by CJ Murphy
Chance rose to her full height and stepped a few inches from the man who was barely above five feet tall. “Mr. Dexter, Brad Waters will never work for this department again as long as I’m Sheriff. I hope you’re a defense attorney as well, because a special prosecutor has been assigned to handle the criminal charges in this case to avoid any conflict of interest. You can take up his termination with the civil service board.” She walked back to her office and picked up a stack of paperwork as thick as a dictionary. “This is his personnel file. I can assure you I have all I need to back up his termination. The second he put his hands on my assistant, he sealed his fate. Good day, sir.”
“You can be as high handed as you want, Sheriff. We’ll go to court, count on it. Might be you looking for a new job by the time all this is over.” He threw the packet on the counter in the reception area.
Taylor stepped forward, Midas at attention by her side. “I think it’s time to go, Mr. Dexter.”
The attorney glared at her and moved a toothpick in his mouth to the other side. “Don’t think you’re in the clear. As Chief Deputy, a lot of this falls in your lap too.”
Chance moved across the room, Zeus on her heels. “Good day, Mr. Dexter.”
Dexter backed up so fast, his shoulder hit the door frame. “You get that mutt under control, Sheriff, or it won’t just be Brad suing your ass.”
“If you have no more business here, see yourself out before you have to be escorted out. Last chance, Mr. Dexter.” Chance crossed her arms over her chest and took another step forward.
He adjusted the skewed necktie and glared at her. “I’ll see you in court.” With those parting words, he turned and went through the lobby door and out to the street.
Taylor picked up the packet, and Chance followed her back to her office. Chance counted to ten while Taylor perused the contents.
“It’s all bullshit, Chance. Typical of what you’d expect. He’s claiming you’ve discriminated against him because he’s a heterosexual and doesn’t applaud your life. Reverse discrimination, in that you’ve appointed me because I’m a lesbian like you. What a jackass. Shit, we didn’t need this. This incident is going to start a public relations war, and he’ll be able to say whatever he wants while we have to stay quiet because of personnel policy.”
Chance put a hand on Taylor’s shoulder. “Take a breath. We have video evidence of what he did to Penny and more verbal warnings and written reprimands than the rest of the department combined. He doesn’t have a leg to stand on. This is a desperate attempt by a desperate man. We’ve got the truth on our side. He has nothing. I’m not worried in the slightest. Khodi will be here in a few minutes. I’d like you to sit in on this interview. If it goes well, I want to offer him the position. Hiring him puts a K9 unit on the street immediately.”
“Sounds good.”
The door chimed again, and Chance stepped back out into the lobby. A man in his early thirties stepped forward with his hand extended.
“Sheriff Fitzsimmons, Chief Deputy Lewis, good to see you again.” Khodi Lahman shook hands with both women.
“Nice to see you again, Khodi.” Taylor greeted the guest.
Chance waved them into her office. “Let’s go have a seat. Good trip over?”
“Made the trip a thousand times. I could drive it in my sleep.” Khodi had a seat in the chair indicated.
Chance appraised the way Khodi carried himself as he interacted with Taylor. Khodi was a few inches shorter than Chance and healthy according to the physical she held in her hands. A physical ability test had been given to each candidate, and Khodi had smoked his. The man sat before her in crisply ironed pants and a smartly tailored jacket paired with a pale-blue shirt. The leather boots he wore were polished to a high shine.
Khodi’s hair was neatly trimmed, and he sat straight in his chair, his sharp eyes taking in everything around the room. Chance noticed he’d adjusted the seat to keep from having his back completely to the door.
Cautious and alert. “So, let’s talk about the job. Why do you want to leave Bridgeport? Are you unhappy over there?” Chance shifted papers in the file she had.
Khodi sat up straighter. “No, I’m not necessarily unhappy over there, Sheriff. The reality is, I want to come back home. Mom has multiple sclerosis, and Dad isn’t in the best of health either. They could use some help, and to be honest, I miss being home. Not planning to move in with them but being close by would make things easier. I’m tired of being in the city, away from the mountain.”
