“Why the frown?”
Abby looked up and set the Bible down. Woody was back; she hadn’t heard him come in. A tall, lanky patrol officer with a full head of steel-gray hair, Officer Robert Woods studied her with an expressionless cop face. Woody had thirty-four years in harness, almost all in graveyard patrol, and as far as Abby knew, he had no intention of retiring anytime soon. It always tickled her to know that he pinned on the badge the same year she was born.
“I hate this,” Abby said, not surprised she’d been frowning. “Why kill an old woman?”
He hiked a shoulder and rubbed the gray stubble on his chin. Then Abby saw the pain in his face, and it brought her up short.
“You knew her?”
He grimaced. “Been here a few times on calls—415 music complaints, prowlers, you know. Sometimes she’d make me a cup of coffee. Tried to talk her into bars on the windows, but she refused to live in a prison. Poor lady had a hard time adjusting as this neighborhood went from quiet and genteel to—”
“Noisy and slummy?”
Weariness settled over his craggy face. “I’ll fill you in later. Your wit is back. I left him on the porch. I know you’ll want to hear what he has to say.” His body language told Abby he had more to say and that this murder affected him more than he would ever let on.
She rubbed her nose with the back of her gloved hand. She’d finished enough of the scene survey to draw a diagram, and the lab tech had arrived to process and collect the evidence. And now the witness was here to be interviewed. That was a whole different problem.
Abby had one more question for Woody before dealing with the witness.
“Can you tell what’s missing? Were you in here often enough to notice?”
He looked around. “Not really, but I’ll take another look.”
“Thanks.” Abby turned and, shedding the latex gloves, stepped out of the living room and through the doorway to talk to the man who’d called in the crime: Luke P. Murphy, private investigator.
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A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Law enforcement is a tough job in any environment. Since 2001, when seventy-two officers died in the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers (altogether 242 died in the line of duty that year), we’ve averaged 162 line of duty deaths annually (http://www.odmp.org/search/year). We die a lot of different ways: aircraft accidents, assaults, vehicle crashes, heart attacks, gunfire, etc. And no one sugarcoats the risk in pinning on a badge. We know going in that the job is dangerous.
When I was in the academy, we talked a lot about the number of officers dying in the line of duty, often dissecting the tragic incidents that led to the deaths, seriously contemplating, “What would I have done in that situation?” And we hoped that better training, safer tactics would cut into the number and lower it.
In some respects, better training has helped, but 2016 will go down in my mind as one of the deadliest years for law enforcement not because of numbers, but because of the animosity I saw leveled at police officers. Animosity that led to ambushes like the one in Dallas that left five officers dead one July evening. There is really no training that can prepare you for a skilled gunman, set up in a secure location during an event requiring law enforcement protection, who is bent on killing as many officers in uniform as possible.
Ironically, the officers were protecting people who were protesting them.
In the aftermath of the tragedy in Dallas, there was so much commentary out there, some informed, some completely uninformed. The video that recorded the tragedy pretty much sums it up. All those people on the street protesting the cops, painting all officers with a broad brush—and when the shooting started, who did they look to for protection? To the very people they were protesting and vilifying, the people in blue. And the people in blue did not disappoint. They ran toward the danger, toward the shots, and some of them died protecting the very people who hate them.
Because that is what we do.
Even before social media, police work was visible and minutely scrutinized. Police work is 24-7; police stations never close and officers contact people all the time. They encounter situations that seem out of place, that look dangerous, that are dangerous, and they don’t look the other way. Police respond to emotional calls, to active criminal behavior; they don’t exclusively drive through safe, quiet neighborhoods. By sheer volume, odds are that some contacts will not go well. Not every citizen interaction can be handled with a please and thank-you; after all, we take people to jail.
Police work is not always pretty, but that does not mean it’s illegal, wrong, or racist. With the explosion of social media, there is more scrutiny than ever. This is good if bad cops are exposed, but horrible if there is a rush to judgment and good cops are tarnished by half the story or unfortunate situations.
When I was in uniform, we went through a tough period of anti-cop sentiment and rioting after the Rodney King verdict. It was scary and it was dangerous, but there was always the feeling that the majority of the people we served were behind us and that most people had our backs. With all this violence directed at law enforcement recently, with headline after headline proclaiming an officer shot, or an officer’s death, I wonder if the men and women in law enforcement still feel that the majority of the people they serve have their backs.
