NY State Trooper- The Complete Box Set

by Jen Talty

  Reese had a lot of reasons to be ashamed, but none more pressing than the fact he had skipped out on Patty this morning without so much as a gentle peck on the check. Nana would have called him a coward, and she’d be partially correct. Work had called him away, but he could have said goodbye instead of sneaking out in a walk of shame.

  Last night wasn’t supposed to happen. She was impossible to resist, and she had basically begged him, but that was no excuse.

  He’d texted her, telling her he was sorry, duty called, and all that. But all he got was one quick text back that read, No worries.

  An unlikely response from Patty.

  Reese felt Stacey kick him under the table. “Did you hear me?”

  “Yeah,” he said as he went through the paperwork once again. Most of it was straight forward. “You’re dad is a good guy,” Reese said.

  “You can hire an outside attorney if you want to go over everything. My dad won’t take it personally. It’s business.”

  “I think I’ll have Patty take a look at it, but I can sign the estimate as well as the paperwork to have them file everything.”

  “For now that’s all you need. Essentially, you’re giving Sutten & Tanner permission to file for permits and variances, and naming Sutten & Tanner as the contractor for said work, and their plans as the intended construction, but nothing that bind either of you to each other right now.”

  “What I don’t understand is why do we have to rush this?”

  “In case anyone else is preparing to bid on the property, it shows your intention to the zoning board.”

  “Do you know if there are other interested buyers?”

  “Rumor has it that Holland Development is looking into various properties in the area, the Heritage Inn being one of them.”

  “That name sounds familiar.” Reese signed the papers, except the work contract. He trusted it was all in order. He knew he was in good hands, but due diligence as his nana always told him.

  “Big company with very deep pockets,” she said. “He was actually at Conrad’s office right before the altercation the other day.”

  “Why?”

  “Conrad is his attorney of record, and also, the shooter was his employee.”

  “Excuse me? Why is this the first I’m hearing about this?”

  “It wasn’t relevant—”

  “Anything to do with Patty is relevant for me to know,” he said with a sharp tone as he shuffled the paperwork around on his desk, looking for the case file regarding the shooting. “So, the shooter used to work for this Holland guy, who might want to buy the property I’m putting a bid in on?” Well that was interesting. That meant Patty had to have known about this other possible offer, but didn’t tell him. Maybe she couldn’t. Attorney-client privilege, and all. He pushed the paperwork for the Heritage Inn back in the envelope.

  “Okay,” Stacey said. “But its not connected to Patty at all, or what happened. The guy was a past employee. Fired. Because of Conrad.”

  Reese nodded, blocking out the memoires of seeing Patty held at gunpoint by a crazy man. At the time, he hadn’t known about the baby. But now that he did? It changed everything. “Do I need to drop these off?” He took in a deep breath, letting out slowly. Patty and his baby were safe. They had a chance at a new beginning. It was time he make that his sole focus.

  “My dad is on his way.”

  “That’s nice of him,” Reese said, still pushing papers around. He knew the file he wanted wouldn’t be on his desk since he’d been the one who had shot the gunman.

  “Yeah, that’s my dad. Mr. Nice Guy. Now, I just need to find him a good woman.”

  Frank entered the station house, closing out his shift. “Kind of a boring day out there,” he said as the main door flew open again.

  “Hey, Daddy,” Stacey said, greeting her father with a hug.

  Jim stepped back and shook his head. “I still can’t believe you carry a gun.”

  “I’ve had sex, too.”

  Jim closed his eyes and took in a long, deep breath. Reese figured raising that child had to be more than challenging.

  “Reese,” Jim said, his tone low. “Got the paperwork?”

  “Yep.” Reese handed Jim the envelope, forgetting Frank was even in the room. “You really think this land developer, Holland Development, could cause a problem with my offer?”

  “I wish I could say no. All depends on if they put in an offer. I’m sure by now they know when your offer expires.’

  “What are you all talking about?” Frank asked.

