Book'em Sadie (Iron Badges #1)

by Danielle Norman

  A little boy frantically waved his hand in the air. “Yes?”

  “On Cops they always put people in the back seat.”

  “Yep, they sure do.”

  “On a motorcycle, I can’t do that, I don’t have a back seat. So, my job is different. I drive around and work traffic, car wrecks, and pull over speeding cars. Whenever they need someone who can drive fast, they use motorcycles because of speed. Our unit is also used for special events when there are huge crowds like parades and carnivals because we can move around people, a car can’t drive through a crowd, but a motorcycle is smaller and is easily maneuvered.” I took the students through my typical day of running radar, looking for people who disobey important road laws like slowing down through school zones, and finally responding to accidents. Once I was finished, I allowed the kids to ask me questions, which turned out to be a big mistake . . . really big.

  “What happens if you find a bad person? Do you have to let him go since you are on your motorcycle?” a little girl asked.

  “Nope. I use my radio”—I pointed to it hooked on my shoulder—“to call into dispatch and ask for another deputy to come out and pick up the bad person.”

  “What happens if you have to go pee and you’re chasing a bad guy, do you just pee in your uniform?” a boy name Joey asked.

  “Nope, I hold it.”

  “What if you can’t?”

  “Then I’d have to let the other deputies chase the bad guy and pull over.”

  “What if there weren’t any other deputies around?”

  “Okay, Joey, that’s enough,” Miss Ashley said, finally coming to my rescue.

  “What if you’re sleepy and fall asleep on your bike?” another boy asked.

  “That wouldn’t be good, I’d fall off and get hurt.”

  “Probably die. Get run over by another vehicle and smash.” The kid smacked his hands together mimicking smashed.

  “Okay, class, we are going to be finished if no one has any other work-related questions for Deputy Lazar.” Miss Ashley’s voice was firm.

  “What is dispatch?” a girl with the brightest red hair asked.

  “I’m glad you asked.” I had already set it up with Bridget, and she was listening to channel Charlie ten, which was one that we never used so it wouldn’t confuse any deputies listening. “Dispatch is who answers 9-1-1 calls, and they tell us where emergencies are. But I also call dispatch to let them know what I find or if I need help. You want to hear what it’s like?”

  All the kids nodded.

  “We use special codes, and they are called ten codes. I’ll explain them in a second.” They all watched as I pressed the button on my radio. “This is thirteen twenty-two, put my ten twenty at Audubon Park Elementary.”

  “Orange County copies at ten thirty-four.”

  I smiled as the kids let out a gasp of breath.

  “What did you say?” Callie asked.

  “We don’t use our names over the radio for security purposes, so we each have an ID number. Mine is thirteen twenty-two. That is how we always start a call, to tell them who we are. I then asked them to put my ten twenty at your school. Ten twenty means location. Dispatch has a huge electronic map, and when we make a stop somewhere, they’ll mark us at the location and then in three minutes if they don’t hear from us, they will check on us again.”

  “What did dispatch say to you?” another little girl asked.

  “She said that Orange County copies. I work for Orange County, so she was telling me that my workplace understood me and then she said the time for our records. If my boss needs to see where I was, it will say Deputy Sadie Lazar was at Audubon Park Elementary at ten thirty-four.”

  While I was talking, Bridget’s voice came across the radio. “Thirteen twenty-two, your ten thirteen.”

  “Ten ninety-eight,” I replied.

  “Ten-four.”

  “See? She checked on me and asked for my ten-thirteen. That means my status, or how I’m doing. I said ten ninety-eight, and that simply told dispatch that I had completed my assignment.”

  “I know what ten-four means!” a little boy shouted from the back of the room.

  “You do? What does it mean?”

  “It means okay.”

  “It sure does. How did you know that?”

  “My dad says ten-four to me all the time.”

  “A lot of people use that phrase. So, let’s look at the numbers again, they all start with the number ten. Do you know what we call this code?”

