by Sandra Owens
“Um, he stopped by Vincennes last night for a few minutes.”
“A few minutes and he’s already Dylan. Give over, Jenn. There’s more to this story.”
It was useless to resist. “He calls me Jenny. He refuses to call me Jenn because Chad does.”
“Wow. I like him already. I’d heard a big-city cop got the job. Is he cute?”
“No.” She looked so crestfallen that I couldn’t help grinning. “Cute doesn’t do him justice. He’s gorgeous.”
She clapped her hands. “I knew it. With that name, he had to be. I’m hungry. While we eat, you can tell me all about him.”
“Tennessee whiskey-colored eyes, huh?” she said when I finished describing him. “I need to meet this man, see if I approve of him for you.”
“Autumn, I’m leaving in two months. I’m not looking for a Chad replacement.”
“Who knows, maybe you’ll fall madly in love and stay home. Then I won’t have to miss you.”
I threw an olive at her. “Not gonna fall in love.”
After we finished our sandwiches, we stretched out on the rock. Autumn yawned, and within a few minutes she’d fallen asleep. I watched the clouds float by and thought about Dylan.
Everyone had a story, and I wondered what his was. Why would a man leave a big city to come to a small mountain town? It didn’t make sense to me, a person who wanted out of this place. Not that I didn’t love my hometown, I did, but there was a whole wide world waiting to be explored. He had to be used to a wide choice of restaurants, shops, and all kinds of entertainment.
He probably wouldn’t last long here before he got bored and moved on. It occurred to me that wasn’t such a bad thing where I was concerned. I could date him, neither of us with any expectations. Just have a good time together, nothing more, and then we’d each go our separate ways. Him back to Chicago or some other big city and me off to see the world.
I laughed. Already I was planning our relationship. To divert my mind from the town’s new hot cop, I got out my camera and took some pictures of Autumn sleeping and then some of the landscape. Photography was my hobby. To prepare for my world tour and the photos I’d take, I’d enrolled in classes, learning about such things as light, depth, and the Rule of Thirds, which was the placement of your subject matter.
Taking pictures always worked as an escape from thinking about anything other than lining up the best shot, and it worked for me today. Dylan was forgotten as I got some terrific shots of the waterfalls and surrounding landscape.
Chad hadn’t been waiting for me when I returned home, nor was his car at Vincennes when I got there. Although it surprised me he’d not made an appearance, some of the tension I’d felt from expecting another confrontation eased. Maybe he’d gotten the message. We didn’t start getting busy until around five, and I spent my first hour restocking the bar.
A few minutes before five, I made a quick trip to the restroom before things started hopping. Saturday nights were always crazy, and I loved it that way. I redid my ponytail, gathering the strands that had come loose. I headed back to the lounge, happy that my ex wasn’t being a PITA. Maybe Dylan would stop by tonight. Still hadn’t made up my mind about him, but I was kind of excited about seeing him.
Scanning the room to see who had arrived, I rolled my eyes. Considering my poor track record with men, I should know better by now than to expect it would have been that easy. I grabbed a bottle of pale ale, opened it, then slammed it down in front of Chad.
“Hey, baby,” the jerk said as if last night had never happened.
As if the police hadn’t been called, totally embarrassing me. Ignoring him, I turned to Autumn and Brian as they walked up. “Hey, you two.” I wasn’t crazy about Brian, but Autumn loved him, so I kept my opinion to myself. Since I knew they liked eating at the bar, I set out silverware and napkins.
“Love that dress. Can I borrow it sometime?” It was the same blue as her eyes and really made them pop.
“No, you may not. Last time I loaned you my clothes, you spilled red wine down my favorite blouse.”
I rolled my eyes. “That was four years ago. I’ve grown up since then.”
She blew me an air kiss before darting a quick glance at Chad, then turning a raised brow to me. Why’s he here? she mouthed.
“Later,” I said, making the universal sign with my hand to my ear that I’d call her.
“Jenn, got a minute?” Chad said.
