Finding The Road Home. Tina Radcliffe

I was doing the saving.”

      “So the chief is protecting you until you leave the department.”

      “That’s my assessment.” Roscoe nodded. “It’s true, I’ve had a few minor mishaps lately.” He held up his bandaged thumb. “But I can tell you the situation around here has gotten worse since you showed up on Monday.”

      “I’m sure your attitude has nothing to do with things.”

      “Ouch!” Roscoe shot her another surprised look before the stubbornness faded from his face. “I admit I’ve been a bit annoyed that he assigned me a partner.”

      “A bit annoyed. Until today, you’ve only spoken a grand total of three words to me.”

      “You were counting?”

      “There hasn’t been much else to do. Yesterday, when we were on break and accidentally collared that shoplifter in the Piggly Wiggly, I believe you said, Cuff him, Danno.” She couldn’t help but smile. “Three words.”

      Roscoe chuckled.

      Daisy kept talking since she had his attention. “The point is, this is my first time with a partner since I was a rookie with a training officer, so you’re not alone. But I’d like to make this work.”

      “How many years you got under your belt?”

      “Nine. And you?”

      “Twenty-nine.”

      She raised a palm in gesture. “I could learn a lot from you, Officer McFarland. If you’d allow me to.”

      “Point take, Officer Anderson.”

      Silence stretched for several moments as Roscoe gnawed on a toothpick. “You know, there is another way to look at this,” he finally said.

      “What’s that?” Daisy asked.

      “Ever think maybe the chief has me babysitting you?” he asked.

      “What?” Her eyes popped wide at Roscoe’s words.

      “I heard you’ve got five kids. Knowing Mitch’s history, I can see him trying to protect you. That’s his MO.”

      “His MO?”

      “Let’s just say the man has had more than his share of loss, and leave it at that.”

      “I see.” Daisy said the words slowly, trying to gain insight into her enigmatic boss. “I think we should talk to him about our situation. I don’t like the idea of being coddled.”

      “I ain’t saying a word.” Roscoe blew a raspberry. “Nobody likes a grumbler.”

      Daisy resisted the urge to inform him that he’d been grumbling for the last fifteen minutes.

      “If they want to pay me to do nothing, it’s no skin off my nose.” Roscoe glanced at the dash clock. “Besides, why look for trouble on a Friday afternoon? The shift is almost over, and we’ve got a free meal prepared by the best chef in the county waiting on us at Rebel Ranch this evening.”

      “That event at the guest ranch? I nearly forgot.”

      “Well, don’t. Everyone in town attends. Would be downright insulting to the Rainbolts if you were a no-show.”

      “Fine. I’ll be there.” She turned to her new partner. “I still think we should talk to the chief. Get things out in the open. Mitch seems like a man who favors transparency.”

      “Transparency?” He snorted. “It’s transparent to me right now that talking to Mitch is a lousy idea.” Roscoe signaled and checked his mirrors. “You do what you want, missy. Just remember you might not like the answers.”

      “Where are we headed?” Daisy asked.

      “We’ve got two hours left. Enough time to check the meters on Main Street one more time. Who knows, maybe we’ll run into some bad guys jaywalking and make a big collar.” He laughed and pulled out into traffic.

      Daisy adjusted her sunglasses and pondered Roscoe’s words. Surely he was exaggerating. Still, a niggling doubt inched its way in and she was determined to prove Roscoe wrong.