Command: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Amélie S. Duncan

  “Yes, I know,” I answered.

  She nodded. “We spend a lot of time raising money to cover the night in the hotel, bus rental, and driver for the day to San Francisco and the game. It’s one of the highlights for the girls besides a chance to attend a career fair so they can make plans for life. For some of the girls, this is the only family and chance at good schools they have.”

  My heart ached. Nathan had shared with me about the camp, and so had the girls. “That’s horrible. I’m so sorry.”

  She flicked her eyes at the notes in front of her. “Mrs. Sanders on duty said she had opened the safety box to retrieve Lucy’s necklace on prom night. But Lucy claims she didn’t wear the necklace. Amy also reported her XPX compact disappeared the same night as the prom.”

  Bile rose in my throat. Amber had been there that night, and she’d stolen the compact. But I was sure she took it from the bedroom. I didn’t remember her going to the office. Maybe she saw something? I could ask, but I didn’t have permission for her to visit, nor did I remember if I logged in a report that she stopped by. Would I end up in trouble for that?

  “The friend of yours you asked me to give permission to come here had come inside that night, hadn’t she?” she asked.

  My face burned. “When I left this office, Amber had gone upstairs, but only for ten minutes. I asked if she could visit, and you gave me a form for her to fill out. Amber left the group home quickly.”

  She poised her pen to write. “Amber . . .”

  “Westwood. I went to the office. I came back to meet her outside, but I found her upstairs brushing Lucy’s hair. I made her leave immediately.”

  “You didn’t bar her from entering, and you didn’t escort her outside to ensure she was gone?”

  I tensed. “I told Amber to wait outside, and I came to ask you if she could apply to come here. I was only gone a few minutes, and I didn’t see Amber in the home after telling her to leave.”

  “But you’re not answering my questions. I’ll try again. Did you see Amber walk outside?”

  “No, but Amber wouldn’t take the money. She’s rich.”

  Mrs. Wilkins gave me a tight smile. “Stealing isn’t always about money. People steal for different reasons. Neither one of us has proof your friend Amber stole, but you can’t say with absolute certainty she wasn’t capable of doing so. Do you have anything else you can share to help us?”

  I took a deep breath and hid my eyes. Mrs. Wilkins was right. I knew Amber took Amy’s compact. However, if I told, that would implicate me in the theft. If they recovered it, they might find cocaine on it. Who knows what that information would do to my case?

  But that wasn’t the only thing that worried me. I’d have to answer to my dad and Nathan, who’d stuck his neck out to place me here. What would he think about the situation when he arrived?

  He’d think I messed up Lucy’s chance at a stable home and may have put the baseball program he’d built from scratch in jeopardy. I needed to find a way to fix everything. Although under Mrs. Wilkins’s scrutiny, I couldn’t say another word, and I hated myself for it.

  “No. I have nothing else to tell you.”

  She frowned. “We’re sorry too. I’m going to have to report that you had an unauthorized visitor to your community officer. We have a zero-tolerance policy for rule breaches. As I said, we have more to answer for when issues affect children.”

  “With all due respect, and I do mean that sincerely, Mrs. Wilkins, that was weeks ago. Why has it become an issue now?” I asked.

  “Just because it happened weeks ago doesn’t mean it’s not important. Many things happen in the children’s lives that we find out about later. There is no statute of limitations when broken laws are uncovered. We had a theft, and in our investigation other issues came to light. I can’t ignore what happened once I’m informed. The state and the court count on me to follow our guidelines and procedure of operations, and if I selectively decide on rules, our home will come under scrutiny and may close. The girls need the stability. It’s my job to make sure closure doesn’t happen.”

  “I understand,” I said and cleared my throat. “What . . . what happens now?”

  “We’re terminating your community service here effective immediately. I need the key and your badge now.”

  “Can I say goodbye to the girls?” I asked, my voice cracking.

  She shook her head. “No. As you see, they’re already fighting. I need to get this place under control. It’s best you leave now.”

  I pressed my lips together and fumbled through my purse. My hand trembled as I handed over my key and identification card.

  She followed me out.

  “Hey, Ms. Shana.”

  “Where are you going?” I heard the girls call from the sitting room.

  I lifted my hand in a wave as I passed. It was the only thing Mrs. Wilkins allowed me to do, and she made sure that was all I did by holding the front door open for me to leave.

  My heart muscles squeezed. Their lives had become so important to me. How could I just walk out and disappear, leaving them without letting them know I cared? How was that the right thing to do?

  It was cruel. I understood that a lot more now. I’d thought I’d been right leaving Nathan, but I broke him when I left. The girls have nothing and every right to put up walls to protect themselves, but they lowered them to let me in.

  The click of the lock assailed my ears in finality. Shut out. Silenced.

  I didn’t even get to say I care.

  Nathan

  Shana’s Chevelle passed my car, headed in the opposite direction from the group home.

