In the Shadow of the Shield (Secret Lives Series Book 2)

by Carolyn LaRoche

  “No problem, babe! I will get your extension back up and active. You will probably have to start with new clients, but I’m sure you’ll get plenty. That sexy southern drawl of yours pulls them in like flies to honey.”

  This time she did laugh. It felt good to be talking to Rick again. Finally some semblance of her old life had returned. “All right then, Rick, set me up for nine. I’ll be here and ready to go.”

  “You got it, Misty.” He turned serious. “It’s good to hear your voice again. I’m glad to have you back, and I’m real sorry ‘bout your hubby.”

  “Thanks, Rick. It’s been a tough year, but my son has insisted I start living again so here I am, giving it a go.”

  “Welcome home, Misty.”

  Welcome home. What an odd sentiment, under the circumstances. She bid Rick goodbye and set about cleaning up her office. It felt good to have a purpose. As the hands on the clock crept closer to nine, insecurity began to creep in. What if she had lost her touch?

  Just like riding a bike. Things couldn’t have changed all that much in twelve months.

  A lot had changed in twelve months. Her husband died thinking she had been unfaithful, and soon her son would move on with his life. She would have nothing to get her through her days—or the long, long nights—if she didn’t start carving a life out for herself again.

  The shrill ring of her desk phone cut through the silence. The clock read nine on the dot. Rick had kept his promise and hooked up her extension. He must have held onto her old message too.

  This is Misty Dawn, as sugary and delectable as a good, tall glass of southern sweet tea. To choose Misty Dawn, press extension 1274.

  She grabbed the receiver and turned on her sweet, southern drawl. Yup, just like riding a bike.

  “This is Misty Dawn. What’s your pleasure, sugar?”

  “You sound pretty hot.”

  “Why, bless your heart, sugar. Thank you. You don’t sound so bad yourself. What can Misty Dawn do for you tonight?”

  “Do you like fruit, Misty Dawn?” This one was a foodie. She could work with that.

  “I sure do, sugar. I love me some good, juicy, southern peaches.”

  “I’d lick that juice off your chin.”

  “I bet you would, baby, and it would taste just so sweet.”

  “Sweet like chocolate syrup and whipped cream,”

  “Anything you want it to taste like, baby.” She tried not to picture what the caller was doing with chocolate syrup and turned up the sugary glaze on her words. “Those peaches would be so fresh, so ripe.”

  “Fresh. Ripe.” The caller panted into the phone line. Diana bit back a laugh. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed the quirks of her callers.

  Quirks. Good one, Diana.

  “Strawberries are sweet too. Not sour like cherries.”

  “A little of that chocolate syrup could go a long way on those cherries.”

  “Oh, yeah! You know how to work it, Misty Dawn!”

  Work it? This guy was something else. He was probably a chef at one of the local restaurants. Eeewww! Was he at work?

  A minute later, the caller bid her farewell. He probably needed a shower to wash off all the chocolate sauce. Diana placed the receiver in its cradle, sat back in her chair, and started laughing. Loud guffaws formed deep in her abdomen and rolled out into the empty room, echoing off the walls and filling the quiet space around her. Until the phone rang again. Her next caller had a thing for cats, the one after that was a strict hand job, dirty talk kind of guy. The night passed quickly; call after call came in, and Diana had slipped perfectly back in to the role of southern belle Misty Dawn. She hadn’t lost her touch. At one in the morning, she switched off the phone and sat there contemplating her night.

  “Mom!” Jackson called from somewhere in the house.

  “In here!”

  Jackson appeared in the doorway. “What are you still doing up, Mom? It’s nearly one in the morning.”

  “I know, honey. I wasn’t tired.”

  Jackson’s eyes swept the room. “You cleaned up in here.”

  Diana shrugged, still grinning. “What can I say? I got bored.”

  “I didn’t think you would ever come in here again, honestly.”

  “I know, Jack. I wasn’t sure I ever would either. But tonight it seemed like a good idea. Did you have fun with Lily?”

  Her son’s face fell. “Not really.”

  “What happened?”

  He scuffed the toe of his sneaker against the door frame. “We sort of broke up.”

  “Oh, honey, no. I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be, Mom. It was for the best. I’m too young to be all wrapped up in one girl anyway.” His eyes dampened, but he didn’t cry. Donnie used to tell him that exact same thing every weekend when their son got home from wherever he and Lily had gone.

  Diana rose from her chair and crossed the room to where her son stood. She tossed an arm over his shoulder and hit the light switch with her other hand. “You know what fixes a broken heart? Ice cream.”

  Jackson laughed. “Ice cream, Mom?”

  “Absolutely. Your grandfather used to say it was the best medicine in the world.”

  She steered him toward the kitchen, where she dished them both up a big bowl of rocky road ice cream.

  “I’m sorry about Lily.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I sort of knew it was coming. I found text messages from Chris Watts in her phone last week.”

  She couldn’t seem to get used to the concept of how kids dated in the twenty-first century. When she and Donnie were dating, he had to come to her house and meet her father before she could go anywhere with him. Jackson and Lily had been a couple for at least a few months before he had actually brought his girlfriend home to meet Diana and Donnie.