“Nope.” I handed Autumn and Brian the specials menu. The regular one they had memorized, as had most of the locals. “Angelo’s got those lamb chops tonight,” I said as I poured each of them a glass of merlot. Brian perked up, which I knew he would. Angelo marinated the chops all afternoon, then crusted them to perfection over a grill. They were pretty darn good.
Brian pushed his menu back to me. “Sign me up.”
“I think I’ll have veal piccata,” Autumn said.
“Of course you will.” She rarely ordered anything else. “Savannah ever call back?”
“Nope.” We’d tried calling her on my phone this afternoon, getting her voice mail. We were worried about Savannah. The first few years, we heard from her all the time. Lately, not so much, and that was worrisome. She was supposed to be home for Autumn’s wedding, so hopefully we could reassure ourselves that she was okay.
“Jenn, please. I need to talk to you.”
I put in the orders for Brian and Autumn before walking over to Chad. If I kept ignoring him, he’d get mad and make a scene. “I’m busy and there’s nothing left to say. If you want dinner, then order something. If not, you’re taking up a seat and there are people waiting.”
He put his hand over mine. “I don’t know what I did wrong, baby, but whatever it was, I’m sorry. Forgive me?”
The urge to bang my head on the bar was almost irresistible, but I settled for pulling my hand away. “Fine. I forgive you. Now go away.” A couple I didn’t recognize came in, and I moved away to take care of them. How did you break up with a guy who refused to listen?
After making drinks for the latest arrivals, I checked on the rest of my customers, refilling glasses and taking orders. I refused to glance Chad’s way, but I could feel his glare on me.
While I was refilling Brian and Autumn’s wineglasses, Brandy brought out their salads. “Saw your car at the grocery store this afternoon. I walked up and down all the aisles but couldn’t find you,” she said.
“That’s because I wasn’t there.”
“Well, your car was.”
“No, it was with me at the water…” I glanced at Chad. Yep, he was listening. “Oh right, I did run in to pick up a few things.”
Autumn gave me a funny look, knowing I was lying. That was the second time someone had said they’d seen my car somewhere I wasn’t. Unless somebody had stolen my car to make a quick run to the store and then returned it, there was a person running around with one like mine. Since I didn’t know of a local who had a silver Mustang, it must be a tourist.
“Jenn!”
I sighed when Chad held up his empty beer bottle. I wanted to tell him to bug off, but he was a customer and this wasn’t the place to make a scene. When I slid another beer to him, he grabbed my wrist. The next time I came near him, I was going to bring a fork with me so I could stab his hand when he grabbed me.
“Come on, baby. I said I was sorry. How long you going to punish me?”
What had I ever seen in him? I glanced around the bar, and the only one paying attention was Autumn. She raised a brow, shooting a look at Brian. I gave a little shake of my head. No way I wanted Brian getting involved, which would only end with Chad mad and mouthing off.
“I’m working, so please let go of my arm.”
The toad tightened his fingers just enough to hurt, then let go. “I’ll be back when you get off.”
My first reaction was to tell him no, but I was going to have to have a firm conversation with him, and I might as well get it over with.
“Fine. See you l
ater.”
It had turned out to be a disappointing night. Chad had shown up and Dylan hadn’t.
6
~ Dylan ~
I’d been sitting in my car for fifteen minutes in a lot across the street from Vincennes, watching Jenny’s boyfriend—hopefully ex-boyfriend—as he leaned against the hood of his Beamer. It didn’t surprise me that he wasn’t going to give up easily. He was the kind of man who couldn’t handle a woman walking out on him. Good-looking, big ego, high-powered job, daddy’s money. Yeah, I’d checked him out. My instincts had yet to lie to me, and they were buzzing over this guy.
This afternoon I’d debated going to Vincennes for dinner but had decided it was too soon to see Jenny again. Didn’t want her to think I was trying to make a move on her while she was still tangled up with Pretty Boy.
