Page 64 of First Surrender

She looks at me through the reflection of the mirror as she finishes a swipe of eyeliner. “I have an early appointment. I’m leaving as soon as Dec gets on the bus.”

“Everything alright?”

Her eyes ping to mine again as she tubes her mascara. “Yep. I’m trying to get all my appointments out of the way before school ends for the year.”

“I have a working lunch, and won’t be back until this afternoon.”

“Okay. You’ll be home for dinner, though right?” She asks, hesitantly.

Her voice is small and I blame it on being too early for her. We’ve barely talked the last few days. I’ve been neck-deep in these cases and she’s been calling her acquaintances about writing letters.

“Yeah, definitely.” It’s not obvious but I see relief sweep over her face after I answered. I don’t know what it means. Is she happy that I’ll be home for dinner? Does she like it when I am?

We haven’t discussed anything personal between us, not with the custody case looming over our heads. It’s selfish of me to keep hoping that things will change but I’ve never let myself be a selfish man ever in my life.

Is it so bad to start now?

* * *

“Sheriff, I am so glad you’ve reconsidered my proposal,” Mrs. Porter sings my praises over the lunch menu.

I don’t correct her about being here to reconsider anything but I smile politely anyway.

“How long have you lived around here, Mrs. Porter?” My question interrupts her out-loud decision-making over what to order.

“Vanessa, please.” She smiles, sweetly. The makeup on her face is thick, the texture evident in her crow’s feet and around her mouth. “I’ve lived in Rollins my whole life. I was raised in Langston, but we moved to a bigger house here in Lawson when I was in elementary school.”

“Ah, I see. Your family has been around here a long time then?”

“Oh, yes. Generations. We take pride in our community, Sheriff. That’s why my husband ran for his position. The one you hold now, obviously.” She smiles, sweetly again but I see something else in her eyes. There’s a coldness behind them that differs from the expression on her face.

“I am sorry for your loss. Losses,” I correct, purposefully.

“Yes. My brothers were quite the troublemakers. I’m only sorry that they dragged my poor husband into it.”

“And, the other troublemaker, your cousin is it?”

Her eyes widen slightly but she tilts her head in question. “I’m sorry, who do you mean?”

“I learned recently that your cousin is in prison for the bombing. Thomas.”

“Oh, yes. Tommy was my aunt’s son. He was raised with us after she passed away. I guess he might’ve been the one to pass on his troubles to Benjamin and Anthony.” She fidgets uncomfortably with her silverware and I’m only getting started.

“That’s why you moved to the bigger house in Lawson?” I ask gently, giving her the false confidence that this isn’t an interrogation but rather me getting to know her. Technically, it’s not an interrogation but I’m definitely prying for information.

“Yes, my daddy insisted on doing right by his sister. He took in Tommy and his sister, Margaret. Though she ran off years ago, right after she graduated high school.”

“Kyle’s mom. Right?” I hadn’t brought him up on purpose yet. I wanted to see her reaction when I said his name. Theonly person that I’ve killed in the line of duty and it was in the papers for days. Somehow no one ever connected him back to the prominent Porters.

She pales noticeably but doesn’t refute it. The waitress chooses this moment to get our food orders, though I think Vanessa’s appetite is gone.

“I must say, I was saddened by his death but you must know that I did not have much of a relationship with the boy. Tommy is the only one who kept in contact with Margaret and Kyle. I didn’t even know what he looked like until his picture was in the paper next to yours.”

She might be telling the truth. If I’m right, she seems to be embarrassed by the connection. I was hoping to catch her like a deer in headlights but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“I guess it is unfortunate that your family has had such negative press in the last year. I’m surprised your son is running for Mayor. What’s his name, again?”

“My boy, Randall, he’s a good man. He’s bright and intelligent. He went to college and has stayed far away from the bad seeds. He wanted to run for Sheriff like his daddy but I can tell you’re doing a fine job. With your experience in law enforcement, I understood that he wouldn’t have a chance to beat you.”

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