  “You know, when your dad took me out for the first time he had to come to the house. Grandpa met him on the front porch with a twelve-gauge shotgun.”

  Jackson laughed, spraying chocolate ice cream across the counter. “Seriously?”

  Diana chuckled as she wiped the counter down with a towel. “Absolutely. Girls didn’t go out on dates without introducing the boy to their parents first.”

  “Lily and I were together for two months before I met her parents.”

  “I thought so.”

  “Well, we weren’t really boyfriend and girlfriend yet though. We were just talking.”

  “Talking?”

  “Yeah, it’s when a guy and girl are interested in each other. They text and stuff to decide if they want to go out.”

  “When you two finished talking did Lily’s dad introduce you to his shotgun?”

  “Of course not! That’s so antiquated.”

  Only her kid would use the term antiquated. “So, you want to tell me what Lily and Chris were talking about in those texts you found?”

  “Not really.”

  “Want to explain how you found them?”

  “Nope.”

  Jackson concentrated on cleaning every last drop of ice cream out his bowl while she watched her son, feeling a little bit sad. It cut her to the heart when her only son hurt.

  She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. “Things always happen for a reason, Jack. We don’t always know or understand why, but the good Lord always has a plan.”

  He dropped his bowl and spoon in the dishwasher. “I suppose. Although I wish I knew why that plan included Dad dying.”

  “Me too, honey. Me too.”

  Jackson kissed her on the cheek. “I’m tired, Mom. Are you going to bed too?”

  “In a bit, honey. I’m not quite ready yet.”

  “Okay, well, don’t stay up too late. Good night.”

  He left her standing in the kitchen and headed up the stairs to his bedroom. Silence filled the house again. Still wired from her successful night on the call line, Diana needed to share her news with someone. It had been months since she joined her girlfriends online in their regular late night chats. Since she was getting
things back to normal, it seemed like a good idea to see what they were up to.

  Heading back into her office with her laptop computer, she settled in at the desk and logged in. Her girlfriends had the late night habit of chatting online while their respective husbands worked. They were all married to cops who worked the night shift, like she had been. She hadn’t joined them in months; it had felt sort of wrong since Donnie died. Diana wasn’t technically a police wife anymore, but she really missed her girlfriends and she did have big news she needed to share with someone.

  When she reached their favorite social networking site, Cyndi, Angela, and Jessy were all logged in and chatting already.

  Diana: Hello ladies! It’s 2 a.m., do you know where your husbands are?

  Cyndi: Diana! OMG I am so happy to “see” you!

  Angela: Me too!

  Jessy: It’s been sooo long! I’ve really missed you.

  Diana: Aw, I’ve missed all of you as well.

  Angela: So, what’s going on?

  Diana: I missed you ladies a whole bunch.

  Cyndi: I’m so excited to have you back, Di. How are you feeling?

  Diana: A lot better actually. You will never guess what I did tonight?

  Jessy: Stayed up late and finally dropped in to see us? LOL

  Diana: LOL Yes! But I also went back to work.

  Cyndi: Back to work…? Oh…back to work! Yay!

  Angela: I’m confused.

  Cyndi: She’s back on the phone…it’s Saturday night…

  Angela: Oh! Back to work!

  Jessy: For crying out loud, just say it already! She’s doing phone sex again!

  Angela: So tell us—how does it feel?

  Diana: Pretty good, actually. I called Rick this evening and told him I was ready to return. He started me right up at my regular time.

  Cyndi: This means you are finally feeling like your old self again, doesn’t it?

  Diana: I think so, Cyn.

  Cyndi: Did Leo call in?

  Diana: LOL! No. He hasn’t heard that Misty Dawn is back to work yet. I doubt it will take him long, though.

  Jessy: So, what was it like?

  Diana. It felt right, Jessy.

  Cyndi: This is the best news I have heard all day. Our Diana is coming back to us.

  Jessy: All these years, and I just never understood how you could do that. I mean, didn’t Donnie…

  Cyndi: Jessy!

  Jessy: I’m so sorry, Diana. I didn’t mean—I’m just—sorry.

  Diana: It’s okay, Jess. I was married to the man for two decades. His name is bound to come up eventually. I miss him terribly, but I am lonely, and I am bored. Jackson is gone all the time, and I just wander around this big old house by myself.

  Angela: Well, I, for one, am glad you are back here. This little group hasn’t been the same without you. I have really missed you, Di.

  Cyndi: Me too. I hope this is the beginning of a new chapter for you, and for all of us.

  Diana: It’s been a tough year. I’m sorry I disappeared the way I did. Jackson is graduating in a few months and going to college. I think it’s time for me to start figuring out what I’m going to do now that I’m all alone in the world.

  Jessy: Oh, Di! You will never be alone! You always have us!

  Diana: (Hugs) Thank you, Jessy, I know, and I love all of you. But you have husbands and families of your own. I’m the old lady here, and I can’t rely on all of you to carry me along. There are a lot of things I can do. I just have to figure out what they are.

  Cyndi: So, will you keep working?

