“Why not? You think that’s a bad idea?”
“I think I’ve worked here long enough to understand how my community works. I had your people move into my town and take over before I had a chance to figure out what happened.”
“Yet, even after you walked away, you brought a child back from the dead.”
“Chrissy wasn’t dead. She was a victim of a bastard, and her brother is smarter than anyone I know. He arranged everything and set us on a path. He knew she’d eventually come out of hiding. But he wanted to make sure Eugene Tuktu went down for the continued sexual assault against his sister.”
“You make a citizen’s arrest against a suspected pedophile, and you get the guy to admit to fratricide. Who does that?” Wilcox shook his head. “What happened to you, Special Agent Sheppard? You should be section chief somewhere instead of holed up in a tiny village on the top of the world.”
“I’m not in the FBI anymore, Sergio. Don’t try to butter me up about it.” Meghan shook her head. “I don’t know that line of work anymore. After last weekend, I don’t want any part of that anymore.”
“I talked with Garret McKee yesterday. When I heard about you collecting the Tuktu girl, I thought he should know Special Agent Wyatt had a lot more to apologize for than just walking over your business and thinking it’s a good idea.”
“I don’t care about that. I loved the FBI’s immediate response to the Amber Alert. Cecil Tuktu’s ruse worked better as soon as Dana jumped on her high horse and rode it all over this town. She got you here with a bunch of raw cadets. That is the kind of thing people will talk about for ages.”
“No, you don’t get it. They will talk about you. They see you as their savior. You found that little girl. You found that predator. And you found a murderer that no one else knew existed.”
“It makes me sick to my stomach that this place will put someone else in charge that’s just as bad as Chief Herbert Haynes. That is the kind of thing that bothers me the most.” She thought for a second. “Also, Lester found Eugene. He went after him for the bootlegging.” She felt a surge of anger. “It pisses me off that Haynes didn’t follow up with Eugene. He didn’t look into the death. He took it at face value, and as long as it didn’t interfere with his business, he let it go. If he took the time to press Eugene, that poor girl wouldn’t have had years of mental and sexual abuse. He’s lucky we’re not allowed to carry firearms in the line of duty. It was dumb luck I found the drawing pad.”
“You found it because it’s in your blood. You found it because you’re not lazy and you care. It’s the same reason why you didn’t try to walk back everything Agent Wyatt started when she called in the extra troops. You wanted that girl found, and getting help mattered more than your ego.”
“I don’t have an ego.”
“That is why you’re better suited for the Bureau.”
Meghan shook her head. “I can’t go back. I don’t want to go back.”
“If we had more people like you, we’d have fewer negative stories about our misdeeds.”
“You’re spreading that butter on thick again,” she said.
“I’m not trying to recruit you, Meghan. I want to extend an olive branch. I want you to know that your work is important to this community.”
“They deserve as much respect as anyone else. People think anyone living in the bush or above the Arctic Circle is a bunch of inbred idiots. I hate the stereotypes, and I hate the bigotry.”
“I think if you want your job back, you can have it.”
Meghan held her breath. It was something she suspected, but a little piece of pride lodged in her throat and made it hard to ask favors.
“Detective Anderson started Trooper Sergeant Reeve on the right path. This business with Agent Wyatt, it was poorly handled by her and the Bureau. My office came in and took over, and I am responsible for my cadets. This is a learning curve, and we need people like you who know the right way of handling the environment to make us see what works in one place isn’t a fit everywhere. Whatever you and Agent Wyatt have, that isn’t my business. All I can do is see what went wrong and make sure not to repeat it.”
“I don’t think Duane wants me back. I lost my lieutenant and my sergeant.”
“You have people devoted to you. I know if you’re back, they’re back. If that’s what you want.” He finished the coffee. “You have a list of demands. I’d be happy to take them to the people who matter.”
“You have a secret agenda, Sergio?”
“What? Me? No,” he said. It sounded hollow. “I want what’s best for the community. Just like you want what’s best for the community. If I can’t recruit you back in the Bureau, I’d like to make sure Kinguyakkii has someone who cares about the people and this place.”
“You think you’re so smart coming here looking at me face to face,” Meghan said. “You know damned well I want to stay here. You know this is my home.”
“You’re stretched thin. You need more help.”
“You think you have the authority to move mountains? Duane got what he wanted. He got me out of his town, and short of running me out on a rail, he got the satisfaction of seeing me leave in humiliation.”
“Yet, this comes from the woman who just said something about not having an ego.”
“Saving face has to do with maintaining authority. If I have a community full of people who think I’m incompetent, I might as well leave tonight.”
“You don’t keep up with social media, do you? You might want to check out the exclusive Northern Lights Sounder published. It has most of the details regarding Tuktu’s arrest. It went national. I know the blog went to McKee’s desk because he called me. I suspect your friend, Dana Wyatt, read how the FBI interfered with the local police chief’s investigation into a missing child. That is just the start of it. I know Valerie Hicks demanded your letter of resignation from Mayor Warren. When he didn’t present it to the North Slope Borough Council, they refused to accept his claim that you quit on your own behalf.”
