by Geri Krotow
“I’m sure that your shopping expeditions have nothing to do with it.”
Portia grinned. “Remember this?” She pointed to the short skirt and upscale fitted cashmere sweater that she wore. They’d found the outfit in the basement store of a designer studio for dirt cheap.
“I do. That was a lot of fun.” In fact, the only time Annie seemed to have fun in the city was when friends came to visit. Her life at NYPD was hyper-stressed, hyper-speed, all the time. She’d loved the pace during the years after school, but lately all she’d felt was worn down.
“You look tired, Annie. What’s going on? Is it the case you told me about?” Portia wandered over to the project table and took a seat.
Annie watched her thumb through pattern books. “Yes. It’s...awful. Human beings are capable of heinous things, my friend.”
“Is it possible it’s worse because you’re still grieving Rick’s loss? And his wife’s?”
Annie nodded. “Yeah. I mean, this case involves the absolute worst kind of criminals, but you’re right, everything is hitting me harder than usual.” And not all of it was grief over Rick’s death, but cycling through the emotions of getting away from her abusive relationship, too. “It’s funny how I can tell a client or colleague to acknowledge their loss, to be kind to themselves. Doing it myself is another thing.”
“The library has lots of social activities. We’re having a gala fund-raiser for the homeless shelter, too. There’s so much you can get involved in. It’d be great to see you more.”
“I’ll think about it.” It would all depend on Kit’s situation, and after this morning, Annie was certain it would be a hot mess before it was all over. That was in the short run. As for the long run, when she was done with her sabbatical, it’d be easier to return to NYC with the fewest ties possible. Getting more involved with the local community might make that tougher.
The toughest tie to break was going to be the one she was forming with Josh. The realization made her blink.
“I’d offer to go shopping together for a distraction, but I’m swamped with the prep. If you find yourself with some extra time this weekend, let me know. I have hygiene and snack bags to stuff at the homeless shelter, and we always need the beds remade.”
“I will, thanks. But don’t count on me—not with this case and the shop. My schedule is full!”
“I know. While I’m thinking of it, I need to pick up what Ezzie donated for the fund-raiser.”
“She donated something?”
“Yes. She gives jar lid openers every year, with the shop’s logo.”
“Jar lid openers?”
“Yes, she said that as she gets older, her hands have been her biggest struggle.”
“You’re right about that. She only knits with tiny needles now. For socks and lace.” Annie wondered how Grandma’s knitting would be after the stroke rehabilitation. She’d spoken to her and her parents last night after she closed the shop and while Ezzie’s rehab was going well, it was slower than her grandmother wanted.
“It’s hard when they get older.” Portia stopped at a short cardigan pattern, made with heathered yarn. “I want this sweater.”
Annie walked around to the table and peered over Portia’s shoulder. “That’s a very simple pattern. I can teach you how to make it.”
Portia sighed. “I don’t have time now. Maybe after the gala. I still remember how to do basic knit and purl, but that’s it.”
“That’s all anyone ever needs. Everything else is a variation of that.” As she spoke, Annie’s attention was caught by a movement outside the shop’s huge antique glass picture window. Through the letters of the store name, she made out the same car that she’d watched Valensky drive off in earlier today. And as she looked closer, she verified it was him in the driver’s seat. With someone in the passenger seat, another man, who was aiming a long-lens camera at the shop. At her.
What. The. Hell.
“Do you know that person?” Portia had noticed, too.
“I know the driver.” The car moved away from the curb with a jerk and sped off. “Give me a minute.” She pulled out her phone. Annie’s stomach twisted in reaction. Valensky was after Kit and now in turn, she was in his sights. She quickly texted Josh what had happened.
His reply was immediate.
Thanks for info. Stay safe. See you soon.
“Why were they taking pictures of the shop?” Portia’s puzzlement was nothing compared to Annie’s distress.
“Not the shop. They’re looking for someone.”
“This doesn’t happen to have anything to do with that case you said you’re working on, does it?” Portia’s concern was obvious, but Annie couldn’t dwell on it. She had work to do.
“Yes, it does, but—”
“I know, you can’t talk about it. I don’t want you to talk about it, Annie, I want you to stay safe. Whoever that was did not look friendly. It’s like it’s out of a movie. Silver Valley is a quiet town. Or was.”
“It’s been a rough year or so here, hasn’t it?”
“That’s an understatement.” Portia stood. “You heard about the True Believer cult that they took down, out by the quarry? And this past summer SVPD was involved in breaking up a human trafficking ring. Can you imagine? A shoot-out happened on the main highway between here and Carlisle, at that huge truck stop. Crazy, right?”
“It’s life, unfortunately. SVPD has a reputation for handling high visibility cases.” She’d been impressed to read up on the recent caseload. And a little ashamed that she hadn’t given her hometown police force more credit sooner. It had never occurred to her to work anywhere but a large city, but that had been because she’d wanted something different than what she’d known.
“You know, Annie, it’s okay if you’ve figured out you want to come back to Silver Valley.”
“What, you’re a psychic now?”
