The Christmas Cop

by Barbara McMahon

  She nodded. “It’s not that big a deal, but it’ll reach a lot of people in a short time.”

  They thanked the priest for taking time to show them around.

  The next stop was Tots To Teens Toy store, the largest one in Mondano.

  By the time they finished meeting with the manager of the toy store, it was lunch time.

  “Want to head for Ben’s?” Shea asked as they left the big box store.

  “Sure.”

  “Want to drive?” she asked, holding out the keys.

  Jake looked at her for a moment his eyes lighting up.

  “What do you think?”

  He reached out and she dropped the key in his hand.

  In only moments they were on the road.

  “If you want to swing by the interstate, you can open her up,” Shea said. “Though as a police officer, I’m sure you’ll obey all speed limits. This baby will do zero to sixty in 3.3 seconds.”

  He glanced at her and nodded. A quick right at the next light and they were heading out of town and toward the interstate.

  “Are you always so generous letting practically strangers drive your car?”

  “Not so much. Cal’s taken it a few times. He loves it, but he’s a dad and they have two practical mini vans. Steve at work’s borrowed it a couple of times. He likes to show off when dating new women. It’s just a car.”

  Jake didn’t respond to that comment, but he loved the power he felt as he accelerated onto the freeway. She was right, it went up to sixty in no time. Pushing the car a bit faster, he was careful to stay just over the limit. He knew any cop in the area would be after them in a heartbeat if they saw this baby speeding along.

  After ten minutes, he found a on-off ramp and headed back to town.

  When they reached Ben’s, Jake parked in the small parking lot.

  “Thanks,” he said, handing her the keys.

  She grinned at him. “Fun, huh!”

  “You have no idea.”

  They ate lunch at Ben’s and reviewed the progress of the project.

  Both felt better after having spoken with both the priest and the manager of the primary source of toys. There were other stores that donated toys, games and clothing. But for now, phone calls to touch base were all they planned to do.

  Once back at the police station, Jake resumed his review of the cold case he’d been working on. He had an idea he wanted to explore. It might amount to nothing, but looking over the notes, he could see that a clue had been overlooked. Or at least not reported on.

  He glanced over at Shea who was once again focused on her computer screen. He knew she was updating the lists.

  For the first time he wasn’t annoyed by being assigned this task for Christmas. He wouldn’t have ever crossed paths with her if not for this project.

  Not that knowing her changed anything.

  Except--she intrigued him. She seemed to have a sunny optimistic outlook on everything. Which was totally opposite to his view of life.

  She didn’t have to help out. Her work on the police department’s software program had ended. She could be doing a dozen other things.

  He was glad she’d stayed.

  Frowning, he rose. Time to stop thinking about Shea O’Riley. He wanted to check out that piece of evidence again. Then talk to his boss about bringing in the man he wanted to talk to so he could question him.

  Shea suddenly jumped up and began walking around.

  “I’m heading to evidence,” he said as he rose and walked toward the door.

  “I’ll walk with you if I may,” she said. “I need the steps and it beats walking in circles.”

  The evidence room was filled with shelves holding box after box of items kept concerning crimes.

  The policeman in charge pulled the box Jake wanted. Shea peered into the box when he opened it and then wrinkled her nose and stepped back. There were bloody clothes in plastic bags. Her guess–a homicide.

  Jake pulled out several plastic bags with names and dates and initials scrawled over them. Finally he pulled out one with a spiral bound notebook.

  “I want to take this upstairs,” he told the evidence cop.

  “Sign here.”

  When they reached the elevator, Shea asked what he expected to find.

  “There are discrepancies in a time line. This was the victim’s journal. One of the detectives ten years ago jotted a note to compare times, but I never saw a follow up. So I’ll see what I can discover. Maybe nothing. Maybe he did follow up and it led nowhere.”

  “Does he still work here? You could ask him.”

  “No. And I’m not sure where he is these days, so I can’t ask him directly. I’m hoping I see the same discrepancies he did. It might require another interview with one of the suspects.”

  When they reached their office, Shea noticed it was snowing. She went to the window and watched for a minute while Jake sat at his desk.

  “School will be out soon,” she commented, turning back to face him.

  He looked up. “So?”

  “So let’s see if Jason’s mother will let him come with us to get a new jacket,” she said.

  Jake looked out the window, then tossed his pencil on the desk and rose.

  “Fine with me. The storm’s supposed to last a day or longer and dump several inches of snow.”

  “Do you remember his address?” she asked.

  “I do.”

  When they arrived at the address Jason had given, Shea’s heart dropped. It wasn’t in a very pretty neighborhood–mostly other buildings. No grass she could see though every flat surface was already covered with a dusting of snow.

  They walked inside, Shea keeping an eye on Jake with his cane. She didn’t want him to slip on the snow.

  When they reached the door to the Billingsley’s apartment, Jake knocked.

  Shea looked down the hall wondering which door led to Susie’s home.

  She turned back when she heard noise inside. But no one came to the door.

  Jake knocked again.

  Nothing.

  “Tell them you’re a cop,” Shea said, putting her ear against the door. “I think I hear someone inside.”