Valerie Hicks, the voice of reason and accountability on the Council, wasn’t someone Meghan needed as an enemy. She knew the woman had enough political pull to render Duane’s position moot if she didn’t like what happened with the police chief.
“They must know about the problems with Reeve and the situation with Dana.”
Wilcox nodded. “They knew all that and a lot more. It was the Borough’s intervention that released Reeve from his posting. He willingly took the transfer. They appreciated the FBI’s diligence in helping with locating the missing child. But Mrs. Hicks issued a statement that denounced Agent Wyatt’s handling of the situation, including the fact she took over a case while vacationing in a state where she doesn’t have agency support.
“So, a lot happened since you brought back the girl and solved a murder to boot. I’m here officially to offer our services whenever you need, and to make sure you have everything you need when you’re ready to return to work.”
“Do you know Valerie Hicks?”
“She was instrumental in the sting operation that removed Haynes. I know because the Council approached us to make sure all law enforcement officers handling the operation weren’t in Hayne’s pocket at the time.”
“You want more coffee?” Meghan asked after she poured a second cup.
“Nope, I came here, said what I needed to say. I offer you a formal apology on behalf of my colleagues, both current and former. I want to know that you commit to doing what you clearly are the best suited to do, given the circumstances. I feel better knowing you’re here doing this job, Meghan. All that has to do with if you still want it.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Wilcox laughed and strolled back to the front door. Meghan followed him.
“I hope you decide what’s best for everyone, and if you ever need a letter, you let me know. I know Mrs. Hicks is on a conference call with the mayor. They are looking at what’s best for the community.”
“Thank
s, Sergio.”
“I could use a ride back to the airport. I want to catch the evening flight out. Uber around here isn’t working on my phone,” Wilcox said.
Meghan laughed. “I don’t have a vehicle anymore. They took the—”
The rusty midnight blue Chevrolet Suburban sat out in front of the house. Wilcox handed Meghan the key to the truck. She shook her head.
“Can I at least get dressed first?”
“Sure, whatever you want.”
Meghan suspected after the field supervisor for the FBI made a special trip to talk to Meghan, she’d hear a lot more of that in the near future.
Chapter Twenty-Five
She didn’t have a list of demands, only a few strong suggestions. It surprised Meghan that Wilcox decided to stay for the conference call from the Council regarding Meghan’s future. Whatever happened at that moment meant Meghan had complete autonomy moving forward as police chief, if she wanted to keep the job.
“We’re prepared to offer you compensation to ensure you want to extend your contract with the city, if you want to renegotiate.” Valerie Hick’s voice rang though the situation room in the police department.
Sitting at the table with Meghan and Wilcox, Duane had a look that suggested he didn’t like his authority manipulated by others. Meghan knew how that felt. It was uncomfortable.
“I don’t want more money,” Meghan said. “I’ll sign the contract. I’d like for the city to increase my Sergeant’s wage to reflect his position. I’m still interested in finding a suitable replacement for Trooper Winters’ former post in the city.”
“That is still in the budget,” Valerie said. Meghan heard some whispers through the intercom phone system from other board members. “There is room to increase Sergeant Henry’s wage as long as he’s willing to sign a contract.”
“I assume you want one from Lester too,” Meghan said. “I am fine with that.”
“Are you confident you will reclaim your officers? I know the troopers have offered to help alleviate the pressures in case you’re taxed on hours.”
“I always appreciate the help. If I can get everyone onboard, and find another officer, I think we’ll be right as rain.” Meghan didn’t want to appear smug in front of Duane. It was impossible at that point.
***
Inside the terminal, waiting with Wilcox for his flight, Meghan knew to make sure their professional relationship had a foundation worth building on. Meghan suspected that if she ever needed a hand from Wilcox all she had to do was ask.
“Are you going to call your former supervisor?” Wilcox asked.
Meghan watched the other travelers leaving Kinguyakkii. Most of the people she recognized were day travelers, people who spent a few hours commuting to Anchorage or Fairbanks for business. Very few people left on a Monday evening flight. That meant she had some privacy sitting in the terminal with Wilcox.
“I don’t have anything to say to Garret. We had our conversations years ago. I don’t want to go back again.”
“I can appreciate that. This business with Wyatt and you should get resolution. It’s not good to let friendships stagnate over poor business dealings.”
“Is that what you’re calling it?” Meghan shook her head. “I felt like she had an agenda the minute she got here. All these years, I thought she was a better friend than an agent. I can say that because I don’t think I’m out of line with that observation. She made it her mission to destroy my credibility and almost got me fired.”
“You might want to reconsider that last part. You almost got you fired. Wyatt put you together with other agency professionals, and you know how it all works. You’re not new to that. This business between you and Wyatt doesn’t have anything to do with how you handled the situation with Cadet Holmes. I’m surprised you let him get the better of you. But you probably ruined his career in any law enforcement capacity. You likely caused permanent nerve damage and tore the ligaments around his thumb.