I’d spent most of the day unpacking and getting my apartment in order, only leaving to go to the grocery store to pick up some sandwich supplies for dinner. My intention had been to spend the evening preparing for Monday and my first official day on the job. But having been closed up most of the day, I was going a little stir-crazy and decided to take a ride.
Since there was only one main street in Blue Ridge Valley, I couldn’t help driving by the restaurant. As I passed, I saw Chad Perrine turn into the parking lot shortly before their closing time. I pulled into the lot across the street, turned off my lights, and eased into a space that allowed me a good view. I wasn’t going to try to fight Jenny’s battles for her, but if things got nasty, I’d be nearby.
Perrine straightened when Jenny appeared. Had she made up with him? Don’t break my heart, Jenny Girl. I watched her body language, pleased that she stopped a few feet from him, putting her hands on her hips. I wished I could hear the conversation, but I was at least able to keep an eye on her, make sure the discussion stayed civil.
They talked back and forth for a few minutes, then Perrine reached for her. She shook her head as she backed up. When he stepped toward her, I put my hand on the door handle. Jenny reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone, backing up some more as she said something. My guess, she was threatening to call the cops. Smart girl. He got in his car and slammed the door, spinning his tires as he took off.
“Real cool, dude.”
I decided I’d follow Jenny home, make sure the man didn’t decide to show up there. She disappeared around the back of the building where I assumed she parked. A few minutes later a car came into view.
“I’ll be damned,” I murmured. We had matching Mustangs. Amused, I stayed far enough behind her so she wouldn’t notice me. After she arrived home and disappeared into her apartment, I stuck around for ten minutes or so, just to make sure Perrine didn’t show up. Once I decided he wasn’t going to make an appearance, I headed back to my place.
Monday morning I made sure to get to work before the seven o’clock shift change. I figured it was safe not to have any cars out on patrol this early for the forty-five-minute meeting I had planned, so when the cops coming off shift and those going on were all gathered, I gave them my spiel. The ones on the three to eleven were also here, and as I introduced myself, my gaze slid over the group both seated and standing around the lobby. Everyone except for Jansen looked crisp and sharp.
“I’m sure all of you know my name by now, but if you missed that bit of news somehow, I’m Dylan Conrad, your new chief. I’m a fair man, but…” I scanned the room, meeting each of their eyes. “But my word is law. Are you paying attention? I hope so, but I’ll repeat it one more time so there’s no misunderstanding.” I turned my gaze on Moody and Jansen, who were sitting together, both with bored expressions on their faces. They were going to find themselves very bored when they were out of a job.
“My word is law. No ands, ifs, or buts.” Moody narrowed his eyes, and I deducted five points. The man was digging a deep hole but was too stupid to know it.
“I won’t be making any changes right away… Actually, that’s not true. From this moment on, there will be no more poker games in this building. There will be no cursing, not even a ‘damn’ when on duty. My favorite word is ‘fuck,’ but you’ll never hear me say it again when I’m on the clock.”
“This is fucking bullshit,” Jansen muttered.
Why was I not surprised he’d be the one to test me? “You’re suspended for the day without pay, Jansen. Go home.” I deducted a thousand points, making sure he’d never dig his way out. Jansen leaned back on the chair he was squeezed into, crossed his arms over his belly, and glared at me.
“You have a very short memory, Officer Jansen. My word is law. You’re now suspended for three days. If you’re smart, which I have my doubts about, you’ll leave this second. If you don’t, my next offer is a week’s suspension.”
He heaved his massive body up and stomped out. I heard a snicker and turned my attention to Reddick. “Something funny, Officer Reddick?”
His eyes widened. “No sir.”
“Didn’t think so.” He was surprised I knew his name, but I knew the names of every man and the two women sitting or standing in this room, even the ones I hadn’t met. They didn’t know how much I loved assigning myself homework. Except for the few who’d had contact with me last Friday night, they didn’t know what to expect. As I continued on with my little speech, I began to see respect in most of their eyes. My work here was done, at least for this morning. Other than Moody and Jansen, I gave each one of them five points as a bonus because I was feeling generous.
