Page 30 of Cash

“I’m not whining. I’m just asking why you wanted to drive today. I always drive and you always man the radio. It’s our thing. It’s what we do,” I state.

“You’re whining, but it’s cute, so all’s good. I just felt like driving is all,” James answers.

Today’s our first shift back to work and the first shift ever that James wanted to drive. My cop spidey senses are pinging all over the place, and I know something’s up, but I have no clue as to what it might be. Watching James carefully, I note his eyes are on the move. I decide to shut up and wait for this to play out.

“Feel like a donut? I heard there’s a great bakery a few blocks from here. Let’s check it out.”

“I can always do a donut even if it’s cliché’ as hell,” I answer.

A few minutes later, James parks the patrol car in front of Sweet Angel Treats Bakery. We exit the car and enter the pink and black bakery only to be assaulted with the best smells ever. Approaching the counter, I feel like a kid in a candy store. No way I can pick just one, so I resign myself to going for a run tonight.

“Hi. What can I help you with today?” asks a perky, smiling brunette with a nametag that reads Trudy.

“Hi, Trudy. I have no idea yet. There’s too many options,” I answer honestly.

“Take your time, honey. When you decide, I’ll be happy to help.”

“What looks good to you, James?” I ask.

I receive no answer, so I look behind me and find James across the room speaking with a guy sitting at a table. James looks serious, and the guy he’s speaking with is pulling his wallet out. I instantly abandon my donut selection and walk to the table to stand beside James.

The guy sitting at the table is in his mid-fifties, well-built with a closely cropped beard. He’s what my mom would call a silver fox, and he’s rocking that shit. When his eyes shift to mine, they’re friendly and a startling shade of blue. I watch as the gentleman hands over his driver’s license, and James looks it over before handing it back.

“My mistake, Mr. Taylor. Have a nice day, and please drive safely,” James says politely before walking away.

“Any idea what that was about?” the gentleman asks in a friendly tone.

“No, I’m sorry, I don’t. Have a nice day, sir,” I answer before I turn and walk to where James is perusing the bakery’s offerings.

“Care to share?” I ask.

“Not really. I don’t see anything here I want. Let’s go,” James says casually before he walks out of the bakery.

I’m confused as hell, especially about him not wanting donuts, but I’m not missing my chance at some of them. I give my order and wait off to the side for Trudy to box them up along with two coffees to go.

“Only getting four donuts? I thought pigs ate more than that,” taunts a voice to my left.

“I was worried when I saw the uniform that there wouldn’t be any left for us,” laughs the guy standing next to the first one.

“That as original as you can be?” I ask while turning to face them fully.

“I wouldn’t get too mouthy if I were you, bitch. You’re not big enough to take on both of us,” answers the first guy while taking a step toward me.

“That’s why she has a taser and a gun. It evens things out nicely. And then there’s me. Am I big enough to be mouthy?” I hear from right behind me.

Looking back, I see the man from the table standing there. Hands on hips, friendly-looking eyes a thing of the past, he’s large and intimidating now.

“Just messing with the lady cop. No harm intended,” the first guy says in a slightly quieter tone.

“You stood around waiting for her partner to leave before getting brave. You just proved you’re not only cowards but fucking idiots to run your dicksuckers at any female in possession of a gun. Get the fuck out. That shit doesn’t fly here,” the large man says in a deadly voice.

“The man said to leave. Need assistance with that?” James barks from the doorway.

Sometimes there’s no way to explain the stupidity of the human race. These two men prove that statement to be true. As the men turn to leave, the first guy makes a move toward me. I’m guessing he meant to shove me in a ridiculous attempt to save face, but he never gets to follow through on it. When his hand comes my direction, I grab and quickly twist it behind him. Placing my foot in front of his, I shove hard, and we go down to the floor, his face making the first contact with it. Landing hard on his back, I use my other hand to reach for my cuffs. James pulls the man’s other wrist back, and I slap the cuffs on both.

Glancing behind us, I see the big guy with his hand on the other one’s chest, holding him out of battle. Not that the guy looks like he wants to join in but as a precaution. A much-appreciated precaution. It’s not often that bystanders assist the cops. Standing up, James and I pull the cuffed man to his feet. All fight has left him, and he’s complying nicely now.

“If you give me your taser, I’ll light him up for you,” Trudy says with a grin.

---