Portia laughed. “I’ve known you forever. And you were dealt a bad hand when your folks transferred to Florida and decided to stay there right after we graduated. And then with Josh’s parents being killed, you and he had no time to come back together.”
“Portia, how have you worked Josh back into this conversation?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, it seems to me that Josh never vacated your heart, not fully. You and I never talked about him until now because I saw how much it hurt you when I brought him up. And we all grew up.”
“Maybe you’re right.” She’d certainly had times of wondering: What if they’d had another night, after that awful prom? What if they’d even spent some time together at Christmas?
But by Christmas freshman year she’d been involved with her biggest mistake and most important life lesson.
“Give it all a chance, is what I’m saying.”
“We’ll see.” Annie pretended not to notice Portia’s triumphant smile at her tiny concession. There was a lot reflected in that expression, most of it hope.
Hope scared the hell out of Annie. It wasn’t something she was used to, not in her line of work or especially with men. Silver Valley and Josh Avery were changing that.
“Okay, I’ll see you later, Annie.” Portia left the shop and almost immediately Annie received a text from Claudia Michele. Good thing she’d cleared her schedule.
* * *
“I’ve asked you to come in to Trail Hiker headquarters, Annie, not to become an agent but to give you an overview of what we do. I’ve been in need of a local psychologist for several months, and if there’s any chance you’re staying on in Silver Valley, I’d like you to consider working for us.” Claudia Michele walked around from the desk chair and sat next to Annie in one of two easy chairs.
Annie took in the posh yet efficient executive office that the director worked in, the several-inch-thick oak-on-steel door open so that Claudia’s receptionist could come and go as needed from
her outer office. “I do like how clever your cover is—with the Appalachian Trail reference and logo on the building and door.”
“Yes, well, it’s a good way to keep outsiders away and any enemy agents at bay.”
Annie sat up straighter. “Claudia, I don’t have any previous military experience. I’m a police psychologist, plain and simple.”
“And that’s why you’re perfect for us.” Claudia’s face was open, warm, her eyes as sharp as those of the hawks that circled the fields between Silver Valley and the mountains. “No pressure, but I needed to put my offer out on the table. I know you’re here temporarily, but I also understand how life can change on a dime.”
Claudia’s demeanor was casual, but Annie made her living deciphering body language. “I can see that you’re apprehensive. Your tell is the way you’ve adjusted your bracelets. I noticed you doing it at SVPD and again now. And for what it’s worth, I’ve no idea where my personal life is. You know about the loss of my colleague.”
“Yes. I am sorry you had to go through that. Losing a colleague under any circumstance is awful.” Claudia sat quietly for a long moment, and Annie realized she wasn’t alone in her loss.
“You sound like you’ve been here, too.”
“Too many times. Wartime, peacetime, it’s all difficult.”
“I worked alongside Rick for so many years, so many cases. He was the solid one, the rock when I was losing it and needed extra backup with one of the police personnel who was struggling with their addiction. To have him not only use again, but to deteriorate so rapidly, was shocking.”
“Are you out of the shock yet?” Claudia’s frank query was refreshing after so many others had tiptoed around her grief.
“I am. And now I’m faced with wondering if that hadn’t happened, what other event would have triggered me taking a break. This wasn’t an involuntary sabbatical. My superiors totally supported me in taking off but not for as long as I asked for. They’re not therapists, though, and they don’t know how deeply this affects me.”
“I’m not a counselor, either, Annie, but I’m a combat veteran. While I don’t go out on as many of the riskier Trail Hiker ops as I used to, I offer backup on many and I’ve seen my share of casualties. It’s never easy, whether someone with a life-altering injury survives or dies. And how your colleague died—going back to heroin—is no less devastating than watching your partner die from a gunshot wound or IED. Especially since he was under your psychological care at the time. I imagine you’ve suffered from needless guilt. You aren’t at fault.” Claudia didn’t have to open up to Annie and yet she had, a demonstration of deep emotional strength.
“Thank you. Yes, it’s been tough, and yes on the guilt. My head knows it wasn’t my fault but he was a friend, and it’s hard to let go of a sense of responsibility for his death, and his wife’s.” Annie took a deep breath. “If you’re still interested in hiring me after knowing how crazy my life’s been, it’s only fair that I take your offer seriously. I’ll let you know if I decide to leave NYPD.”
“Wonderful.” Annie waited for Claudia to speak again, her therapist instincts on full alert. “And good observational skills about my bracelet fidgeting.”
Annie laughed. “It’s part of my job.”
“Tell me, Annie. If you did move back to Silver Valley, do you have any idea where you’d want to live?”
Annie shrugged. “I could always stay in my grandmother’s place. I spoke to my parents last night, and they’re leaning toward convincing her to stay in Florida. She loves her rehab and has made friends. And as much as she loves the yarn shop, she’s struggled to keep her energy up the past couple of years. It may be time to sell it.”
“There are plenty of women in town, as well as men, who’d love to buy it, I’m sure.” Claudia nodded. “The downtown historical area has thrived since we got rid of the cult that rigged our mayoral election.”
“You seem to be very invested in the local community, even though TH is global.”