  “It’s the police,” Jake said.

  A moment later the door opened a crack. Then as far as the chain would allow.

  “Hi,” Shea said with a smile. “Remember us?”

  Jason nodded. “I don’t know anyone else who has pink hair.”

  “Is your mom at home?”

  Jason looked at Jake and back to Shea. “I’m not supposed to tell,” he said.

  “Is she at work?” Jake asked.

  Jason nodded.

  “Where does she work?”

  “At the diner. She brings us food home every day.”

  “Which diner?” Jake asked.

  Jason pulled back a little and stared at him with wide eyes.

  “If you tell me where she works, we can go there and ask her if it’d be okay for you to come shopping with us,” Jake said.

  “Shopping? For food?”

  “Do you need food?” Shea asked, suddenly wondering the exact situation the family was in.

  “Mom’ll bring some home.”

  “Are you home alone?” Jake asked.

  Shea reached out and touched his arm.

  “Tell us where you mom works and we’ll go ask her.”

  “Pete’s diner. You can walk there. Mom walks there every day.”

  “Okay, we’ll be back if your mom says it’s okay for you to come with us,” Shea said, her hand still on Jake’s arm.

  They turned to head back down the stairs.

  “He’s too young to be home alone,” Jake said.

  “I know, but it sounds like they’re doing the best they can. This apartment building doesn’t exactly scream money. There isn’t even an elevator.”

  When they reached the lobby, Shea pulled out her phone. “I’m searching for a Pete’s diner, but nothing’s coming up.”

  “Try s
omething close by, maybe it goes by another name.”

  “There’s one a couple of miles from here. It’s called Eat and Go. Do you suppose that’s the place. Not exactly what I think of as walking distance.”

  “Nothing else?”

  She swiped her phone a few times and then shook her head. “Nothing even close.”

  “Let’s try that.”

  The light snow drifted straight down. There was no wind, for which Shea was grateful.

  When they arrived at the Eat and Go Diner, they went inside. It was a typical diner, red plastic covers on the benches in the booths. Chrome and red chairs for the tables and red seats on the stools by the counter.

  There were few people inside.

  “Can I help you?”

  A woman who looked to be in her early thirties came over. She had on a pink dress uniform with a white apron over it. She looked tired.

  “We’re looking for Mrs. Billingsley,” Shea said.

  “I’m Carla Billingsley.” She didn’t even seem curious as to why two strangers would be asking for her.

  “I’m Jake Morgan,” he said pulling out his badge.

  Her eyes widened. “Is something wrong? Is Jason okay?” A hint of panic sounded in her voice.

  “He’s fine. Though I wonder if he’s old enough to be home alone.”

  Chapter Eight

  “I’m Shea O’Riley,” she said, interrupting. “We’re working on the Mondano Police Department’s Christmas project. We met Jason last week when he came to the station.”

  “I was shocked when I learned what he’d done. He knows better than that.”

  She looked at Jake. “He’s home alone today because my babysitter and her kids came down with a bad cold and I didn’t want him to be exposed. She checks on him every hour and then lets me know he’s okay. Normally he isn’t home alone.”

  “Is his sitter Susie’s mom?” Shea asked.

  Carla nodded.

  “We wondered if it’d be okay with you if we take Jason shopping for a little while. He could help us with picking out presents for other kids. It helps to know what kids that age are really into these days,” Shea said with a warm smile.

  “I guess it’d be okay.” Carla looked at Jake and then back to Shea. “I’ll call him and let him know.”

  “What time do you get off work?” Shea asked.

  “Six o’clock,” Carla answered.

  “We’ll have him home by then.”

  As they were leaving the diner, Jake frowned.

  “I still think the kid is too young to be left at home without adult supervision.”

  “Maybe, but his sitter’s just down the hall and what else do you expect a single mom to do? She has to work to earn money to keep that apartment. She sure can’t bring him here.”

  “I could have child protective services–”

  Before he could finish the sentence, Shea rounded on him, putting her hands on her hips.

  “Don’t interfere in something you don’t know about.”

  “I do know about kids left alone and the trouble they can get into.”

  “Such as?”

  “Vandalism, petty theft, even arson.”

  “Did you work with kids?”

  He looked horrified. “No way.”

  Shea turned away so he couldn’t see her smile at his response.

  No wonder the cops at the station teased him about being this year’s Christmas Cop, he must have made his views of kids known far and wide.

  “Jason doesn’t seem the type,” she murmured as they continued to the car.

  “You never know. I was in a group home that had some wild boys who looked like altar boys.”

  “But I doubt Jason’s wild. He is respectful and honors his mothers instructions.”

  Jason was ready when they knocked on his door.

  “Mom said I have to use my best manners. And I have to tell Naomi that I’m going. But Mom already told her so she knows it’s okay.”

  Shea walked with Jason to the door three down from his apartment. As soon as he knocked, a young woman answered. Her dark hair looked lank, her eyes were watery and her nose was red from constant blowing. She didn’t get too close but smiled at Shea.

  “We’re taking Jason shopping,” Shea said.

  “I recognized you from Carla’s description. Thanks for taking him. He’ll be good, he’s a really great kid.”