“Bottom line, ladies and gentlemen”—I gave a nod to my only two women officers—“this police department is going to be the pride of Blue Ridge Valley. You do your job and do it right, I’ll have your back. That is my promise to you. If you have any questions, now’s the time to ask them.”
One of the women raised her hand. “Yes, Officer Griffin?” Again, the wide eyes of surprise that I knew her name.
“Ah…maybe it’s too soon to complain, but we hate our uniforms. Is there any chance of getting new ones?”
“We as in all of you?” Everyone nodded. I hated their uniforms, too. The shirts were a puke green, the pants a muddy brown. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to wear that uniform. “That’s on my list. I can’t promise you how soon it will happen, or if it even will, but I’m working on it.”
“Thank you, Chief.”
“Anything else?” Tommy raised his hand. “Tommy?”
Officer Kim Payton scrunched her eyebrows together, giving Tommy a quick glance when I called him by his first name. I gave her a point for being observant.
“I’d like to propose a rotation schedule for cleaning the break room. Right now it’s up to Sarah and Kim…I mean Officers Griffin and Payton to do it. I don’t think that’s fair.”
“They do it ’cause they’re the only women we got,” Moody said.
Sexist pig. I took fifty points away from him—no, make that a hundred. Ignoring Moody, I said, “First, you’re free to use each others’ first names. Second, work out a rotation schedule, Tommy, then post it.”
The two women exchanged grins. I figured with that one act alone, I’d won their loyalty. “If that’s all, you’re dismissed. For those going on duty, be careful out there.” I loved that line from the old cop show, Hill Street Blues.
For the rest of the day I spent my time in the office, getting it organized. Moody had been the interim chief for six months, and the place was a mess. What a surprise. By six I had everything organized the way I wanted it and, when my stomach growled, decided to call it quits for the day. Someone from the Ladies Auxiliary had dropped off a large pan of lasagna to welcome me aboard, so I hadn’t even left for lunch. I’d carved out a chunk for myself and then gave the rest to my cops.
Vincennes was closed on Mondays or I would have had dinner there, but instead I grabbed a burger at a drive-through and, after wolfing it down, made a few more stops around town to introduce myself. I wanted the people in Blue Ridge Valley to know their new police chief was interested in them
and their well-being.
Tomorrow I’d have a police radio installed in my car, but for now I was using a handheld. When it crackled to life, reporting a fight at Hideouts, the honky-tonk bar, I headed there.
The first thing I saw when I pulled into the parking lot was Jansen beating on a guy half his size. I assumed the guy trying to pull them apart was the bouncer. A siren sounded, and moments later a police cruiser raced up.
“Tommy,” I said when he exited the patrol car, “come help me pull Jansen off that dude before someone gets hurt.”
“You got it, Chief.”
Between the two of us and the bouncer, we separated Jansen and the other man, but Jansen was an idiot—which I already knew—and he tried to break away and go after the man again. Jansen was beyond reasoning with.
“Give me your handcuffs,” I said, talking to Tommy behind Jansen’s back. He slipped them to me, and I clamped one on Jansen’s arm, then realized there was no way I’d get his fat arms behind his back and be able to cuff him without another pair, maybe two more.
“Help me push him to the cruiser.” Between the two of us, Tommy and I managed to get him next to the back door. Jansen was still spitting mad, and the fool hadn’t even realized I’d cuffed him to the door handle of the cruiser until he tried to go after the other man again and was jerked back.
“The fuck?” Jansen said, trying to tug his arm free.
I didn’t bother deducting points because as of now, the man was no longer one of my cops. “What’s this all about?” I asked the man I took to be the bouncer.
“John Mackey,” he said, holding out his hand, which I shook. “You’re the new police chief, right?”
I nodded. “Dylan Conrad.”
“Thought so. So, your cop comes in on occasion. Don’t know what started it, but he followed Jordy out and tried to beat the shit out of him.” He glanced at Jordy. “Sorry, don’t know your last name.”
