Page 2 of Doug

“I work for MECASA,” he began.

Talia’s brows rose, but other than that, she gave no sign of shock. “The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Abuse,” she clarified evenly, lifting her mug to her lips for a contemplative sip.

“That’s right,” he admitted. “I’ve been on call with their organization for about a year.” He wouldn’t go into detail regarding how that employment had come about. His therapist had actually recommended the position to him, suggesting it would help him work through his own shit. Doug wasn’t sure if that had been accomplished, but he hoped, for the kids he rescued, it would have a lasting and positive impact on their lives.

“What exactly do you do?” Talia finally asked, clearly having gotten used to the way Doug processed conversations; slowly and methodically.

He didn’t prevaricate. “When the higher-ups are notified that a child is in danger, law enforcement is required to help MECASA remove the child from that home. The coalition has known for quite some time that using the associated town’s PDscan be…upsetting to the youngsters, with uniforms and guns in evidence during the visit. So a little over a year ago, they put out feelers for someone, a local officer, with sexual abuse awareness training. And they found me.”

To give Talia credit, she didn’t ask how or why he had that training, she just continued.

“And you want me to…” She left the sentence hanging, indulging in her beverage again.

Doug sighed, and also took a chug of his coffee. “Let me explain. When a warrant is issued, I go to the designated house to retrieve the young victim or victims, but I often find myself walking a fine line between how I act with them, and how I act with the purported abuser in the residence.”

Most times Doug felt like pounding the douchebag molesters into the floor, but that was something he kept to himself.

He continued. “I’ve learned to wear plain clothes to make the children less anxious, while at the same time letting the adults in the household know I’m an officer via my badge. But as you know…I’m a big guy. And kids who’ve been abused…”

“…often need a…less auspicious individual to come to their rescue,” Talia finished.

The LT was perceptive. She’d hit the nail on the head.

“Right,” he agreed. “If a kid’s abuse has been at the hands of a female, they’re okay with me almost immediately. But if their trauma has been caused by a male, they can be scared shitless to trust me or any another man. There’s supposed to be a female social worker from my agency accompanying me to these extractions, but the coalition is so short staffed right now, it’s not always possible. Hell, lately, help has been almost nonexistent.”

“So, you need a partner?” Talia cut right to the chase. “Afemalepartner.”

“I do.” He breathed easier knowing she understood. “The coalition agrees, and thinks it’s a good move to have a womanofficer on call. When I mentioned you and your documentation, they immediately gave their approval to try and get you onboard. They said they can even backdate your paperwork to the first of April.” It was mid-April, now.

Doug waited for a hot second while Talia mulled that over, but she didn’t take long.

“Well, hell, Doug. I’ll be more than honored to join you,” she told him, a warm smile spreading across her face. “But do you mind if I ask? Why me? There are plenty of women in your departmentandon our SWAT team who are a lot lower key than me, and haven’t busted your ass like I’ve been doing.” She said it without a shred of remorse, which was what Doug liked about Talia. There was never any bullshit.

“You’re…” He took a deep breath and went for it. “You’re the closest thing to a female friend I have in either of those places,” he admitted, somewhat awkwardly. “In case you may have missed it, I have, uh, a problem letting women get close.”

Talia narrowed her eyes. “No shit. And because you said it first, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I’m glad you consider me a friend, Doug. But you know we’ll have to talk about the whys and wherefores of your reticence where women are concerned, sometime soon so I don’t get blindsided at work, or on one of these new extractions.” She downed the dregs of her coffee. “However, we’ll let that go for now, since it isn’t the reason for your visit today.”

She stuck out her hand, almost daring him to take it. “Consider me your new partner.”

Since he already had his LT’s measure, and knew she could be trusted, he only hesitated a second to accept her gesture. “Thanks, boss. This means a lot. And just so you’re prepared, we probably have an extraction coming up later this week in Orono. The paperwork for the next job is being processed as we speak.”

Sometimes it frustrated the hell out of him that they couldn’t just dive in and save the children immediately upon receiving a complaint or tip. But he’d learned early on that if things weren’t done one-hundred percent according to protocol, the kids they rescued could be right back in their toxic households within days. It sucked, the waiting, but better to make sure all the legalities were met, so children never had to enter those abusive homes again.

Talia continued. “I take it your uncle is aware of your side-gig with MECASA? If just for the reason that you might need to go on one of those call-outs while you’re on OPD duty?”

Doug’s uncle was the chief of the Orono Police Department.

“That’s correct,” Doug affirmed.

“Anybody else besides the coalition and your uncle in the know?”

Doug understood what she was asking. She didn’t want to inadvertently spill the info to someone outside his loop.

“Cisco, Kyle, and Dieter.” He named the two men he considered friends on SWAT, and his cousin who’d had his back since day one.

“Uh…Dieter?” Talia questioned.

That’s right. She wouldn’t know who he was. “Yeah. He’s my cousin. Chief Ildavorg’s son.”

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