Deadly Enterprise: A Mike Stoneman Thriller by Kevin G. Chapman

Author:Kevin G. Chapman [Chapman, Kevin G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing
Published: 2019-12-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26 – Strange Bedfellows

Monday, March 25

THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, JASON AND MIKE went down to the basement records room to have a chat with Sophie. She was so happy to see Mike in the building that she actually got off her stool, came around the counter, and gave him a big hug.

“Careful, now, Sophie. You can’t be squeezing that shoulder too hard or I’ll never finish my rehab,” Mike scolded her playfully.

“Oh, go on, you old goat. Nothing can slow down and old mutt like you,” she said with her Jamaican accent, which Mike always thought sounded like someone who was British, but lived in New Orleans. She slapped him hard across his left arm as she finished. Mike flinched, but didn’t outwardly acknowledge the stab of pain he felt in his shoulder. He did make a mental note not to miss his next PT appointment. He had blown off the last one on the pretense that he was too busy with the transition back to active duty, but that pain made him remember that he was not fully recovered yet.

Jason took a step to get close to Sophie and asked, “Can a brother get some of that?” He gave her a hug, while turning his head and winking at Mike. When he broke away, he said, “You remember those files that Ray and I were looking for?”

Sophie’s big smile changed instantly to a somber purse. “Oh, that’s such a shame about Ray. I didn’t know him, in fact I don’t think he ever came down. But still, such a shame.”

“Thanks, Sophie. It’s a tough one.”

“How are you managing?” the older woman asked with motherly concern. Sophie felt like she was responsible for all the younger officers, but in particular she acted like a surrogate parent to the Black and Hispanic cops.

“I’m getting along fine,” Jason replied. Then he added, “Mike here has helped.”

Mike cocked his head, surprised that Jason would share that, and marveling at Sophie’s ability to get others to open up and talk to her. That’s why she was the queen of workplace gossip. “Detective Dickson is handling the situation very professionally,” Mike said.

“Well, ain’t no one ever handled losing a partner without some sleepless nights, Honey, so don’t you worry if you got some nightmares. You come down and talk to ol’ Sophie any time.”

“Thanks, Sophie. The department has a psychiatrist, but if I need somebody who really knows what they’re talking about, I’ll be sure to come down here.” He smiled warmly at Sophie, who beamed back at him as her smile returned.

“Now, what about those files?” she said as she walked back behind the counter and sat back down on her stool. She muttered something that Mike and Jason could not hear as she tapped keys at her desktop computer. “What was the day I said I put in that transfer request?” She asked Jason.

“You said it was February 19,” Jason responded. Mike and Jason stood like statues, waiting for Sophie.

“That’s so very odd,” she mumbled, reaching for her mouse and tapping additional keys.

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