Fast and Easy by Betty Womack

Author:Betty Womack [Womack, Betty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Siren Classic
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc.
Published: 2010-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Carmen tried to ignore the cold knot of dread in her stomach. East patrol was set up in a smaller building than the downtown precinct. The area was small, but the welfare of the officers there would rest on her shoulders.

Once inside the station, she looked around for what she thought might be the Captain’s office. Ill at ease and ready to bolt for the door, she was stopped by a friendly voice.

“Can I help you, ma’am?” The officer smiled, waiting patiently to help her.

She relaxed immediately. “I’m Captain Redstone.” She shook his hand. “Right now, Sergeant Rosen, I need to find my office.”

He grinned and shook his head. “It’s about time they sent a captain over here. Lewiston retired three months ago.” He lay down the clipboard he’d been carrying. “You may have to redecorate in there.” He led her to a small office at the rear of the building.

He’d been right. The room was cluttered with newspapers, magazines and a cracked coffee mug. She did a visual sweep, mentally rearranging the furniture and making a list of things to bring in.

“It’s perfect, Sergeant Rosen.” Carmen checked out the desk drawers. “Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.”

“Anything you need, Captain, I’ll see you get it.” He looked at his watch. “The next shift will be here soon. I’ll give you a roster to get you started.”

She nodded, apprehension building again. “I’ll need all the files Captain Lewiston was working on when he left.” He started to leave, but she stopped him. “Thanks again.” She laughed softly. “And, would you point me in the direction of the conference room?”

He picked up the cracked coffee mug and inclined his head toward the door. “It’s the first door to your left after you come in the lobby.”

Carmen used one of the folded newspapers to squash a spider that crawled across the desk. “When the next shift arrives, I’ll be there.”

He left before she could ask another silly question.

She looked around for a mirror, but the former occupant had not been a vain man. Grabbing her purse, she found a small compact and lipstick.

Her hand shook, but she got the lipstick on her lips, not on her chin.

What the hell are you scared of, Carmen? You’re all cops here.

For a few minutes, she gathered up magazines and papers, dumping them all in the old green tin waste basket. She tested the cracked leather desk chair. It squeaked in protest.

Her gaze wandered to the pebble glass window on the door. Replacing Captain Lewiston’s name with hers was next on her agenda.

Voices coming from out front alerted Carmen that the new shift had arrived.

She shrugged into her jacket and took a deep, steadying breath.

Time to meet the troops.

They were like all cops she’d known, rowdy and loud as they greeted each other. Their mood eased her concern, and she walked into the conference room behind Sergeant Rosen.

“All right, men.” He held his hands up to quiet the group. “We have our new Captain.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.