Chance smiled. She understood. That same feeling had brought her home after her time as a smokejumper.
Khodi shrugged. “I like to ski and ride dirt bikes. I spent my high school years running and hiking up in the Sods and fly-fishing the Blackwater River and Red Creek. These are still the things I do in my downtime. The problem is, living over there, I have to drive back over here to enjoy them.”
Taylor had a few questions of her own, and Chance let her lead for a while. Taylor took notes on a legal pad she balanced on her thigh. “How are you around horses?”
“Mom and Dad used to raise quarter horses. I grew up taking care of them and riding them on the farm. My farrier skills are probably a little rusty, but it wouldn’t take much to get back into practice.”
Chance listened, as Taylor questioned him about his marksmanship skills. She was pleased both with what she could see on paper and in watching Khodi. There were several commendations listed in the file for him and his K9 partner, Echo. When Taylor wound down her line of questioning, Chance picked it back up.
“Tell me about Echo.” Chance watched as the smile grew on Khodi’s face.
“He’s a black German shepherd from the Netherlands and a beast. He’s trained in patrol and narcotics detection. We’ve kept up with every certification, and you should have his health record in your file.”
Chance reached down and ran a hand across Zeus’ head. She knew what a close bond the handler and their K9 had. She appreciated the pride she saw in Khodi when he spoke about his dog. “How is he around horses? We have a stable of several that we use frequently.”
“No problems being around them. Mom and Dad still have a few, and he’s learned how to travel beside them. Sheriff, I know I’m not your only candidate, but I’m a good officer and ready to work. I can start whenever you need me. My current chief knows I’m trying for this position, and he’s told me I can leave immediately if you hire me. I’m on vacation for the next two weeks. I can use that as my two weeks’ notice, so it wouldn’t leave them short-handed. I’m a quick learner. Give me a copy of this department’s policies and procedures, and I’ll learn them in a few days. I can qualify with my weapon today, if you’d like me to. I want the job. I can promise you won’t regret hiring me.”
He leaned forward and settled his elbows on his knees as he steepled his fingers. “I need to come home. I’ll fully understand if you choose someone else because they are better qualified. I’ll walk out of here and say thank you for considering me.” He sat back up. “If you chose to bring me on, I’ll work harder than anyone you’ve ever hired in my position. I was born and raised here. I know the people and the county inside and out. I’ve got applications in with several other agencies. Even if you don’t hire me, I’m coming back to this area, even if I have to travel to work. For that matter, I could stay where I am and commute until I find a job. It’s that important.”
Khodi paused. “I want to work for you because I’ve respected and looked up to you my whole life, well before you ever pinned that badge on. You need a K9 officer; that’s a fact. I’m honestly not trying to brag, but I’m a damn good one with references to back me up. I hope you’ll consider that I want to give back to the people and the county that shaped me.”
Chance looked at Taylor and saw the barely perceptible smile that formed on her lips. She could read Taylor’s thoughts and knew she was in agreement. She stood and stretched out her hand to the officer before her. “Welcome to Tucker County Sheriff’
s Department, Deputy Lahman. I look forward to working with you and Echo.” Khodi’s broad smile swallowed his face, as he rose and firmly shook her hand.
“You’ll never want for cookies or brownies ever again. My mom said to throw that in if it would get me the job. Hell, she sent a full tin to push you over the edge.”
Chance looked to the left and right of her, watching as Khodi’s brow scrunched.
“And?” Chance held out her hands, palms up.
Khodi shook his head, and Taylor started to laugh. “And what?”
“And you ate them on the way here? You gave them to Echo?”
Khodi blushed and chuckled. “Oh, the cookies. No, I didn’t eat them. I didn’t want to be seen as bribing the sheriff. They’re in the truck.”
Chance came around the desk. “Okay, then you go get the cookies, and we’ll get some paperwork together for you to sign. I will be calling over to talk with your chief. I want to do this right and leave no bad feelings behind. I trust what you’ve said, but it’s my reputation on the line as well.”
