Finding The Road Home. Tina Radcliffe

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СКАЧАТЬ the air’s so thick it’s like walking into a sauna with a sweater on.”

      Daisy pushed back a curly tendril of hair. Humidity. Her hair would love that. “I guess I’m used to Colorado’s dry heat.”

      “Yep. Gonna be a long summer for you.”

       “Officers in the vicinity of Main and Drummond, please respond.”

      Daisy eagerly straightened and listened as the dispatch call from Henna echoed into the vehicle.

      “Eighteen-zero-two, 10-4,” Roscoe said to dispatch as he pulled on his seat belt. “We got this, Henna.”

      “Negative, 1802. Eighteen-zero-five is en route,” Henna returned immediately.

      Roscoe slapped a hand on the steering wheel. “That’s the fourth time she’s done that this week.”

      “I’m sure it’s a coincidence,” Daisy said.

      “No coincidence about it. We’re six blocks closer to that location than 1805. I know when I’m being stonewalled.”

      “On purpose?” Daisy asked. “But why? And by whom?”

      “You tell me. The only thing I’m sure of is that I keep putting two and two together, and every time I get four.”

      Daisy tried not to smile at his words. Roscoe, she was learning, had a flair for the dramatic, and most of the time his references made no sense.

      “Does this have something to do with your retirement?” she asked.

      Her partner released a loud snort. “My retirement? Now, why would you say that?”

      “Maybe the chief thinks you’ve already retired.”

      Roscoe’s head jerked around and stunned eyes pinned her. “’Scuse me?”

      “This is Friday,” she said. “You were MIA most of Monday and left early for appointments on Wednesday and Thursday.” Daisy blinked as he continued to stare. Subtlety had never been her strong suit, and she’d already determined that Roscoe was a what-you-see-is-what-you-get guy. In the long run, he’d appreciate honesty. She hoped.

      “Don’t hold back now,” he muttered.

      “I’m only stating the obvious. It might appear to the chief that you’ve already checked out.”

      “Naw, that’s only one side of the story. It’s the chief who put me out to pasture. Ever since I saved that kid from drowning last summer.”

      “You saved a kid from drowning? Well done, Officer McFarland.” She reassessed the man, realizing that there was more depth than she’d assumed to the officer sitting in the driver’s seat.

      “Oh, yeah. I’m a real hero,” he laughed. “Read real nice in The Weekly Rebel. Trouble was, I nearly drowned myself. Spent a month in the hospital with aspiration pneumonia. Mitch was beside himself.” He hung his head. “Went on and on about protocol. Truth be told, situation would have never happened if I had the common sense to close my mouth while I was doing the saving.”

      “So the chief is protecting you until you leave the department.”

      “That’s my assessment.” Roscoe nodded. “It’s true, I’ve had a few minor mishaps lately.” He held up his bandaged thumb. “But I can tell you the situation around here has gotten worse since you showed up on Monday.”

      “I’m sure your attitude has nothing to do with things.”

      “Ouch!” Roscoe shot her another surprised look before the stubbornness faded from his face. “I admit I’ve been a bit annoyed that he assigned me a partner.”

      “A bit annoyed. Until today, you’ve only spoken a grand total of three words to me.”

      “You were counting?”

      “There hasn’t been much else to do. Yesterday, when we were on break and accidentally collared that shoplifter in the Piggly Wiggly, I believe you said, Cuff him, Danno.” She couldn’t help but smile. “Three words.”

      Roscoe chuckled.

      Daisy kept talking since she had his attention. “The point is, this is my first time with a partner since I was a rookie with a training officer, so you’re not alone. But I’d like to make this work.”

      “How many years you got under your belt?”

      “Nine. And you?”

      “Twenty-nine.”

      She raised a palm in gesture. “I could learn a lot from you, Officer McFarland. If you’d allow me to.”

      “Point take, Officer Anderson.”

      Silence stretched for several moments as Roscoe gnawed on a toothpick. “You know, there is another way to look at this,” he finally said.

      “What’s that?” Daisy asked.

      “Ever think maybe the chief has me babysitting you?” he asked.

      “What?” Her eyes popped wide at Roscoe’s words.

      “I heard you’ve got five kids. Knowing Mitch’s history, I can see him trying to protect you. That’s his MO.”

      “His MO?”

      “Let’s just say the man has had more than his share of loss, and leave it at that.”

      “I see.” Daisy said the words slowly, trying to gain insight into her enigmatic boss. “I think we should talk to him about our situation. I don’t like the idea of being coddled.”

      “I ain’t saying a word.” Roscoe blew a raspberry. “Nobody likes a grumbler.”

      Daisy resisted the urge to inform him that he’d been grumbling for the last fifteen minutes.

      “If they want to pay me to do nothing, it’s no skin off my nose.” Roscoe glanced at the dash clock. “Besides, why look for trouble on a Friday afternoon? The shift is almost over, and we’ve got a free meal prepared by the best chef in the county waiting on us at Rebel Ranch this evening.”

      “That event at the guest ranch? I nearly forgot.”

      “Well, don’t. Everyone in town attends. Would be downright insulting to the Rainbolts if you were a no-show.”

      “Fine. I’ll be there.” She turned to her new partner. “I still think we should talk to the chief. Get things out in the open. Mitch seems like a man who favors transparency.”

      “Transparency?” He snorted. “It’s transparent to me right now that talking to Mitch is a lousy idea.” Roscoe signaled and checked his mirrors. “You do what you want, missy. Just remember you might not like the answers.”

      “Where are we headed?” Daisy asked.

      “We’ve СКАЧАТЬ