“Look, I appreciate you guys,” Dorey said to Josh. “But it absolutely is not fair to give me special privileges just because I have a child.” She turned back to Josh. “What if you get married and have children? No. It would set a bad precedence.”
“It could set a precedence, there’s no denying that. But, I don’t think it will. It was a team vote, so everyone is invested in the idea. One of the things I want to see implemented around here is for the team to work out their own schedule, which will then be approved by me. So, Dorey, when your husband works nights, you work days, and vice-versa. Even if it’s three months at a stretch. You can make up the rotation in the winter when I imagine your boy won’t be as busy. And within the limits of covering the hospital, the same could be said for everyone else. What do you think?”
I was confused by the shocked look on her face. “Problem?”
“No. No, Chief. It’s just that…” She tapered off and looked at Josh.
Josh sat forward and laced his fingers together. “You see, we suggested that idea to the last director and were told in no uncertain terms that it was below our paygrade.”
I jerked back in my seat, a snide remark on my lips, then I remembered that I was the boss. I set the example now. Taking a cleansing breath, I said, “I imagine that every director comes in with their own ideas of how things should be done. It’s reassuring to know that this team and I think along the same lines. So, will that work for you, Ms. Davis?”
“Yes, Chief, thank you,” she replied happily. I think she must have been downplaying the need to be at home at night, because she sat up a bit straighter and seemed lighter, as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Surprisingly, it felt like a weight off my shoulders, too. I looked down at my hand, still playing with the bullet I had been holding. I stuffed it back in my pocket. “I’m glad things could be worked out. Great job, both of you. Now, send Ms. Ferguson in and let’s give her the good news. Oh, and ask everyone to wait just a few more minutes. I want to brief them all at once.”
The two walked out deciding who would do what as I leaned back in my chair and stared at the ceiling for a minute, collecting my thoughts about the events so far. First day on the job, a murder takes place on campus. Second day on the job, I have to fire someone and he threatens me. I can’t wait to see what happens on the third day… or maybe I can. The most important thing I’ve learned in my short time here is what a great team I have. In spite of their past leadership, they are a cohesive team who take responsibility for their job and those they have promised to protect. My job just got a whole lot easier.
The door to my office had been left open, and I could see saw Josh walk over to Lula and after a moment, nod toward my office. I also saw Michele turn white as a sheet. That concerned me from the perspective that she doesn’t trust me. She thinks that every time I ask someone to come to my office, they are going to be fired. Hopefully, by hiring Lula, Michele will learn differently. My captain told me once that he was only as good as his secretary let him be. It took me a while to understand that he meant his secretary not only kept him organized, but protected and defended him, too. I want Michele to be just like that but first she has to get her confidence back, and that is a damn hard thing to do sometimes.
“You wanted to see me, Chief?” Lula asked as she tapped on the doorframe.
“Yes, have a sit, Ms. Ferguson. This will only take a second.”
Lula came in, looked at Michele before shutting the door, and then sat down in the same chair Byron had just been fired from. I chuckled at the irony of the revolving hot seat.
Standing up, I walked to the front of my desk and rested a hip on the edge. Clasping my hands together in thoughtful repose, I said, “I wanted to thank you for your help earlier, Ms. Ferguson, and offer you a place on my team, effective immediately, if you’d be interested.”
She sat up straighter, a smile growing larger on her lips. “Thank you, Chief. I am very much interested in working here.”
“Good, I’ll fill out the paper work and tell Human Resources to expect you first thing in the morning for a drug screening test. You’ll be on ninety-day probation just like the rest of my staff, you will work the days or nights that you are scheduled. And just so you know, the probies pull nightshift first. Anyway, if your background check and drug test show negative, and you survive the ninety days, you’ll be a full-time employee with all the benefits.”
“Oh, I think that after this morning, I can certainly pass probation.”
“There is one condition, though,” I stated and watched as her smile faded away. “I want your promise that you will stay here for one year.”
“That’s… an unusual request, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “Yes, it is. But this department has seen too much turnover and not enough training and discipline. I don’t want to invest in an employee who isn’t invested in the hospital.”
“I understand and that is very reasonable. I promise I’ll give you one year, but any more than that I can’t be sure of.”
“Fair enough. I heard that you were thinking of enlisting in the police academy.” I put my hand in my pocket and felt for the bullet that I knew was there. “My background is as a police detective, so during your year here, feel free to ask me anything.”
A wide grin shot across her face as her eyes sparkled. “Thanks, Chief. I will.” And then, just as suddenly, she frowned. “Um, Chief. How do you feel about co-workers dating? I’m not much for sneaking around, so I’m asking now to know how things stand in that, um, area.”
“There are two things you should know about that,” I replied with an impassive face. “As long as the dating is done off this campus, and more importantly, doesn’t interfere with protecting this hospital and the patients, then I don’t care. However, as I learned this morning, the staff are very protective of Ms. Michaels and would take issues if say, someone were to break her heart.” I knew I was being very presumptuous and over-protective, but surprisingly, it felt right.