“Silver Valley is special to me. I met my husband, the love of my life, here when I thought that time in my life had passed. But it’s not only that. Silver Valley represents the best place to have a life for me. Members of every race and religion live here and enjoy the area. The children have the best schools, and we work hard to be a safe town. Not easy with a cult and ROC these past two years. It’s what I wore my uniform for. Not perfection, but for the hope of a perfect place to live.”
That made sense to Annie. “I appreciate the overview of Trail Hikers. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, Claudia.”
Claudia stood and walked with her to the door. “Thank you, Annie. And remember—the offer is open.”
* * *
Josh told Chief Todd about Annie’s text, and they agreed that Valensky was trying to unnerve anyone he thought might be associated with Kit and the domestic violence charges that had been filed against him. They monitored everything over the next two days, and Josh knew the op was about to go hot when Colt called him into his office.
“Come on in, Josh, and have a seat—I need to keep you up to speed. Claudia’s joining us, too.” Josh sat in the chair in front of Colt’s desk, unable to ignore the deep lines etched in his boss’s face. The ROC case was requiring all hands on deck, and Colt had been at the station and on surveillance rounds with his officers for the past month.
“We needed to pull Annie into Trail Hikers to get some preliminary training, Josh. She’s spent the last forty-eight hours going through the basics over at TH headquarters.” Colt drummed his fingers on his desk. “This recent episode with Valensky coming into her shop, then taking photos from his car, might be too easily interpreted as a precursor to him doing something like killing Kit. And the shooter in front of Upward Homes—he was told to catch your attention, and he did.”
Josh grunted. “That thug caught my attention enough to get arrested.”
Colt nodded as Claudia slid into the office and took a seat behind the desk with Colt.
“Josh.”
“Claudia.”
“Colt’s filled you in on Annie’s brief training?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
It bugged Josh that Annie hadn’t told him about the TH training, but she hadn’t texted since telling him about the drive-by photographer maneuver Valensky pulled. She’d been busy and he’d assumed it was with her yarn shop.
“Good. She should be here soon, and we’ll go over what we’re dealing with. I’d like for you to work together as a team, as we go forward with the Valensky and ROC op.”
He would have liked to have had a heads-up that Annie had spent the last day or two in Trail Hiker training. Not that she owed him an explanation. It just would have been nice. She was his conduit to Kit since it was too dangerous for him to approach Kit directly. Not with Valensky’s suspicions raised.
“TH training seems like a big investment in someone who’s not going to be here in a couple more months.”
Colt and Claudia exchanged a glance. “She wouldn’t be the first TH agent or Silver Valley cop who came here from a bigger agency and was trained.” Claudia’s statement snapped Josh from nursing his stung ego that Annie hadn’t told him about her TH business.
“Wait—has she said something to you about staying in Silver Valley?” Damn it, but he wished she had, that she would. Stay.
It’ll never happen.
“Not in so many words, but since you two seem to be doing more together than working the Kit Valensky case, it’s natural for us to think that Annie might have deeper motives for staying in town.”
Colt’s declaration shocked Josh. Holy hell, his two bosses knew he and Annie were an item? “Why do you say that?”
“TH needs a psychologist, and Annie is a perfect fit. She could do the job from New York, on a contract basis, but I want to offer her a full-time position,” Claudia said.
/> “Not if I get her first for SVPD.”
Claudia spun to face her husband. “I think TH’s needs would be higher priority than SVPD. No offense.”
“None taken. Because you’re wrong. Silver Valley is handling everything you and any of the other larger LEAs are. ROC today, a cult last year, the constant influx of drugs. My officers are facing burnout and worse with the workload. Remember the heroin OD you accompanied me on last week?”
Claudia nodded. “You were magnificent.”
Colt shook his head. “Not me—the Narcan was the miracle.”
Josh knew they were talking about yet another life saved with the medical antidote to an opioid overdose. In Silver Valley, heroin was just as huge a problem as it was in the rest of the country.
“You’re right, it’s exhausting for the officers. You were shaken up after it, remember?” Claudia looked at her husband with respect bordering on adoration. Josh watched the interplay with fascination. And not a little squirming.
A quick knock sounded on the doorjamb and Josh looked over to see the most beautiful woman in the world enter the office.
“Excuse me. Sorry I’m late.” Annie’s voice ran through him and reminded him of why he was so uncomfortable seeing his bosses’ romantic chemistry in full view. He needed to be with her.
“Sir, ma’am. Josh.” She nodded at each of them as she stood inside the doorway, her hand gripping her shoulder bag. “I couldn’t call or text what Kit’s told me, for security, so...”
“You followed protocol. We have to assume ROC has the capability to monitor all of our communications.” Josh slid over on the sofa and she took a seat. Unlike him, all relaxed against the back of the couch, Annie perched on the edge like she was about to go hang gliding off nearby Hawk Mountain, one of his favorite places in the Appalachians.
“Yes. First, Kit showed up again this morning as she promised. She reported that Valensky is definitely involved in the trafficking, and that the women are already here in Silver Valley. But she doesn’t know where.” She relayed all that she’d learned from Kit.