“I won’t condone excessive force. I only wish the camera wasn’t focused on your suspect at the time you took care of Holmes. I can tell you that Vincent Atkinson’s face at the time you broke Holmes’ thumb was priceless. I’m not surprised if his reaction won’t become some interoffice meme at some point.”
“I know it wasn’t my best moment. And it won’t help the guy if I said sorry.”
“I think you shouldn’t worry about what happens to Holmes. You don’t need me to tell you to not allow your emotions to get the better of you. This business with Holmes or that business with Eugene Tuktu, you kicking him, I don’t want to see you strong arming people to get confessions out of them.” Wilcox held up his hand to stop Meghan from launching into protecting a predator. “You don’t have to worry about Tuktu. We claimed his laptop and have IP addresses for a few of his friends he’s sharing images, a few of them are here in Alaska. The FBI will take care of the rest of them. My point is, I know you’re allowing your work to get the better of you. I’ve seen good agents fall under the pressure of catching bad guys. I hate the Bureau lost you because of what happened. Don’t let these people lose you because you’re leading with your emotions instead of your head.”
Meghan needed to know. “Did Garrett say anything to you about Dana?”
“You should ask him.”
“You know that’s not going to happen.”
“You know we spend a lot of time trying to strengthen our ties to local law enforcement. We’re looking at the model created here to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I don’t know what your relationship was with Agent Wyatt, but I can tell you from direct observation, she wanted to prove something to you. I saw it in how she handled the Amber Alert, and how she handled the on the ground operations.” Wilcox waited to talk again, listening to the intercom boarding announcement.
Meghan never saw a point using the intercom in the Kinguyakkii commercial flight terminal. The space was a little bigger than the whole police department. It had a luggage claim area that was literally a hole in the wall where cargo handlers fed passenger baggage down a small chute with a collection bin. The desk attendant only needed to speak at normal volume to reach everyone inside the place. It was a system that she didn’t control and on top of all the things that happened over the last week, Meghan didn’t worry about it.
“My relationship with Dana isn’t what I thought it was,” Meghan said. “I guess I realized that it wasn’t as friendly as I thought when she got here.”
“I know she’s not a good fit for the Anchorage office.”
Meghan frowned. “Is that what she wanted?”
“She expressed some interest in it when we came here.”
“That seems weird to me.”
“Well, I think it has to do with you. She saw how you have a perfect operation and walk in a big shadow.”
“If I had a perfect operation, none of that would have happened.”
“You made that happen, Meghan. It wasn’t Dana. You allowed her to control the operation. I came to you and was ready to hand it all over to you. Instead, you let us keep it, and you did your own thing.”
“I agree that I did my own thing. And I think if I had the rest of the operation, Eugene wouldn’t face the charges he has now.”
“I agree. Just don’t let it happen again.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Leaving the airport when Wilcox boarded the plane, Meghan had a sense of pride she hadn’t felt in a long time. She didn’t go back to the police department immediately. There were a lot of emails and reports to catch up, but Meghan wanted a little more time by herself to take in the rest of what she almost lost. Living in Alaska wasn’t for everyone. Living in Kinguyakkii took a particular type of person. Meghan knew she had both pieces to make up the whole. As the night fell over the city, a wind picked up. She made a phone call as she saw the truck surveying the neighborhood and the large two-story house where the Warrens lived.
“Hey, what’s up, I’m on my way to a track meet. It’s the last f
or the year.”
“You know how I talked about getting out of Alaska,” Meghan said.
The noise on the other end had a lot of female laughter. Brittany, among her friends and teammates, the line picked up everything. “Did you change your mind?”
“You think you’re so smart, don’t you?”
“Well, I have my moments. Does this mean I’m still coming up in a couple of weeks?”
“Well, that might be difficult. I think I lost my rental property. The landlord doesn’t want to extend the lease again because I gave him thirty-day notice, and he already has a renter.”
“Oh, no, what does that mean for you?”
“It means I might have to sleep in the Suburban for a while or the police department.”
“You’ll freeze in the Suburban.”
“Summer’s coming.”
“Didn’t you tell me, summer happens one day a year, usually when you’re not looking?”
“Yes, it’s true.” Meghan didn’t argue with the weather. It was a losing battle.
“So, you’re staying because of that little girl?”
“How do you know about that?”
“You act like you’re on another planet, Mom. I subscribe to Calvin’s blog and the Northern Lights Sounder. I know you made the Associated Press again. That’s awesome.”
“I didn’t read the articles yet.”
“Well, I can tell you they are badass, and I know my friends want a mom as cool as you.”
“That makes me feel a lot better, Brittany.”
“I will call you later. I got to get on the bus. We’re going over our rotations.”
“Okay, I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom. I’m glad you’re staying.”
***
Meghan’s next two stops had to do with business. She made up her mind. Since it meant she took the job to do it right, Meghan wasn’t backing down again. After all they went through, Meghan felt there were a few loose ends. It started with getting back her team.
“Want to come in for dinner?” Silvia asked when she answered the door.
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