“I assure you I have the utmost respect for Michele and would never—”
I shook my head and held up my hand to stop her. “You see, this is exactly the kind of thing that I don’t want to hear about around the office. Just conduct yourself professionally and we won’t have a problem. Understand?”
“Understood, Chief. And thank you for the opportunity.”
I stood up and held out my hand. “Welcome to the team, Ms. Ferguson. Let’s head into the conference room and get the meeting started. I imagine you’d like to get home and get some sleep.”
“Actually, I’m pretty wound up at the moment,” she said with a chuckle as she shook my hand.
They had all gathered in the conference room, drinking coffee and chatting. Barney was sleeping in the corner, Josh, Noel, and Robby were talking at one end of the table, and Michele, Dorey and Lucas were sitting together, talking. Michele looked up at me with a question on her face.
“All right, let’s get this meeting started,” I said, drawing their attention. Those standing sat down, Josh woke up Barney, and all eyes turned to me. “I’m sorry that I kept you waiting for so long. It’s been a difficult morning, and as most of you know already, I have let Byron go. But on a positive note, Lula will be joining our team and she will start tomorrow.”
Michele gasped even as she smiled ear-to-ear, and Noel glared at me questioningly. I watched as Lula took a seat as far away from Michele as she could.
“Take one of these and pass them around,” I said, putting my stack of printouts on the table. “As you may have guessed by now, I’m quite fond of lists; they keep things organized.” I gave them a moment to pass the papers around. “As I’ve said, I was hired to turn this department around and what I’m handing out is my to-do list. Item one, training. Item two, visibility. Item three, hire more women and minorities. Item four, protect and serve. And finally, item five, have fun with it.”
“Chief, could you elaborate on four and fi
ve?” Josh asked.
“Sure, by protect and serve, I mean that we protect everyone; staff, patients, and visitors, but we should also serve them. Start walking employees to their cars at night. If a visitor is lost and can’t find the cafeteria or gift shop or whatever, don’t just point the way, escort them there.” My mind flashed back to when I prayed with Scottie. “If someone asks you to pray with them, do it, whether you’re an atheist or not. When it comes to our patients, it’s not about you or your beliefs. It’s about them.”
“I’ve been doing that, anyway,” Dorey explained.
“Glad to hear it. You can start training the others on what to expect,” I replied. “Especially the nightshift and the probies. The staff doesn’t trust us on the nightshift, and we need to turn that around. So, Dorey, every morning that you are on duty, I want you to give a five-minute talk during shift change about protecting and serving, all right?”
“Roger that, Chief,” she said confidently.
“As to the fifth item, it means exactly what it says. Find ways to make it fun for the patients. Especially the pediatric patients, who may be afraid of the uniform. When I worked as a beat cop in Houston, we would visit the hospitals on holidays wearing a few non-uniformed code items like a super large sheriff’s star, or a Santa Claus hat with a star on it. Just some little something to show the children that we were safe.”
“Oh, I like that idea,” Michele chirped. “Halloween is coming up. I’ll get some sheriff badges and maybe some cowboy hats.”
“I have a bunch of junk at home that my boy has outgrown. Maybe we can use some of that stuff?” Dorey stated.
“Just don’t wear masks or fake guns, understand?” I asked. “We want them to know that we’re security, but that we’re also the good guys.”
“Excuse me.” All heads turned to the doorway. Detective Rebecca Littleton walked up beside me. “Chief of Security Dennis, may I see you for a minute?”
My first thought was that she had caught the murderer, but the look in her eyes was not one of satisfaction. It was the same look I gave suspects that I was trying to trap in a lie. That and the formal tone as she addressed me by my title. “Of course, Detective. Just one second,” I said and turned back to my staff. “Is there anything critical to report from last night’s shift?”
Josh shook his head. “Nothing, Chief. We typed up a report,” he said, holding up a sheet of paper, “but you can read it later.”
“Very good, then let’s get back to work,” I instructed and then turned back to Becky. “I’m all yours. How can I help you?”
“I have a warrant to search your motorhome,” she said without inflection.
You could have heard a pen drop as everyone froze in place and stared at us.
“What took you so long, Detective?” I asked pointedly.
Chapter Eleven
Casey Dennis
The sun had only been up for an hour when Becky and I walked out of the hospital. The eight-to-fivers were filling the parking spaces that the nightshift was vacating. A few curious employees walked by the crime scene, still taped off, and pointed at the ground as if they saw the victim still lying there.
As we started across the lot, I saw Celine walking toward us, looking stunning in a violet, tailormade suit with matching high heels. Her red hair was in love with that color. I nodded, wondering if she would acknowledge me. Surprisingly, she did.
“Can I talk with you a minute, Chief?” she asked, as she glanced at Becky.
“Can I take a raincheck? The detective wants to search my motorhome.”
“Oh, um, of course. Um, should I be worried?” Celine stammered, clearly shocked.
“No, it’s just routine. My motorhome was the closest enclosure to the crime scene and I imagine it took them a while to track down a judge to get a warrant. Is that correct, Detective?”
Becky looked perturbed. “Yeah. That’s right,” she grunted, obviously annoyed with having to be here.