  Before Reese could cut Stacey off at the pass, she spilled the beans. “Reese just put in an offer to buy the Heritage Inn. Daddy is going to do all the—”

  “You’re joking, right? The man’s broke.”

  “No, he’s not,” Stacey said. “As a matter of fact—”

  “Now would be a good time for you to be quiet,” Jim said, “and for me to leave. I’ll be in touch.” The station house remained quiet until after Jim closed the door behind him.

  “How can you buy the Heritage Inn?” Frank asked. “Besides, didn’t you put in for a transfer? Aren’t you moving?”

  “Redacted,” Reese said. “I’m staying put.”

  Frank blinked a few times. “How in the hell can you afford to buy it?”

  “Well, let’s just say my family is has a bit of money.”

  “What family?” Frank asked.

  “My Nana.”

  “You have a Nana?”

  “Most people have grandparents.” Reese smiled. He could have some fun with this letting people in shit, just to see their reactions. Even Stacey gave him an odd look, like they all thought wolves had raised him.

  “The asking price on that place is over six mil.” Frank’s contorted expression was priceless. “It makes no sense at all. And why? Can’t do that and be a Trooper at the same time.”

  “Yeah, Reese. How is that possible? And why are you doing that? I mean, putting down roots and all?” Jared asked, and by the look on his face, he was enjoying adding fuel to the fire. So much for worrying about the drama in the office.

  “Not important,” Reese said. “But you all are going to have to get used to my ugly mug around here, because I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Then let’s get back to work,” Jared said, half laughing.

  Frank sat at his desk, filling out his paperwork. “None of my business,” he said, “but you spent the night at Patty’s place. Are the two of you back together?”

  “You’re right, none of your business.” Reese snagged the keys to the patrol car and nodded to Stacey to follow.

  “For someone who says he’s not relationship material,” Frank yelled, his tone teasing, “you seem to be unable to end a relationship with my cousin.” Reese just waved and left the station. It was going to take some getting used to living in a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone.

  “You’re fired.”

  Patty hadn’t expected those words when her boss stormed into her office.

  “Excuse me?” she managed.

  “You heard me,” Conrad said. “Pack your things and leave now.”

  “Why, exactly?”

  Conrad pressed both fists against her desk, leaning forward. His eyes were laced with anger and sadness, and perhaps something else, but Patty was too stunned to try to figure it out.

  “You’ve botched the Heritage Inn sale,” Conrad said.

  “How have I done that?” She also wanted to ask what sale, because last she heard their client hadn’t settled on any one property.

  “You were there yesterday with a different prospective buyer who, rumor has it, is your boyfriend. Right after you were in a private meeting with our clients, who were interested in that property. That’s a conflict of interest, on of which should have been handled before it happened. I’d also say that was grounds for firing.”

  “I see,” Patty said. “For the record, I was blindsided last night by a friend.” Not that it was
any of Conrad’s business. “He put in the offer before I even showed up. I told him nothing of our client or his possible intent.”

  “Seems like too much of a coincidence to me,” Conrad said, “and our client is quite upset. So upset that if I don’t fire you, he will take his business elsewhere.” That explained Conrad’s tortured face.

  “So, he wants me fired…” She paused for a moment. “I told you first thing this morning that an offer had been made, which you already knew, because the realtor told you. That said, the property is not sold yet.” But Conrad was right; it was now officially a conflict of interest. “I get that keeping me on the case might be troublesome, since the other buyer is a friend. You could always move this case to Ben or Russ. Better yet, hire a temp. We could use the help, and I’ll just stay clear of it.”

  “I could do that,” Conrad said, “but Holland is insistent that I fire you.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I need this job. Firing me isn’t the answer.” She thought about mentioning the baby and needing insurance, but before she could open her mouth, Conrad slid papers across her desk. He frowned, looking as if he were truly sorry. “Severance package. And it’s a good one. I think it’s for the best.”