  She smiled at Jason.

  “I hope you feel better soon,” Shea said stepping back a few inches. She didn’t want to catch what Naomi had.

  “Me too, and my kids. I’m hoping we’re all well by Christmas.”

  Jason was excited to be going with Shea and Jake, though he tended to keep a wary eye on Jake. He was a little disappointed they weren’t driving a police car.

  Shea asked him about school and his friends and Susie. The boy was happy to chatter away answering all her questions as they drove to the store.

  When they reached Tots To Teens Toy Store, Jason’s eyes grew big.

  “We’re going in here?”

  “We sure are. We need your help to see what kids your age want so we can tell Santa,” Shea said as she parked near the entrance. Snow continued to fall, but so far the accumulation wasn’t much.

  Once inside Jason seemed overwhelmed.

  Jake glanced around and looked at Shea.

  “I had no idea there were these many toys for kids. How in the world do they focus in on one or two?”

  “My guess is word of mouth. If one girl gets a special dolly, she tells her friends. Or if a boy gets a super hero and flaunts it to his friends, immediately they’ll all want one. Let’s see what Jason’s drawn to.”

  They walked up and down the aisle, taking their time. Whenever Jason stopped to study a toy, Shea took a picture to add to their database of toys to get. They were learning the names of toys so they knew what to ask for when ordering.

  When Jake realized how long it was going to take, he wasn’t sure his ankle was going to hold up. He could already feel the ache growing.

  Shea looked at him.

  “Need a break?” she asked quietly.

  He didn’t want to admit to any weakness–especially in front of her, but common sense told him he could do more damage forcing the ankle beyond what was comfortable.

  And that made him mad all over again with the situation.

  She pulled out her keys and handed them to him.

  “Wait for us in the car. We’ll be along soon.”

  He wanted to protest, but couldn’t. Taking them gratefully, he looked at Jason. “Watch out for Shea.”

  The boy visibly puffed up with pride that the policeman trusted him to watch out for her.

  Shea gave Jake a wink and started down the next aisle with Jason.

  Jake leaned heavily on the cane as he walked back to the flashy car. He admired it again.

  Shea continually surprised him. He didn’t know why a woman with pink hair wouldn’t be drawn to a Mustang. What did he expect her to drive?

  Glad to get off his feet, he pushed the seat back as far as it would go and stretched out his aching leg. He acknowledged he wasn’t the best patient in the world. He wanted to be back to normal and back in the field.

  Not looking at toys and supervising a Christmas program.

  And if his partner didn’t stop teasing him about it, pay back was coming sooner than he expected.

  He had Shea to help and for that he was grateful. What would it be like to work together on other projects?

  Like nothing. They had nothing in common except for Christmas. She’d help out here and then be gone. Unless the computer program had another glitch.

  When Shea and Jason returned to the car, Jake was downright cold. He hadn’t turned on the heater and was glad when she started the engine.

  “It’s freezing in here, why didn’t you have the heater on?” she asked as she backed the car out of the slot.

  “Didn’t want to run down the battery or waste gas,”
he replied. “A little cold never hurt anyone.”

  “One more stop and then ice cream!” Shea said.

  “One more?” Jake asked.

  She gave him a sideways look and nodded. “As a reward for helping us out, we’ll see about a jacket for Jason.”

  “A new jacket?” the boy asked from the back seat.

  “You look like you’re out growing the one you have on,” she said.

  Jake liked the way she presented the new jacket–so the kid wouldn’t think it was charity. He remembered when he’d been a child and donations had always made him angry that he didn’t have a family like other kids, that he was a charity case.

  The department store was close by and in a short time they were in the boys department. As they passed the shoe display, Jake glanced at Jason’s shoes. He could use a new pair that was obvious.

  He stopped. The other two stopped and looked at him.

  “What?” Shea asked.

  “I’m thinking a new pair of shoes.”

  Jason looked between the two of them, then at the display of running shoes in front of them.

  Jake looked at Shea, then at Jason.

  “I believe his help was really good. So two things would be a good reward.”

  Jake felt a kick in the chest when Jason smiled widely. His eyes lit up and he looked so hopeful Jake suddenly wanted to do everything he could to keep that bright hope alive for the kid.

  “You’re right,” Shea immediately agreed.

  Jason was a happy child when they walked into the ice cream shop a half hour later. It was close to dinner time, but Jake figured ice cream wouldn’t slow the appetite of a growing boy.

  “This has been the best day,” Jason said when they were seated at a small table, each with their own flavor ice cream in front of them.

  Jake nodded, realizing it hadn’t gone as badly as he’d expected. He glanced at Shea who was smiling at Jason. For a moment, the world was golden. He’d never have experienced this if he hadn’t broken his ankle. Maybe every cloud did have a silver lining.

  After they took Jason home, Shea asked Jake where she could drop him.

  “Want to go for dinner? I know a good Mexican place.”

  “Sure. I love Mexican. Where to?”

  Jake was glad the afternoon wasn’t coming to an end yet. He liked being with Shea. She was different from other women he knew. And the pink hair was growing on him.