“Want his cell number? I told him I wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to call, and he said to give you that one and his home number.”
Chance pulled out her cellphone. “Let’s see if it’s the same one I got a few years ago at a regional meeting.”
They compared numbers while Taylor slipped off to get the new-hire paperwork. An hour later, the cookie tin was empty, and Taylor was ready to take Khodi to the range to qualify on the weapon he would be issued.
“Khodi, you tell your mom these were great. Now, are you staying for Leaf Peepers?”
“Haven’t missed one yet. I’m on the team for the Mountaintop Library. I always come home to support the place my mom helped establish.”
Chance nodded. “Excellent, my mom adores yours. Do you have any plans after you do the Run For It? Could you do a ride-along with me as an orientation shift? I know you don’t have a uniform yet. A set of black tactical pants and a long-sleeved, black T-shirt will work for now.”
Khodi’s face lit up. “That would be great. I’ve got a vest and some basic equipment of my own until you can issue me gear from the department.”
“I’ll let you work all that out with the chief deputy. She’ll issue you your badge and service weapon. If you’re up to it after the run, grab a shower and join me at the Davis Fire Hall. That’s where I’ll be for the remainder of the evening unless we get a call.”
Khodi reached out and shook Chance’s hand. “I’ll be there.”
“Welcome aboard, Khodi. I look forward to having you as a member of the Tucker County Sheriff’s Office. I have one in the academy that will finish in a few months. With your addition, this brings us back up to full staff, minus one K9 until Daniel goes through his training. We’re going to hit the ground running. Your former chief said he expects a call from you and the promise of your mom’s cookies at Christmas.”
Khodi crisply saluted Chance. “Roger that, Sheriff. Thanks for the job.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Once you’ve dealt with the Malone sisters for the fifteenth time in a month and stood at Wild Maggie at three degrees below zero for a stuck tractor-trailer, for the third time in one night, we’ll see how thankful you are.”
“She’s right, you might not agree in a few months.” Taylor laughed and pointed to the door. “Let’s head to the range.”
“I’m going to go home for a while and come back out around eleven. I assume you can hold down the fort? I think Harley has someone out as well.” Chance put her hat on and gathered her things.
Khodi stopped and turned around. “Is Sergeant Harley Kincaid working tonight?”
“Not sure. Let me check the schedule.” Chance walked back over to her desk and pulled up the West Virginia State Police Parsons Detachment Schedule. “She’s on now but will be done at midnight. You know Harley?”
“I do. One of the finest officers I’ve ever met. I’ll see you Saturday, Sheriff.” Khodi waved as he walked out the door and headed to his vehicle.
Taylor lifted an eyebrow and tilted her head in Chance’s direction. “Seems he’s a fan.”
“Indeed. Anyway, tell Penny hi for me when you get home. I’ll check in on the horses on my way to Mom’s house. Poor Kendra is bringing her girlfriend, Brandi, home for the first time. She’s as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. We’re going over as a buffer between Mags and Kendra. I swear, sometimes those two are like a match and gasoline.”
“Kendra’s an incredible young woman who’s not a kid anymore, and your own personal Mini-Me. How disappointed was she about the job?”
“Took the news as I expected. She understands. Kendra wants the job so bad she can taste it. She also knows I need someone on the street right now. Charley would be next up for retirement, and he’s not planning to go anywhere for at least five more years. I think we need to talk with him about the court security position after Daniel gets his K9. His wife and grandkids would probably like to see him more on weekends and holidays. Not to mention no more night shifts. It’s worth the discussion. I can’t do any of that until I have a full complement of deputies and K9s ready for the road. Until then, we’ll make do, and Kendra will stay in school.”
Taylor grabbed her coat off the hook. “I’ve got a few hours of patrol left before Ray comes out. If you’re planning to come back out this evening, try and get some rest before you do. Leaf Peepers will kick off tomorrow morning. I’ve got everyone out for this one in twelve-hour shifts, including Daniel—who will ride with Randy. With the good weather, the tourists come out of the woodwork.”
