Page 38 of Island Homecoming

“Good morning, Jess!” Swann began. “The charges have been dropped. We wanted to get that out of the way first thing.”

“That’s amazing, thank you.”

“And yes,” Gamble chimed in, “we could’ve sent that in the text message, but we really wanted to have this discussion in person.”

“Okay.” The knot started tightening again. “Any details I need to be aware of?” Like possibly being banned from returning to that specific Georgia county. Stranger things happened during legal negotiations.

“No,” Gamble said. “It was pretty straightforward. We made sure all parties understood that you intervened as a concerned citizen when tempers flared. Your record and experience as a police officer helped. And your statement was supported by the couple’s reputation for previous calls about domestic violence.”

She was concerned about the wife’s safety, but she wouldn’t repeat her mistake by asking more questions.

“Thank you again.” She’d expected the situation to fade away, but without these two lawyers it could’ve dragged on for months. Now she was free—once things wrapped up at the warehouse—to go on with the rest of her life.

Not a daunting prospect at all.

Her sarcastic thoughts aside, she would need to buckle down and make some tough decisions. If she didn’t go back to police work, she needed to find something else.

“We do have one more item on our agenda,” Swann said, drawing her attention. “We appreciate you supporting the local law enforcement in Brookwell.”

“It was a barter that served me more than you, I’m afraid,” she replied, carefully muting the wariness she felt.

“Chief Caldwell keeps us updated on the case,” Gamble said.

She wondered if they knew more than the folks here on the ground. The possibility didn’t trouble her. This group was that good.

“Everyone is pleased with your contribution to the situation,” Swann added. “The chief sings your praises and has mentioned he’d like you to join the island police department.”

No. Her initial, gut response was so fast she worried she’d said it aloud. Gabby claimed Jess had options, but she wasn’t so sure. If she had to go back to police work, she’d find a way to cope with carrying a sidearm. She’d managed it so far.

“I’m glad he’s pleased,” Jess said. Also glad this was a video call since her palms were suddenly sweating.

Gamble smiled. “You might’ve heard that, as an agency, we’ve been branching out and exploring new options. We’ve offered training to empower new protection agencies and investigators. One of our first groups to complete the program is located a few hours from you, in Haleswood, South Carolina.”

“Haleswood isn’t much bigger than Brookwell Island,” Jess said without thinking.

“So we’ve heard, but they’re central and officials in the area demonstrated a need for extra support.”

Jess understood the logic. Brookwell was a great community, but no one would accuse the town of easy access. Were they wanting her to move upstate? She discovered she didn’t necessarily want that either. Weird or not, the island was feeling more like home. Even if she wasn’t sure about job options.

“We’d like you to consider another option,” Swann said. “We’ve identified another opportunity for our agency model and we’d like you to help us test things out. We’d like you to be our first regional coordinator.”

Jess wondered if this was the kind of option Gabby had been referencing when they’d last talked. “What would that entail?” she asked.

“We need someone to manage security queries, monitor available personnel and resources, and make assignments,” Gamble explained. “You wouldn’t be doing much of the field work, but you would be making sure that the right people, from our stable of qualified protectors and investigators, were posted to the right places, either supporting law enforcement or taking on specific investigations.”

Swann picked up the thread. “We’d basically assign you a territory,” he paused, “maybe North and South Carolina to start, and you’d be the primary contact. We’d rely on your knowledge of the area as well.” His lips compressed into a resigned frown. “We learned early on that our protectors were far more effective when they had a comprehensive awareness of the area they were working.”

“I—” She closed her mouth before she could start babbling.

Knowing the Guardian Agency, this role would be far more interesting than a typical desk job. Plus, she’d be on the leading edge of an exciting new endeavor with an industry-leading company. For the first time since she’d left the KWPD, Jess felt a spark of her old self.

She gave a tight nod. “If what you’re describing lines up with the image in my head, I think you’re right about this being a good fit,” she said. “Tell me more, please.”

She listened as Gamble and Swann continued their pitch, entertained her questions, and assured her she could work from any location within the region they outlined for her. They assured her she would have training, continuing education, and all the office space and equipment and staff she might need.

She smothered a laugh when an image of her working out of her bedroom closet popped into her mind.

“We know you’re well-acquainted with Chief Caldwell,” Swann said.

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