Behind the Badge by Renee Harless

Author:Renee Harless [Harless, Renee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-27T18:30:00+00:00

***

For a Friday morning, Shelly was surprised to find the park as crowded as it was. She was joining a weekly play date between the Connelly wives and sisters. At first when she was invited Shelly had declined, she didn’t want to intrude on their family time. But Sydney had insisted and threatened her attendance.

Abel gripped her hand as they approached the gathering of people, but then she saw Sydney, Avery, and Poppy nestled under a gazebo chatting. Shelly steered them in that direction and returned a wave from the women as they noticed her approaching.

She apologized for being a little late, but they assured her that it wasn’t a problem and that Nikki was running late as well. Abel’s grip on her hand tightened and she leaned down as he gestured to whisper in her ear. Quietly he asked if he could play with the other kids and Shelly smiled, nodding for him to go ahead.

“Thanks for the invite. Abel has been dying to play with kids close to his age and I can see there are a ton here today.”

“Oh, he’s going to have a great time,” Poppy added, whom Shelly remembered from her vibrant red hair. “We’re so glad you could make it. I packed a cooler of drinks and snacks. Please help yourself.”

Normally another mom making a comment like that would make Shelly feel inadequate and insecure, but coming from Poppy, she just smiled and gratefully accepted a bottle of water. Poppy was one of the kindest women Shelly had ever met, the entire Connelly crew were, but Poppy had a heart of gold and opened the childcare center and preschool in Carson. The woman was prepared for anything.

While keeping a watchful eye on their kids, they chatted about the celebration coming up and caught up with what they had been doing since the last playdate. Nikki joined them a little bit later as their kids rushed toward the pavilion for a snack, then dashed away just as quickly.

Just before noon, Avery and Poppy began gathering their things, explaining that they had to return to work. But as Sydney glanced down at her phone, the women halted their movements. Sydney was as cheerful as they came, but even Shelly could see her body begin to shake in fear.

“Sydney? Is something wrong?” Avery asked as she wrapped an arm around her half-sister.

“No,” she replied gruffly. “I mean, yes, maybe. I don’t know.”

“Well, why don’t you explain what has you so shaken up?” At Poppy’s soothing tone, Sydney relaxed into Avery’s body.

“I’m just being silly and paranoid. Dylan texted that his SAC, Special Agent-in-Charge, reached out to him to see if he could help on a case. He hasn’t been asked to help in a while. I was hoping it was over.”

“What does it mean if he helps?” Shelly asked curiously. She didn’t know much about Dylan’s background, but she remembered he worked with the FBI.

“It could mean nothing more than sorting through evidence or paperwork. Or it could mean going undercover.

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