  I pumped the horn to get her attention, but she drove on. My gut said she saw me and kept going, but I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Things had been good between us. Her hearing was coming up next month, and with all she’d done, she still had a chance for a reduced charge of misdemeanor possession—a chance, not a guarantee. But I was ready and willing to help find the real dealer. Ambrose and Stetson were still following up on suspects, including what I shared with them. Unlike on television shows, cases took time. And instead of leaving, Shana’s life stopped, and I wanted her to move forward. Hopefully, with me in Sunnyville.

  Even though I tried not to, I had fallen in love with her all over again. And I still held out hope that she’d stay and give us a chance this time. We were at a different place than we had been a few years ago. We were both stronger now and willing to put in the work to build our life together here. I knew in my soul there was no one else for either one of us but each other.

  I found a place to pull over a couple of streets from the group home and called. Her phone rang twice then cut off before voicemail. What the hell?

  A car pulled alongside mine, and the window rolled down.

  Kylie.

  “Nate, do you have a minute?” she asked.

  “Can it wait?” I didn’t remember if I’d apologized for what happened at the bar. But she must know Shana and I were together now.

  “Officer D.” Lucy stuck her head forward from the backseat. Her face was red and puffy.

  I jerked my head back. “What happened?”

  “I have to take Lucy to juvenile hall,” Kylie replied.

  My brows lowered. “Why?”

  “Because Amy turned on me and talked shit about my mom,” Lucy said.

  “Watch your language,” Kylie cut in.

  “Amy came after me, and I hit her back,” Lucy gritted. “Is that better, Ms. Kylie?”

  “Hey, I’m not the bad woman here. Your actions are not my fault. Everyone reported you hit her—”

  “She wouldn’t stop yelling in my face about my mom,” Lucy mumbled and turned to the window.

  “You should have reported what happened instead of fighting with Amy,” Kylie said.

  “I hit Amy because she accused me of stealing. I don’t steal. Why would I when I wanted to go to baseball camp? I wouldn’t steal the necklace my dad gave me or Amy’s cheap com
pact. My mom was thrown out before I left for prom and went to jail after that for soliciting. If she had money, she wouldn’t have sold herself. She would have disappeared like she always does.”

  The situation sounded bad, but I didn’t want to further upset Lucy. I didn’t like that she had to go to juvenile hall. Lucy had problems but wasn’t a bad kid, yet one mistake, even with many good reports, took everything away. “We’ll get to the bottom of things. You keep yourself together, and I’ll check up on you soon.”

  “Thanks, Officer D.” Lucy settled back into her seat, and I started my car.

  “Wait. Can we speak in private? It’s about Shana.”

  My jaw ticked. “Okay. Sure.”

  Kylie parked and climbed inside the passenger seat of my car. “First, understand I didn’t bring this news to upset you. I understood you had a history before, and what happened at the bar was part of that.”

  “Yes, we do.” That was all I’d say about it. The rest was none of her business.

  Kylie cleared her throat. “Shana brought an unauthorized person into the group home and didn’t tell anyone about it. She let her hang out upstairs with the children, and when she was caught, she tried to cover it up by asking for a form like she’d planned the visit . . .” She mouthed off a bunch of operations protocols like an Alexa government handbook.

  I made sure the expression on my face was blank, while I screamed in my head. What the fuck, Shana? “Did anything else happen?”

  “Mrs. Wilkins said some money was stolen that may have been part of the baseball camp.”

  I shook my head. “Impossible. The funding goes straight into a deposit.”

  She paused. “Well, Mrs. Wilkins said money is gone and mentioned the baseball camp. I assumed it was part of the funding. She also said some of the kids’ valuables are missing. Someone stole them. And the only person that’s new and had people inside that were not cleared by background check was Shana. This is serious. The group home could get sued, and your program may be shut down.”

  Kylie didn’t have the full story, and her obvious bias against Shana tainted her take on what went down. But I still needed more information from her. “Do you know the name of who came over?” Of course, Amber came to mind. Shana just couldn’t seem to quit her.

  “No. Shana was being interviewed before I had to leave with Lucy. She’s on probation. She’ll probably go to jail now—”

  “Shana’s community service is voluntary. She’s not on probation.” Try again.

  She jutted her chin. “Fine, maybe I have that wrong. But you have to admit what Shana did caused a lot of problems for the group home and your program. It’s hard enough finding a home for these kids. Now poor Lucy is displaced, and the kids miss out on something they worked so hard for. We need to find a way to make at least the career fair happen for them. It hurts to see them suffer.”

  I admired Kylie’s passion for the kids, but I didn’t like how she threw Shana under the bus. “Thanks. I have to go.”

  “How about we meet up later to brainstorm a plan for the kids if Mamie Johnson Group Home is removed from the baseball program?”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when it comes. You shouldn’t leave Lucy alone.”

  I waited for her to leave, but she didn’t move.

  “Nathan, may I be frank with you?” she asked.

  I worked my jaw. “If you must.”

  “I understand you’re upset about Shana. I always find it hard when people I once cared for deeply let me down. You’re a good man and great with the children. We’re all impressed by your dedication and service to our community. However, since she arrived, we’ve all seen a change in you. She’s fun and different for the children, but she doesn’t understand the severity and complications of their lives. I’m sure Mrs. Wilkins will remove her from the group home. Maybe it’s time for you to move on too. You deserve better.”

