Page 4 of Justice for Samara

“You don’t have to know how much it means to me. If I ask you to do it, I obviously want you to do it. And you haven’t. Do you know what happened last week?”

“Uh, no, sir.”

“Let me tell you. Angel was sick all weekend. Really sick. Sick enough that my medically-trained wife thought she needed to go to the doctor. When she got the baby there, the doctor sent her to the hospital for some tests. To thehospital. My baby. And I couldn’t go because we had a funeral procession to escort and there was no one else to do it. I’d already given Edwards another assignment for the day, and Lewis was on the other side of the county working a break-in at a residence. So my wife took our baby to the hospital for tests alone. I had asked you if you could come in because I knew we were going to be shorthanded, and you told me you couldn’t. Going camping with your family. You want to know why you’re not getting the promotion? Shit like that is pretty much it.”

“So you’re saying that there’s really no advancement for me here?”

“If you’re saying that you’re going to leave because I promoted Edwards, that’s up to you. I’m not going to beg you to stay. You’re a good officer, but this is a small department, and we have to expect to make some sacrifices to be sure that coverage is provided. I really don’t want you to go, but I’ve got to hire someone to take Edwards’ position, and I can hire two as easily as I can hire one. Totally up to you. What’ll it be?”

“Can I have a while to think about it, sir?”

“Oh, sure, but if you leave today without giving me an answer, I’ll consider that your answer and act accordingly. Now, go get busy. Dispatch just called a few minutes ago to say there’s a stranded motorist out on I-24. Mile marker forty-seven.”

“Yes, sir.” Michael could hear Justin’s footfalls as he stormed back up the hallway. He passed Michael’s desk and glared at him. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Michael remembered what Carter had said. “No. It’s no joke. Don’t you have somewhere you’re supposed to be?”

Justin stood there for a few seconds, his left hand twitching, before he mumbled, “Yeah. I do,” and headed out the door.

Michael watched him go until athudmade him turn, and he found a stack of folders in the middle of his desk. Carter stood at the end of the desk, his arms folded across his chest. “Those are potential hires. I want you to go through them and pull the ones you think sound promising. Come up with five. We’ll talk to them and if none of them work out, you can choose five more.”

“But, sir, do you really think I… I mean, do I really have?”

“Yes. You have the ability to do that. I wouldn’t have given you this position if I didn’t think you could do the job. Don’t rush. Really look the files over, and if you need to, you can take them with you and finish them up tonight.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get it done.”

“And as soon as Lewis moves out of his office, you can move on in. Hell, I’ll even order you a plaque!” Carter said with a laugh as he disappeared down the hallway.

His own office. A plaque on the door. And he got to go through job prospects’ applications. That was his first official duty, and he wouldn’t let Carter down.

* * *

“So who’s next?”

Michael marked a name off the list and looked at the schedule. “SamaraFutrell. Eight years with the state police. Before that, four years with McCrackenCounty Sheriff’s Department. Graduated in the top quarter of her class at the academy and only lacks about ten credit hours getting her degree in criminal justice.” There was a beep when the front door opened, and Michael stood. “I’m guessing that’s her.”

“Bring her on back.” Carter had already picked up a pencil and was waiting.

The woman’s back was to him when Michael took a spot behind the front counter. “Hello. Chief DeputyEdwards. Can I help you?”

She spun, and every molecule of air evacuated Michael’s lungs. He was one hundred percent sure he’d never seen a woman that beautiful before in his life. From her long, dark lashes, to her shoulder-length hair and big coffee-colored eyes, she was a vision standing before him.Oh, god, please don’t let it be…

“Yes. I’m SamaraFutrell. Here for an interview.”

Michael’s inner toddler fell to the floor, writhing and shrieking.Why? Why, why, why? A gorgeous woman and I can’t even hope to date her. Shit.“Yes, ma’am. Come on back and I’ll introduce you to the sheriff.” They’d no more than cleared the doorway when Carter stood and extended a hand. “MissFutrell, this is SheriffCarter Melton.”

The woman smiled broadly and reached for Carter’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“And you as well, MissFutrell. Please, have a seat. Would you like some coffee? Or a soft drink?”

“Um, do you have any diet soda? I was running late so I didn’t stop at the convenience store and I could sure use one.”

“Yes, we sure do.” It got quiet, and then Carter barked, “Edwards? Can you get Miss Futrell a soft drink, please?”

Shit! I look like an idiot!his brain screamed. “Oh, um, yeah, sure. Uh, I think we have Coke and 7up, and maybe Dr Pepper.”

“Any of them diet?”

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