  Diana: For now. Although at some point I might look for something a little more respectable. LOL

  Angela: Like librarian or school teacher? LOL

  Diana: LOL Probably not, but something other than talking lonely old men into orgasms.

  Jessy: Good luck. I have been looking for a job for two years now. If you find something good, let me know.

  Diana: I’m sure I could get you in for an interview with Rick.

  Jessy: *Blushes* Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna have to turn you down on that one, Di, but thanks. I would have no idea what to say!

  Diana: It’s easy. Just say the things guys like to hear.

  Angela: Like ‘you’re so big,’ ‘there’s no one as good as you,’ and ‘oh, baby!’ Lots and lots of ‘oh, baby.’ LOL

  Diana: LOL! There’s a bit more to it than that, though. Most guys just want a friendly ear to listen to them talk, believe it or not.

  Cyndi: I’m a little bored since Jason made me quit the club. Maybe I’ll give it a try!

  Jessy: I’m not so sure that would be such a great idea.

  Angela: Yeah, your marriage barely survived Sugar Shakers.

  Cyndi: Come on, girls, it wasn’t that bad!

  Angela: Oh, okay. Maybe we remember things differently, but it seems like Jason was pretty pissed when he found out about you dancing on Friday nights.

  Cyndi: He wasn’t happy, but I knew he would forgive me eventually. Besides, I have all these new skills now…and he definitely appreciates that!

  Diana: Oh, Cyndi, I have missed you!

  Cyndi: I’ve missed you too, Di.

  Jessy: Well, ladies, I am going to sign off and try to get a little sleep while I still can.

  Angela: Yeah, me too. Good night, ladies!

  Cyndi: Good night, Jess and Ang.

  Diana: Sleep well!

  Cyndi: Do you need anything, Di?

  Diana: I think I am good. For the first time in a long time, I can actually say that and mean it.

  Cyndi: It’ll be a year on Monday.

  Diana: I know. I’m planning to go have a talk with Donnie. Let him know I’m doing okay.

  Cyndi: Are you?

  Diana: Am I what?

  Cyndi: Really okay?

  Diana: You know what, I think I am. It’s been tough dealing with the circumstances of Donnie’s death—our last moments together weren’t exactly our finest.

  Cyndi: I know. But he loved you, and he would have understood eventually. Or at least forgiven you.

  Diana: I guess we’ll never know.

  Cyndi: If you need me to go with you Monday, let me know. Jason’s off—he can keep Harper.

  Diana: Thanks, Cyn, but I think I need to do it alone.

  Cyndi: Okay. The offer’s there if you need it.

  Diana: Thanks, my friend. That’s why I love you. I’m going to call it a night now. Talk soon.

  Cyndi: Definitely. Good night!

  Diana: Good night!

  Chapter Four

  Everything looked the same as the last time she visited. The small gravestone with Donnie’s name etched into it sat in the shadow of the St. Michael statue, which was by itself under an old oak tree. Years ago, when they had first married, she and Donnie had purchased that plot under the tree with the plans of spending eternity together in its cool shade. They never expected eternity to come so quickly for one of them and not the other. She always pictured them old and wrinkled, smiling and holding hands as they left this world for the next.

  Without Donnie, she had years of loneliness ahead of her. The big tree wasn’t so beautiful or comforting anymore.

  She dropped down to her knees and pushed some leaves away from the base of the stone. The sun shone brightly, but the air had a chill to it. Diana pulled her jacket in closer against the cold ocean breezes. The wind always blew at least a little in Virginia Beach. The time of year determined if it made you feel free and alive or chilled to the bone. This was a chilled to the bone kind of day.

  “I really miss you, you know,” she whispered as she traced the letters of Donnie’s name on the grave marker. “Things aren’t the same around here since you left us. Jackson has gotten so tall. Well over six feet now. He will be graduating soon and heading off to Virginia Tech. I know you would be so proud of him.”

  The bare branches of the oak tree rustled in the chill breeze. The tiny hairs at the base of her neck bristled. Looking arou
nd, she searched the cemetery but saw no one. So, why did she get the distinct feeling of being watched? Rising to her feet, she spun around, scouring the memorial park for movement or other indicators she wasn’t alone. Her hand slipped inside her purse and felt for her gun. With fingers wrapped around the little Glock, she focused on her car about fifty yards away and started toward it, praying no one grabbed her from behind.

  She moved at a pretty good clip. The car sat only about ten yards in front of her when a strong hand grasped her arm. Diana screamed, pulling her gun from her bag and spinning in the direction from where the arm came. She tripped on a rock and fell forward into the figure that had stopped her. They sprawled to the ground, her on top of him, in a tangled heap. She jumped to her feet and pointed the gun down at him where he was still spread out on the grass.

  “Put the gun away! I’m a cop!” He held a hand up in front of the barrel of the Glock. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

  Diana’s hand shook, but she didn’t lower the weapon. Feet planted firmly, she squared her shoulders and looked her attacker in the eye. “Show me your ID!”

  The man smiled and spoke softly. “I’m going to reach into my jacket and grab my badge. Don’t shoot me in the process, please.”