Page 21 of The County Line
“You’re the best, have I told you that lately?”
I smile.
She leans forward like she has a secret, and I lean in. “Did you hear the mayor is stepping down?”
“No way!”
She nods. “Apparently, Troy Marshall’s new governor position has all of our local government in disarray.”
“Probably a good thing for him to get out before he’s kicked out against his will.”
She nods. “Definitely. I think we all knew it was coming when the sheriff retired. Plus, the State fair is coming up at the end of October and with the mayor out, they don’t know who will help coordinate the whole thing.”
“Don’t they have a planning committee for that?”
“They do, but the mayor usually oversees it.”
“I see...”
“I’m guessing they’ll hold an emergency election at the end of this summer to swear in a new one. We’ll probably see an uptick in small crimes until then. Gotta be on guard.”
“Great,” I respond sarcastically as she nods.
“Oh! I forgot to tell you, the chief said he wants to see you.”
My stomach sinks because an unplanned meeting with the chief of our PD is never a good thing. He stepped up when the previous, corrupt sheriff retired just a month ago. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“No, I promise you’ll like this news.” She pushes her glasses up higher on her nose with a warm smile. “Pretty sure he’s got an interesting assignment for you.”
“Oh… okay.” I nod, swallowing the urge to spiral. My mind jumps straight to worst-case scenarios—getting fired from the job I just started because of my past. Because ofmy ex-husband.
Divorce has a way of clinging to you long after the ink dries. And my ex? He made sure his shadow would follow me wherever I went. When I walked away from him in Louisiana, he swore I’dnever work as a cop again. Not in that town. Not anywhere. He promised to ruin me, just like he tried to back then.
The truth is the brotherhood in the department only extends so far. They put on a good show—camaraderie, loyalty, unity—but I learned the hard way that the women they are involved with aren’t included in that bond when things get messy. For years, I played along, trying to fit in, trying to make it work. But when I finally found the courage to leave, I realized something: if he was going to destroy me no matter what, I’d rather take my chances running than stay trapped.
And now, here I am. Back in my hometown.
I drop into my desk chair, setting my iced matcha down with one hand while wiping my sweaty palms on my uniform with the other. It was supposed to be an easy patrol day—a quiet drive through our small town looking for speeders and trespassers, enjoying the warmth of early spring. This is my favorite time of year. The world feels alive again, everything blooming and vibrant after a long, cold winter. People are out, shaking off the gray months, and for once, crime takes a bit of a backseat. It’s a small blessing in a job where chaos can pop up at any time.
Today, I’ll take that peace wherever I can get it, but it sounds like that won’t be happening today.
I brush my black hair back into a tight, low bun and then smear on some lip gloss before walking around the permitter of white cubes towards chief’s office.
“Hi, Chief Allister, heard you wanted to see me?” I knock gently on his door.
The chief glances up from something he’s reviewing on his computer with a warm smile. He’s a nicer, older gentleman in his fifties now. Grew up with my dad and understood the situation that I’d been put in as a child which is why he waswilling and understanding about hiring me despite my family’s reputation. Plus, I’m a damn good officer and had proven myself as such during the decade that I spent working in Louisiana.
“Hi Molly. Come on in and close the door behind you. How are you doing today?”
“Fine…” I turn to close the door then slide into the seat across from him. He smiles, immediately putting my nerves to rest.
“Don’t be nervous, this is a good meeting.”
“Okay...”
He sits back in his chair and folds his hands over his stomach. It smells like coffee and cigarette smoke in here. A testament to the years where you could smoke in the PD offices.
“The Department of Corrections reached out to me late last night. They’re struggling to find parole officers who are willing to travel to Whitewood Creek or already live in town. They’ve had some turnover, one just went out on maternity leave, another quit and a third has been put on administrative leave while they investigate her for misconduct with a parolee.”
