Page 28 of Counter Attack

“Not a problem. From where I live, that’d only be a forty-five-minute commute, and who knows, I might even move there since I don’t have anything holding me in Chattanooga.”

“Good. Fill out an application, and we’ll do a background check.”

Kayla frowned. “That might be a problem since I don’t havemuch background to check. I’ve only ever had part-time jobs. Would that affect my chances?”

“You have college transcripts, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“List that and your past residences.” He rubbed his chin. “And since you don’t have much background to check, send your high school transcripts as well. If you don’t mind.”

“Not a problem. Where do I apply?”

“At the Pearl Springs police department—it’s located right across from the courthouse on Washington Street.” He took a card from his wallet, wrote a note on the back, and then handed it to Kayla. “Give this to Peggy Armstrong, and she’ll get you set up.”

For a second, he thought Kayla was going to hug him, but then she grinned. “I promise, you won’t regret it!”

He turned to Alexis. “Why don’t you wait here while I get my truck.”

“I think I will.”

He jogged to where he’d parked, and after he picked up Alexis, he pointed the truck toward Erlanger.

“That was a nice thing to do for Kayla.”

Nathan shrugged. “She needs a job and I need a part-time dispatcher. Seems providential.” He glanced at Alexis. “How well do you know her?”

She laughed. “That night at the Lemon Tree was the first time I’d ever seen her. But we just sort of clicked. I do know she was working and saving her money to go back to college.”

He felt better about his impulsive move. “Do you know what she’s studying?”

“She mentioned social work.”

He would have figured something in criminal justice, considering how she reacted when she realized Alexis was being forced to accompany George Smith. Using her martial artstraining to disarm the man was quick thinking on her part. “Maybe you can talk her into being your deputy.” If Alexis was still in Pearl Springs when that time came.

Alexis laughed. “Let’s see if she follows through first.”

“So, what did the psychologist say?” he asked.

She blew out a long breath. “She raised a point I hadn’t even thought about. If I do what Gramps wants, I’ll have to resign from the Chattanooga PD.”

“This opportunity has come at you fast,” he said. “You have a few days to decide.”

“Not really—Gramps will want an answer today, and I don’t see how I can disappoint him,” she said. “I wonder if I can use my accrued vacation time. That would give him enough time to recover.”

“How much time are you talking about?”

“Six months.”

He stopped for a traffic light and turned and stared at her. “Six months? Have you never taken your vacation time?”

“I thought I had, at least that first year.”

He’d known she was focused, but not to the point of never taking time off. “I wouldn’t get my hopes up about that—I doubt Chattanooga PD would give you that much time off, especially to work another job.”

“You’re probably right,” she said. “Did you learn anything from Ken Parker?”

“Not really. He did tell me something you need to know before you decide about quitting. Your transfer to homicide has been approved, pending your return to work.”

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