  “Secret code?”

  “Nope,” I said.

  “Cop talk?”

  “Nope. We call it ten-code.” The kids laughed. “That’s easy to remember, but we have ten-codes for everything. Like ten-eight means I’m starting work and ten-seven means that I’m going home. Would you like to learn some of the ten-codes?” Everyone nodded. “Well, I have a surprise for each of you. Callie, will you help me?” She raced up. “Will you pass one of these out to all of your friends?”

  “Yes.”

  “In your bags, there is a sheriff coloring book, and on the back is a list of some of our ten-codes. I’ve also put a large sticker in there so you can put it on your shirt and be honorary deputies for the day.”

  “What do we say to Deputy Lazar?” Miss Ashley asked.

  “Thank you,” they all replied in unison.

  “I parked in front of the school if we want to go out and see my motorcycle,” I whispered over to the teacher.

  “They would love that.”

  “Why don’t you all put your badges on and then we can go see my motorcycle?”

  You would have thought the fire alarm had gone off, the way the kids were scrambling to line up at the door. “Slow down, I need you all to pick up your lunch boxes and bring them with you. We will go straight to the cafeteria after seeing Deputy Lazar’s bike. So please get in line like nice boys and girls.”

  I took a step back as the kids lined up. “I have a question.” Ryan’s warm breath tickled my neck as he spoke, and it took everything in me not to jolt in surprise. I hadn’t realized that he had moved to stand near me.

  “What’s that?”

  “Is Deputy Lazar single?”

  “Yes. Is Doctor Montgomery single?”

  “Yes,” he replied just as Miss Ashley opened the classroom door and motioned for the kids to file out.

  There was a bounce in my step as we headed outside. Callie held on to my hand as we walked. Ryan stayed a few steps behind us, which put me in a rather awkward situation, since I could almost feel his eyes on my ass as I walked.

  “Okay, everyone, this is my bike, it’s a Harley Davidson Road King. I need you to keep your hands back because this bike weighs more than eight hundred pounds. But if you want, I’ll turn on the lights and siren.”

  I flipped the switch for the lights and let them flash. Then quickly turned on the siren, which had everyone covering their ears.

  “What’s that?” Someone pointed.

  “It’s a computer in a rugged box. When I have to give someone a ticket or look up something, I just flip the top open”—I showed them how it all worked—“and enter the information. Everything else I need is in my saddlebags hooked on to my console.” I showed them my radar detector.

  “Wow, thank you, Deputy Lazar, for spending your morning with us. You are welcome to have lunch with us if you would like,” Miss Ashley invited.

  “I’m planning on it. My little friend invited me.” I wrapped one arm around Callie.

  “Okay, class, let me see a big bubble.” Miss Ashley filled her cheeks with air, and all the kids did, too. She stood straight, and the students moved and got into a perfect line. “How do we want to walk to the cafeteria today? Callie, since it is your day, why don’t you choose?”

  “Marching like military.”

  “Okay, you heard Callie, today we are going to march. Left foot first. Left, right, left, right.” I smiled as I watched Miss Ashley lead twenty-five kids in a marching line.
/>
  “I have one more question for you, Deputy.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Can I have your number?”

  “Yes.” I stifled a grin as I wrote it on the back of one of my cards and handed it to him. “I better go catch up with your daughter, I brought the class cupcakes.” I held up my duffle bag, which held said cupcakes as well as my own lunch.

  “Great, let’s go. I’m having lunch with you two as well.”

  I walked into Kidz Klub and was greeted by one bitchy-faced Lizzy. “Wow, how pathetic.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I met Dr. Montgomery.”

  “That’s wonderful. I’m glad that he’s going to bring Callie here.”

  “Oh, he didn’t sign her up, they left.”

  “I see what you mean, but I don’t think pathetic is the right word. Maybe sad?” I asked, thinking that maybe Lizzy and I were finally on the same page.