I understand people protesting when they have a legitimate grievance or pain. But in some of the protests I saw, people actively called for officers to be murdered. (One sign read All my heroes kill cops.) To call for the murder of those who put their lives on the line protecting you is beyond reprehensible.
This craziness has to stop. The problem is, police officers, for the most part, cannot do their work in secret; neither can they be selective in the calls they handle. They head out to where they are dispatched in a clearly marked vehicle in a clearly noticeable uniform. If someone wants to take a shot, it’s easy.
How can the average person help? You can pray for police; you can offer your support when you see them out in the community; and you can teach your children to respect the law and law enforcement. Our culture should be a culture that holds the law in high regard.
If you need a cop in an emergency, 911 will bring them to your aid. And cops will continue to do what they do, protecting and serving their communities. The men and women I proudly served with took their jobs seriously and rushed into dangerous situations time and time again, to help, to protect, all citizens.
Now more than ever, police officers put their lives on the line. They deserve the support of every law-abiding citizen. Let’s start our own reverse 911 and pray and support those who protect us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. She now lives in a small town in southern Oregon, where she enjoys exploring the forests, rivers, and lakes with her Labrador retrievers, Abbie and Tilly.
Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Crisis Shot is the first title in her latest series. Janice also authored the Cold Case Justice series—Drawing Fire, Burning Proof, and Catching Heat—the Pacific Coast Justice series—Accused, Abducted, and Avenged—and the Brinna Caruso novels, Critical Pursuit and Visible Threat.
Visit Janice’s website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JaniceCantore.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
In the opening scene of Crisis Shot, Tess O’Rourke is forced to make a split-second decision that results in major fallout. Are her actions justified? Consider the different stances members of the Rogue’s Hollow council take. Which is closest to your view? Many Americans have seen similar shooting incidents play out in their own communities. Are the police taking appropr
iate steps to ensure public safety, or is there more that should be done?
Tess bemoans the idea that “the truth didn’t seem to matter” to the media or the public. Are there things she could have done to fight harder for her job, or is it, as the LBPD deputy chief says, a waste of time in a battle she was bound to lose? How can you champion the truth when it seems like everyone makes up their own truth?
When Oliver Macpherson and his wife receive the devastating news that Anna’s cancer has returned, Anna tells Oliver that God isn’t listening to their prayers. How does Oliver respond to that? How would you respond to Anna?
Oliver struggles at times to lay his petitions before God and truly let go of the worry he has. What does Philippians 4:6-7 say about worry? What other verses come to mind when you struggle with fear or worry?
Tilly is a tortured soul . . . and an unlikely hero. In what ways does she show a desire to help? What happens when drugs cloud her mind or paranoia takes over?
Steve Logan reminds Tess a bit too much of her ex-husband, but he’s also a desperately needed ally. What do you think will happen with their relationship in future stories?
Tess and her dad each have a list of rules—mostly pertaining to police work. Which of the rules do you imagine yourself referring to over and over? What other rules would you put on a list for your life?
Tess wrestles with the idea of a good God when innocent, and sometimes heroic, people die at the hands of evil men, or when one person is spared while another isn’t. What does Oliver tell her about God’s providence? What would you say to her? When have you seen God at work despite the intentions of a corrupt world?
When people in Rogue’s Hollow begin questioning Tess’s ability to find Anna, she wonders if she should have left policing altogether. What knocks her out of this attitude? What do you do when you have doubts about proceeding along the path set before you?
As Tess searches for Tilly, she notes that the police are often called on to intervene with the homeless, some of whom have mental issues. Do you agree with her assessment that “no one has the best answer for how to help them,” or does that make it seem like they are beyond hope? Who should be responsible for caring for the least of these?
When Oliver calls Tess a hero, she seems reluctant to accept the title. What prevents her from embracing his praise? Few people may actually have the opportunity to live out John 15:13, but are there other ways to show “greater love”?
Oliver’s ability to “have a little grace” even after he learns the truth about Anna resonates with Tess. Do you think she’ll be able to release some of the tension she’s held since the Long Beach shooting? What steps can you take to extend a little grace toward the people in your life?
Available now at bookstores and online. www.janicecantore.com
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