“I’ll catch up with you later, then,” Celine said, putting her hand on my arm.
I nodded and watched her walk away, still feeling the warmth of her touch. Does that mean she’s not mad at me anymore? I couldn’t help but wonder why it mattered. I’ve already been psychoanalyzed up one side and down the other when I was in rehab. Do I still blame myself for what happened? Yes. Do I still have nightmares that wake me up in a cold sweat every morning? Yes. Celine is a psychiatrist so she can’t help herself, and yes, maybe I was too sharp with her, but short of a quick roll in the hay, I don’t want another shrink.
I turned my attention back to Becky, who had picked up the pace across the parking lot. “Becky, have you had any leads on the case, yet?”
“No. Still waiting on the DNA results.”
“So, is this search just routine like I said, or am I a suspect now?”
She glanced over at me and frowned. “I’ll let you know after we do our search.”
That sounded like something I would say to a suspect if I wanted to string them along. “Fair enough,” I replied. There were two police officers standing beside my RV as we walked up. They had on latex gloves. I pulled out my keys from my pants pocket and unlocked the door. “You’ll have to excuse the mess, I wasn’t expecting company. Well, technically I guess I was, but excuse the mess anyway.” Swinging the door open, I stepped back.
“Wait out here,” she said, nodding at the two men who had accompanied us.
Then, the two with gloves already on and Detective Littleton crammed into my little motorhome and, for lack of a better word, began ransacking it if the sound of breaking glass was any indication. I have never understood why some authorities feel like they have to sack a residence in order to do a thorough search. It is not necessary and very abusive of their power. When I searched a house or business, I took my time and did a methodical examination of everything. It may have taken more time, but if there was evidence to find, I found it. And if there wasn’t, the suspect was left with some dignity.
As beat up as the Winnebago looked on the outside, it was actually quite nice on the inside. I renovated it myself to suit my needs. In the back was my queen-size-bed, bought new and wedged into place. Over the bed was a book rack with a few hardback books I had collected over the years. The toilet was so small I almost had to pee standing up, and the shower was nothing more than a triangle stall with a tile basin to catch the water. Barely enough to turn around in it but at least it worked. The dining room table and benches were built into the wall under a three-panel window, and set across from the refrigerator, which was vertically, half the size of a regular fridge. The stove had only two burners, not that I did any cooking and I had bought a small microwave for the countertop. Inside, the cab looked and drove like a pickup truck, and there was another bed over the top of it.
“Chief, would you come in here, please?” Becky called.
She must have found my locked cabinet. Pulling out my keys again, I walked inside. As suspected, they had tossed everything onto the floor and I had to step over my treasures gingerly. I picked up the framed picture of my parents and bit back the swearwords ready to roll off my tongue. I knew from experience that once you start cussing, they stop listening. “You know, this wasn’t necessary,” I said to one stoic policeman who only shrugged. “How would you feel if this was your home and your belongings? Violated, that’s how.” My temper was rising as I stepped closer, boxing him in. “I was a detective for eight years, and I always caught the bad guy without having to vandalize his home like you just did mine.”
“Casey!” Becky barked.
“Yeah, I’m coming,” I shot back without taking my eyes off the policeman. “You need to learn how to do a proper search without ego and machoism. Now clean up the damn mess you made.”
The man looked at Becky, who nodded annoyingly. “Chief, do you have a key to this drawer or do I have to break it open?”
“I’ve got a key. And thank you for being professional enough to ask first,” I retorted fo
r the benefit of the two cops listening. Setting the frame on the counter, I walked over and unlocked the drawer under my bed and pulled it open. Then I stepped back and watched as Becky pulled out my Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol.
“That was my backup piece when I was on the force,” I explained.
“I have one just like it,” Becky replied as she held it out to one of the cops who opened an evidence bag. She dropped it inside. Then she pulled out the box in the drawer and rifled through the papers. She held up my permit for the pistol. “This is for Texas. Do you have one for Colorado?”
“I haven’t had time to get one,” I replied, becoming annoyed with her. “But I’m pretty sure that having a weapon in my home is not illegal, no matter what state I’m in.”
She tilted her head and frowned. “You’re saying this is your legal home?”
“Yes, I am. And currently my address is the same as the hospital. You are welcomed to check with my CEO, if you’d like.”
“I’ll do that, thanks,” she said, still frowning. She turned to the other two. “Did you find anything?”
“Nothing, Detective,” the man responded.
“All right. That will be all,” Becky said, waving them off. She waited until they stepped outside before she turned back to me.
“So, am I a suspect now?” I asked, curious how she perceived things today. She seemed closed off, aloof, cold even, unlike yesterday where she seemed excited to work with me. I hope that hasn’t changed, because I was excited to work with her, too.
“My gut says no, but I have to process your weapon and report to my captain. She may have other concerns.”
“I appreciate your trusting me with that information. If your captain needs to discuss further, I’d be happy to go in and talk with him.”
“Somehow I knew you would. I’ll let her know.”
“Thanks. And I’m going to want my weapon back as soon as you—” My cellphone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket. “As soon as you clear it.”
Better the Devil You Don't Know Page 9