Page 11 of Stolen

“You should have calledthis right in,” Preston scolded as he marched into his office. SynTanner followed behind him, shutting them inside.

“I know,” SynTanner said.

“So? Why the hell didn’t you?”

“I told you why in the conference room Chief. I wasn’t sprouting bullshit,” SynTanner grunted.

“You’re supposed to be on medical leave Deputy. You’re not supposed to be taking on something like this.”

“Well, I didn’t do anything wrong Chief. I acted like any other citizen would act. I saw something suspicious and I went to check it out. There’s no law against that. Besides, I am licensed to carry. My current medical leave doesn’t nullify that. I was not deemed as insane. Plus, I didn’t flaunt my badge. They just happened to know who I was simply by my face. The only person who was not aware of that was the suspect. I take it because he was not in town long enough to know me and then I was sent on assignment somewhere else.”

“So, what is it you plan to do now huh? Like I said, you are on medical leave which means you cannot involve yourself in this investigation.”

“Hey, I’m not saying I’m going to involve myself at all. She’s someone I met at a bar who ended up being in trouble and I’m just being the good Samaritan and looking out for her,” SynTanner shrugged. Chief Preston realized he couldn’t really argue that notion. With Deputy SynTanner being on medical leave, the Chief couldn’t order him on how he spent his time and he hadn’t done anything to pull rank as an officer of the law while he was technically a civilian at the moment.

“Just watch yourself, okay?” Preston advised.

“I got it, Chief,” SynTanner nodded. Preston sighed.

“How have you been?”

“I’m coping,” SynTanner grunted.

“She’s cute. I can see why you’re looking out for her.”

“That’s beside the point!” SynTanner exclaimed, his body stiffening. Chief Preston chuckled.

“Same old SynTanner. Afraid to show his feelings,” Preston said.

“I’m not afraid to show my feelings Chief. I just don’t. Besides, the last time I showed my damn feelings I nearly got killed and I had to kill people who didn’t deserve to die because of it,” SynTanner grunted. Preston nodded.

“I realize that case was very difficult for you. I just don’t want you to go down that path again, and don’t want you mixed up with anything that can bring you back into a negative head space. We miss you here. We need you back,” Preston admitted.

“Don’t worry about me Chief. I’m taking care of myself,” SynTanner insisted.

“Good. That Chance Lore is a high-profile person not only here but in San Antonio. He’s got his hands dipped in a lot of charity work, and he funds a lot of businesses in town. I didn’t want to say that in front of Ms. Freeman because I didn’t want it to seem as if I was saying a case against him was impossible. But I won’t lie and say we’re going to make any rushed decisions here. Hell, he even donated to this very department. His name is widely known and most people see him as a do-gooder. We can’t rush an arrest without having the details.”

“So, you’re basically going to take the slow and steady route to make sure the department saves face in case we get black lash for arresting an upstanding citizen?” SynTanner asked.

“You know how politics work. And speaking of politics, Chance Lore has been delving himself deeply into them. I think he’s going to run for mayor. We seriously do not want to accuse him of kidnapping without any proof,” Preston advised. SynTanner hid his frustration. He hated politics and he didn’t treat anyone different because of their role in the city. If they were a criminal then that was it. SynTanner would treat them as such. That bastard kidnapped a woman and SynTanner would hold him in those regards until they got to the bottom of it. Even if SynTanner had been thrust into this off the word of a woman he didn’t know, SynTanner could read anyone’s character. Blossom wasn’t a liar. She’d been through something.

“And you know that I’m going to tell you that’s complete bullshit. And you can’t reprimand me because I’m not under your clock anymore. But seriously Chief, it is complete bullshit. The woman is scared to death and you wanna talk about politics and being slow to make an arrest? If he’s into politics and shows face around town then that means he knows exactly what he’s doing. None of his actions would go without a backup plan. The worst criminals out there are the ones that can manipulate the very people who’re supposed to combat against his crimes. Don’t be blinded by his money or whatever position he may get elected for,” SynTanner said.

“Ever the spokesperson,” Preston sighed. SynTanner looked at his watch.

“Blossom is probably wondering what’s taking so long. If we’re finished here, I’m gonna get back to her,” SynTanner said. Preston just nodded, giving the blessing for SynTanner to leave the office.

Blossom popped up from her chair when SynTanner walked back into the conference room. The detective in the room with her was trying to be nice, but Blossom read the flirtation beneath his words very clearly. It made her uncomfortable to say the least.

“Deputy SynTanner,” she breathed.

“Back as promised,” he said. SynTanner watched as she smiled at him, but her eyes flicked to the corner where the detective was sitting. He read her discomfort like a book. The detective wasn’t reassuring her like he should have.

“I got it from here Detective Jones,” SynTanner told him. Even on medical leave, every detective and officer in the building respected his order because he was still considered the deputy chief. Detective Jones didn’t utter a word or hesitate to stand and leave the room. The moment he left, Blossom sighed and flopped back down in her chair.

“What’d he do?” SynTanner asked her.

“How’d you know he did something to ask him to leave?” Blossom asked.

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