“It will be good for the festival and unfortunately, just as good for all our less-than-stellar citizens. Lots of visitors coming in with a lot of money to burn. Tell everyone to keep their eyes open.”
“Will do, Sheriff. Get out of here. I’ll go to the range with Khodi and let you know how he does.”
Chance waved and loaded Zeus into her vehicle as she placed a call to Jax.
“Hey, stranger. How’s your day?”
“Better now.”
Jax’s voice was like sunshine. She and Jax exchanged plans, and she hung up. On the way past the convenience store, she spotted Leland Kurst’s truck parked off to the side, with another car parked nearby. She pulled into the lot and rolled slowly by. Leland and another man stood talking. She let her dashcam catch the license plate for later reference. She glanced down at the plate reader that pulled up a registration out of Baltimore. Zeus barked in the back seat, and Leland turned away from Chance’s view. Nope, nothing going on here. Sure there isn’t.
Several messages pinged and she pulled out her cellphone. One from Maggie, Call when you can. One from Dee, Kendra’s going to jump out of her skin. And finally, one from Kendra. Get your ass here now! Please? Not kidding, get here soon!
Chance couldn’t help laughing at Kendra’s desperation. She called Jax.
“Forget something?” Jax asked.
“Nothing other than how intimidating it is to bring a girl home to the moms-squared for the first time. Kendra’s freaking out. How long before you can get to their place?”
“I’m on the way now. Still about ten minutes out. I need to fill up the Tundra.”
“I’ll send Kendra a message to relax, help is on the way. I love you. Drive carefully.”
“Love you too…see you soon.”
Chance pulled into the small gas station where they got their fuel. When she stepped out, Faith pulled in beside her on the other side of the pump. Perfect.
Faith slid the fuel handle into her fill point and turned to Chance. “You can’t keep avoiding me.”
“I can, and I will.”
Faith tried another tactic. “I saw Kendra pull into town earlier. How’s she doing in her classes?”
Chance squinted and tilted her head. “Faith, you couldn’t give a rat’s ass about Kendra’s classes. You’re trying to prolong this conversation, and I’m not doing it. Kendra’s fin
e.”
Faith took a deep breath. “Daniel’s graduation is coming up next month. I’m going to be there. I’d rather us not be biting each other’s heads off. We have to find a way to be civil, for his sake.”
Chance seated her hat on her head tighter and adjusted her vest. “I’ve never had a problem being civil. Perhaps you need to look up the definition.” She closed her eyes and held up her hands. “Let’s stop right now.” Chance pulled the gas handle out and replaced it on the pump. She waited for her receipt, then turned to Faith. “We’re done here. Daniel is my employee. More than that, he’s my godson. Don’t push me, Faith. It’s his big day. If you do anything to ruin it for him, my forgiveness will be the least of your worries.”
Chapter Ten
JAX SAT QUIETLY, OBSERVING Brandi as she completely entranced Maggie and Dee. The young woman was entertaining the moms with tales of her life in California, where she’d followed her veterinarian mother around her office, begging to be taken on stable calls. Kendra was grinning from ear to ear. The only sign of her nerves was the endless tapping of her thumb on her tea glass.
Brandi played with the short fringe hair at her neckline. “I’ve come to believe some client of Mom’s patterned that cartoon, Doc McStuffins, after me. I patched up my dog and the office cat all the time. I’ll bet I ran Mom’s bandage bill through the roof. Poor Tink and Rocky spent a lot of time with one appendage or another wrapped in gauze, while I traipsed around in a little lab coat.”
Jax laughed. “I remember those days. Uncle Marty took me all over the place when I came to stay with him. Learning at his knee solidified my decision to become a vet. He’s also the reason I came back here to take over his practice.”
Kendra snorted. “Yeah, right. Wouldn’t have anything at all to do with a certain law enforcement officer. Nope, it’s all about the animals.”
Jax couldn’t help but blush, as she heard a vehicle door close. “Well, I’ll admit there were other deciding factors.”