yeah, I thought about it. But my family couldn’t afford it.”
    “What about scholarships, grants? Jonathan says no one should have to skip college because of finances, with all the financial aid available. I mean, you might not get to go to the college that’s your first choice, but you could go somewhere and get your degree.”
    He bit again and chewed, thinking. “Well, to be perfectly honest, my grades weren’t good enough in school to get academic scholarships. I wasn’t a good enough athlete to get an athletic scholarship. And when it all came right down to it, and I started thinking about loans and grants and all that, I realized I’d rather get on with my life now. Now I have a steady income and a placeof my own and I don’t have to live in some dorm room waiting for real life to begin.”
    “Real life? You don’t think college is real life?”
    He chuckled. “No, I don’t. When else can you take four years to party and hang out, live in a place all expenses paid, with no one to answer to?”
    “You answer to the professors.”
    “Not much. If you can pass their tests, they’re satisfied. But they don’t care when you come in at night or how much you drink. Even the studying isn’t real life. Think about it. How often in life are you going to use calculus?”
    “I don’t know. But don’t you think it’s good for your brain to learn? It makes you sharper. More disciplined.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Most people come out of college with their brains fried, not sharper. I have friends who’ve gone to college and wound up just as messed up as those who dropped out in high school. I figure, who needs it?”
    “You sound like you’ve given this a lot of thought.”
    He smiled. “Yeah, I have. I decided that being a cop was the way to get what I want. People respect cops. They admire them. Bad guys fear them.”
    Sadie grinned. “And you like being feared?”
    “There are worse things.”
    Sadie thought about the impressions she’d had of cops in the past. They’d arrested her mother, dragged her off in handcuffs…. But they’d also rescued Sadie when she was alone and broken. “I don’t fear cops. I respect them. I owe my life to Cade. Ten college degrees wouldn’t make you more important than one police badge, in my book.”
    His smile told her he appreciated that.
    “And look what you did, discovering Emily’s body. You’re practically a hero.”
    “Just doing my job.”
    Sadie wasn’t sure of his sincerity—since he had every reason to be proud—but she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Have you always wanted to be a cop?”
    “Since I was a kid. But I also like working with computers. Maybe I’ll move into something with cybercrimes. Maybe for the FBI or something.”
    “Ever thought of being a detective, like your uncle?”
    “Maybe. But I wouldn’t settle for what he’s settled for. Small town crimes that would put you to sleep—”
    “Hey, Joe’s helped solve some major cases. Cade says he’s one of the best.”
    “Yeah, but I want more. I’m starting young enough to make my mark.”
    “And you’re being trained by the best. Cade’s top-notch.”
    “Yeah, he’s great. A real role model.”
    Was that a note of sarcasm in his voice?
    He gazed out the window, then his face changed. “Hey, if it isn’t the old gang. Let’s go out and see them.”
    Sadie followed his gaze to the group of her schoolmates that had gathered in the parking lot. They’d been at the church, and like her, they seemed to need some levity after the sadness of the last few days. She didn’t want to join them, but Scott was already sliding out of the booth. Reluctantly, she followed him outside.
    “Hey, it’s Scott!”
    At Don Sandifer’s exclamation, everyone turned to look.