  “No, it’s the right word. Pathetic is my description for you. The little girl wouldn’t even look around unless you were here, which was ridiculous. What do you do to them? It’s like you brainwash them or something. I don’t think it’s healthy that they all seem to get so attached to you.”

  Wasn’t that the whole point of an organization like this? To make kids feel safe and secure? I really couldn’t wrap my mind around how she didn’t realize that they all loved me because I made them feel safe.

  “How did you get this job? You do realize that it requires kindness and compassion, right? Whether you believe it or not, I connect with these kids so well because I was one of them. I know what it’s like to start kindergarten without a mom. To have all the other little girls coming to school with their hair in French braids but you’re lucky that your father can get a brush through it. Like flocks to like.” I practically spat the last few words before moving on.

  13

  Ryan

  “Will you stop?”

  I jerked at my mother’s shout and then followed her gaze. “Sorry.” I had Sadie’s card in my hand and was running it through my fingers as I tapped the corner on the solid oak table.

  “Why don’t you go call her? Callie’s watching television, and I’m finishing up dinner anyway.”

  “Okay, I think that I will.” I was nervous as I sat on the corner of my bed and stared at her number.

  Here goes nothing.

  I dialed her number and waited. God, what if she didn’t answer? Jesus, what was I? Four?

  “Lazar.”

  “Sadie? This is Ryan Montgomery, am I catching you at a bad time?” There was a lot of background noise and music. For a moment, I wondered if I had interrupted her out on a date.

  “You’re fine. I’m sitting at Sixes with a few friends.”

  “You’re sitting where?”

  “Sixes. It’s a bar. A former deputy’s wife owns it. A lot of LEOs hang out here.”

  “I’ve never heard of it.”

  “If you aren’t doing anything, you’re welcome to come join us. That is, if you don’t mind hanging out with some of my friends. We haven’t eaten yet.”

  I thought about it for a second. This was definitely out of my comfort zone, but something about Sadie made me want to step out of that bubble I’d put myself in. “Okay, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”

  “Don’t mind at all. Do you know where the Bohemian hotel is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sixes is just two blocks over on the right.” I tried to visualize where she was describing.

  “Okay. I should be there in about fifteen minutes.”

  “See you soon.” Sadie hung up.

  I stood and ran my hands down my face. Holy shit, I had a date. Was this a date? Well, not really a date, but it was a start. I changed and freshened up before heading out to talk to my mom. “Mom, are you okay watching Callie if I go join someone for dinner?”

  “Of course I am. Don’t hurry home.” The woman winked at me like she knew what I was up to.

  “I won’t be late. It is just dinner, she’s already there with some friends. I’m just joining them.”

  “I don’t care, enjoy yourself.”

  “Who’s with friends?” I turned to see Callie standing behind me. Why was it that kid never heard me when I called her name, but when I was talking privately to my mom, she heard everything?

  “Callie girl, Daddy is going to go have dinner with someone, but I shouldn’t be out late.”

  “Who?”

  “Umm, well . . .” I glanced over to my mom for support but she wasn’t offering any, she just had a huge shit-eating grin on her face. “Sadie.”

  “Can I go?”

  “Not tonight, but maybe we can ask Sadie out for pizza, how does that sound?”

  “Okay.” Just like that, Callie was grinning and running back to the living room.

  “Go,” my mom said. “Get out of here. Callie and I can have girl bonding time.”

  I wasn’t sure whether I was happy or sad that it took less than fifteen minutes for me to get to Sixes. Happy because I got to see Sadie sooner but nervous because I was not ready.

  Hell, I wasn’t sure whether or not I still had my moves. I glanced in my mirror for a quick second. Back in high school, I knew what to do, what to say, fuck . . . I knew how to unsnap a bra before the girl knew it was unsnapped. And knowing which girl wore what brand of panties had been my favorite subject to study. Now, I was out of my league, I had no clue what to do or if I’d even remember how to transition from talking to kissing.