  “Could I at least talk with Mr. Holland?” Patty was dumbfounded. Conrad was always the kind of man who looked for a solution before pulling the trigger.

  “I’d take the severance package,” a voice echoed from behind Conrad. “The moment the offer went in, you should have notified me.”

  “It was late when I found out,” Patty said. “I notified Conrad first thing this morning.” She still felt guilty about it. She wanted Reese to have The Heritage Inn if he wanted it, but he hadn’t told her in confidence, so she felt obligated to tell her employer.

  “A little too late,” Keith Holland said. “We had to find out when we put in our offer. Had we known, we would have sweetened our deal a little more.”

  Patty looked into Holland’s eyes, color identical to Reese’s, but the depth was quite different. She shivered. “I need this job, and I did nothing wrong.”

  “All right,” Keith said. “Get your friend to redact his offer, you keep your job.”

  Patty was too stunned to utter anything. She sat there, hands on her desk, as the blood running through her veins began to burn with fury.

  Keith and Conrad stepped out of the office. She couldn’t hear their whispered conversation, but Keith didn’t look thrilled. Five minutes passed before they returned to her office.

  Keith smiled. “I do want to make it clear that I have every intention of buying the Heritage Inn.” He pushed a card across her desk. “Talk to your friend. Ask him what it will take,” he said.

  “I don’t—”

  “Just ask him,” Keith insisted. “If he’s still hell-bent on buying, then it would be a conflict of interest for you to continue, so Conrad will then fire you, and you’ll get the severance package he offered.” Keith smiled widely. His eyes lowered, then came back up to catch her gaze as he leaned over her desk. There was nothing pleasant about this man at all. “You have until tomorrow, and in your condition and being single, I think this job would be top priority. So get it done.”

  As soon as she saw them turn the corner toward the conference room, she realized she’d been holding her breath. She let the air out in one quick whoosh. Her hands trembled, and her pulse pounded like a drum inside her head. It was a subtle threat. But a threat nonetheless.

  And how did he know about the baby?

  Every little noise in the apartment set Patty on edge. She resented it, and probably should have told Reese to come over right away instead of waiting for his shift to end.

  She shook off the negative feeling and continued to search through current town records. If an offer was accepted, it would show up pretty quickly. A counter wouldn’t show up, but when she called Charlie’s office, she got voicemail, so she left a message. She’d called a distant relative on the zoning committee. He only knew rumor and rumblings. She pulled up the deed and the title, noting the changes over the years. Any request to change the current land configuration, including height and placement of buildings, would require all sorts of variances that every homeowner in this area would fight.

  The sun had started to set behind the mountains, and even though the night air was cooler, she felt spring approaching. April was an odd month, swinging between warmth and snow. Some days, boaters would enjoy temperatures approaching fifty. Other days, it snowed, and only the diehard fishermen braved the unforgiving, freezing lake.

  The doorbell disrupted her thoughts. She checked the time. Reese was early.

  She walked down to the lower alcove, slowing down as she saw it wasn’t Reese, but a girl with a large bouquet of flowers.

  No one ever sent her flowers. Ever. Black-thumb Harmon had been her nickname ever since she’d single-handedly managed to kill a cactus and then an Aloe Vera plant. Reese knew about her inability to keep any plant alive. He’d teased her about it, so he wouldn’t send her flowers.

  “Patty Harmon?” the delivery girl asked.

  “Yes.”

  “These are for you.” The young woman handed her a basket filled with flowers, or maybe plants, since it was in a pot of dirt, but it was blooming. Patty had no idea. But Reese would know, and she always found it odd that Reese knew and enjoyed everything about gardening. When he’d moved into the Lacy’s trailer, the first thing he had done was put in flowering bushes and an herb garden. And Reese was an excellent cook. Another thing that Patty wasn’t very good at, though she gave herself an A for effort.

  “Thanks.” Patty put the large arrangement on the floor, then plucked out the card.

  Make it happen—Keith.

