Page 7 of Justice for Samara

Carter’s eyes were almost shooting laser beams. “Oh, yeah. He saw them. He was trying to make a point. He’s probably in his car right now, mumbling to himself about those blacks and whites and how they can’t remember to stay in their respective places. There’s no doubt in my mind that as soon as he saw those pictures, he no longer wanted this job, and that’s fine with me, because he’s sure as hell not gonna get it. Not now, not ever.”

Michael sighed again. “Okay, so of the ones we interviewed, which one?”

“Actually,” Carter said as he dropped his forearms onto the desk’s surface and stared off to the side, “what would you think about hiring two?”

“Two? Can we afford that?”

“It’ll be tight but, yeah, we can. I mean, I’m pretty sure Watson’s gonna skate on us, and if he doesn’t, then we’ve replaced Grayandwe’ve got an extra person as a detective.”

“You thinking Futrell?”

Carter nodded. “I am. I think she’d be well-suited to the job, and I think she’d do a good job. She’s sure not lacking in experience, and if she went on to get her degree and then went to the forensics program online, she’d be an even better detective. I’m pretty sure she’s a great one already.”

“Yeah, I’m betting so. Who was the other one?”

Carter looked through his notes. “The second one. Anand Chadha. Seemed like a nice guy, knowledgeable, and familiar with small-town policing. I could see him doing the DARE program at the schools.”

Michael nodded slowly. “Yeah. I could too. Seems like the type who’d enjoy that. He’d bring more racial diversity to the department. Not a reason to hire him, but still a good thing. And he’s got a wife and kids, so he’s steady.”

“My thinking exactly. Okay, so let’s call him and offer him the job.”

“And the second opening?”

Carter smiled. “Futrell.”

It was hard to hold his excitement. “Right. I’ll get Chadha on the phone.”

The call went well. AnandChadha seemed excited to get started. When his mother had been diagnosed with cancer, he’d left his position and home in Carbondale, Illinois, to move to Murray, Kentucky, and take care of her. His wife wasn’t happy about it, and neither were his kids, but they’d done it. The only work he’d been able to find was some minor security guard positions, and then his mother died. With the house willed to him and his sister, he and his family at least had a place to live, but he wanted to get back into the swing of things, and TriggCounty could provide him with that opportunity.

After they’d hung up with him, Carter nodded toward Michael. “Call Futrell.”

Michael picked up the desk phone, punched in the number, hit speaker, and let it ring. After two rings, a female voice said, “Hello?”

“MissFutrell?”

“Yes?”

“This is Chief DeputyEdwards from TriggCounty. Have you had time to think about everything we talked about?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then SheriffMelton and I would like to formally offer the position to you.”

There was a moment of silence before she said, “Oh, god, thank you so much. Thanks for calling. When do I start?”

Carter held up a finger to Michael. “MissFutrell, this is SheriffMelton. We’ve got a proposition for you. We’d like to have you as a deputy but also acting as our department’s only detective. Would that be something you’d be interested in?”

“Yes, sir! Very much, sir.”

“I’m going through the budget. Your probationary period will be over ninety days after you start. Even though I know you’ve been through what KSP gives you, I’d like to send you to the academy’s online school for detectives. Are you interested?”

“Yes, sir. Very, very interested.”

“Okay. Come in tomorrow and let’s get your sizes for your uniforms. We’ll get them ordered and until they come in, you can stay here in the office and go over the way we do things with Edwards. And MissFutrell?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I’mnotmaking you the secretary. I just want to be able to put you to work before your uniforms show up, and that’s the easiest way.”

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