  Deciding that it was now or never, I got out of the car. Sixes was one of those places that, if you didn’t know what it was, you probably wouldn’t stop. Several marked police cruisers were in the lot, and if I had to guess, there were also several unmarked ones as well. There were also several vehicles with fireman shield stickers on the rear windows. I wasn’t sure quite how to describe it, it was . . . unassuming.

  I pulled on the solid wood door, and music and the smell of greasy food immediately hit me. I found her in the corner, but she was completely immersed in a conversation and hadn’t noticed me yet. She was beautiful, and her entire face was aglow as she punctuated each word. Her eyes were big and expressive, this deep, dark coffee color. When she glanced my way, I faltered a small step, but I kept walking as if I hadn’t just done that.

  Once again, I felt like a teenager. Though, this time a horny one as she smiled and bit her lower lip.

  Down, boy, no need to have her think you’re only after sex.

  Okay, I was after sex, but maybe something more, too. Sadie intrigued me and had this easy presence about her. She made me want to be near her even though I didn’t know anything about her.

  “Ryan, hey.” Sadie stood and leaned in to give me a quick hug.

  “Wow, I don’t think that I’ve ever seen you not in uniform.” The woman had a rockin’ body. She was in jeans and a tight T-shirt that proved just how unflattering deputy uniforms really were.

  “Yeah, they don’t let me out very often, but when they do this”—Sadie waved her hands over her outfit—“is what the world gets.”

  “When they let me out, you know what the world gets?” a woman with long black hair said to the man next to her as she trailed one finger down his cheek.

  “Will you two shut up? Sadie, go ahead and arrest me now because I’m going to kill the two of them,” Bridget said.

  Taking a seat next to Sadie, I asked, “Obviously the two of them are a couple?”

  “No, they aren’t.” I raised a questioning eyebrow. “That’s just Harley and Aiden, he’s Bridget’s brother. The two of them do it more to see who can make the other squirm.” Sadie leaned in closer, and her warm breath against my neck was making me squirm. “But Harley isn’t joking, she has the hots for Aiden, he’s just too blind to realize that she isn’t playing.”

  I grinned and was about to say something but then the waitress pulled my attention.

  “Hi. Welcome to Sixes. Can I get you started with somethin
g to drink?”

  “A beer is fine, whatever dark you have on tap.”

  “Got it. Anything to eat?”

  “What are you having?” I asked Sadie.

  “We just order appetizers for the table and then throw in money at the end of the night.”

  “Sounds good, can you add two more appetizers, whatever is fine with me.”

  “You got it, I’m Mikki if you need anything else.” She walked away, and I turned my attention back to the table.

  “Let me introduce you to everyone. Ryan, that’s Harley and Aiden, I’m sure you won’t forget them.” Harley grinned and Aiden shot her an annoyed look. “You have already met Bridget.” She gave me a small wave. “And that’s Kat and Piper, Piper is on motors with me, but Kat is interviewing for one of the open positions. Next to her is Max. He’s also on motors. Everyone, this is Doctor Ryan Montgomery.”

  “So, what do we call you? Doc?” Kat asked.

  “Ryan is fine, unless you want me to call you Dep?”

  “Touché.”

  “How’s Callie doing?” Piper asked, and I was impressed that she knew my daughter’s name. “Certain calls make bigger impacts, and a missing child is one of those. Since it was Sadie who found her . . .” As Piper said that, I reached over and grabbed Sadie’s hand. Just hearing about Callie missing made my heart speed up. Then the thought of this woman finding her and keeping her safe . . . I couldn’t explain what it did to me.

  “Callie’s fine, better in fact. She had a long talk with her grandmother about clothes, and I promised I’d take her shopping. I haven’t had time to yet, but she is definitely not wearing dresses anymore.”

  “It would be so fun to take her shopping. Kind of like having a life-sized doll,” Kat said as she clapped her hands together. “Oh my god, I’ve wanted to shop in Justice so badly but I’m about twenty years too old. They always have the cutest, most hip outfits.”