  The veiled threat left her unnerved.

  “Who are those from?” Reese kicked off his boots in the alcove.

  Before she could snag the card and the flowers, and head back up to her apartment, Reese snatched the card right out of her hands.

  “Who’s Keith, and make what happen?” A hint of jealousy lingered in his voice, and she kind of enjoyed it.

  “Keith is the reason I asked you to stop by.”

  He stopped in the middle of the steps. “Do I need to be worried about this Keith guy?”

  “Yes, and maybe no.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that,” he said.

  “Reese McGinn, are you jealous? Because it sounds like you’re a little jealous.”

  “Yep,” he said. “Got any lunch meat?” he asked. “I’m starving. Haven’t eaten all day.”

  “Help yourself.”

  She put the flowers on the table in the family room and waited for Reese. Might as well let the man have his food since he was always cranky when hungry.

  He sauntered in from the kitchen carrying a plate in one hand with a very thick sandwich, turkey and ham flowing over the sides, and a beer in the other. He sat on the floor, resting everything on the coffee table. “So, tell me about the guy who is sending the mother of my baby flowers, and why I shouldn’t be jealous, but it has you upset.” No sooner did he say the words than he stuffed his mouth. She liked this playful, more engaged side of Reese. He’d always been fun, but never with any depth to it, no real emotions. Just gentlemanly gestures, and while valued, they weren’t loving. Sitting with him, right now, she felt loved by him. He was a tad jealous, but he had no reason to be, and that concept made her heart flutter with affection. With hope of what could be.

  More importantly, he was upset.

  Let’s back track. “Conrad tried to fire me today.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “Because Keith told him to.”

  “And who is this Keith guy to Conrad?

  “Keith Holland—”

  “As in Holland Development?” Reese put half his sandwich on the plate. “The owner of Holland Development is sending you flowers?”

  “Someone saw us at the Heritage, and Mr. Holland thinks I gave you the heads-up tha
t he was thinking about buying the place.”

  “But you never told me a thing. Want me to go talk to them? Really, that’s ridiculous.”

  “Thanks,” she said, “but there is only one way I’ll get my job back, and that’s if I can convince you to take back your offer. That’s what he meant by ‘Make it happen’ on the card.”

  “And you agreed?” His tone remained even, but laced with a hint of hurt.

  “I didn’t disagree,” she said. “He didn’t threaten me, but it felt like a threat, so I opted to say nothing and come home. Tomorrow, I’ll tell them I couldn’t, and I’ll be out of a job.”

  “This happened when you asked me to come over.” He glanced at his Apple Watch. “What, over four hours ago, and you’re just telling me now? When did the flowers come?”

  “Two minutes before you showed up.”

  Reese hoisted himself off the floor then joined her on the sofa. “What, exactly, did he say that made you feel threatened?”

  “It wasn’t what he said as much as what he implied. He said a woman in my condition, being single, would need the income from regular employment, so get it done.”

  “He knows you’re pregnant? You told Conrad?”

  She shook her head. “That’s what freaked me out. The only people who I’ve told are you and Lacy. No one else knows.”

  “That’s not entirely true.” Reese rubbed his hand across his head. “Jared knows.”

  “You told Jared?”

  “I might have told a few other people that night I found out and got shit-faced at the Mason Jug.”

  “Oh, shit.” She closed her eyes. “So, everyone in my family probably knows and is wondering why I haven’t told them.”

  “Sorry about that,” he said, “but let’s stick to what Conrad and this Holland guy said. If you get me to back off, you get your job. What if I don’t?”

  “I get a good severance package.”

  “So, not really a deadly threat, but definitely implied pressure, and totally unfounded,” Reese said. “They can’t fire you for something you didn’t do. Really, it’s ridiculous. You should hire a lawyer.”

  “I work for a lawyer,” she said, “and honestly, it was so hard being back there. They covered Matt’s blood with a floor mat. I can’t relive that day constantly, but I need the insurance.”