  “Shana makes mistakes, but she’s a good person. Your whole job is about giving people chances.”

  “There has to come a time when enough is enough. Shana’s the type that courts drama. She’ll soon be in jail or strung out. You can spend the rest of your life trying to save her, but you’ll realize you can’t. I have no choice but to include her in my reports, so you’ll need to.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her. “I always do my job.”

  “I know, and like I said, I mean you no harm, Nathan. I thought we got along well. I’d hoped to run into you to invite you to a rock-climbing event.”

  I gripped the steering wheel. “This isn’t a good time—”

  “I know. But I have the information with me. It’ll only take a second.”

  Kylie climbed out and collected her purse, placing it on my car’s hood for a search. Something I didn’t like, but could tolerate for a quick check.

  She laughed. “I can’t find a thing in here.”

  A car sped by, and the bag turned over.

  “Shit,” I said and climbed out.

  Something shiny caught the sun. I reached down to pick it up, and Kylie grabbed it and closed her fist. “Sorry.”

  “Show me your hand, please,” I said, lowering my voice.

  Her face turned bright red, and her hand shook as she opened it up—pearls, with moonstone hearts, just like the necklace Lucy owned.

  “Do you need help?” Lucy called over to us.

  “No thanks.” I stood up and glared down at Kylie.

  “Just . . . just stay where you are,” Kylie stammered. She grabbed the rest of the items on the ground and shoved them in her purse. “I must’ve forgotten I picked the necklace up. Many things were going on that night, with her mom showing up at the group home and the theft. The money from the group home is still missing. Shana brought in unauthorized visitors. That doesn’t change anything.”

  “You having the necklace all along does change things. I don’t want to drag Lucy into this right now, but tell me why you have it when you told me it was missing.”

  “I honestly don’t remember picking up the necklace. I literally blanked out that I had it. I would have given it to Lucy for prom.”

  Sure, you would. “You should go. This will be included in my report.”

  I leaned out my window and called over to Lucy. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “What’s wrong?” she asked Kylie. “My stomach aches.”

  But Kylie didn’t answer Lucy. Just climbed in the car and drove off.

  Kylie was a loved social worker. The team would accept her “amnesia” regarding the necklace, however that wouldn’t work for me. Why did she do it? To make Shana look bad with the kids and staff? To date me? She hurt Lucy. Whatever her reasons, she needed to do better for herself and those she promised to help.

  I finally went inside the group home. After calming the kids down about the program, I met with Mrs. Wilkins. She wanted to give Kylie a chance to explain what happened with the necklace. However, she had to follow the rules regarding Shana’s community service agreement. Shana confessed to her that she didn’t report or escort Amber out of the group home. Therefore, Mrs. Wilkins had no choice but to end her placement there. I expected no less and felt let down. Why did Shana keep this from me? I’d thought she wouldn’t risk the group home or the baseball program—knowing how much both meant to me.

  I called my dad, and he took a report on the theft. I had another idea.

  “How about I go over and question Amber? I could at least find out what she knows about that night.”

  “Not a good idea, son. We don’t have any evidence and without it, she’ll just cover her tracks. If something develops, Grant or Lyle can do the questioning. You’re too close to the program and group home.”

  I grunted. “I’m sick and tired of never being allowed to do anything except pass on work to other officers.”

  “Your work reporting the incident is a big part of the job. Without police like you, some crimes never come to the department’s knowledge and remain unanswered.” He gave the speech he’d
given time and time again. “You overstepped questioning Skylar’s father. You could’ve been written up for that. I know it’s hard, but you need to let the detectives work their cases.”

  “It’s not enough,” I grumbled.

  “It is, and you’re good at what you do. You can report whatever Shana tells you. That would help.”

  I didn’t answer. Using what Shana told me against her felt shady as fuck, and Dad was right. I didn’t want anywhere near this case. Honestly, I knew this would happen. Our dating and her case were always a tricky situation. I tried to keep things separate, but I couldn’t leave Shana alone. I love her.

  “Damn, that woman. She doesn’t make her life easy. But you know, if she’s protecting her friend, and it’s proven one of them stole the money . . .”

  “She may be arrested again. I’ve got to go,” I said, and we hung up. Fuck me.

  I called Shana again, and she finally answered. “Tell me where you are?”

  “I’m at home. You already know what happened, don’t you?” The sound of the distress in her voice hurt my heart.

  “I don’t want to do this over the phone. See you in fifteen minutes.”

  I didn’t know what I would say to her when I got there. Or what I’d do if she gave up on herself now. She’d come so far. But then, I had my duty.

  My anger rose. Shana and the kids weren’t the only ones who would lose at the group home. The staff they had was top-notch and treated the kids with love—something I hadn’t had when I was stuck in the system. But one thing at a time.

  If a crime was committed, even if it was by the person I loved, I had to do the right thing. That was the first time I thought about not following my duty. I could replace the money and push everything away to keep the life Shana and I were building together. But that was a Band-Aid for a sore that wouldn’t heal. I had to question myself: was I trying to fix Shana? Or did loving her mean I’d have to give up myself?